PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 22nd September, 2015
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(MR. SPEAKER in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR. SPEAKER
DEATH OF HON. JOAN TSOGORANI
- SPEAKER: It is with profound sorrow that I have to inform the House of the death on Monday, 21st September, 2015, of the
Proportional Representation Member of Parliament for Mashonaland West Province, Hon. Joan Tsogorani. I invite hon. members to rise and observe a minute of silence in respect of the late hon. member. – [MR. D. P. Sibanda: Inaudible interjection] –
Mr. D. P. Sibanda, even in mourning you make such statements?
All hon. members stood and observed a minute of silence.
MOTION
LEAVE TO MOVE RESTORATION OF THE MOTION ON LEAVE
TO BRING IN A FINANCE BILL
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT (MR. CHINAMASA): Mr. Speaker Sir, I seek
leave of the House, that the motion on leave to bring in a Finance Bill, (H. B. 5, 2015) which was superseded by the end of the Second Session of the Eighth Parliament be restored on the Order Paper in terms of
Standing Order Number 73 (1) and that it becomes Order of the Day
Number 2, with today’s Order of the Day Number 2 becoming Order of the Day Number 3.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
RESTORATION OF THE MOTION ON LEAVE TO BRING IN A
FINANCE BILL
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (MR. CHINAMASA): Mr. Speaker Sir, I move
that the motion on leave to bring in a Finance Bill, (H. B. 5, 2015) which was superseded by the end of the Second Session of the Eighth
Parliament be restored on the Order Paper in terms of Standing Order Number 73 (1) and that the Bill becomes Order of the Day, Number 2 on today’s Order Paper, the current Order of the Day, Number 2 becomes Order of the Day, Number 3.
Motion put and agreed to.
FIRST READING
BANKING AMENDMENT BILL, (H.B. 6, 2015)
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (MR. CHINAMASA) presented the Banking Amendment Bill (H.B.6, 2015).
Bill read the first time.
Bill referred to the Parliamentary Legal Committee.
MOTION
PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH: DEBATE ON ADDRESS
- MUTOMBA: I move the motion standing in my name:
That a respectful address be presented to the President of
Zimbabwe as follows:
May it please you, your Excellency, the President;
We, the Members of Parliament of Zimbabwe, desire to express our loyalty to Zimbabwe and beg leave to offer our respectful thanks for the speech, which you have been pleased to address to Parliament.
- DZIVA: I second.
- MUTOMBA: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker. I would want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to move this businessoriented legislative agenda that was presented to this august House.
- SPEAKER: Sorry. Hon. Mutomba, if you can take your seat. I received notification that some hon. members did not get a copy of the speech but these were put in the pigeon holes.
*MR. MURAI: Thank you Mr. Speaker. We never saw any speeches in our pigeon holes. The speech is nowhere to be found; it can be mysteriously found and then the next minute it is nowhere –
[laughter.] -
- SPEAKER: By show of hands, how many did not receive that speech? I request hon. members to listen very carefully. I will make sure that the speech is provided once again in the pigeon holes.
- MUTOMBA: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker. I would want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to move this businessoriented legislative agenda that was presented to this august House by the Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the ZDF on the 16th September, 2015. I would want to start by unreservedly saluting and thanking His Excellency, the State President of the Republic of
Zimbabwe and the Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and the current Chairman of the African Union for coming up with this legislative agenda that is expected to create to laws that we usher in irresistible and magnetic commercial laws that will ultimately open up floodgates for foreign direct investments. This legislative agenda has to be read in conjunction with President’s 10 point plan.
According to the two documents, it is evident enough of an absolute political will on the part of the Executive to address the current economic challenges that the country is facing. Therefore, the Third Session of this Parliament must be supportive of this national objective and must go in the annals of history as having transformed the ease of
Doing Business Environment in Zimbabwe. I say thank you very much Gushungo, the son of the soil and true visionary Pan African leader par- excellence.
Mr. Speaker Sir, in our First and Second sessions of the Eighth Parliament, a number of Bills were categorically stated to be presented to Parliament. However, on checking from these previous legislative agendas, this did not happen as planned, and only a few came to the House. In the First session of the Eighth Parliament, His Excellency explicitly wanted 24 Bills to be presented to Parliament, but regrettably only 12 Bills were tabled. In the Second session, the President required 19 Bills to be presented, but sadly only eight came to the House. Now the Third session, His Excellency has directed that 21 Bills will be tabled.
Analysing the First and Second sessions of the Eighth Parliament legislative agendas, I have discovered that there are two fundamental differences that I have observed. In the First session, there were 24 Bills that were to be tabled and amongst these Bills, only five Bills were investment oriented Bills and the rest were dealing with other various social disciplines. Worse still, none of the five Bills were tabled in the House. In the Second session, 19 Bills were expected to be tabled and only six of these were presented to Parliament. The second fundamental difference is that the First and Second Sessions, the few business Bills appeared to be too restrictive and repulsive in nature unlike the current Bills, most of them are aiming at creating a friendly business environment for investors.
Mr. Speaker Sir, considering the few Bills that were presented to Parliament in the First and Second sessions, it is obvious that history will repeat itself for those who do not want to learn. For how long should we continue to be discourteous and disrespectful to our President? Why this lack of concern and lack of compliance? Is it limited financial resources that is inhibiting performance? Is it the Executive failing to bring Bills to the House – and why? Whatever the answer is, this is a clear sign of discourteous, impervious attitude and lack of support of the Head of State’s priorities.
Mr. Speaker Sir, it is my humble submission that for once, the Third Session of the Eighth Parliament must work in conformity with the President’s priorities. Whatever is the cause of non-compliance in the above Sessions, this is now water under the bridge, and it is past. We need to focus on what is before us. This national agenda is of paramount importance as espoused by the Head of State. I am therefore imploring all the three pillars of our legislative processes to brace up and play their active role in order to fulfill what the President is expecting this House to accomplish.
In his address, the President Cde. R. G. Mugabe highlighted 21 key Bills that are set to be tabled before the House for making or unmaking in to law. It must be excitingly motivating and particularly inspiring to realise that this time the President is behind the wheel in Ensuring Ease of Doing Business Environment is remarkably improved. He has taken the initiatives to bring to the fore 14 key Bills out of 21 Bills that are expected to be presented to the House with the sole aim of creating laws that are investor friendly. These 14 Bills are:-
- The Zimbabwe Investment Authority Amendment Bill which seeks to convert the authority into a true One-Stop-Shop Investment Centre. This will reduce time taken to complete required documents because they would be done under one roof.
- The State Procurement Amendment Bill which seeks to improve efficiency in the public procurement system. This Bill also seeks to decentralise the procurement functions to ministries and local authorities to expedite decision-making regarding investments and also to curb corruption that has been suspiciously associated with the current board.
- The Special Economic Zones Bill which is expected to promote exports and boost industrialisation.
- The Banking Amendment Bill which is expected to strengthen the banking regulatory system and provide anchorage to the efforts at turning around our economy.
- The Minerals Exploration and Marketing Corporation Bill. This
Bill is expected to provide for a competitive and investment focused legislative framework.
- The Bill for the Establishment of the Pan African Minerals
University of Science and Technology which will offer post-graduate training programmes in mineral value addition and beneficiation. To add value to our mineral exports thereby immensely boost generation of the much needed foreign currency.
- The Consumer Protection Bill that will promote consumer rights and fair business competition and marketing strategies.
- The National Incomes and Pricing Commission Act which is to be replaced by the establishment of the National Competitiveness Commission, which is expected to spearhead the improvement of the country’s business competitiveness.
- The E-Transaction Bill …
- GONESE: On a point of order Mr. Speaker.
- SPEAKER: What is your point of order Mr. Gonese?
- GONESE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. The hon. member is reading his speech word for word and I believe that it is not his first time to speak in this august House. In terms of the Standing Orders of this House, a member who has spoken before and is not making his/her maiden speech, is not supposed to read but to refer to his/her notes. I believe that the hon. member should be so directed that he can only refer to his notes and not go line by line, word by word through a prepared speech.
- SPEAKER: May the hon. member please refer to his notes.
- MUTOMBA: Hon. Speaker Sir, it will be very difficult to refer to my notes because these are Bills. It is difficult to come up and address them without referring to the notes.
- The E-Transaction Bill which is to govern and manage ecommerce across the country’s network and is aimed at facilitating efficient ICT-enabled operations within and across public sector entities.
- The Cooperative Societies Act Amendment Bill, which seeks to maintain the growth momentum within this sector.
- The Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act, which is expected to be flexible to allow Ministers to negotiate investment thresholds that are sector specific.
- The National Border Ports Authority Bill, which seeks to create friendly environment at the border posts.
- The Land Commission Bill, which will enable the Commission to carry out the land audit to ensure accountability, fairness and transparency in the administration of all agricultural land to ensure proper use of land and increase efficiency in the farming operations.
Mr. Speaker Sir, all in all, there are 14 Bills that are business oriented. The House must take this opportunity to thank the State President for these visionary initiatives, which will undoubtedly leapfrog the economic activities in the country. However, the other legislative pillars including this august House, must play their meaningful role to complement the Head of State’s efforts.
Mr. Speaker Sir, His Excellency started by bringing to the fore the most challenging issue, that is failure to attract Foreign Direct
Investment (FDI). The President stated that the Government is carrying out a raft of measures to improve the business environment in the country including the Company’s Act and other pieces of legislation that are negatively affecting the smooth flow of FDI. Many of these Bills are expected to be panel beaten to align them with the current aspirations of stimulating economic activities.
Mr. Speaker Sir, it is unfortunate for us currently that the economy is in a bad state. People are desperate and we need to immediately change. His Excellency has set the pace for this big change. There must be an instant paradigm shift in the way we do business in this House. No more time to be on holiday, it should not be business as usual, no more blame game. We need to work together as one, one people, one society, one culture with one objective to turn around the country’s economic misfortunes.
Let me quote the President on this issue, “As I conclude, I remind all hon. members of this august House of the need to always conduct business in a manner that does not erode the stock of trust reposed in us by the electorate. We indeed carry on our shoulders, the hopes and aspirations of our people. Let us channel our collective energies towards the development of our country, guided by our economic blueprint, the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (ZIM ASSET). This of course, demands all of us to always cherish the crown values of peace, hard work, and the unity of purpose.”
The spirit of oneness should start from this motion as alluded to by the State President. We should not be part of the problems but part of the solutions. The culture of heckling and bickering in this august House has reached unprecedented levels, a crescendo that is totally unacceptable. We are portraying this House in a very bad light. It is as if no hecklers, no meaningful debate. This is a very bad and unfortunate development. We are negating the electorate who have voted for us into office with trust and confidence that we will positively stand for them.
Their expectations and aspirations are flowing down the river. I am talking about both sides of the House…
Hon. Madondo having stood between the Chair and the hon. member speaking.
- SPEAKER: Order, the hon. member standing there, can you
get out of the House please.
Hon. Madondo walked out of the House.
- SPEAKER: Hon. member, you may continue.
- MUTOMBA: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir. I am talking about both sides of the House - MDC and ZANU PF. There is no heckle that is better than the other as heckles disturb the flow or thought of the debater. In most cases, some hon. members make life very uncomfortable for the Speaker, who at times is found sweating to bring sanity in the House. Constructive engagement is what is needed now. The President has set the tone and platform for just that. It is imperative that we give him our unwavering and united support.
Mr. Speaker Sir, Mr. Aliko Dangote has come to Zimbabwe at the right time. I have a strong conviction that the way the Government has responded to his business interest must now stand out as the country’s standard policy document that must be applied in every situation to every potential investor, whether local or foreign. The country needs huge FDI in order to spur economic growth that would create massive job opportunities for the working class.
Investors are complaining about policy inconsistencies and policy ambiguity. At times, Ministers are found to be making different policy pronouncement on the same subject. This is forcing investors to look elsewhere where the investment climate is conducive. We are living in a global world, where cut throat competition is at play.
Mr. Speaker Sir, this Third Session of the Eighth Parliament must be alive to these noble developments unfolding in the country’s economic environment that have been initiated by none other than our State President. When these Bills are presented to this House, bickering and heckling should be limited to the barest minimum, if not eliminated altogether. This is the time to show and prove to the electorate that we are politically mature. Let us accept the existence of other political parties and their different political ideologies. However, these parties must not just contradict everything that comes to Parliament to prove their oppositional existence.
What we want now is constructive engagement, which proffers substantially productive solutions to current industrial challenges. What the President has laid upon us demands the spirit of oneness since we have a lot in common. We need each other more than ever before. We are all Zimbabweans to begin with and therefore, our agenda must be one, that is to stimulate the economic activities of the country that would eliminate the hardships being faced by the country.
Mr. Speaker Sir, we have this huge pressing national assignment ahead of us, that is to ensure that what His Excellency has put on the legislative agenda for the House becomes a success, that is, to pass laws that are investor friendly in order to stimulate economic growth. There should be no time for hecklings, but the spirit of unity, of oneness, togetherness and unity of purpose as espoused by His Excellency, should engulf this august House. Let us confront the economic challenges as one. Let us not look backwards as yesterday is gone forever. We need to focus on the future.
God is on the throne for Zimbabwe, he has been at work for us all along. Look at the peace that is prevailing in the country, despite the challenges. He is still at work for us. We need not confuse him by dividing ourselves. He does not enjoy to see his children divided as divided we fall. We need to confront this national assignment with a combined and positive approach. The Executive must bring the Bills to the House and the House must pass these Bills with minimum delay. Let us not confuse the Almighty by continuously blaming each other about things that are in the past. The past cannot build the future of the country.
Mr. Speaker Sir, this is the time for loyal and true sons and daughters, the right hon. members of this reputable House of Parliament of the Republic of Zimbabwe, to stand up and be reckoned and remembered for having positively contributed to this national objective. Senseless attempts to derail the smooth passage of the pending Bills that are to come to this august House must be viewed with the serious contempt that it deserves. This House’s main agenda is to transform the unbearable business environment obtaining in the country into a formidable force of economic growth. The Bills that are to come will seek making magnetic investment laws and unmaking some laws that are no longer relevant to the desired economic environment. This will help to create an investor friendly country, which will result in leapfrogging the economic growth that will ultimately create massive employment opportunities for our people.
Mr. Speaker Sir, let me conclude by once again thanking the State President Cde R. G. Mugabe for having created this platform from which, hopefully we are going to improve the ease of doing business and reduce the cost of starting business in Zimbabwe. Thank you. Mr.
Speaker.
- CHINOTIMBA: On a point of order Mr. Speaker.
- SPEAKER: Order, order, Hon. Chinotimba.
*MR CHINOTIMBA: Mr. Speaker Sir, we once made a request that when we lose a Member of Parliament, we should get a bus from Parliament to assist us to attend the funeral. Right now, we have just come from our rural areas and constituencies and we do not have any fuel. When we made that request you said that you would come back to us. Now, we have lost a Member of Parliament and we are unable to go and pay our condolences. I am requesting for a bus to go and mourn our beloved Member of Parliament. If the bus is available, we want to go and attend the funeral. I thank you – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] –
- SPEAKER: Hon. Chinotimba, your point of order is taken and the matter will be addressed administratively. I thank you.
- DZIVA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, for affording me this opportunity to also add my voice on the Presidential Speech that was presented last week by His Excellency on the Official Opening of the Third Session of this Parliament.
Firstly, I would like to thank His Excellency for coming to Parliament to present this important agenda to the people of Zimbabwe through this august House. I would also want to take this opportunity to congratulate the ZANU PF party for winning in the by-elections of Epworth, Mbire and Marondera Constituencies. I also want to take this opportunity to send my condolences to the Tsogorani family for the loss of our Member of Parliament and also as a Member of the Zimbabwe Women Parliamentary Caucus as well.
Let me begin by joining hands with His Excellency on issues to do with the alignment of our legislation with our Constitution. I would like to appeal that it is something that needs urgency and we need to make sure that as Parliament, we make ourselves available to make sure that this Constitution is aligned as fast as possible. I want to applaud our
Government for putting the Electoral Amendment Act and the National Prosecuting Authority Act into place. Now, it is operational and we are able to do our things. We have actually done our elections through the Electoral Amendment Act.
Let me talk about issues to do with education. This is an issue that touches my heart and let me applaud His Excellency for advocating for the provision of quality education in our national development agenda. It is something that is so critical in my constituency in Gweru. We need good facilities in primary and secondary education and to make sure that the curriculum is well established as to make sure that it caters for the future of our children.
I want appeal to Government on issues to do with provision of accommodation and food services to students. In my constituency, I have Midlands State University which is a very critical tertiary institution but they face challenges in infrastructural development of accommodation for the students. This is very critical because female students become vulnerable as they are the main victims of lack of accommodation and food.
Mr. Speaker Sir, let me take this opportunity to talk about the issue of corruption. I want to join His Excellency in speaking against corruption. The scourge of corruption that is in the country is very high, we all agree. We are very happy that the Government is committed in addressing these issues. One of the strategies is that the Government is going to make sure that there is a Code of Conduct that is going to be put into place. This is to make sure that public office bearers will also declare their assets and all their properties before they take oath to Government. This is something that I also want to welcome and as well as we make sure that our Executive are also accountable in these issues as these corruption activities are happening in the high levels of our Government and our Parliament as well. As Members of Parliament we should also be accountable to our electorate. So, it is something that is very positive for all of us to declare our assets to Parliament so that we do not abuse taxpayers’ money and public funds. So, we welcome the National Code of Corporate Governance Bill that will be presented in this Parliament.
I would also want to talk about the issue of the Land Commission. The Land Commission is something that is very critical and we are looking into it as it will provide fairness and equal distribution of land to all Zimbabweans. The Land Commission will also look into the auditing of the land. We would love to also applaud His Excellency the President for making this activity available before Parliament and making sure that everyone will account for the issues to do with land and to make sure that there is the policy of one man one farm for every family in Zimbabwe. I would also want to complement him, in accordance with Section 246 of our Constitution, on the setting up of the Gender Commission. The Commission will provide for the monitoring and implementation of the gender constitutional provision that will make sure that there are affirmative action programmes that will achieve our gender equity as well as promote the representation of women in Government and all parastatals with a 50/50 representation in every organ. So, we also want to make sure that the Gender Commission does its work to make sure that there is gender balance, as well as to address issues of gender violation. As Parliament we will make sure that our issues as women are addressed because we are the most affected group in these issues. Inasmuch as we are equal to men, we lag behind and we need to make sure that women’s rights are represented.
Let me also take this opportunity to applaud the President for also prioritising young people in his speech – making sure that there will be protection of children’s rights in the Bill that will be presented before this Parliament. I would also want to take this opportuninty to applaud the Junior Parliamentarians for presenting their issues before His Excellency the President and he has considered to also make something out of it so that they can address issues that are affecting our children.
Mr. Speaker Sir, let me also add my voice on the issues of War Veterans, Ex-political Prisoners, Detainees and War Collaborators Act into coming together with a Bill that will address all their issues as well as the initiative of constructing the Zimbabwe Liberation War Memorial Hospital in Harare that has been done by the Government. We also want to honour these war veterans because they are the ones that made us to be here as they sacrificed their lives, families and all they had for us in order for us to be independent. So, as Zimbabweans we continue to look upon them for the direction of our laws as a country.
I will also take this opportunity to talk about the issue that was presented by His Excellency on the National Security Council Amendment with the Zimbabwe National Defence University Bill that will also be presented before this Parliament to make sure that there is policy and strategy formulation for the military and civilian leaders that will be conducted by the National Security Council. So, it is something that we applaud because as Zimbabwe, we are one of the countries which have a strong peace background which is very much united in terms of issues of decency of our people. So, we want to applaud the continued peace that is in our country and also to give our security agents more confidence in the work that they are doing – the police, the army and all security sectors of the country. They are there for us and they protect us as civilians.
Let me also take this opportunity to assure this House Mr. Speaker
Sir, that, we will make sure that this presentation that was made to this
Parliament will work hand in hand with our economic Bluerint, the ZIM ASSET to make sure that we achieve the results that are needed by our people. It will also address issues to do with health. Mr. Speaker Sir, health is a very critical cornerstone for our country. People need to have good health and there is also need to address the issue of noncommunicable diseases. Issues of maternity health care should also be addressed in these provisions that are coming in.
Mr. Speaker Sir, it also touches my heart when we talk about issues to do with medical aid societies that are failing to address the concerns of their customers, for example the Premier Service Medical Aid Society. Sometimes patients cannot consult doctors of their choice because they are not able to pay them on time or they are not able to pay them at all and they cannot as well access medications at pharmacies. So, we would also want to appeal that the Government does something to make sure that the members also get their required services when they need them.
The mining sector is very critical to our economy because mining remains very critical as it also provides for a lot of resources for our country. Issues of exploration should also be looked into. Our country should invest in the mining sector and I am very happy that our Pan African Leader, our visionary and principled President, His Excellency the President and Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces, Cde. R.
- Mugabe is also coming up with the establishment of the Pan African
Mineral University of Science and Technology.
- SPEAKER: Order, order. Hon. Wadyajena, take your seat please. You can continue.
- DZIVA: It is something that is very interesting given the fact that the President is the Chairman of the African Union and he is also bringing in into the House a provision of Pan African thinking of the Minerals University of Science and Technology. It will also offer opportunities for our young people to get training and also to make sure that they also provide some training in value addition and beneficiation which will also bring jobs to our people. So, it is something that is very critical and let us join our President and also applaud him for such a very positive initiative.
Lastly, I will talk about the issue of investment. As a country we are waiting and looking forward for strong local and foreign direct investment inflows into the country. It is something that is very critical right now and I am very happy that the President in his speech presented that they are going to open strategies and also put legislation that will encourage the environment for investment as well as again issues of corruption. They are also very dangerous and criminating issues to do with investment and investors may lack confidence if there is a lot of corruption. So, it is something that will also be addressed to ensure that investment in the country is high and there is creation of job opportunities. On the same issue of corruption, I also want to appeal to Government to look into the matter of setting up the Anti-Corruption
Commission, which will enable us to work hand in hand with the new Constitution and will give the Anti-Corruption Commission authority to address issues.
Let me conclude by saying that I am very grateful to Government for their common law position that was addressed by the amendment of Labour Act in this Parliament. We do look forward to more amendments of the Labour Act but I would like to continue to applaud the good work that was done. Although we were not really prepared, we are looking at making this session of Parliament very efficient and effective so as to enable us to debate our Bills timeously, as well as address all issues that need attention in our legislation.
May I also say that Parliament business is very critical and we need to continue united across all political parties, especially on issues that address the needs of our people such as service provision, food, health, education and technology. People are looking upon this Parliament to do the oversight role and protect their Constitutional rights.
May I end by wishing you Mr. Speaker Sir, to continue with the good work that you have exhibited in the last session and continue to make sure that this House is united towards the national agenda to develop and achieve our ZIM ASSET. I want to thank you.
- SPEAKER: I received a notification that there will be a ZANU-PF caucus meeting tomorrow, Wednesday 23rd September, 2015, at 9:00am at the ZANU-PF Headquarters.
- KHUPE: Thank you for affording me this opportunity to be part of this debate. Before I start Mr. Speaker Sir, on behalf of MDC-T which is led by President Tsvangirayi, we would like to pass our condolences to Hon. Tsogorani’s family on the passing on of the hon. member.
As Members of Parliament, I think we must always be alive to the
fact that our role is to legislate, scrutinize policies and activities of the Executive and to hold the Executive to account for its actions. As we do this, we are supposed to do it in view of the hopes, expectations and aspirations of the people who elected us into this august House. As Members of Parliament, we are also supposed to shape development strategies that reflect the concerns of the people and I will try and do exactly that. Currently, Zimbabwe is facing a number of economic problems. For many Zimbabweans, life these days has become a struggle. People are failing to make ends meet as money is hard to come by. People are living in abject poverty and therefore I expected the
President’s speech to speak to the following issues:
-Hunger and Poverty – people are living in abject poverty and they are hungry yet there is not even a single person who was born poor because every person was born with their own potential. People are poor because of institutions that are built by Government, systems that are created by Government and policies that are formulated by
Government. I expected the President’s speech to speak to the issue of building good institutions, creating good systems and formulating good policies so that every person in Zimbabwe is able to explore their potential and get out of poverty.
Foreign Direct Investment is the second issue that I thought the
President’s speech would touch on. Zimbabwe is desperate for new money as we speak right now. New money can only come by if we develop investor friendly policies. Right now, the President spoke about the indigenization policy and how it is supposed to be simplified and rationalized. Just simplifying and rationalizing the indigenization policy does not mean anything to me. When talking about FDI, we are talking billions. I do not think we would have any sane person coming here with his billions and then the next day, somebody comes in and say they want 51% of the billions. No one will come and invest because people want to invest where they know their investment is safe. Investors want to see a policy such that when they read it they feel like wanting to come and invest in Zimbabwe. My point is, just simplifying and rationalizing, in my view will not help. If we go that way you will find that very few people will benefit from indigenization. Those who have been promised empowerment – the grass roots will not realise it. It will remain a dream.
We want people to come and invest their money and create employment. When people are employed and they have disposable incomes then those people will be able to buy shares in those companies. Indigenisation should not be an event but it must be a process that benefits everybody. Once people have money they will start buying shares bit by bit and over the years, they will own those companies. Meanwhile they will learn how the companies operate, where to source the raw materials and where the markets for their products are located. This is what I call indigenization, but my point is, we need new money and new money can only be realised when we develop investor friendly policies.
Employment is the third issue that I thought the President would deal with. The Executive promised 2.2 million jobs through ZIM ASSET but at the present moment if there is anything, more jobs have been lost. They have actually created 2.2 million vendors. Also looking at the speech I cannot see where the President is explicit on how employment is going to be created. Now that we have vendors, I am not seeing where the President is clear on the provision of amenities to vendors so that they are able to sustain a living, now that they are there I am not seeing that Mr. Speaker.
Historically Mr. Speaker Sir, Zimbabwe has been driven by performance of three major sectors and these sectors are agriculture, mining and manufacturing. In 1984, agriculture accounted for 41% of our export earnings. Zimbabwe used to be the bread basket of Africa but look at what is happening right now. Insofar as the World Food Programme report is concerned, they are saying 1,5 million people are facing extreme food shortages between now and March 2016. They are facing extreme food shortages and yet, we have got enough water bodies which can irrigate land and produce 2,5 million tonnes of maize. This is enough to feed Zimbabwe.
In the speech Mr. Speaker Sir, I am not seeing where the President is talking about agricultural technologies like drip irrigation. They are sustainable and the yield is very high. If we want to restore our status as the bread basket of Africa Mr. Speaker Sir, this is the way to go. If we want to move away from being a food deficit country to a food surplus country, that is the way to go. I am not seeing where the President is speaking about how we are going to restore our status of being the bread basket of Africa.
The President spoke about a Land Commission which is supposed to do an audit, but we have had land commissions before; the Utete Commission, the Flora Buka Commission and the Commission by the ministry itself. Where are the results or findings from those commissions? What makes the Executive think that this particular commission is going to come out with different results which those other three commissions did not? So we have Mr. Speaker Sir, commissions already that were put in place that did their investigations. Findings are there and all that is needed is to implement what those three commissions recommended.
The other sector is mining. Mining accounted for 27% of our export earnings. We had 1 000 mines which were producing 35 commodities and the President right now is talking about repositioning the mining sector so that it restores its former glory. The President is talking about value addition and beneficiation. The President is talking about an Exploration Bill Mr. Speaker Sir. Thirty five years down the line, as Zimbabwe, we still are not clear on how much we have underground. We do not know how much methane gas, gold, diamond, coal reserves and so on, we have. This is not right.
The President was supposed to be explicit on how the mining sector is going to be revived so that we have those 1 000 mines producing 35 commodities. Once that happens, Mr. Speaker Sir, employment is going to be created. Those 35 commodities are the ones which are going to be value added and beneficiated. What are we going to beneficiate or value add right now when mines are not operating effectively?
Mr. Speaker Sir, the other issue is manufacturing. Manufacturing accounted for 32% of our export earnings with 1 260 firms which were producing more than 7 000 different products. The President spoke about operationalising the Special Economic Zones. If that happens, I think we are going to restore the manufacturing sector but the problem that I have is that it will end on these papers. We are very good at talking about issues but when it comes to action, we do not act. I expect that the Executive is going to act on this matter and operationalise the Special Economic Zones so that we restore our manufacturing sector. Once we do that, employment is going to be created and we will have more foreign currency in-flows into this country.
The other issue that I would like to talk about is corruption. The
President spoke about corruption in the speech. Corruption Mr. Speaker Sir, is a cancer which has ravished our economy. Corruption is a major impediment to economic, political and social development. Corruption has destroyed good values, denied quality of life to many Zimbabweans and impoverished the entire nation. Mr. Speaker Sir, the absence of accountability and transparency has accelerated the prevalence of corruption and because of that, it is important that there be a paradigm shift and change of culture that entails serious commitment to eradicate corruption. This must start from the highest office in the land and cascade down to other lower echelons of the society. This is what we need Mr. Speaker Sir.
Perpetrators of grand corruption must be brought to justice for sustainable development. Right now, we are seeing small fish being arrested. You arrested Air Zimbabwe and so on. They were in for six months and now they are out on bail. The big fish must be arrested if we are serious about dealing with this cancer called corruption. Just talking about corruption and not acting will not help us. Yes, we have been talking about corruption. If you look at all the speeches, they talk about corruption but what has happened? We need serious commitment from the highest office in the land to deal with corruption. We want to see heads roll and those found wanting in corrupt activities must be taken to book. Justice must prevail over those people.
The President spoke about declaration of assets. It is a very good thing to declare assets but declaration of assets alone without the commitment to deal with this cancer will not help us. Yes, let us declare our assets but at the same time, those who are corrupt must be brought to book. Justice must prevail if we are serious about dealing with corruption.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I would like to conclude by saying, for me, the Executive must move away from doing the same thing and expecting different results. If you look at all the speeches since time immemorial, they have been speaking about the same issues and yet there is no movement. We are sitting here talking about people who are living in abject poverty, unemployment and all those sectors which are not functioning. It is important that we start acting and stop talking.
It is therefore my humble submission that the President’s speech during the Third Session of Parliament, in my own opinion Mr. Speaker Sir, failed to guide the legislative arm towards sustainable development.
The President’s speech for me, failed to deal with issues that reflect the concerns of the people. The President’s speech failed to raise issues in view of hopes, expectations and aspirations of the people of Zimbabwe.
For me Mr. Speaker Sir, the President’s speech failed to deliver real change to the people of Zimbabwe. I thank you.
MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: Mr. Speaker, I want to
join the other colleagues in also debating the Presidential Speech but before I do so, let me join others in also giving our condolences to our colleague who just passed away and to thank Hon. Chinotimba for making that point of order. I hope that we can follow it through together as Members of Parliament.
Mr. Speaker, I am going to try and do two things in this debate. I am going to focus on two main principles that are there in the Constitution because as the President started his debate, he started by saying there is need to align the laws to the Constitution. I think what I want to do is to begin to speak to those issues that are in the Constitution and those issues that were raised in the Presidential Speech.
Mr. Speaker, when the President comes to this House, I think what we found missing and which we need to address, is that he is not coming in his capacity as the President of ZANU PF. He is coming in his capacity as the President of Zimbabwe. I think as we begin to do a critique of the presentation, let it be understood that this is a space to which we are dealing with the President as the President of Zimbabwe and therefore, doing a critique of whether the foundation and steps that he has set for this particular Session are the steps that speak to the issues that we think are priority issues.
Mr. Speaker, like I said, I am going to deal with two issues. I am going to deal with issues around fair regional representation as one. The second issue I am going to deal with is the issues around gender, in particular women rights. I think my colleagues have done a good job of raising other issues around those. In my opinion, I think issues of fair regional representation and issues of gender or women’s rights are the cornerstone of any development in any country. I believe that we need to deal with them with the seriousness that we see.
I will briefly touch on one thing that does not relate to those two because I think it is critical and important. I had put it in my motion last time and because we are getting into the other Session, it is not there. So, I used the opportunity of this Presidential Speech to speak a little bit to it because it is raised.
Mr. Speaker, the President speaks on the issues of war veterans, however, I think in this Parliament, one of the issues that I have raised is that when we look at issues of war veterans and issues around women who participated in the struggle, there has always been a problem in terms of whether there is declaration of them as heroes/heroines or whether they are being taken seriously in issues of governance.
Mr. Speaker, I must say I am impressed that at this particular point in time, those that are sitting in this House that we have known as war veterans who are females have at least found space in the area of governance. I think we want to praise that because it speaks. I am just disappointed that whilst we have done well for the other war veterans, there is just one war veteran that I still find, who has been there for a long time and I wonder what it is about her that has not gotten her to get into that space and it is my sister, Hon. Zindi.
I am hoping that as we begin to move forward, we may have an entire coverage so that we are clear. So, let me congratulate the female war veterans who have been appointed and hope that they will take the aspirations, the things that they fought for, the issues around women that they stood for into the spaces of governance and that they will not conform to the maleness that we have seen, even from people that have been war veterans who are male.
Mr. Speaker, let me go to the issue around fair regional representation which is Section 18. I have spoken about this section many times in my motions but today, I think I want to go a bit deeper into it because I think we tend to lose focus when we speak to the issues around ethnicity. We become tribal and angry and we think that people are beginning to score points around issues of ethnicity. Like I said, I am proud that I can stand up here as a person who is mukaradhi like I said. So, I cannot be said I am standing for a particular tribe. I cannot stand for a Shona or Ndebele because I am a hybrid and probably, this is why I am so good. I bring both sides of the tribes and you know that hybrids usually bring that to you.
As I begin to speak, I hope I can be understood that I cannot be necessarily targeting a particular tribe. We cannot run away from the fact that the issues of marginalization are an issue in this country and until we deal with them, we will not have full development.
Mr. Speaker, as long as you have a part of a country and a State that believes that they are not part of the country, that they are being marginalized, whether that marginalization is real or unreal, we need to deal with it. We had a group that left this Parliament, they were doing a Committee – I am sorry I cannot remember what Committee. When they went to Bulawayo, they were thrown out, people refused to have that conversation. Instead of understanding that this is a cry for help, it was something that was saying you are not listening to us. We tend to ignore it and say all people of Matabeleland are cry babies, all people of Matebeleland should stand up. It is something that is historical that has come from years and years ago.
Let me explain, even as I sit here why that is an issue. Mr. Speaker, we were called here very quickly to come and debate the issue around the Labour Bill because we were saying there were thousands of workers that had lost jobs. I did not say this because I knew that the emotions were too high but I wanted to stand up and raise this particular issue. If there is a place in which things have gone terribly wrong day-in day-out, it is the area around people who are coming from the southern region. The way the factories have closed, we are even talking here about some Bill that we are saying, we will give you two, three or one month. Those industries that have closed in Matabeleland, people have not even been given the opportunity for those small two or three months issues. They merely woke up, went to a company only to find it closed.
There is no retrenchment package, there is absolutely nothing.
Mr. Speaker, when they watch us sitting in here and speaking so emotionally about a Labour Bill because all of a sudden, it has now affected, not only the southern region but also the northern region as well, they begin to say okay, things only get bad when things are happening in the northern region, then people wake up. When it is happening to the southern region, it is okay and we can get away with it. So, if we are going to be fair Mr. Speaker, it does not matter where things are happening; it does not matter whether people are in conflict in the northern region or they are in conflict in the southern region. The amount of time and conversations that we give to both those regions should indicate that we are equally worried about a region in the north and a region in the south. Until we begin to operate that way, it will raise suspicion. Look at the kind of debate, whether it was on social media or in the papers, you can see the difference even between the debate that we are having here. While there was passionate, emotional debate in the northern region around the Labour Bill, you could not find as much in the southern region because they know that the majority of people who are in the National Railways of Zimbabwe are between Bulawayo and Midlands. So they will be sitting there and saying, it is really bad that some people do not have jobs, what about us who have spent 2 to 3 years without getting a salary? Mr. Speaker Sir, I think it is important that we begin to look at those things.
Following up from what Hon Khupe has said, if we are going to kick on the corner stones and the fundamental issues that we are worried about around economic revival, it will not happen unless we create a situation in which the other people in this country feel as passionate and as emotional as being part of that area. What has even become more problematic is the closure of companies. Some of them have just not closed because there is nothing, but have moved from the southern region to the northern region. What does that say, to somebody who is in the southern region? It basically says the economy is in the northern region, so who am I? You then have in the Presidential Speech something that speaks to the issues around young people and how we need to encourage the youth. Hon. Chinamasa will probably remember this, as part of the issues when we were negotiating, he used to have problems around an argument that we would bring to the table, when we would talk about marginalization. We would say, the young people in Matabeleland are not necessarily in the upper echelons of the economic development. He would say most of them do not really want to go beyond Form 4 and 6. So, we used to say to him - ask yourself why? Why do we have the majority of the people in the southern region being the ones that die as they try to cross Limpopo? It is because the environment itself does not allow for these children to do the kind of work.
When you do an analysis around the schools, you will find that the majority of the schools that are in good standing, that can develop and bring together young people who can be engineers, doctors’ etcetera, cannot do so because those schools in the southern region do not have the laboratories that are there. So, if I look at this area and the President is speaking about creating an educational Bill, what is that Bill going to do? It should not necessarily be a Bill that is changing how education is going to be but it is a Bill that is going to be looking at the past and say, regions have different needs and how do we deal with them.
Last time, I brought to this House the issue around a quarter in some of these higher institutions. I am glad Mr. Speaker Sir, that sometimes you think if a place is being held by somebody who does not necessarily come from it, they may not necessarily worry about it. I am glad that we now have Hon. Jonathan Moyo in that particular space - Higher Education and Tertiary institutions. One is hoping that we will see a difference, both in terms of the children that are going into these tertiary institutions as children that reflect the complexion of Zimbabwe and not necessarily those who reflect the complexion of a particular region and a particular side.
Mr. Speaker, if you look at Section 264 in the Constitution, it talks about the issue of devolution. There is one disappointment on our mistaken speech, whatever we want to call it, for the first time, it actually had the word devolution. I literally wanted to jump up and down here, because it is the first time I have heard the President of this country speak about devolution but guess what happened! We now had the new speech on page 2, the same paragraph that the President spoke to in his mistaken speech, where he had included devolution has now been changed to decentralization. That is a political statement against issues of devolution. Why would somebody who earlier on felt that the issue is about devolution around procurement, now think it is about decentralization. It means you are making a political statement in two things saying as the Executive, we are not going to deal with issues around devolution, but with decentralization. We know what decentralization means, it means that the power remains at the centre and somebody decides what power they are going to give you. So, your power does not reside and it is not coming from the Constitution, but it is coming from a particular centre that then decides what power they are going to give you.
Mr. Speaker Sir, like I have said, it follows the issue around what we are doing with different regions. We know that the people who suffer for getting birth certificates, passports, licences are the ones coming from the southern region. If you are moving from Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, you are much nearer to Harare, therefore the centre in which those things are being done can be easily done. If you are coming from the southern region, you are not able to come there. I am going into details Mr. Speaker, because I want to show you that when we talk about issues of marginalization, it is not merely something that people are having a joke over, it is actually to do with something that is serious and that is fundamental to the governance of this country.
Mr. Speaker Sir, let me talk to the issues around the rights of the elderly and again, I will put it in the same vein. When Government decided that it was going to do a head count of those that should be receiving money so that they would decide on who the ghost workers are and who are not. I am not sure how they were doing it in Harare but I did not see old people standing in a queue to be counted as pensioners. In Bulawayo at Milton High, you would find old people that are diabetic and not well standing in the queue. One begins to question whether we are dealing with these things differently. Have we now come to the northern region and said our pensioners will be dealt with in offices and in the southern region, they will be dealt with in a different way.
Mr. Speaker Sir, the issue that I also found problematic, I do not know whether the conversation that is taking place, that is drowning my voice between Hon. Chinamasa and Hon. Jonathan Moyo speaks to the very fact that I should not be speaking or I am speaking nonsense. It is a bit disturbing because they were not doing that earlier on – [Laughter]- They can talk but they are literally drowning me and the other one is from the southern region.
Mr. Speaker, when we speak about the issues around the children’s rights, for example I am a bit disappointed that one of the red flags and one of the things that have been very passionate, particularly coming from women has been that whole issue of age of consent. Mr. Speaker, I am surprised that we could have a speech such as this does not speak to that issue of age of consent. It is easy Mr. Speaker, if you would call us quickly to deal with labour issues, why is it so difficult to come in one day and immediately reveal that law, move it from 16 to 18 years. I
think the world has spoken, people have spoken that this is wrong, we do not want it and yet it is not there in it. Do you necessarily want the women to march, to lie on our tummies, to undress? What is it that you want us to do for you to understand that we do not want this law you cannot tell me that my sixteen year old girl can consent to sexual intercourse with any man. I do not care whether that man is 20, 30 or 75 years old.
Mr. Speaker, in line with that particular issue, one of the issues that we have been worried about has been the issue around the fact that we have a mandatory sentence for stock theft. If you steal a cow right now, we have a minimum mandatory sentence of nine years yet people can afford to give the community service to the perpetrator when a child is
raped.
Again, women have spoken clearly and loudly on these things and in my opinion, if we are going to have something that is tangible, to quote the statement by Hon. Khupe that speaks to the aspirations of the people of this country; let us immediately have a law that speaks to that issue where we review the 16 years old and put it to 18 years old which is the legal age of majority.
Secondly, something that speaks to a mandatory sentence because if you love cattle so much, I do not know why you do not care about women and children who are being raped every day. – [AN HON.MEMBER: Inaudible interjection] – I have gone overtime?
- SPEAKER: Order, order. No, you still have five minutes.
Please carry on.
MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: Then there is the issue
around the right to health. Again Mr. Speaker, I will link it up to the issues that I have been talking about on Section 18. Again if we look at the hospitals and clinics, the difference between the clinics and hospitals that are in the southern region and those in the northern region just does not make sense.
So that right to health yes, is important as indicated in the Constitution but it should also speak to ensuring that it is fair. I am speaking from a personal interest. I have come out openly about my issue on issues around mental health illness so I know what I am talking about.
The majority of people who suffer from mental health in this country are unfortunately women particularly women of an older age. You must know that even as I speak, it is defined as a chronic illness but if you go to a hospital right now - even medical aid only pays for five days. Let us assume you are taken in because you are severely depressed, suffering from mental depression or whatever and have completely lost it. You will not be covered by medical aid beyond five days because at the end of the day they have defined mental health as if it is not a chronic illness. I think that is problematic, especially knowing the kind of pressures that women are dealing with on a day to day basis.
Mr. Speaker, lastly it is issues around veterans of the war. Again the Constitution is very clear when we are now talking about the veterans of the liberation war that it has nothing to do with just war veterans or political detainees. It is clear that it is about everybody who participated in the liberation struggle. Those women who were carrying sadza to pungwes and even those who provided whatever safety you want to define it but whoever …
- SPEAKER: Order, order to hon. ministers please lower your voices so that the hon. member is heard in silence.
MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: Thank you Mr.
Speaker, I really had tried. I think even as we begin to look at it, let us look at the real definition that is there. That is not to say, we do not want the war veterans and detainees to get particular benefits that should be accorded to people who contributed to the struggle.
It is critical because we do not want privatisation of the liberation struggle. I have a problem with it. I do not want to ever be in a situation where when people are talking about the liberation struggle, I feel like I cannot be part of the discussion because I know I am part of that discussion. I know that I am totally and completely believe in the liberation struggle perhaps even better than those who want to speak as war veterans.
So as far as I am concerned, that part should broadly look at how it is going to bring everybody else who participated in the war but also be specific to what we are going to do and accord the kind of respect that is due. It is sad that even when we have the Minister of Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators, Former Political Detainees and Restrictees, things have not changed for the war veterans. The school fees have still not been paid, they are still struggling and the widows in particular are getting $100.00 as pension. We do that entire hullabaloo at the Heroes Acre and the widows are displayed as if they are part of silverware yet when she leaves there, she cannot even go to hospital to get herself treated. Let us be truthful to the issues, let us not speak and not act in the manner that we are saying we are going to act. They are important, critical and they have a history.
Lastly Mr. Speaker, Hon. Chamisa said something about the President coming to this House. One thing that I would have loved to say to the President is that I hope you are writing because part of what we do not have is written work on what happened historically. Let us get those things written so that we can read it and begin to sit down and talk about it.
Otherwise like Hon. Chinamasa always used to say to me, history is always written from a victor’s point of view. He knows where I am coming from and the conversation that we were having then. I am sure he knows when he told me that particular story.
Let us have those people write so that we can critique it and see where we are going right now. I hope you remember Dinyani Hon.
Chinamasa?
- SHAMU: Thank you Mr. Speaker sir. Through you, I would like to thank Hon. Mutomba and Hon. Dziva for having moved this very important motion. In saying so and indeed on behalf of the people of Chegutu East Constituency, I wish to convey through you our sincere condolences on the passing on of Hon. Tsogorani.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I rise to add my voice to the current debate which is guided by His Excellency’s address to this august House on the occasion of the Official Opening of the Third Session of the Eighth Parliament of Zimbabwe. Maybe I should, through you once again, express our sincere appreciation to the First Lady, Dr. Grace Mugabe who graced this occasion and added dignity to the proceedings.
Mr. Speaker sir, His Excellency’s address has brought in I think, a different line of thought that I have seen prevailing from the mover of the motion, the seconder and also listening to Hon. MisihairabwiMushonga. It is a fact that when His Excellency comes to address Parliament, indeed he is coming to address us all not as ZANU PF
Members of Parliament, MDC T representatives nor MDC, but he is looking at us constituted as one entity, representatives of the people of Zimbabwe. I feel that is a positive development within this House and that was crowned by your very own words of appreciation Mr. Speaker, that there was discipline throughout His Excellency’s address.
Mr. Speaker Sir, at this point, I want to be guided by the theory of Havruta and a spirit of Havruta. I want to debate demonstrating an ethic of caring for each other, an element of appreciating each other, a philosophy that proffers the idea of wanting to learn from each other, listen to each other and seek solutions to the economic challenges that face our country. I want to thank Hon. Chinotimba because every now and then, he comes in with an element of humour that defuses discomfort, that nullifies tensions, that at the end of the day engenders a culture of humility to a certain extent but at the same time, sending the message that we are but one.
I really want to thank His Excellency, the President for having driven that point home through a process that has seen him sometime face challenges that came from some amongst us who do not appreciate our oneness. However, let that culture of humility Mr. Speaker, continue abiding by the hermeneutic rules of interpretation and the maintenance of or dedication to the larger community and that larger community are the people of Zimbabwe from the Zambezi to the Limpopo. I say so because in his closing remarks, His Excellency said a very important statement. He said, “I remind all hon. members of this august House on the need to always conduct business in a manner that does not erode the stock of trust reposed in us by the electorate. We indeed carry on our shoulders the hopes and aspirations of our people. Let us channel our collective energies towards the development of our country guided by our economic Blue Print, the ZIM ASSET. It demands us to always cherish the crown values of peace, hard work and unity of purpose”.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I must say the three speakers that I have mentioned in my earlier statements, have indeed underscored His
Excellency’s loaded statement, but that loaded statement has an element which I think we need to note. It is that old saying that we must always be able to listen to the children of the poor for they know what hardships are all about. I am saying so to correct an earlier statement made by Hon. Khupe, that His Excellency did not address the issue of hunger and poverty. On the contrary, His Excellency’s address does, if you go through His Excellency’s presentation, he touched on very important points that he delivered we can be able to put meat around the bone. It is now our role to go to the people and deliver on the basis of that message. He gave us the rails on which to advance the potential of being able to resolve the issues that challenge our nation today.
Mr. Speaker Sir, His Excellency spoke about the Zimbabwe National Defence University Bill which Hon. Dziva touched on. He said he would like it to provide for the transformation of the National Defence College into the National Defence University. That is a very important development. Why say so? He then says that university will provide us with a national think-tank. It will provide a platform for leaders to go and be educated and trained in national policy and strategy formulation, both military and civilian that is us in here. Those outside and everybody will be given that opportunity as long as they are in a leadership position. Mr. Speaker Sir, I am beginning to see a trajectory whereby we are now moving towards the creation of a new man, a new woman, a Zimbabwean who will shun the exploitation of man by man. We want to see the creation of a society which continues to advance the aspirations of our people as espoused by the pioneers of our liberation struggle that was wedged in order for us to be free as we are today.
When all is said and done, especially when we take into account the legislative agenda that His Excellency put before us, I have no doubt Mr. Speaker Sir that our economy is on the road to recovery. When the chips are done for an economy, they cannot be forever down. Even those who are fundis in economics, will agree with me. Examples are there for us to learn from. Take the U.S.A., its economy was able in the 1950s to emerge out of the great depression of the 1929s which was exacerbated by the Second World War. I therefore, contend that Zimbabwe’s economy has great potential for revival. Why do I say so? Because we have Mr. Speaker Sir mineral wealth. Significant levels of direct investments have been committed to the mining sector over the past five years. Mr. Speaker Sir, that is a good sign that we are indeed on the road to economic recovery.
The second aspect is that we have introduced the indigenisation policy. That in itself is a sure sign that we will come out of the economic doldrums that we are in today. The fact is that swathes of the domestic economy are now in the hands of our people. Yes, we might not have control of all the banks and factories, but when you look at what has happened so far, we have taken control of the land, which is a very important resource. If you go into various sectors of our economy, you see Zimbabweans being the leaders in those areas. It is either indigenous Zimbabweans or citizens who are permanent residents in this country.
Mr. Speaker Sir, according to a celebrated Scottish economist,
Adam Smith, he says, “It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own self-interest.” Mr. Speaker Sir, this emphasises the point that people are generally driven by self-motivation, a desire to amass wealth.
The answer for everybody lies in working hard and crafting immediate, medium and long term solutions to our programmes of economic recovery. To me, that is embedded in the speech that was delivered by His Excellency, the President. There is no doubt that Zimbabwe is indeed on the road to recovery.
Mr. Speaker Sir, the third point is that we have built very strong relationships with countries that have huge populations. We have relations with populous countries in the East, the Asian economies, India, Malaysia, Russia and China. That is a basis for us to have confidence in the fact that our economy is going to recover.
Mr. Speaker Sir, in conclusion, let me emphasise what I feel are very important points raised by Hon. Mutomba in his opening remarks. We must jealously guard the peace that we enjoy in this country. We must continue to focus on the road to economic recovery. We must continue to buttress the unity of purpose that was enunciated by His Excellency because we only have one Zimbabwe, one nation and a common destiny. We must be masters of our own destiny. Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
- MAJOME: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, for giving me this honour and the opportunity of adding my voice to debate on this very important speech that was delivered by His Excellency the President, to mark the official opening of this session. Mr. Speaker Sir, I also want to pass my sincere condolences to the family of the late Hon. Tsogorani who is no longer in our midst.
I want to approach my debate on this speech from four perspectives, if you will allow me Mr. Speaker Sir. Firstly, I noticed that His Excellency did dwell on very important, urgent and pressing business of the need for Zimbabwe to urgently implement the
Constitution and align all our laws and practices to the Constitution. However, Mr. Speaker Sir, I must express my disappointment that in my respectful view, the agenda that is outlined for this particular Session does not go far in order to demonstrate the urgency and necessity of this particular exercise.
I will also dwell a bit on the procedures of our august House in relation with the same Constitution that we must implement. In my view, the process of alignment of legislation and passing of the Bills that His Excellency, the President proposed - it is very well for us to write a long list of Bills that we want to pass. However, if this august House is not sufficiently respected by the Executive and does not take itself seriously in its deliberations to try and improve Bills, we will indeed continue to be thudding a discordant rubber stamp on Bills without adding any value. It is my hope that, that will be addressed in this Third Session.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to begin by referring to the first page of the address by His Excellency, the President where he noted that there are certain Bills which have already been brought to the august House for alignment to the Constitution. He cited three of them which have already been passed by the august House, that is the Electoral
Amendment Act, The National Prosecuting Act and the Gender Commission Bill. I want to begin by adding that it is unfortunate that although Parliament has passed these Bills into Acts, the passage of the Bills have not complied, either fully or at all with the Constitution. Therefore, I think it is unfortunate that, that particular reference to these Bills is there.
I want to begin with the Electoral Amendment Act, in five respects. It falls short of what is in the Constitution. This august House sadly passed an Act which, while it purported to align the law to the
Constitution, it did not provide for the following five things required by the Constitution. The first is that of providing universal adult suffrage of all Zimbabweans because Section 155(1) (c) of the Constitution entitles each and every Zimbabwean, wherever they may be, to vote.
I do appreciate that there is an argument advanced to the effect that because the Voters’ Roll is ward-based, it is therefore impossible for Zimbabweans resident in the diaspora to vote. Mr. Speaker Sir, I wish to vehemently quarrel with that proposition because each and every
Zimbabwean in the diaspora has roots in Zimbabwe in a particular ward. No Zimbabwean in the diaspora just emanated from there. I want to ask this august House not to take that excuse and not shirk from its responsibility by showing that it ensures that our electoral law aligns with the Constitution because it is possible that each and every Zimbabwean outside the diaspora can actually be registered to vote and their vote is ascribed to a particular ward unless, we doubt the accuracy and veracity of our own voters’ roll. If indeed a person who votes in Zimbabwe is guaranteed to vote only once and if there are mechanisms to ensure that there is no double voting, I cannot imagine why we would be afraid to ensure that even people in the diaspora choose whatever ward they choose, once they choose it, it should mean they cannot vote in another ward.
Mr. Speaker Sir, secondly, the Electoral Act that we passed does not at all outlaw voter registration slips which is in my respectful view quite a sad development because it deprives us as Zimbabweans from according the highest levels of excellence and administrative efficiency that we can come to. A voting slip Mr. Speaker Sir is a sign of failure to register voters. It is a sign of the failure to administer efficiently a voters’ roll that results in certain intending voters having failed to find their names on the voters’ roll. We must not be a country that celebrates, accords and accepts mediocrity to the extent of legislating it and allowing failures like that. There is no reason absolutely why voters cannot be registered, there should be no voting slips. I say this Mr. Speaker Sir because Section 156, Sub Section 6 of the Constitution requires that the voting method to be used must be simple, accurate, verifiable, secure and transparent. Using voter registration slips Mr. Speaker Sir, is a far cry on a different planet from this.
Thirdly, the Electoral Act that is celebrated as having accorded itself to the Constitution also is materially defective in that it fails to fulfill and put in place mechanisms to ensure that all contesting players in an election are accorded adequate and equal access to both the electronic and print media both private and public as required by Section 155; (1d). Mr. Speaker Sir, if anyone tunes into ZBC, I am sure they will know exactly what I am talking about.
Fourthly Mr. Speaker Sir, the Electoral Act that we also passed still need to be worked on because it will still require - it willfully fails to pay attention to the clear requirement in Section 183of our Constitution. The Section provides that no judge shall be appointed to more than one court except as provided by the Constitution. This Constitution allows only judges of the superior courts to also be appointed as judges to the Constitutional Court; it does not now allow any other judges of whatever court to be appointed such as the electoral court.
Fifthly Mr. Speaker Sir, the Electoral Act although it is celebrated here in the speech as a law aligned to the Constitution, it did not do for the fifth reason that it did not provide at all for a procedure and a mechanism as required by Section 157, Sub Section 4 for ensuring that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is consulted before any amendments to the Electoral Act are made. That is not there at all.
The National Prosecuting Authority Act that indeed is also celebrated in this speech as having aligned itself to the Constitution, unfortunately also Mr. Speaker did not also fully comply with the requirements in the Constitution. I am hoping that it can also be brought back that the Executive must also bring it back to this august House so that it fully complies with the Constitution as it is intended to be celebrated. I say that because Section 259; Sub Section 10 of the
Constitution requires that that the Act must provide for the conduct and discipline of members of the National Prosecution Authority as well as conditions of service as well as that they must be independent.
Mr. Speaker, that National Prosecuting Authority Act did not do so at all. That attempt was not done in a Statutory Instrument that was passed about three months ago, which Mr. Speaker, with respect is not an Act of Parliament. A Statutory Instrument is not an Act of Parliament by stature of imagination and the Constitution provides that the National Prosecuting Authority Act must provide for those.
Mr. Speaker Sir, if you will allow me, I will also just divert your attention to the procedure. On important issue of implementing the Constitution, the drafters of this Constitution were very determined that this Zimbabwe observes the principle of the separation of powers as detailed in the national objectives, and in the values and principles in Section 2. It requires that Parliament is taken in theory and in fact as robust, strong and equally powerful arm of Government. That is why it provided a procedure in Section 141, particularly to ensure that
Parliament itself provides for its own sittings and recesses. I am saying that because I believe it is time that we as Parliament played our role. We must not shirk from our responsibility no matter how radically different it might be from the past. This Constitution does not at all provide that His Excellency the President must open or can open a Session of Parliament. It provides that His Excellency the President must determine the first sitting of Parliament after a general election. It does not provide for general procedures.
The previous Constitution indeed did this but instead this new Constitution found another way to ensure that His Excellency has opportunity to address Parliament. That is in Section 140, where he must issue an annual State of the Nation Address which he has done and also that he may summon Parliament from time to time to address special business but it does not provide that he must necessarily open Parliament. That is given as the role of Parliament itself.
To illustrate this Mr. Speaker, I am hoping that our Standing Rules and Orders and indeed hon. members pay attention because if Parliament itself does not fulfill the Constitution when it is required to do so then who will? It would be absurd if the head of the Executive will for example cross over to that other bewigged arm of the State that is the
Judiciary and issue and opening address for the sessions of the judiciary.
It would be a travesty, how is it that for the legislature it is possible because the legislature, the judiciary and the Executive are each equal arms of Government, indeed they must be enjoyed. It is bad enough that the Executive is the one that bring Bills to Parliament but to a symbolically State that something else.
Mr. Speaker Sir, allow me to also express my disappointment that I do not see in His Excellency’s address attention or even mention of what I will call six critical urgent Bills that must be brought to the House.
The first one itself is that I do not see any provision or intention to bring the National Peace and Reconciliation Bill that is one outstanding Commission in terms of this Constitution. Mr. Speaker Sir, the Executive must explain what the difficulty is in ensuring that Zimbabwe does have a National Peace and Reconciliation Commission. The need for that is evident Mr. Speaker Sir. Unfortunately nowadays, the need is actually now extending even into the intra party realm. Each and every Zimbabwean would be served by the enactment of this Bill so that we can have a national peace and reconciliation so that we can move forward as a nation.
Secondly, Mr. Speaker Sir, there is also no mention to amend the Broadcasting Services Act which is causing untold suffering, loss of investment and also loss of job opportunities and depriving
Zimbabweans of their livelihood. We are one of the few countries that are in the Stone Age as far as having one electronic broadcast and a television station. Surely the Executive must make sure that we move with the times. That also reflects on the stature of the country in terms of attractiveness of investment.
Mr. Speaker probably, there is also no move to also try, amend or repeal the provisions of the Access to Information, Protection of Privacy
Act. Also, there is no mention at all of the Constituency Development Fund Bill which is really odd because in the last Budget the Hon.
Minister of Finance and Economic Development who happens who happens to be sitting across me did promise that he had made an allocation for Constituency Development Funds for hon. members of Parliament to go and utilise in their constituencies. However, I am starting to wonder Mr. Speaker Sir, whether the Hon. Minister of Finance and Economic Development was trying to pull a fast one on the legislature so that we can be happy and approve the Budget because there is no plan anywhere to bring the Constituency Development Fund
Bill.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to also say that I am glad that His
Excellency, the President made reference to the need to pass a State Procurement Amendment Bill so that they decentralise procurement to local authorities. In that vein, I was going to be encouraged but then, I was disappointed that the mention of the Local Authorities Bill that is in here is seeking to prioritise consolidating the Urban Councils Act and the Rural District Councils Act and not necessarily prioritising the
Intention and the Devolution Provision in the Constitution.
I do note that His Excellency, the President said that the Bill will establish a tribunal to deal with issues of the dismissal or discipline of councillors, mayors and chairpersons. That is encouraging but in the meantime, it is hoped that the Attorney General’s Office and the Office of the hon. Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs prevails upon their colleague Ministers, particularly the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing to remind him that indeed there is no provision at the moment. There is a great lacuna at law because there is no provision to discipline errant mayors and councillors.
As such, the Minister does not have any power at all to dismiss or purportedly to fire councillors. Mr. Speaker Sir, it is my fervent hope that hon. Ministers and members of the Executive do respect this Constitution. Even as we are passing the law, they should obey the law that is there.
I am also disappointed that the only reference to legislating in the area of health on the Public Health Bill seeks only to talk about medical aid societies. It is important, but I am concerned that there is no mention whatsoever of ensuring that the provisions in Section 29 (2) of the Constitution, that is the right to health that provides that the State shall put in place mechanisms to ensure that no one is turned away from any health institution when they require emergency medical services.
Mr. Speaker Sir, the Executive cannot go on ignoring such important things. Zimbabweans are dying every day. A person gets involved in an accident. They are taken by an ambulance, for example to Parirenyatwa Hospital, a government hospital or even at the Avenues Clinic, but they cannot be treated there and they will die because she has not been paid for. But, the Constitution does require the State to put in place the necessary mechanisms’ to ensure that that is done. It is my hope that they move with urgency and do that.
Mr. Speaker Sir, allow me to also express my appreciation that the Executive is now attending to reviewing existing laws in order to ensure that perpetrators of sexual offences are given appropriate stiff sentences.
I am encouraged that the motion that I moved in the two previous sessions seem to be heeded, which unfortunately lapsed because the hon.
Ministers of Health and Child Care, of Finance and Economic
Development and of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development have still not responded to my motion. I have been compelled to move motions twice in order to reinstate that motion so that the hon. Ministers of Finance and Economic Development,
Health and Child Care and Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development finally favour this august House and honour us with a response to their attitude on that motion.
I will indeed be moving another motion to reinstate that motion for the third time so that finally, hopefully and prayerfully, the hon. Ministers will respond to my motion. But, I must express my disappointment at what His Excellency, the President expressed at his dismay on the rape of six-month toddlers. The more we continue to isolate rape victims and survivors and categorise them according to age or marital status or religion, we continue to lose the plot. If we keep on raising alarm only at certain categories of victims such as six-month toddlers, we continue to tolerate rape and say that maybe a ten-month old, a fifteen year old or a thirty year old can be raped. Mr. Speaker Sir, it would have been my hope that His Excellency, the President would have demonstrated absolute zero tolerance to any form of rape. The reason why a six-month toddler is raped is because we allow rape in the first place. That is the reason why an 81 year old would be raped. It does not matter the age but let us simply show zero tolerance to all forms of rape and sexual gender based violence.
While His Excellency indicated that they are examining the laws on sentences, the issue that was raised by Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga is a matter that this august House should consider – the issue of the age of consent.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, you are left with five
minutes.
- MAJOME: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. It is my hope that this matter of age of consent receives very considered and very exhaustive attention because of the debate that came about and the different issues around reproductive health as well as protection of girls. It is my hope that in the re-examining of these laws to find out what the minimum age of consent should be, this matter must make us as Zimbabweans move away from the paradigm where we are so locked in toxic and also posts and politics where we want to vie for positions. We should actually move away from there and start addressing the issues that trouble the people that we lead. But this, I am proposing that the issue of the age of consent is one issue that should be subjected to a referendum. Referendums have only been known to be about political issues that are high. The issue of what age is it that our girls and boys should be able to indulge in sexual intercourse is a matter of grave concern that is even more important than all these other political issues that we talk about.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to propose that we move away from the beaten track and actually conduct a referendum on the age of consent so that we can arrive at a destination where we protect our girls from abuse by setting the correct age but also protecting them and the boys also from maybe the diseases and issues like that. I want to conclude by saying that, it is my hope that when the legislative programme that is proposed by His Excellency comes to the House in the Third Session, we would do things differently so that the Portfolio Committees such as the one that I have the privilege to lead, Justice, Legal and
Parliamentary Affairs. We have conducted public hearings over Bills. We have done it for a second time and other Portfolio Committees like the one on Budget, Finance and Economic Development and also the one on the Gender Commission Bill have conducted public hearings and heard from Zimbabweans their views about what they want to be in a Bill. Even in the Labour Amendment Bill, only the members made representations but all those representations, views from the public and from the hon. Members of Parliament simply fell on deaf ears. Members of the Executive just closed their ears, came here, rail-roaded and they passed the Bills in exactly the same way that they were.
Mr. Speaker Sir, it will continue to be a waste of taxpayers’ money if hon. Ministers, the members of the Cabinet continue ignoring the suggestions that are made in good faith by the people of Zimbabwe through their elected representatives to effect amendments for the improvement of certain Bills. This legislative agenda will amount to naught if that is not done. It is my hope that we now proceed in earnest.
I thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE,
LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (MR.
MNANGAGWA): I move that the debate do now adjourn.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 23rd September, 2015.
MOTION
2015 MID-TERM FISCAL POLICY REVIEW STATEMENT
Second Order read: Adjourned debate on motion that leave be granted to bring in a Finance Bill.
Question again proposed.
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (MR. CHINAMASA): Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to
take this opportunity to thank hon. members who have contributed to the debate on proposals in the 2015 Mid-Term Fiscal Policy Review Statement. I would like to respond to the issues raised.
Hon. Chapfika, in presenting the report of the Committee on Finance and Economic Development enquired if Government has put in place measures to ensure the speeding up of beneficiation of minerals such as gold, platinum and chrome, among others. Mr. Speaker Sir, Government has taken a position to licence only Fidelity Printers as the sole buyer and exporter of gold after its exportation. On the other hand, jewellery manufacturers are also being provided with some refined gold for further processing into jewellery.
With regards to chrome, notwithstanding the lifting of the ban on the export of chrome ore, Government has ring-fenced some ore requirements for local chrome ore smelters. In 2015 alone, out of projected output of about 500 000 metric tonnes (mt), about 300 000 metric tonnes of chrome ore will be set aside for smelting, leaving only about 150 000 to 200 000 metric tonnes for export in raw form.
In 2013 and 2014, the country produced chrome ore of 355 142 and 408 422 metric tonnes respectively. Based on the above trend, together with new measures put in place during the second quarter of the year on supporting chrome ore producers through lifting the ban on export of chrome ore together with the reduction in ZESA tariffs as well as capacitation of the NRZ (currently refurbishing its fleet), this provides a conducive environment for increased production to about 500 000 metric tonnes in 2015, as indicated by the producers. The key incentive here is the lifting of the ban on the export of raw chrome.
With regards to manufacturing sector, the Committee noted that the 2015 Mid-Term Fiscal Policy Review Statement is devoid of bold strategies to retool the manufacturing industry. This issue was also raised by Hon. Dr. Kereke and Hon. Maridadi. Mr. Speaker Sir, the Government has taken a number of steps towards recapitalisation of local manufacturing industry and these include:
- Facilitating a number of lines of credit, for example, from the PTA, Afreximbank and many other institutions.
- Improving the investment environment by clarifying and resolving issues around indigenisation, BIPPAs, Doing Business Reforms, among others.
- Issuance of guidelines on setting lending interest rates as recently announced by the RBZ in the Monetary Policy Statement.
- Resolving the external debt overhang through various engagements with both bilateral and multilateral institutions and creditors including IMF, World Bank and AFDB. The ultimate objective is to improve relations with our creditors in order to unlock new financing in the form of lines of credit, FDI and portfolio investments, et cetera for the benefit of our industries.
The committee also recommended that duty on raw materials be scrapped and the strict penalties be imposed on finished imported products.
My response Mr. Speaker Sir is that with respect to duty on raw materials, Government has already availed a number of manufacturers’ rebates of duty which provides for customs and tax free importation of key raw materials and inputs. These include among others, the electrical manufacturers, the bus assemblers, the motor vehicle assemblers and the clothing manufacturers rebate.
Furthermore, in the 2015 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review, the manufacturers’ rebate of duty was extended to the Printing and
Publishing Industry as well as the furniture and textile industries.
The advantage of a manufacturers’ rebate is that the benefits are availed to targeted beneficiaries.
The Committee on Finance and Economic Development
commended the measures to protect local fertilizer companies. However, the Committee is concerned that the customs duty of 25% will make fertilizer very expensive, thereby negatively impacting the agricultural sector and also having a ripple effect on the economy. Hon.
Chinotimba and other members also raised concerns on this issue.
Mr. Speaker Sir, my response is that measures in support of local fertilizer production are expected to boost local production capacity from 30% to 44% by year end, thereby enabling the fertilizer companies to recover their costs over a higher production base. As a matter of fact, the Association of Fertilizer Manufacturers have already made an announcement to this effect.
This is expected to result in a reduction in prices. I already have a commitment from the fertilizer manufacturers that current prices are expected to decline by 20% due to increased volumes of production.
Let me add that recently I have received a communication today from ZFC that it is now already on 100% production capacity and this is encouraged by the measures that we have so far taken.
On revenue collection, the Committee recommended that a simplified tax formula be adopted and that all revenue collected be channeled to the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
My response Mr. Speaker Sir is that this proposal could be considered in the context of the 2016 National Budget. This also addresses concerns raised by other honourable members.
Hon. P. Sibanda suggested that instead of increasing taxes on imports, the opposite should have been done in order to stimulate consumption thus import duty should have been revised when our industry has capacity to produce and compete efficiently with imports. He also emphasized the dangers of increasing poverty levels.
My response Mr. Speaker is that from the outset, let me point out that we should endeavour to increase consumption of locally manufactures goods. The liquidity challenge we are currently experiencing is a result of the huge import bill which has undermined the economy.
In this respect, in my Mid-Term Policy I proposed extension of manufacturers rebate of duty on selected sectors in order to allow importation of raw materials and inputs duty free, thus encouraging local production.
I further proposed to increase duty on finished goods only under circumstances where the local industry has capacity to produce.
Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga advised that the ban on second clothing should have been restricted to second hand undergarments. A reasonable number of honourable members also raised concern over the ban of second hand clothing given the low incomes of most citizens and also the prevailing high unemployment levels where citizens have been surviving on selling second hand clothing.
My response Mr. Speaker is that the proposed measure is supportive to both the textile and clothing manufacturers. I need to say that in my last stay in Bulawayo, I visited some of the companies which are now reviving and resuscitating their operations and in one or two of the companies, I was advised that in fact they are buying machinery from collapsed textile industries in South Africa which have collapsed largely because of importation of second hand clothing. We do not want to go through that route, we should stem that tide. So, in the medium to long term this will boost local production, employment and revenue to the fiscus. The public is also protected from disease due to contamination of the clothing.
Admittedly, the ban on importation of second hand clothing has been one of the most painful decisions to make. The stark choice confronting the nation is to watch the unchecked deindustrialization and total collapse of the clothing and textile sectors as a result of continuing importation of second hand clothing. We cannot talk honestly about the revival of the clothing and textile industries in Bulawayo and other cities and towns while at the same time allowing importation of second hand clothes – the very act that undermines that effort. We cannot have our cake and eat it at the same time.
The local manufacturers should, however, ensure that the pricing of clothing remains affordable to the general public since Government has already extended rebate of duty on raw material, used in the manufacture of clothing.
Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga also advised that the local tanneries have no capacity to produce leather products; hence export tax should not be levied on raw hides.
My response Mr. Speaker, is as already highlighted in the 2015 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review Statement, the local tanneries are facing shortage of raw hides and skin to further process into wet blue and leather thus undermining the value chain linkages and employment prospects within the industry. The measure was instituted with a view to ensure availability of raw hides and skins to local tanneries. I must say that yesterday I had a meeting with one of the local tannery company which actually said the measures introduced are already beginning to bear fruit; where they were running short of raw hides and skin, they are now almost back to 100% capacity. That is how things should be.
Hon. Zindi is concerned that the removal of groceries from the travelers’ rebate will expose families to hunger.
My response Mr. Speaker is that the measure is meant to promote local industry as well conserve the much needed foreign currency.
Continued importation of groceries is not necessary since these are already readily available.
Furthermore, there is need to dispel the perception of some consumers who view imported groceries as superior to locally manufactured goods.
Hon. Cross proposed that the land rentals should have been differentiated in terms of ecological region.
Mr. Speaker Sir, my response is that whilst the proposal has been noted, the administration of differentiated land rentals would however, pose challenges.
Hon. Mudarikwa had something to say on duty on fruits and vegetables. The hon. member bemoaned the situation where readily available fruits and vegetables are imported such as sweet potatoes, madhorofiya, that is prickly pears and magogoya, that is yams. Mr. Speaker Sir, my response is that Government has levied high duty on vegetables and fruits ranging from 25% plus surtax for fruits and vegetables imported from the region and 40% plus surtax on imports from the rest of the world.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development also controls importation of fruits and vegetables through licenses and permits. So, if there is any continuing flood on our market of vegetables and fruits from the region and from elsewhere, which is still competing with locally produced products, I can only say that these goods are not coming lawfully into the country. The major challenge that has affected the local horticulture industry and farmers is the rampant smuggling that needs to be addressed and that should be addressed as a separate matter.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to once again thank all those hon. members who made their contribution to the Mid-Term Review Statement. I thank you.
Motion put and agreed to.
FIRST READING
FINANCE (NO. 2) BILL (H.B. 5, 2015)
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT (MR. CHINAMASA) presented the Finance (No.
2) Bill (H.B. 5, 2015).
Bill read the first time.
Bill referred to the Parliamentary Legal Committee.
THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE,
LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (MR.
MNANGAGWA): I move that the debate do now adjourn.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 23rd September, 2015.
On the motion of THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER
OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (MR.
MNANGAGWA), the House adjourned at Five Minutes past Five o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 17th November, 2015
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
MEETING FOR PARLIAMENTARIANS FOR GLOBAL ACTION
ZIMBABWE CHAPTER
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Members who belong to the Parliamentarians for Global Action Zimbabwe Chapter, a non-partisan international network of legislators are invited to an annual meeting to be held on Thursday, 19th November, 2015 at 12 o’clock noon in the Government Caucus Room. New members are welcome.
ADVERSE REPORT RECEIVED FROM THE PARLIAMENTARY
LEGAL COMMITTEE
THE HON. SPEAKER: I have to inform the House that I have received an adverse report from the Parliamentary Legal Committee on the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Amendment Bill [H.B. 2A, 2015].
APPOINTMENT TO PORTFOLIO COMMITTEES
THE HON. SPEAKER: I also have to inform the House that the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders has appointed hon. members to Portfolio Committees as follows:
- D. Karoro will serve on the Portfolio Committees on Lands, Agriculture and Irrigation Development and Transport and Infrastructural Development.
- L.L. Katsiru will serve on the Portfolio Committees on Local Government, Public Works and National Housing and Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.
- Z. H. Makari will serve on the Portfolio Committees on Information Communication Technology (ICT) Postal and
Courier Services and Industry and Commerce.
- Dr. D. Shumba has been appointed the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy.
PETITION FROM WOMEN IN MINING
THE HON. SPEAKER: In terms of Standing Order No. 187 (7), I have to inform the House that I have received a petition from Women in Mining and have since referred the petition to the Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
HON. RUNGANI: I move that Orders of the Day, Numbers 1 and
2 be stood over until the rest of the Orders of the Day have been disposed of.
HON. MUKWANGWARIWA: 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. RUNGANI: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. MUKWANGWARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 18th November, 2015.
MOTION
STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE
PRESIDENT
Fourth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion in reply to the State of the Nation Address by His Excellency the President of Zimbabwe.
Question again proposed.
HON. RUNGANI: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. MUKWANGWARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 18th November, 2015.
MOTION
AFFAIRS OF THE PREMIER SERVICE MEDICAL AID SOCIETY
HON. CROSS: I move the motion standing in my name that this
House -
DISTURBED by the recent revelations disclosed by a forensic audit conducted into the affairs of the Premier Service Medical Aid
Society;
ALARMED that many millions of subscribers’ funds have been
used to pay senior staff massive salaries and other benefits;
WORRIED that this occurred at a time when the society was failing to pay service providers and other creditors on time; FURTHER WORRIED that the society’s members were unable to
inter alia access medical services, get treatment and purchase drugs;
CONCERNED that among those affected were civil servants who already suffer from the inability of the State to pay reasonable salaries and other emoluments;
NOW, THEREFORE, this House calls upon the Executive to:
- Immediately set in motion processes for the prosecution of all those who benefited from this scandal;
- Take remedial action to cover the funds that were paid to those individuals who were unjustly enriched;
- Investigate the role of the board of the society that was in charge of the affairs of the society at the time of this abuse of funds and if found culpable, that prosecution be extended to former board members; and
- Review present remuneration policies of the society and bring them in line with current Government policy.
HON. MARIDADI: I second.
HON. CROSS: Mr. Speaker, I rise to present a motion on a subject which has received considerable attention in the media in the past six months and something which shocked the country at large. I rise because absolutely no effective action seems to have been taken by the Executive to address the issues which were raised in the various reports that have been in the media.
I want to pay tribute to The Sunday Mail for its aggressive and honest exposure of several major incidents in Government and the way in which Government has been managing public funds and the report which they carried in a Sunday newspaper on the Premier Service Medical Aid Society is one of those. I raise this because in my view, white collar crime of this nature has become a serious matter in Zimbabwe. We have seen the collapse of banks. Since 2013, ten commercial banks have gone into liquidation. The worst of these was
Interfin where over US$100 million of shareholders and depositors’ money was taken by the directors and absolutely no prosecutions have happened as a consequence. I do not believe that even the report on Interfin has been tabled with the relevant Committees in Parliament or with the House itself.
In the case of Tetrad, there were US$19 million of insider loans to Directors which eventually led to the demise of the bank. Again, no action was taken. We now have the maladministration which has been revealed in NSSA. More than a year ago, the Public Accounts
Committee of this House reported to the House on the maladministration of the affairs of NSSA and called publicly for the dismissal of the Chief
Executive. Absolutely no action was taken by either the Minister or the Chairman of the board at the time. It is only now that the Minister has appointed a new active board to NSSA, that the board has taken the steps which we called for more than a year ago and suspended the entire executive structure of NSSA.
Let me remind the House, Mr. Speaker, that NSSA is the custodian of nearly US$4 billion of national funds, being the accumulated resources contributed to NSSA by workers over the last 23 years. In addition to that, NSSA is by far in a way the largest financial institution in the country handling revenues of nearly US$300 million per annum. The way in which these executives have behaved, gives me the sense that they feel they are immune, that they are protected from any kind of action which might call them to account. These are directors working in the public sector and in my view, Mr. Speaker Sir, this kind of thing has to be brought to book.
If you steal a cow worth US$400 from a farmer, you go to jail for a mandatory nine years. We have these people who have been stealing public funds still on the loose, in fact, enjoying their ill gotten gains. The losses to the general public allowing the closure of ten commercial banks was in excess of US$1 000 million in depositors’ funds. Mr.
Speaker, really, are we taking this kind of thing seriously?
The Premier Service Medical Aid Society is 70% funded by the State. We appoint a third of its board of directors and it is the responsibility of two ministries - the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. In fact, last year our contribution to the society was US$140 million on behalf of over 200 000 civil servants who are members of the society and whose access to health was imperiled by the actions of the Chief Executive and his senior staff.
If I can just highlight for the benefit of members here what they did. Over a period of five years, which was the length of time which was studied by the forensic audit team, 11 executives at the society drew
US$22.8 million dollars in allowances and US$86.9 million in salaries.
On that, we paid another US$9 million in taxation. That represents US$119 million for 11 executives over a period of five years. Mr. Dube, the Chief Executive Officer of that amount drew US$23 million, his salary was US$13 000 a day for the entire period. Hon. Speaker Sir, it does not end there – [HON. MEMBERS: Laughter] - I do not think this is a laughing matter, I think this is extremely serious that this man was able to get away with this for all these years, while we had members sitting on the Board of Directors who were responsible and our representatives on the board were senior civil servants and yet nothing was done about this theft of public resources.
If we go on, in 2012, Mr. Dube, his secretary and his driver – I mean how bizarre can you get? He included his secretary and his driver in the deal. The three of them drew US$3m, Dube drew US$2.7m in four months, this is US$675 000 a month or US$22 500 a day. The other US$300 000 was shared between his secretary and his driver. One looks at this and we ask, what kind of planet does this man live on? During this time he was a very prominent member of our society, he was the head of ZIFA. He remained the head of ZIFA despite these disclosures until very recently when he was kicked into touch by the new Minister.
Dube’s medical aid claims over the same period of time totaled nearly a million dollars, he claimed US$932 000 in medical expenses in the same period of time pamusoro pesalary - [Laughter] -
Hon. Speaker Sir, I just want to round this off with some really bizarre figures from this forensic audit. Dube paid himself a holiday allowance every time he went on holiday, he paid himself on top of his salary an allowance of US$2 000 a day and he paid himself US$1 000 for his wife, they drew US$3 000 a day whenever they went on holiday. The total amount in 5 years was US$540 000. This is not a joking matter, this is sickening, and it really represents the worst possible example of being prolifigate in public affairs that I have ever seen. The total drawn down as travel and subsistence on business in this period by the same individual was US$3.1million dollars.
I break down some of these additional charges; he drew US$130 000 as travel allowance for his son-in-law and his wife. He took US$300 000 as expenses for ZIFA. He was given cash transfers which he converted later into personal loans for US$770 000. His board fees over this period of time were US$407 000. When finally we succeeded in getting rid of him, he left behind debts - unpaid doctors bills of US$119 million. Now, Hon. Speaker, the question is what do we do about this? When I approached the Medical Society for a copy of this forensic audit which was completed in February this year, not last month, in February I was denied this report. Even so, we have had this report for 9 months without any action from the Executive whatsoever.
Hon. Speaker, we have to ask ourselves the following questions: what was the culpability of directors of the society at this time? Surely, I have been a director of companies, I have been a senior executive in business, and I know what it is to be a director and to be accountable for the affairs of the organisation you are running. We have got to examine the culpability, not just for Dube and his other 10 senior executives because there is more than just Dube, they are all guilty of similar prolificacy. What was the culpability of the board? I do not understand why there has not been a full public enquiry into this matter? This is not peanuts, this is a huge sum of money, the total budget of this House is US$20m a year, and this scandal involves US$119m. Get that into perspective, I think the total cash allocated to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education this year apart from salaries is US$10 million. This man here used 10 times that during his period of office and nothing is done. Hon. Speaker, I hope the House is going to be totally united on this and I hope that we are going to pass this motion with all the force at our disposal. We are going to demand that the Minister appears here personally and gives us an account of what he has done about this matter
– [HON.MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –
The second fundamental issue, Hon. Speaker is that under what authority did this man draw these salaries and allowances? Did he have the authority of the board? If he did not have the authority of the board, then this is straight forward criminal matter and Dube should be in jail. If it was not authorized by the board, then Dube should be investigated and pursued by the Attorney General and the Prosecutor General.
Thirdly, there is need for the forensic audit to be passed to the Prosecutor General and the police for investigations and prosecution – that has not been done and I ask the question, why has it not been done?
This is a public institution, this is a society, where is the transparency? If this kind of thing is being revealed in the media why was it not submitted to the police for prosecution as soon as possible thereafter?
Fourthly, what about recovery of these funds? What are we going to do, this man must have been accumulating assets, maybe he is one of the chefs who is building these giant houses in Borrowdale Brooke. Surely, we have got to go after this man and his colleagues. What should happen in this particular case that this man’s estate and his colleague’s estate should be sequestrated by the state and the assets forfeited to the country – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –
We need to ask ourselves the question, what is the role of the Minister of Health and Child Care in this affair? I was deeply disturbed to discover that the Minister of Health and Child Care has accepted US$100 000 from Dube; US$70 000 of which was in excess of the actual bill that he was due to pay. Was this a bribe? Was this a consideration to the Minister for not taking action on this matter? I think that in respect to this matter, the Minister of Health and Child Care has got to appear in this House and give us an account of what he was doing. If he cannot properly account for these resources, Hon. Speaker, he must resign – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – We need to enforce it. The President himself has launched the good governance policies for the public and private sector. It is time that we enforce the rules of good governance in the society and strengthened membership, oversight and control. This situation must not be allowed to continue into the future.
I belong to a medical aid society which is run by the private sector where we use 7% of the total resources of the society as costs. I do not know what proportion of the income of the PSMAS this was, in 2014 we paid them US$140m, here is US$120 million being consumed by 11 people.
Then finally Mr. Speaker, we need to broaden the exercise to cover all Medical Aid Societies, who now represent a US$1 billion a year industry and provide medical cover or the health needs of a million people. If we are going to protect the public interest and the interests of the people who elected us into this House, we need to make sure that they are served by the institutions that are created to look after their welfare. Medical Aid Societies are one of those.
Let us make sure that this is not also happening in other Medical Aid Societies where similar maladministration of public accounts may have become the norm. There is a need for us in this House to be united on this issue. This is not a party political issue but this is a national issue and we need to get rid of this cancer in our society. Thank you very much Mr. Speaker.
HON. SPEAKER: Order, I have to recognise the presence in the
Speaker’s Gallery of students and teachers from Hillside Junior School in Bulawayo Province. You are most welcome.
HON. MARIDADI: I wish to congratulate and thank the mover of this motion Hon. Cross for being so eloquent and providing us with those figures that are frightening. I am very musically inclined Mr. Speaker. There is a song by Bob Dylan, American rock music star, which is entitled “Sweet-heart like you” He says in that song, you steal a dime they throw you in jail, “You steal a million they make you king.
This is what describes the situation in Zimbabwe.
Mr. Speaker, the Chief Executive of MTN in South Africa earns
ZAR48 million a year inclusive of bonuses. MTN turns over more than ZAR340 billion a year and Mr. Sifiso Dayengwa justifiably earns that money. Here, we have a Medical Aid Society which does not make a profit and fails to pay for its services and fails to pay employees. The least paid employee at PSMAS, who is a cleaner, takes home about US$198 while the CEO, Mr. Cuthbert Dube takes home US$540 000 a month. This is much more than the Executive Chairman of Coca Cola who is based in Atlanta, Georgia in USA who does not take home that kind of money. Coca Cola is an international company with a turnover that is more than the combined GDP of all the 15 SADC countries and yet he earns less than Cuthbert Dube, a person who works in Zimbabwe, which has a GDP of less than US$4 billion.
Mr. Speaker, Zimbabwe has failed to go to the World Cup and to the Africa Cup of Nations under the watch of Cuthbert Dube. He is elected to run ZIFA, in charge of the biggest sport in the country soccer, participating in international tourneys and Zimbabwe fails to do anything. What this means is that Zimbabwe celebrates failure. On the board of PSMAS sat two Permanent Secretaries. One of them took home US$240 000 in board fees in one year while the other one took US$170 000. They are still operating as Permanent Secretaries and nothing has been done to them. We are in this House talking to ourselves and getting blue in the face while my friend, murungu is getting yellow in the face [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] but what we know is that Government will not and does not take action against people that have committed gross corruption.
HON. SPEAKER: Order, did you mean Hon. Cross
HON. MARIDADI: Yes, my good friend Hon. Cross. If you go to the Magistrates Courts and sit in the gallery in one of the courts that try fraud, cases that are brought before the magistrates are cases of fraud of corruption of a police officer who took a bribe of US$60 on the highway to Bulawayo, a junior officer at ZB bank who converted
US$1200 of his employer’s money to his own use and a ZUPCO driver who sold tickets for US$36 and converted the money to his own use.
Those are the type of people that are tried at the Magistrates Courts. I have never been to the Magistrates Courts and seen somebody being arraigned for stealing money, the way money has been stolen at PSMAS.
What this House needs to do as a way forward to show that we have teeth, is to bring the Minister of Health to account. Firstly, the Minister of Health must tell this House why he was given US$100 000 which he did not deserve from PSMAS, after which we then quiz him on the action that his Ministry has taken on the issue of PSMAS. Mr. Speaker, we have young doctors who have spent 7 years at school reading medicine, such a difficult field of study. They are employed by Government and earn US$350 to US$400 because our Government has no money. When this guy then goes to work for a private surgery on call, he does not get any money because his boss, the owner of the surgery is not getting any remittances from PSMAS because Cuthbert Dube and 10 Executives have taken all the money, yet this Government keeps quite about it.
The role of Government is to look out for the interest of the afflicted in our society, which are the interests of the poor. This Government is not doing that. This Government can only look after the interests of the afflicted and the poor by taking people like Cuthbert Dube to jail. I do not think you need a competent Magistrate but an ordinary Magistrate and an ordinary Prosecutor. For all we care, Cuthbert Dube could hire the services of George Bizzos but there is no way he will avoid a custodial jail term, he will have to do jail time.
I had occasion to fly to South Africa one day and I met Mr. Dube in the departure lounge. The guy could not walk. He was in crutches and was looking sickly. I said to myself, here is a man who is running the biggest medical aid society in the country and he is the President of the biggest sport in the country but he cannot help himself or walk on his own two feet. How does that happen? I looked at him and said if anything, this man should either be in hospital or in an old people’s home. What is he doing running PSMAS. That is the reason why he was able to take all this money because to him it did not matter.
However, what pains me the most is that we have two Permanent Secretaries who have taken money out of PSMAS but Government has not done anything about them and for me, this is the most painful thing. Cuthbert Dube could have taken all the money in the world and I would not care a bit or lose any sleep, but for a Permanent Secretary taking US$240 000 of money that he knows he does not deserve. I think it is an indictment on the administration of this country and this august House and something must be done about it and it must be done now. –[HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.]- 75% of the problems that we have in this country are as a result of corruption and not anything else. It is not corruption by a Constable based at Mabvuku Police Station who is taking a bribe of US$2.00 from Kombis or a journalist at some newspaper who is telling legislators to give him US$15.00 so that he writes nicely about them, it is not that. I am talking of corruption which has an impact on the GDP of the country.
Hon. Speaker, I cannot even start to enumerate on the parastatals like ZBC. I gave ZBC 12 years of my early adult life and here is a guy who becomes the Chief Executive. His highest qualification is some language degree at some institution and his salary is US$35 000.000. You have somebody who is earning US$35 000.00, who has no known qualifications and a provincial medical doctor earning US$500.00 - how does that happen? You go to NRZ, when NRZ employs a Chief
Executive, the first thing they do is buy him an executive car. The Chief Executives of NRZ, ZESA and any parastatal you can think of, they drive Mercedes Benz S350, with a value of about US$250 000.00. Here is a parastatal which is struggling, which has been in the red for as long as I can remember, but the Chief Executive is rolling around town in a Mercedes Benz S350 - how does that happen?
Maybe they will come back to me and say Hon. Maridadi, Government Ministers are also rolling in Mercedes Benz S350 but the same Government does not have money. I will say look, collectively let us do something about it. I think those are the issues that we must look at. I do not know why this Parliament cannot have the teeth to invite the
Minister of Health and Child Care as soon as possible so that he accounts. The level of impunity in this country is unbelievable. It is that impunity that this House must deal with. Hon. Speaker, I have said a lot and the Hon. mover of this motion has said a lot, but I think what I need to say in conclusion is that corruption must be dealt with. The duty of this House is to deal with corruption and let us start by showing our teeth to PSMAS and let us use our teeth by hauling before this Parliament, the members of the Executive, the Permanent Secretaries who took that money and that money should be returned to the people of
Zimbabwe and should not be used by a few individuals. I thank you. [-
HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.]-
HON. CHASI: Thank you very much Hon. Speaker. I would like to start by commending the mover of the motion Hon. Cross for a very robust and informative presentation on the situation as it obtained in the financial sector as well as the situation that relates to PSMAS. I am not going to regurgitate what has been said by the two previous speakers but I just want to add that with respect to the financial sector, I suggest that there is a complete need to revise the duties of directors that sit on financial institutions boards. As has been demonstrated, it is quite clear that they have either been active participants in the commission of crimes or they have aided and abated commission of crimes or they have simply been careless and reckless as to what happens in the financial institutions. Anyone who has a familiarity with the composition of a bank’s capital, they say 80% to 90% of a bank’s capital is composed of depositors funds, which means that in essence, it is funds that belong to ordinary people of this country, who are completely unrepresented in the governance of financial institutions.
I am hopeful that as we begin to consider the amendments to the Banking Act, we will be able to recommend representation of depositors on these boards, and I think that the Minister of Finance and Economic Development should be able to appoint seasoned bankers who represent him as the representative of the public on those boards. I think that will help a lot. I also share the view that as a country, we have not done much in dealing with those who looted banks. I think the company law must be revised comprehensively in that it is known that individuals will form a bank so that it can take funds out of the bank and fund a subsidiary. I think that where that occurs, the law must oblige those responsible for running those institutions to make a report to the police where funds have been stolen, but not only that, to ensure that there is cross liability between a subsidiary that is a non financial institution which has benefited from funds looted from a bank, it must be made to pay to the bank rather than exposing the fiscus to meeting those payments to depositors.
I now want to turn to the issue of PSMAS and I think it has been discussed on a number of occasions in this House. It is very disheartening. I know that the majority of members in this House are members of PSMAS. I think there is a misapprehension which suggests that PSMAS is a public institution. It is an institution that is owned by all of us here. I think that institution is crying out and I think ordinary people are crying out to this House that the governance of the institution be looked at with a view to ensuring that directors understand their positions and functions. When they do not operate in accordance with the law, they are made accountable to repay the money and where criminality is established, they must be able to answer. So, I have no hesitation in associating myself completely with the motion that has been suggested by Hon. Cross. I think if this House fails to take remedial action, both relative to the financial institutions and also with particular reference to PSMAS, it will be a very serious indictment on this House.
I am hopeful that an opportunity will arise where individuals who have looted funds from these institutions, clearly the figures that are being mentioned, I am sure they are not even sustainable en masse, if their Medial Aid Society is there and if the situation continues without rectification, then the whole thing will become a joke. I want to confirm that I am personally very indebted to Hon. Cross for the in-depth analysis and the effort that he put in this motion. I hope that each member of this House will be able to get a copy of this report and study it in its completeness. I thank you.
*HON. CHINOTIMBA: Thank you Hon. Speaker. Let me start
by thanking Hon. Cross for the motion that he has brought forward on PSMAS. In as far as I am concerned, what I see in this House is that all people are in agreement concerning this issue. Normally we disagree on issues in this House but today, the PSMAS issue is a painful issue and has united us. In my opinion, the issue that is being debated in this House is very pertinent. There was an audit that was carried out and up to this day, it has not been made public, it is being kept a secret. Mr. Speaker Sir, in my opinion, Hon. Cross seems to have come across the forensic audit. I came across this forensic audit and it is quite lengthy. I read it and realised that the things in the report cannot be kept a secret. The moment we keep quiet about it shows that as the people of
Zimbabwe, we are insane. If we are sane, I do not think we will be quiet about it.
Madam Speaker, what I am saying right now is that, the PSMAS workers, from the doctors’ right through to the lowest paid, have not been given their salaries for the past six months. However, someone was earning US$500 000. If that money was channeled towards the
Grain Marketing Board (GMB), we would say that they were doing it for food security purposes not for their own selfish benefits. I do not think he only embezzled funds from PSMAS but also from the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) where he was. The same person has done this and we have kept quiet.
We asked when we were at the Budget Seminar in Victoria Falls how this issue is being handled and the Minister of Finance and
Economic Development said that PSMAS is a stand-alone company. We asked at what point Ministers get involved. We want to expose the truth that, if PSMAS is an independent company, how did the Ministers get involved, the Board was nominated by the Minister. Probably we can be updated by the former Deputy Minister, who is now a backbencher on how this used to operate.
This is not a laughing matter; these are some of the issues which need to be talked about. In China, such people cannot be left scot-free. However, you will realize that anyone related to them is also affected and will be arrested because they will have had a share in the spoils of the embezzlement. We might fail to reason about the PSMAS issue and think that it is the Government, but that is not it. As Parliamentarians, we are the Government, we are the ones who build the nation. For the Government to function, it is because of us in this House. We are responsible for drafting the legislation and if we are a Government, we should ensure that those who embezzled funds should be arrested.
We should unite and speak with one voice so that the people whom we represent know that they have voted for good representatives in
Parliament, particularly for those people who are subscribing to PSMAS. It is painful that you cannot even get eye ointment from PSMAS. It is even difficult for children to be attended to, but we are seated here watching while subscriptions are being deducted without any service rendered.
We need to look at issues that affect the nation. Other countries will mock us and we become a laughing stock if we fail to deal with this issue. For us to be called a nation, we need to stamp out corruption. If we let those involved in corruption scot-free, then we are not doing anything. We should not sit back and relax. I think that as Hon.
Members, we need to show that we are powerful and we are Members of Parliament elected by the people.
What surprises me is that, one day I asked where the reports that are brought in here finally go to and I heard you as the Chairperson say that it is given to the Ministers concerned. You cannot get the Minister concerned to act because he is also part of the corruption team, that will never happen. The important issue here is that the PSMAS issue does not require us to disagree. It is not about party affiliation, it is an issue that affects the nation at large.
The nation can borrow if there is no money in the national fiscus for acquiring certain goods and services. The nation can borrow money from the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) and other parastatals. However, if PSMAS becomes personally owned and cannot serve the people, I do not think that is correct. The Hon. Members who moved this debate are right.
I do not think it is a challenge for the Ministers concerned to come here and update us and enlighten us on what is happening. We have become fools before the nation because of one person. Those Ministers should come and explain. Mr. Speaker Sir, as the Speaker, you have powers to summon them. We used to mourn that Ministers were not coming to Parliament, but you have told us that they are now coming. Is there any problem in summoning the Ministers to come and explain to us what was happening? Is it a problem for him to explain what the board members were doing? Is it a problem for them to explain if we say no one is above board except the President? What then can stop these people to come into this House and enlighten us on what is happening? If they refuse, then they should be brought to book.
What I am saying is that, these people must be arrested. Property should be attached, they bought buses, houses and even properties in South Africa. Let us engage investigators who will investigate these issues. In this Parliament, we once said that we need to have our own anti-corruption commission and we were denied the privilege and told that there is an Anti-Corruption Commission in place. However, up to this day, it is not functioning, nothing has been said, they are just quiet.
What I am saying is that, I am not happy at all. It is difficult for me to go to my constituents and explain to them on what is happening, particularly the teachers. It is difficult because if they go to Birchnough Hospital, they are told that their medical aid is not valid and yet medical subscriptions are being deducted on a monthly basis.
The money that is deducted by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development is a challenge because it is not being remitted on time. If the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development was remitting these subscriptions on time, probably there would not be any debts. Now that we have realized it, we know that we cannot sit in boards, but let us find people who are Members of Parliament like me who will go and investigate. We have those from the labour, they are here. We do not want our employees to suffer, we have Hon. Mashakada, Hon. Mpariwa and myself, who were there in the labour unions, I do not know what they looked at.
I do not have much to say. Even at a funeral people do laugh. So let us talk about this. As we talk, we are not saying they witnessed corruption but the question is, how did it happen during your time? We are not saying that they did it. We want proof from them if ever they witnessed such cases. This issue Mr. Speaker…
THE HON DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, it is Madam Speaker.
*HON. CHINOTIMBA: I heard Hon. Chombo referring to a female village head as “headman”.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Member, you cannot compare Madam Speaker with a headman – [Laughter] – Hon Member, can you please withdraw that statement. You have been talking of the strength of Parliament and there is a Presiding Officer presiding over all those Members of Parliament. If you compare that Presiding Officer with a headman, I think you are out of order. Can you please withdraw that statement?
*HON. CHINOTIMBA: I withdraw my statement Madam Speaker. I do not have much to say now. What I have raised is that we need to show the world that as Hon Members, when we start an issue that will build the country, we unite without being partisan, either as ZANU PF or MDC. This is what builds a nation. Normally, when issues are raised we behave like children but this is not a minor issue. We need to work together. With these few words, I thank you Madam Speaker.
HON. MANGAMI: Thank you Madam Speaker. May I also begin by thanking the mover of this motion Hon. Cross. This is a very important motion which has been brought to this House because it has been a topical issue in terms of extortion of public funds by different organisations in the society.
The mismanagement of funds Madam Speaker, is a criminal offence which the law has to take its course and those that do that must be arrested, tried and jailed. As Parliament, we should come up with specific action to be taken on such behaviour. I was actually wondering that it appears society on its own does not pay people according to what they contribute. It is very unfair. When you look at the amount that is given to one who is at management level; the amount that very person gets in comparison to the rest of those that are below is just very unfair because you cannot be a manager working alone with the rest of the group. I think it should be revised that society does not pay people according to what they contribute.
I was wondering one day why a footballer who plays 90 minutes is given $15 000 per game for entertaining people. I said to myself, is this what society requires? I also looked at management and the role that they play. They do not do it alone but they do it with the rest of the people in the company and look at what they earn. It is very sad. I was suggesting that looking at NSSA on its own, it is collecting monies from almost everybody in Zimbabwe and you are only given pension when you are at 65 years. Our life expectancy has been reduced and most of us do not reach 65 years. It means that there are a lot of monies which are at NSSA which are not being accounted for and earned for no good reason. Those whose monies are deducted from their salaries and do not accumulate to stages where they can be refunded because you only work for a few years whilst your monies are being deducted like what is happening at the moment; those monies are difficult to audit so that
NSSA can account for them. We need to have robust laws that look at specific issues including the boards that we have in these parastatals, they also have some allowances which they are given as incentives. A lot of mismanagement is happening at parastatals whilst these boards are there. There is need to interrogate the boards that we have whose parastatals have mismanaged the funds. What is the purpose of such boards? If they do not have a purpose, then they should be disbanded because they are not doing their job. Most of the time, it is the public who raise awareness that the boards are not doing their work.
It is very important that as Parliament, we also look at issues that already have been taking place especially at PSMAS. I am a contributor to PSMAS. I pay $50 per month but right now, I am asked to pay $10 as co-payment whenever I visit a doctor. One wonders what is happening to my $50. We must have some of these groups reduced because they have become too big for them to be controlled. They should be reduced to a smaller unit because right now they seem not to be manageable. I want to conclude by suggesting that, of the issues that are being raised by Hon. Members here, I think we should come up with a conclusion and recommendations that are going to be adhered to in this House. I thank you Madam Speaker.
HON. MAJOME: I thank you Madam Speaker for this opportunity to debate this very important motion. I want to begin by also joining other Hon. Members before me who have paid the fitting recognition to Hon. Cross, for moving such a heart rending and critical motion that affects the lives and deaths of the multitudes of millions of members of the Premier Services Medical Aid Society who are mainly in the public sector but also in the private sector.
I want to whole heartedly throw myself in support behind this very noble motion and indeed, it is very specific prayers of the specific action that must now finally be taken to address this very embarrassing - I cannot find a suitable word Madam Speaker. This blemish on us as Zimbabweans that for years, it is more than a year or two years now since the very shocking and horrific levels of self payment by officials at the Premier Services Medical Aid Society (PSMAS) have been paying themselves. Even songs have been composed and stand-up comedians had a field day of describing the exploits of what they have called Cashbed Dube. Radio DJs and stations continue to talk about this but we have been talking about this for years now and Zimbabweans have been laughing about it. I think it is because they expect Parliament to finally move this motion to cause the Executive to take action and stop this very terrible thing.
Madam Speaker, we were in Victoria Falls a few weeks ago for the Pre-budget Seminar. The Hon. Speaker exhorted us, as well as the theme of the Conference and also even the Minister of Finance and Economic Development. They gave us a lot of work to do and they also gave us very difficult homework of how to grow the national cake. We can talk as much as we want about creating conditions for attracting foreign direct investment but also even to allow those Zimbabweans who are here in the country and have money that they are sitting on to release it into the productive sector. We can talk about it but as long as we do not take serious steps as a nation to stop corruption but we allow the most horrific forms of theft to go on against the public, then no one will take us seriously. No one will take Zimbabwe as a destination that is worth investing their money in because it will only show that we are not serious as a nation in; firstly safeguarding the little money that we have, we do not value our human capital and we also are not serious about safeguarding the property of others and making sure that it is not stolen.
Madam Speaker, the issue of the Premier Services Medical Aid Society is one that anyone all over the world can look at and say Zimbabwe is one of the most corrupt places in the world. They will be justified to say so because if there is such corruption that is nauseating and choking people and nothing is done about it; the perpetrators themselves are actually celebrating as was said by other hon. members before me. Madam Speaker, Zimbabwe will continue scoring the dubious distinction of ranking highest on the most corrupt nations in the world because we are not taking the measures that we should take and we should start to do so now.
I want to say that I am in support of this motion and the action itself that must be taken. I want to just maybe dwell on the particular action that the mover of the motion, Hon. Eddie Cross wants to do. As I indicated Madam Speaker, I am throwing myself whole heartedly in support of his particular prayer. I cannot avoid talking about the Constitution because that is the best instrument that we have in this country for enforcing the law as well as combating corruption. In this particular case of the Premier Services Medical Aid Society, the failure of the Executive arm of Government to reign in these very rotten apples that we have is a symptom of general disregard of the provisions of our Constitution. It appears that while Zimbabweans voted for this Constitution in record numbers by 97% in the Referendum, it does not look like we actually share the founding values that are enshrined in this Constitution. Those founding values that the people of Zimbabwe themselves say they want to be governed by, if we look at those, there is no space whatsoever for corruption of any kind but also for this kind of crime. The values that Zimbabweans say they want to be governed by, are the rule of law itself and where in the world do you have a society that says it respects the rule of law where people steal in broad day light. They steal in the name of the Government and from Government offices and they are allowed to go scot free. Unfortunately Madam Speaker, some of them are the chief spokespersons of the Government itself and this is no secret.
The Secretary of the Ministry of Information who usually speaks on behalf of the Government did himself openly admit to the media that yes indeed he took unholy amounts of allowances from the Premier Services Medical Aid Society. He surrendered himself and said he is willing to face the music if and when the music is ever played on him but up to now, no such music has been played. When I think about officials like that, my question to them is that; why are you waiting for the long arm of the law to catch up with you when you yourself admitted in public that you did something wrong and you know that you did something wrong. You know that you have pilfered from the public pocket – do the honourable thing and just resign. So Madam Speaker, as I debate this motion, I am making an appeal to all those people who are fingered in the report of the Auditor-General and Madam Speaker, allow me to take my hat off and pay homage to our Auditor-General Madam Chiri, for relentlessly and without fear or favour continuing to expose this kind of rot that is bedeviling our society. It makes me proud as a woman of Zimbabwe that one of us is unflinching in the face of duty and is unflinching in the face of danger, but we must not let her down. I think that the motion by Hon. Cross allows us to, finally as Parliament do something about those reports and the sordid revelations that she makes day in day out. Let us reward such diligence and such hard work with results.
Let us indeed resolve on this motion and make sure that all those people who pilfered this money do face their fate but as I said, let them resign because Mr. George Charamba publicly admitted in the media that he got undue allowances. So, I want to appeal to him Madam Speaker, through you to do two things: 1) let him pay back that money that he took. He should not wait for taxpayers’ money again to be wasted in hauling him before the courts. 2) Let him also resign because it does not augur well for a nation where you have people speaking on behalf of the Government but who themselves are in the frontline of taking away from poor civil servants who contribute their money, drip by drip and those companies in the private sector who are also working in very difficult circumstances but are contributing to this society.
Madam Speaker, allow me to speak on the prayer itself of the motion. The first thing that Hon. Eddie Cross prays for, is that we implore on the Executive to take measures for the prosecution of all those who benefitted from the scandal. He could not have said it better. I cannot help but feel a little bit pessimistic because if we are to ensure that those who pilfered and those who got these gains in an ill way are prosecuted, I am not very confident that that prosecution is to be done.
For that to be done, we need the Prosecutor-General’s office to rise up to the occasion and rise to the level that is required by this Constitution. I worry because just a few weeks ago, there was a very big hullabaloo in the press about the Prosecutor-General himself, who is appointed in terms of Chapter 13 of the Constitution. He should be the person who is like, in those comics is the super hero who must swoop down and kick out all the bad guys out of town. Unfortunately, just a few weeks ago, the media was hogged by stories that he was actually refusing to prosecute certain people who are suspected of committing crimes. Instead of acting as the chief public protector from crime, he was acting as the chief protector of people who are suspected of committing crime.
Madam Speaker, we definitely need an appetite for law enforcement in the office that is responsible for enforcing crime because it is no wonder that the Cashbed Dubes and their accomplices are roaming free because there does not appear to be appetite at all in the
Prosecutor General’s office to catch up with and to bring to book all those people concerned. We need to see a change. There needs to be public confidence in that and it is my hope that the Public Prosecutor demonstrates that he does have an appetite to do the work that Zimbabweans repose trust in him to do because if he does not have the appetite, the honourable thing is for him to resign. There are so many lawyers who are experienced who are able to do this work so that there be an appointed person in that office who leads that office, who shows that they are willing and able and they are unflinching at the sight of crime that they will prosecute. It does not matter whether it is a Member of Parliament or a high ranking person that they will indeed prosecute.
Madam Speaker, I just want to draw the august House’s attention to the immense power that the Prosecutor General’s Office has in terms of the Constitution. In terms of Section 259(1), the Prosecutor General may actually direct the Commissioner General of Police to investigate or to report anything which in the Prosecutor General’s Office relates to an offence or an alleged offence or a suspected offence. Madam Speaker the offences here are clear. The alleged ones are clear and the suspected ones are clear. If the Prosecutor General is exercising his mind in a rational manner and in good fail, I cannot imagine why his opinion would not cause him to want to order the Commissioner General.
Madam Speaker, the Constitution provides that when the Prosecutor General directs the Commissioner General to investigate in particular cases like this, it specifically provides that the Commissioner General has no option but to comply. That is immense power Madam Speaker. It is power to cause the police to police. It is to police the police themselves. It provides that the Prosecutor General must actually proceed to do so. It says that the Commissioner General of Police must comply with that direction. It is my hope that the Prosecutor General will indeed give that direction to the Commissioner General because the Commissioner General is going to comply because the Constitution requires him to do so.
Madam Speaker, if I may also talk briefly about the other, if I may say God’s forsaken institution that is also established by Section 13 of the Constitution. I believe those in the western world who are of a superstitious turn and think that 13 is an unlucky number and it does appear that unfortunately, when you look at the institutions that are established in Section 13 of our Constitution to combat crime, they seem to be very unlucky indeed because that is where we find the Prosecutor
General’s Office and the Anti-Corruption Commission. It looks like we need do break this jinx that these particular institutions are facing.
Where is the Anti-Corruption Commission? Hon. Chinotimba eloquently stated here that Parliament at one time decided to appoint a Select Committee but was stopped by Parliament ironically, in deference to the Anti- Corruption Commission that does not exist, dare I say that is a ghost. I am informed that our Standing Rules and Orders did its bit. It interviewed the Commissioners in terms of the Standing Rules and
Orders and in terms of the Constitution, but up to now it is a phantom Commission. There is no Anti-Corruption Commission in place and therefore these recommendations by the Auditor General are unlikely, without all those measures in our system, to help them. They are likely to continue being unlucky and being jinxed by the number 13. It is my hope that the august House moves that motion and makes a resolution to ensure that all those steps are done and we have an Anti-Corruption Commission running and going.
Sadly, the only memory that we have is that we seem to be a country which is remembered also for the wrong things. The only memory I have of the Anti-Corruption Commission before its term passed was that it was in fact the Ant-Corruption Commission itself that was being hounded by the police and being arrested. I cannot imagine a more ridiculous state of affairs. It is my hope that we turn that around.
I am also fully in support of the second proposal that there be use by the law to recover those ill gotten gains that were uncovered by the Auditor-General. Everyone who received an allowance that is undue and that is excessive must bring back that money. Yes the provisions of the law must also be used and again, I exhort the Prosecutor General to also do something that is not usually done in the prosecution of offences.
Our Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act has provisions that allow any victims of crime to be compensated without having to go to a civil court. All the Prosecutor General needs to do after the person has been convicted to invoke the magistrate to invoke those provisions, but alas! I do not see our National Prosecuting Authority led by the Prosecutor General having again an appetite and a stomach to do those things. This money must be paid back and must be paid in full. Again, Madam Speaker, I implore upon all those people, especially the ones who have publicly accepted that they got this money ill advisedly to just pay that money back and save the tax payer’s money from using the law to do it.
In winding up my support to this motion I also want to say something related to this issue of graft and corruption and the high tolerance of corruption. I think we should be embarrassed when our own honourable ministers lead the brigade of trying to cover up corruption. Very recently the Chief Executive of the Premier Service Medical Aid Society was required to be suspended and resign, but we saw our own Ministers, these members of the Executive, falling all over themselves and breaking their legs trying to make him go back. Madam Speaker, I think that it is time that this House made a very strong statement and got out the whip and makes it clear to the Executive that we expect the Executive to do its role that is to implement the law and the decisions of policy and save all those people from suffering.
Madam Speaker, in our institutions where public servants and other members of the Premier Services Medical Aid Society are using, if you visit there those places are very depressing. Anyone of us who has been unfortunate to become ill or to have had a relative who is ill will see the sorry state of affairs and the dilapidated infrastructure at West End Hospital, but also even our public hospitals Parirenyatwa, the Bulawayo United Hospital and the Masvingo Hospital. All those places where people who are poor and who cannot go to the private expensive hospitals are the ones from whom money has been spent. Madam Speaker, I hope our Hon. Ministers do their bit and get on to the side of the people and stop interfering with good governance.
Finally Madam Speaker, I want to implore Hon. Members to also lead by example. Most Hon Members of Parliament are members of the Premier Services Medical Aid Society. It is a society. It conducts an annual general meeting each and every year and it is time that Hon.
Members of this august House who are members of the Premier Services Medical Aid Society lead by example and take interest as members in the affairs of this society. We must attend that Annual General Meeting and help to restore sanity. May I implore that when the Annual General Meeting comes around, the date must be announced in this august House and all Hon. Members who are members must go and attend because last year there were very few of us. So, may I implore Hon. Members that while we demand on the Executive to take action and to see that justice is done, let us also do our bit and go and ensure that sanity is restored to this society. I thank you Madam Speaker.
HON. DR. KEREKE: Thank you Madam Speaker for giving me the opportunity to also add a few comments, a few views on the motion by Hon. Cross. The subject is corruption and I think the House needs to broaden the scope much wider than just PSMAS. I want to thank Hon. Cross for using PSMAS as the entry point to the discussion by the House of this animal called corruption.
I support Hon. Majome who spoke before me that we need to look at our Constitution and look at what it says. Section 119(1) bestows upon Parliament the responsibility of protecting the Constitution. What that means in my view is that whenever we see violations of the
Constitutions, it is Parliament’s duty to intervene and take action in defence of the Constitution. If we look at Section 106, (1) to (3), describes certain behaviours that Hon. Ministers should do.
One such behaviour is that an hon. member of the Executive is not supposed to be gainfully employed elsewhere whilst they are serving. You have a full Cabinet Minister who says publicly - it is called capitation in our industry, they were paying me for services I had rendered, and it is allowed to pay in excess. Meanwhile the Constitution does not allow that practice. So, I think we need to introspect and say as Parliament, let us separate matters that relate to our political demographics. Let us isolate those matters that affect the nation as a whole.
The forensic audit that Hon. Cross spoke to is very telling and I would suggest that Parliament makes a formal request for the forensic audit so that hon. members can individual go through it. To say the least it is sickening when one goes through the excesses that were prevailing at PSMAS. We need to say when you see a fire burning; you need to say what is sustaining that fire? Is it that there is someone putting more firewood or someone is putting more oxygen to it? What is sustaining the fire? I think the issue of corruption has become institutional in our country and we need to say as Parliament, perhaps to add on to Hon.
Cross’s prayer to the august House, we need to declare corruption as a major catastrophic disaster for our country.
The budget framework which was presented in Victoria Falls reduced the expected national Budget for the country to around
US$4billion which is a figure it has been static at for the past five years. We need to say for a country as rich as we are, how is it that we continue to shrink our operations to a static budget of US$4billion year in year out. The answer lies in our capacity as a country to fight this octopus this creature called corruption.
Parliament Hon. Madam Speaker did pass several statutes to deal with corruption. There is the Anti-Corruption Commission – we do have laws that deal with other criminal activities that border on the fringes of corruption. The question is why are our institutions not doing what they should be doing? Where are those institutions? That is the question which I think needs to come out very clearly from the deliberation of Parliament to then cause those institutions to account and call upon Government to take action in defence of the welfare of our nation.
The Anti-Corruption Commission would you tell you that ‘we are limited in terms of resources, we do not have resources do discharge our functions’ and several other excuses they would have. Some of them genuine but again it boils down to the work that we do as Parliament. At the time we are designing and commenting on the crafting of national budgets, I think it is time that we should look at the functionality of key of our institutions like those institutions that are instrumental to the fight against corruption. We need to ensure that they are adequately resourced; they have the capacity to then address the scourge of corruption.
In any process, we start from somewhere and I want to firmly support the motion as proffered to the august House that let us call for some sanity, some accounting at PSMAS. The forensic audits, only go so far as articulating financial prejudice, I can confirm to you that in the medical area where I do have interest elsewhere, lives have been lost as a result of the carnage at PSMAS, the financial pilferage. Lives have been lost. You get a victim of a road accident whose is holding a PSMAS medical aid cover, they go to some emergency rooms, and they are denied service. They delay for an hour, two hours, turns into a day they pass on. All those losses can be connected to the malfunctioning financial processes at PSMAS.
The argument that PSMAS is not a public institution; it is an institution where Government has no direct control; I think that is an inadmissible argument for two reasons. The first reason is that the predominant contributor dollar for dollar into PSMAS is Government itself. The second reason is that itself being society funded through public contributions, makes it an institution of public interest and Government has the duty to exercise oversight over public interest. So, I want to urge the august House that like Hon. Chinotimba said, we need to unite and perhaps it is one of those few motions where we must agree as Parliament not to debate ad infinitum, not to elongate our debate, we debate, we debate. This is a crisis topic which affects not just PSMAS, it affects GMB, ZMDC in mines, MMCZ and even ZESA where
US$2.4b was spent over the past five years. If you say where did the money go, people start to quiver, they do not give straight answers.
I want to further propose that Parliament treats this as urgent business and makes its resolution as quickly as possible, preferably even before the end of the year so that we can go into the new budget with a new air of having action points that are dealing with corruption. I want to thank you.
HON. CHIBAYA: Thank you very much Hon. Madam Speaker.
I agree with the mover of the motion and all those who have debated.
However, I have got a proposal in order to improve governance system. I propose that the boards of state enterprises and also parastatals be approved by this Parliament of Zimbabwe – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear] –
Hon. Madam Speaker, as I said before that I do not have much to say, only to move for this proposal to amend the motion. I am sure Hon.
Cross will agree with me and this will actually assist to improve the Government system. I thank you Hon. Madam Speaker.
HON. NYANHONGO: Thank you Hon. Madam Speaker. I
think in short I also rise to support the motion that has been raised by Hon. Cross – that is a very good motion. I also would want to thank him so much for the information that he managed to gather relating to the figures that were swindled by the society. We want to thank you so much for that. Hon. Madam Speaker, I always want to talk about action. We now need to see action being taken by the Executive. Whoever is supposed to take action must now take action. As Parliament, we are saying we want to see action being taken not later than three months and we want to hear the reports here in Parliament, because so many lives have been lost because of these things like what Hon. Dr. Kereke has said. I personally went to a private hospital, even our Parirenyatwa Hospital, with that card, I was denied services because they do not honour that because the Medical Aid Society does not pay back for the services that would have been rendered to the public. Mine is short and I am saying we support and we want action to be taken. Thank you.
*HON. MAPIKI: Thank you Hon. Speaker. I want to thank Hon. Cross for the motion that he has moved in this House which deeply concerns us. I was looking at a situation whereby we now have 34 000 war veterans. They get a pension of US$100.00 monthly, countrywide. If we are to add it, it comes to about US$340 000.00 but when we went for the liberation struggle, we said we wanted fair distribution of resources. From 1980/1983, if we are to look at individuals, we realise that a person will never be able to earn that US$500 000.00 that was earned by Cuthbert Dube. He is now known as the Thief Executive of PSMAS, not the Chief Executive. So, I am looking at a situation whereby we sat down and we wanted Commissions like Anti-Corruption and others, but up to date, no one has been brought to book.
If we look at the departments of Home Affairs such as ZRP and
CID, there are no issues that have been investigated. From the constituency where I come from, if a person is caught with just a gram of gold that is worth US$22.00, he is given a sentence of five years but Cuthbert Dube who has stolen from the people, because the Constitution says that the Government is there to protect the Constitution, he is taking US$500 000.00 but nothing has been done. Anyone found with a twist of marijuana is given five months in jail, but on the issue of Cuthbert Dube and the money that he embezzled from PSMAS, he is still walking scot free. What I am saying is that we need to interrogate this legislation and fast-track it for people to be arrested.
We looked at the issue of Rwanda. Rwanda was involved in genocide and was given sanctions but from the time the sanctions were removed, it has done very well because it has managed to fight the issues of corruption. Here in Zimbabwe, it is just a talk shore and that is what is affecting us. I agree with Hon. Nyanhongo who said we need to act now. The action is not taking place because if the Minister is benefitting from PSMAS, he cannot take action. If a magistrate is conducting my case, there is no way that he will give me a prison sentence because probably he is a tenant in my house. Even if it is a policeman who is lodging in my house, he cannot arrest me because I am his landlord. So, the way we are fighting corruption is a challenge.
What we see is that those engaging in corruption and who should apprehend corrupt individuals are the ones engaged I corruption. My proposal is that on the issue of child marriages, we say that a person who benefits lobola from early child marriages should be arrested. So, what we are saying is that anyone who benefits from corruption should be brought to book. If that person is a Minister, he should be arrested as soon as possible. For him to be a Minister is not an opportunity. I represent people who would want to see such corrupt people arrested. If other countries have managed, for example in China two weeks ago, one of the elite who was engaged in corruption was killed. When we bring the issues about the elite who engage in corrupt activities, they are not arrested. Someone who is a nobody like me is quickly brought to book.
So, what I think is that this issue should be investigated.
The issue of Board of Directors that should be approved by the Ministers has created problems because the Ministers are now taking their puppets to become Board of Directors. So, for them to interrogate such issues, it becomes impossible. I agree with Hon. Chibaya that Board of Directors should not be chosen by Ministers so as to do away with nepotism whereby you have all the museyamwas becoming Board of Directors. That is an issue that we are also looking into and this is an issue that deeply concerns us because nothing is being done.
The issue of corruption is a challenge because even at the AntiCorruption Commission, it also needs to be interrogated. There was an issue that fuel was stolen there but nothing has been done. Hon. Cross has looked at the issue of PSMAS but I want to extend it to all Government departments. It is being talked about that in Councils, monies are being collected and yet there were circulars that were written to ensure that Chief Executive Officers do not get a lot of money. Where are the people who should be arresting such people? I think we should propose that if a Minister heads a government department for example,
if it is the Council, if the Executive is earning a lot of money and yet the circular has been sent, the Minister should be arrested because there is no enforcement of the law taking place, this has become a menace.
If we look at the issue of the budget, we went to Victoria Falls and we were told that the wage bill is taking 87%. When we asked ourselves as to why we went and spent money in Victoria Falls to discuss just 13% - because 87% is going towards wages. As Parliament, we also need to be given powers to ensure that we take measures to address this issue, not just Cuthbert Dube but all those who have been engaged in corrupt activities. Under Air Zimbabwe, we heard that something was done but now there seems to be a regression. If we behave in this way we are not going anywhere as a nation. So, my request is that once we decide that this should be done, let us do it and take action. I thank you.
*HON. MURAI: Thank you Hon. Speaker. I stand up to support the debate that is before us on corruption. In this nation, what has led to the economic challenges in our nation is corruption. We are all talking about PSMAS, but all corners of the country are engaged in corruption. I was asking on corruption, where do we stand as Zimbabwe? We are told that we are 173 out of 198, meaning that our level of corruption is very serious. Most things have been debated in this House, but I think that we are just looking at the trivial matters. What happens is that I am talking about this matter because I have experience.
Madam Speaker, last week I was in prison, I took statistics of the cases against people in prisons. There were cases of people who stole spoons and those involved in drug dealing. However, here we have an issue of a forensic audit where it is known that so and so embezzled funds, but if you go to prison, you will not find that perpetrator because he is walking around scot-free. I actually looked for him in prison and I could not find him and I could not understand what was taking place.
Madam Speaker, if we go outside, for us to say we are inadequately resourced in terms of police personnel would be a lie because there are police officers out there looking for unlawful elements. If one engages in a minor issue like the one that I committed, they will be arrested in a very short period of time. In my case, dogs, hoarses and water tankers were brought in and those who saw me being arrested thought that I would not come back. However, after two days, I was acquitted and did not have any issues. What this means is that we are not serious with the issue of corruption. We are arresting innocent people whilst we leave real candidates of crime who should be thrown into jail, people like Cuthbert Dube and others who are laughing at this august House.
We should be serious Madam Speaker on the issue of corruption. I want to speak with the same voice with all those who debated on the issue. As Parliament, we should see to it that all those who are engaged in corruption are brought to book in order to enable our economy to develop. If I continue to speak, Madam Speaker, I will end up saying unnecessary things and people will not be able to grasp the important issues. I concur with those who spoke before me that we should ensure that those involved in corrupt activities are arrested so that our work as
Parliament will be improved. I thank you Madam Speaker.
*HON. MUFUNGA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I am deeply
concerned by the motion moved by Hon. Cross. Hon. Cross has reflected that he was elected by the people of Zimbabwe and is patriotic. This motion really pained me and I would not try to explain on what has already been said. I recall that there are board members and there is a board of commission that looks into the issues of corruption. I think the board should emerge from Parliament. The members should be interrogated by Parliament and we should determine who should constitute the board. This is for the reason that, all the corruption that happened was under the eyes of those board members.
The board members happen to be relatives of the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs). Therefore, I think Parliament should be given the mandate to elect board members. This issue will never be put to rest if we do not unite. I was thinking about the Minister of Health and Child Care and the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Services. Those are the people who should come into the House to enlighten us on what exactly happened for this issue to go on unnoticed until today. It is disheartening that we were elected by the people and they are not getting the services we pledged to provide. Therefore we need a full day in order to debate this issue until it is exhausted.
I was thinking that as Hon. Members of Parliament who were elected by millions of Zimbabweans, we should have ensured that the people responsible for these skirmishes should have been suspended immediately, pending investigations. As the august House, if other Presidents are given 10 years in prison for engaging in corrupt activities, how about the Ministers? The issue of having Ministers heading a Ministry for five to 15 years has caused this corruption because they will get to a point where they feel no one can tell them what to do.
If you go to Muzarabani, I am well known. Muzarabani is popular for voting, but nothing is being done in terms of development because the money is being taken by corrupt people. Madam Speaker, I was thinking that the Ministers from Health and Child Care and the Public Service, Labour and Social Services should come and assist us in this
House by enlightening us on how this ‘animal’ came into being and where they were when all this was happening. Mr. Speaker Sir, I do not want to say a lot. However, I think that the Ministers should be given a term of office, if it is three or five years, it should be put in writing. This will be unlike a situation where one Minister spends so many years in a
Ministry, I am totally against that. I cannot say much. Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
*HON. CHAPFIKA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I stand up in
support of the motion raised by Hon. Cross. As I stand, I want to say that it is time for Parliament to be popular and known for its existence. In other countries, the Members of Parliament are very powerful because what they would have agreed on is what is done.
Mr. Speaker Sir, there is no country that will develop if corruption is still rampant. All countries which have developed, their foundation is laid upon discipline. For example, in countries such as Rwanda and China, whoever gets involved in corrupt activities is thrown in prison and people are accountable for their actions. In Ghana, where I once stayed for some time, if one was to steal, they will be arrested. Every Friday, people will be taken to the beach where there would be a firing squad. It did not matter what one would have stolen, even a pen, salt or anything, all the thieves will be shot at and buried in a mass grave and they were not given descent burials because they were criminals. I am asking for your attention. Where we are as a nation, we need to take other strategies as the people of Zimbabwe in terms of the way we live and the way we operate our businesses. If you were to look at the banks and everywhere else, all our children no longer have integrity. What they are doing is that they are engaging in deals. They no longer have work ethics that develop the country. Everyone is engaged in shoddy deals so that they can earn a living. The elderly cannot do anything.
Mr. Speaker, I just thought today I would also add my voice to the motion that was raised because there are people who are suffering in this country. The wage bill in Zimbabwe is now at 90% of Government’s recurrent expenditure and it is all paying the Civil Service. Our budget is very small and you cannot compare it to other countries. Probably, it can be compared to that of Henry Ford Company. What legacy are we going to leave for our children? Are we going to leave them a legacy of corruption or a legacy of lack of integrity? The Government put good measures and good legislation that children should go to school and be educated but now this education is being used in engaging in deals because our children realise that as adults, we have failed and we are letting things go that way. Now, we are saying other people are being fired; we should be looking at a situation whether these people are working or not. If a person is at work and is working to ensure that the economy develops, we should protect them.
On the issue that is before us and I want to look at (d) part of the motion which says that review present remuneration policies of the society and bring them in line with current Government policy. That is not being done. I want us to look at that issue and ensure that the Civil Service until our economy has improved; we should put a maximum ceiling of the salary that should be earned by the people in the Civil Service because this is money being contributed by people. When we look at our economic base, no one in the Civil Service should get more than $5 000 per month. If we do that, the private sector would follow suit and adjust their salaries. The price of goods and commodities will also follow suit because in the end, no one will be able to afford them.
I have realised that countries like China got a lot of money because of the low wage bill. All the companies in this country wanted to invest in China because the wages set were quite low and China developed. What we want in Zimbabwe is an investment for us to develop but we are just well known for corruption which does not attract investment.
In further interrogating this issue, the Commission on Insurance and Pensions Funds was set up to investigate the conversion of people’s pensions and insurances because people were left poorer. People who had invested into insurances were left with nothing when Dr. Gono removed the zeros. I cannot remember how many zeros were removed. I can say more than twenty zeros were removed. Our money was now reaching up to sextillions and trillions.
The zeros that were removed were removed without consideration of when that money was put in the bank. The same formula of removing zeros was applied to the money that was banked in Z$ in 1980 when the Z$ was stronger than the British pound, to monies that were banked recently. That was robbery. There are so many people who died poor in this country. Now, the auctions have become so many because they are taking people’s property and selling it yet we are seated here in Parliament doing nothing about it.
What I am saying is that this Commission, if they do not want to extend or investigate why those zeros were removed, then there is an issue. We want to find out how those zeros were removed. Did it actually empower people or disempowered them? What happened at the Reserve Bank affected many people in a negative way. People are traumatised as what Dr. Mangudya said. Many Zimbabweans are suffering because of people who have engaged in corrupt activities and stole the wealth of people yet they are still roaming the streets scot free.
This should be interrogated to see if people were not prejudiced through this system and check what exactly was taking place during the farm mechanization period and to see whether it is true that the real price was $45 000. If it was $45 000, then it is fine. What we want is that we have come to a point where the truth has to be told and to call a spade a spade. As ZANU PF, we are the ruling party and we need to ensure that we bring each other to book. No one should be above the law. People should know that if they engaged in criminal activities, they will bear the brunt of corruption. We need to include a recommendation, that we need to institute legislation to the effect that there must be a penalty for offences related to corruption. I know they are there. They are not being implemented but we need that included in your recommendations so that they become part and parcel of the final resolution of this motion.
I support this motion because it is an issue that affects Zimbabwe.
It affects both MDC and ZANU PF and we should all unite.
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER
NON-ADVERSE REPORT RECEIVED FROM THE
PARLIAMENTARY LEGAL COMMITTEE
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. MUTOMBA): I have
to inform the House that I have received a non adverse report from the Parliamentary Legal Committee on the General Laws Amendment Bill [H.B 3A, 2015].
*HON. MPARIWA: Thank you Hon. Speaker. I want to start by thanking Hon. Cross and the seconder Hon. Maridadi, for bringing this motion. I remained seated because most of the time the Public Accounts
Committee brings recommendations that are being brought by Hon.
Members right now. These are not new recommendations. Hon. Speaker, I implore you to go and look at the recommendations of the five reports we presented to see if the recommendations are not there.
I am happy Hon. Speaker because as the Public Accounts
Committee, when we stand up to give a report, most of the time it is just myself and my seconder who stand up and then most of the time, Hon. Members end up saying why do you not summarise and wind up the motion. It is because we are dealing with issues that touch on a lot of things.
I was happy when Hon. Majome talked of the reports that are produced by the Auditor-General. Those reports are distributed to the pigeon holes of Members of Parliament, even those audit reports from parastatals and Government Ministries. If we were to ask how many Hon. Members take the reports and read them, see the recommendations and what has been investigated, be it in parastatals or Ministries, some may say we have never seen them but they are always there. That is actually costly on the part of the Government because those books are printed and they are quite lengthy. They need to be read for us to understand what will be taking place.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I was happy because there are Hon. Members who are now helping me to speak out. With that Hon. Speaker, let me go back to the motion before you rule me out of order. You know that in 2009 Mr. Speaker Sir, people were earning US$100 and then we relaxed yet Cuthbert Dube was getting US$500 000, an amount that was able to pay the whole of Parliament for a year – that is half a million we are talking about. Mr. Speaker, for us to end there, I think there is need to work out how much money Cuthbert Dube got and what it amounts to and then his properties should be sold to ensure that we get our money back.
Hon. Speaker, when one is not healthy, there is no life. If you were to look at the issue of women, we went to a Premier hospital with one of the women members and we were told to pay a co-payment of US$50. It is a painful situation. We were given papers, of which we went round seeking treatment. I remember one year, Mr. Dube went out of the country to access medical help and from there, he was using clutches to move around. We have learnt a lot. If we continue to sing from the same hymn book and from the same tune, the song does not have any discord. So, I am happy Hon. Speaker that if there is unity in speech, our issue becomes strong.
Hon. Speaker, what has made us fail as Zimbabweans is lack of implementation; it might be Health Committee, Mines Committee or whatever. If there is no implementation of recommendations, we will not go anywhere. So, my plea is that there should be accountability in implementing the recommendations and the conclusions. The function of Parliament will be realised if we implement the recommendations and conclusions. I thank you.
HON. RUNGANI: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. MUKWANGWARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 18th November, 2015.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
HON. RUNGANI: Mr. Speaker Sir, I move that Order of the
Day, Number 6 be stood over until the rest of the Orders of the Day have been disposed of.
HON. MUKWANGWARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
RESTORATION OF THE FIRST REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO
COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE, HOME AFFAIRS AND SECURITY
SERVICES ON THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AT THE
FORBES BORDER POST ON THE ORDER PAPER
HON. MUDEREDZWA: Mr. Speaker Sir, I move the motion
standing in my name that the motion on the First Report of the Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services on the Immigration Department at Forbes Border Post (S. C.20, 2015) which was superseded by the end of the Second Session of Parliament be restored on the Order Paper in terms of Standing Order No. 152 (1).
HON. MUTSEYAMI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
On the motion of HON. RUNGANI, seconded by HON.
MUKWANGARIWA, the House adjourned at Twenty Minutes to Five
o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Wednesday, 16th September, 2015
The National Assembly met at Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(MR. SPEAKER in the Chair)
- SPEAKER: Order, order. Let me first of all start by commending all hon. members who have found it proper to respond to the recall, that you have come in your big numbers at a very short notice – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – Hon, Mutseyami, can you please listen to the Chair and look at me.
(The Deputy President of the Senate and his Panel enter the
Chamber)
- SPEAKER: I have made my first commendation concerning your very good turn-out after the short notice, to come back to the joint sitting. Secondly, I want also to commend all Members of Parliament for the manner in which we conducted ourselves yesterday during the proceedings – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] - I am also commending members on my left; there is no need for you to remain mute – [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] - Order, order!
I also wish to inform the House – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] - Order, order! Let us not take our sense of humour too far please, I acknowledge it. I will now call upon the Hon. Vice President and Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mnangagwa.
- GONESE: On a point of order Mr. Speaker. In terms of Standing Order Number 68 – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible
interjections.] –
- SPEAKER: Hon. Prince Sibanda, there is only one Chair to put order here. Do not take over, your time will come.
- GONESE: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir. My point of order is in terms of Standing Order Number 68, paragraph (d) as read with Standing Order Number 69 that relate to points of order and matters of privilege. In terms of Standing Order Number 69, they take precedence over any other business and they do not need notice.
- SPEAKER: Are you referring to the new adopted Standing
Orders?
- GONESE: Yes, and I have got a copy. It is a motion on privileges which allows members to move motions without notice on matters relating to privilege. I am also relying on the provisions of the
Constitution of Zimbabwe in so far as it relates …
- SPEAKER: Section 68, which sub-paragraph? I want to be with you.
- GONESE: Standing Order Number 68, paragraph (d). I will go through it Mr. Speaker for the benefit of hon. members.
- SPEAKER: The Chair has noted that. Can you proceed?
- GONESE: It allows motions relating to a point of order, a question of order or a matter of privilege. In terms of Standing Order
Number 69, that motion shall take precedence over any other business.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I also rely on the provisions of Section 148 of our Constitution, which provisions relate to the powers, privileges and immunities of Parliament as also read with the relevant Act, Chapter 2:8.
Mr. Speaker Sir, in terms of Section 148, Members of Parliament are given legal protection in relation to what they say in Parliament. Freedom of speech is absolutely guaranteed and that is also expanded by the Privileges and Powers of Immunities Act, popularly known as PIPA where whatever a member says in this august House, they cannot be sued, arrested and no criminal proceedings may be instituted against them.
However, what is of concern Mr. Speaker, is that we have got the legal protection. What is of concern is, where you may have extra legal measures outside the provisions of the law...
- SPEAKER: Can you please go to the point?
- GONESE: Yes, I am going there Mr. Speaker. I am just going step by step so that we are on the same page.
- SPEAKER: The Chair is very clear. Can you state your case?
- GONESE: All I am saying is that Parliament is a sovereign institution. In terms of the provisions of our Constitution, we have got the doctrine of separation of powers. I believe Mr. Speaker, that in circumstances where that authority is undermined, Parliament must jealously guard against any attempts of whatsoever nature which may undermine the integrity of Parliament. Members must really feel free when they are in this august House to say what they want. In terms of the conventions, members are entitled to certain behaviour. If they disapprove of something, they so indicate. If they approve, they thump the benches and if they disapprove, they will behave in the opposite way. Members should come to Parliament very comfortable, in the full knowledge that…
– [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
I am now moving Mr. Speaker, to say that when there are matters that threaten the integrity of Parliament, I believe that this institution has got provisions which allow for the setting up of a Committee on Privileges and I believe that for hon. members who have been threatened, it is not sufficient to simply go and report to the police. We actually need a Committee on Privileges to be set up. This is what I am moving Mr.
Speaker and this is the motion that I am referring to.
I am now moving Mr. Speaker, that in relation to the threats to the Members of Parliament, they have actually gone beyond Members of Parliament. Some of the members have had their wives also receiving threatening messages. Honourable members do not feel comfortable, they do not feel free and they are not able to discharge their obligations when they come to this august House. This fear Mr. Speaker, on the part of their wives and children undermines the integrity of this institution. I believe that the Committee on Privileges which must be set up, must not only look at the issues relating to the threats, but also on the integrity of the institution. For example, if certain things are not done in the manner they should have been done, this Parliament must also have powers to investigate, interrogate and ascertain what could have led that to happen.
In this regard, I believe that we must have a Committee on Privileges which must be set up and in the same vein. We must have this institution doing more to protect hon. Members of Parliament, not merely to say that Members of Parliament must go and report to the police. I so move my motion Mr. Speaker.
- SPEAKER: Order, order! Hon. Gonese, I have heard your motion and what it recommends. If need be, in terms of our procedures, I will refer it to the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders. Thank you.
MOTION
LEAVE TO MOVE WITHDRAWAL AND SUBSTITUTION OF
THE PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH
THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE,
LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (MR.
MNANGAGWA): Mr. Speaker Sir, as Leader of the House, I would also wish to make a comment on the point of order raised by Hon. Gonese, which led him to propose a motion to set up a committee. It is my view that when you raise a point of order, a ruling must be done in relation to the point of order. I believe that he has a legitimate request with regard to the point of order but however as to whether it should come in the manner he has done it, I believe it is necessary to have a ruling for purposes of setting future precedence, otherwise we might find ourselves abusing the procedures of Parliament.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I seek the leave of the House to move that the text of the speech presented by His Excellency the President, Cde Robert
Gabriel Mugabe at the Official Opening of the Third Session of the Eighth Parliament yesterday Tuesday, 15th September, 2015 be withdrawn and substituted by the correct version and that the incorrect text be expunged from the records of Parliament - [MDC HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible
interjections.] –
- GONESE: On a point of order.
- SPEAKER: Hon. Gonese, you are the Chief Whip and you
asked for a point of order. May your colleagues give you an ear, tell your people to be quiet? – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] -
Hon. members on my left, Hon. Gonese is raising a point and I think you should give him due respect from your side, otherwise I will rule against – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
- GONESE: Thank you Mr. Speaker. My point was that if the hon. Leader of the House, the Hon. Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe is seeking the leave of the House, we must be appraised of the reasons why that leave is being sought, so that we are not taken for granted and that we are put in the know as to why certain things happened in the manner that they happened.
We believe that the Executive must be accountable to this august House and in that regard, it is important for the hon. Leader of the House to furnish us with reasons as to why such a mix up would have taken place. Whether it was due to negligence or it was due to recklessness or due to sanctions, so that we are all in the clear Mr. Speaker. –[HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear]- or whether it was the work of gamatox which would have resulted to what happened. We must also know whether it had the hand of gamatox in it which could have caused that to happen. We need to know and then we can debate on the merits.
- SPEAKER: Order. Order! Hon. Gonese, I thought you were bringing up very important fundamental issues but if you are going to go issues of gamatox which are party political issues, I may not give you the floor to speak. Can you relate yourself to fundamental issues? Thank you.
- GONESE: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir. I withdraw
that. All I am saying is that since these are fundamental issues as rightly observed by the Chair …
- SPEAKER: Hon. members on my right, the hon. member has withdrawn his statement. Thank you.
- GONESE: I was saying as rightly observed by the Chair, since these are fundamental issues, we really need to be informed by the
Executive. If the Executive is seeking the indulgence of this august House, there must be transparency so that if that indulgence is to be granted, it is from an informed position. So I think the hon. Leader of the
House should be open with us.
- SPEAKER: Well, there are two issues Hon. Gonese that you
have raised. On the first issue, you requested for a debate before I put the question. Now you are asking for an explanation. I shall rule that the debate ensues and the Hon. Vice President Mnangagwa will then respond.
You asked for debate, I grant the debate.
- CHAMISA: Thank you hon. Speaker Sir. I suppose that we have been given the right to debate on why leave has to be granted to Government to withdraw the speech by His Excellency, the President and seeking to then replace it or in its place, put another one. Hon. Speaker, this is a very serious issue. We are talking about a whole Parliament, Senators, Members of the National Assembly, Chiefs, Chief Justice and his entire bench and Dr Amai Grace Mugabe coming to this Parliament on a serious national event. We then have people within Government who choose to mislead our President; who choose to then come here with a wrong speech. What it does is that it positions our President in an invidious position. But not only is it about the President, it is about our country.
We cannot have a country where a wrong speech is read. We end up being pursued as wrong people and this is why we were supposed to go to the bottom of. What is it that caused it? What accounted for this mix up? Yes, mistakes are common but there are certain mistakes that are fatal to issues of national sovereignty and national security and we cannot tolerate this kind of mistake. This kind of mistake goes to the root hon. Speaker
Sir…
- SPEAKER: Hon. member, can you please address the Chair
consistently?
- CHAMISA: Thank you hon. Speaker Sir. I was making the
point that this is a serious issue of national security and national sovereignty, national dignity and of our own intergrity as an independent sovereign State, when we have a situation whereby a wrong script is given to our President. As Members of Parliament who are coming from the people, we cannot come here and just sit on our laurels and accept it as
‘gospel correct’. We have to make sure that we go to the bottom of this matter. For us to then ask the Vice President who is supposed to be going out there to be talking about other progressive issues, to come back to Parliament to be debating issues that were supposed to be disposed of, is anathema, scandalous, criminal and it has to the dealt with. Those people who are responsible are supposed to account to this legislative House so that we are able to proceed to the next step.
It is not as if we are trying to embarrass anybody. Heads are supposed to roll, and when heads roll we know that we are serious –[HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear]- If we do not punish these people, you can be assured that the President is going to be given a wrong script a the Heroes Acre, and he will end up reading a sermon that he is supposed to be giving to a congregation at a church. We want to know the motivation of these people, their inarticulate measure premise, what is motivating them because we do not want people who impose things that are not necessary.
This is why hon. Speaker Sir, I would say as Members of Parliament –
[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-
- SPEAKER: Order, you can continue Hon. Chamisa.
- CHAMISA: Thank you hon. Speaker Sir. This is so important because we want to know the source of the problem. You cannot cure a problem that you are not aware of. You cannot deal with symptoms and then hope that you have managed to address the mischief and problem that is besetting us. I am looking at our President – we also want to know why our President would be abused to that extent. It raises fundamental questions about, not just the processes in Parliament, but also even the processes in the State. These are issues we may want to be appraised of, to say Statecraft as it is, why is it that we end up with this situation? Hon. Speaker Sir, so that I do not take up time of our hon. members, this is what we would want to hear. I am sure our colleagues in Government have reasons why this has happened. We cannot come here and cast lots or play voodoo politics, we start surmising and guessing. We want reasons to be put forward so that we appreciate or we do not appreciate, but reasons have to be put on the table on why it has happened so. This is an international story. It is going to kill tourists and they will not come here. It is going to cause climate change and the political climate is going to be a problem.
Hon. Speaker Sir, we are talking about an ordinary person. We are talking about the Chairperson of the African Union and it is so important that we maintain the integrity of our President. This is why I think we need sufficient justification. Thank you very much hon. Speaker.
- KEREKE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I rise to debate the motion that has been put forth by the Leader of the House, the hon. Vice
President of the country. The motion seeks the indulgence of this august House to make correction of what really stands as a reality of the wrong text which needs to be replaced with the correct text.
The motion raised by the Leader of the House is one which, in my view, draws our attention to reasons other than causes and there is a fundamental distinction there. It is the duty of this august House, whether in our view, it would be productive to invest our efforts and time on reasons or on causes. I would want to urge this august House to look at the contextual reality that the business of Parliament needs to progress whilst any such investigations, interrogations and inquiries, if need be, are being done. Who are we to think and pre-judge that any investigation would take a day, hour, five minutes, week or six months?
We want to draw the attention of the House to say the submissions by the earlier speakers and their desire to find justice done to whosoever could have caused that mishap; that is a very valid submission to say. Let us find out what happened and indeed, the business of Parliament should be taken seriously. Mr. Speaker Sir, that point is unassailable. It is a point which I think both sides of the House would agree that we want to know who caused that mishap and remedial actions are taken.
Mr. Speaker Sir, whilst that is being done, we urge both sides of the House to open the gates so that the business of Parliament can move forward – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – Mr. Speaker Sir, we are at a time where this is mid-September in the year 2015. The agricultural season is upon us, the Hon. Minister of Finance and Economic Development did present the Fiscal Review with fundamental recommendations which need to go through the House before the agricultural season starts so that our farmers can go back to work.
As Parliament, it is our view that we will be productive, holding at ransom all that critical mandate to serve the people who caused – [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to urge the House to separate the issues and recommend that the valid submission as put by other hon. members, that a brief be given to the House on the reasons and who could have done such an unpardonable thing on the Head of State; that can be agreed but in the meantime, we agree to support the motion as tendered. I thank you.
*MR. CHINOTIMBA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I want to add my voice on the motion put forward by the Vice President. For sure there was a mishap and the citizens were troubled by that incident. However, I rise to say that we cannot waste our time over issues which are not pertinent - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – Mr. Speaker Sir, I stood up to support the motion put forward by the Vice President and that we stop debating all these other issues. The Vice President should go ahead and read the President’s speech. That is the reason why I have stood up. I thank you.
- KHUPE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I would also want to add my voice to what other hon. members have said, but I am not going to repeat what has been said. Mr. Speaker Sir, I would like to raise one or two points. I would like to say that in life, if you make a mistake, it is important that you admit that you have made a mistake and then use that as a stepping stone to success.
Mr. Speaker Sir, what I expected from the Vice President, the moment he opened his mouth, was for him to apologise to this House and indeed, to the nation, to say we are very sorry – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – Mr. Speaker Sir, today I am speaking as a mother and it is important that we understand each other. I expected an apology because there are resources involved. Parliament has been recalled today and we are using tax payer’s money. They would like to know the reason why the House was recalled today.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I also expected our newspapers to be awash with stories to say no, we are very sorry about what happened and an explanation given. There was need to also say heads have already started rolling because of what happened. This is not a small matter by the way, neither is it a laughing matter. This is a serious matter which has embarrassed our President and this country, we do not want that. I think as a people, we must now change our ways of doing things. So it is important that Mr. Speaker Sir, an apology is given. Right now Mr. Speaker Sir, this story is running in all the media houses, it is hitting the headlines….
- SPEAKER: Order, order! Honourable Chidavaenzi, please if you have got your views, why do you not wait for the other hon. members to finish and be heard? This applies also to honourable members at the back there.
- KHUPE: Mr. Speaker Sir, my point is that I would want the
Vice President to apologise to this House and to the nation. I thank you –
[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]
*MS. CHIMENE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I rise to add my voice to this issue of the speech that was mistakenly delivered. Mr. Speaker Sir, there is nothing special about what happened. The speech can be retrieved and replaced with the correct one. That should not be a worrisome thing to hon. members. It is not as grievous as the sanctions that were requested by members of the opposition. When the two are juxtaposed, what is important? What hurts most? Is it the error of the speech that was given or is it the sanctions that have hurt the entire nation?
Withdraw the sanctions and apologise to the nation...
- SPEAKER: Order, order, the hon. member has not finished.
Honourable D. P. Sibanda, why do you want to compete with the Chair?
Honourable Gonese appealed to the House, that it is the privilege of the hon. members to voice out their concerns but this applies to everybody who takes the floor. Can you respect the views of the other persons?
*MS. CHIMENE: Thank you Mr. Speaker for protecting me. I am saying one can simply say, I beg your pardon and then the record is set straight. What about this monster called sanctions that was imposed by our colleagues that has not been withdrawn? If they want us to withdraw the speech, they should say sorry to the nation; people are suffering because of sanctions that they called for. They should withdraw the sanctions. I thank you.
MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: Thank you Mr. Speaker
Sir. I rise to join the debate; however, I want to start by raising two issues. Mr. Speaker Sir, when we started our proceedings today, you started by commending us for the kind of behaviour that we exhibited as honourable members yesterday as we were sitting in this House. I also want to come back to you and thank you for providing us with this opportunity to debate this particular issue. I think we need to begin to change our mindset
around certain issues because I tend to see a situation where even when we are in agreement, we still fight because we are not listening to each other.
I want to come back to what Hon. Kereke raised. Hon. Kereke said there are two issues that we are dealing with. There is the issue of the tabling of the correct text, then there is the issue of hon. members raising issues of saying at least can we get to know what happened because it is important. I do not think there is a problem, I do not think any sane person who wants to continue with the debate for this Session would say we do not want the correct text of this Session because what would we be talking about? So, I think that is a separate issue and I am not sure that anyone in his right senses would say let us throw away the right text. The text sets the foundation of what we are going to do during this Session. The debate that is being raised at this particular point in time is, Mr. Speaker Sir, if you were to go back to what the papers are raising right now, they are raising a number of issues. They are saying the President read the speech of the State of the Nation Address – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] –
- SPEAKER: Order, order! I am now ordering the Sergeant-Atarms to stand at a strategic point and move out any other member who is disruptive. Sergeant-At-Arms, please stand there.
MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: Like I said, I do not think
anybody who is serious would say we do not want to see the right text - otherwise, there is no point in coming to Parliament. That text sets the foundation of what we are going to be doing in this Session and that is not the essence of the debate that we are having right now. The essence of the debate raises two fundamental issues. It raises the issue that we have raised many times in this House Mr. Speaker, that whether it is going to be the Minister of Finance who is bringing the Budget Statement or a review, let us make sure that the honourable members have those copies in hand. Mr. Speaker, if that had happened yesterday, any one of us would have raised the issue and said there is a problem here. We would have addressed it and we would not have been in the situation that we are in today.
Like Hon. Khupe said, if we acknowledge that there was a mistake – we are not to trying to fix or embarrass anybody. We are merely saying if this happened, how do we deal with that mischief? How do we ensure that next time we do not go through the same problem? That is the first thing that I want to raise. Even as the Hon.Vice President tables the text right now, we still do not have it and yet it was already in the newspapers this morning. So, at the end of the day, the resources that are supposed to be allocated to Parliament should be such that you acknowledge the importance of Parliament in that way.
Mr. Speaker, when some of us walked out there and we were being asked by journalists to comment on it. One of the issues that we kept raising is, we are not sure what are the Bills that we were going to be debating in this Session. We know from tradition that there are always issues that the President then sets as issues for the Bills that we are going to be dealing with. It assists us also in preparing in terms of the debate and say, okay what is the Bill that we are going to be dealing with. So, that in its own is a problem Mr. Speaker. Even as we deal with it even as we do not ask somebody to answer today but we want to make sure that next time, let us make sure that hon. members are furnished with the documents. We have allowed this to go on and on. We have the Budget and sometimes we do not even have the figures. It just makes us a laughing stock because as you go out there, you cannot speak intelligently on the issues that have been raised in the House.
The second issue Mr. Speaker Sir, is an issue that I am hoping the Hon. Vice President will be able to clarify. As I said earlier on, there are so many assumptions that are being made. Others are saying it was the State of the Nation Address that was given to the President and others are saying no it was a completely new copy. Unfortunately, I was not there when he did the State of the Nation Address but for me what I would want the Hon. Vice President to explain because it is fundamental in saying was this just a genuine mistake or did somebody deliberately do this. If you go to the speech of the State of the Nation Address, the President does speak to the ten points. However, he does not raise issues around the devolution of power which he speaks as he speaks to the Tender Board. I think there are two issues he raised but what I remember quite clearly is the issue around devolution because I have an interest in it. It was not there in the State of the Nation Address which would mean that there was deliberately somebody who did two speeches. There was this speech that is now being tabled and there is the speech that was done by somebody which is not necessarily the State of the Nation Address.
So, somebody has to explain to us about who did this? It cannot be a secretarial problem where somebody passed a file because initially when I read about it, I just thought what could have happened is that somebody just saw a file written Parliament and picked that particular one. When I then compared both speeches I then realised that we have a more fundamental problem [AN. HON. MEMBER: Correct.] I agree with others that this is not just about a mistake of a speech but it is about getting to the route of whether there is somebody in the Office of the President played a particular game so that we are where we are right now. It is in our interest as a nation and as a legislative arm.
Just to finish off Mr. Speaker Sir, for some of us we have been worried about some of these things that happened, particularly around the President and about providing things that are right to the President. I remember at one time having travelled with the President to China and he was standing up to give a speech as a visiting President at this particular dinner and the speech was not there. For a long time, people were running around to find the speech. We were then asked to eat until the speech was found. I am just saying, it could mean a repetition and some kind of laissez faire that has come into the Administration of the Office of the President. I
think as people that provide oversight on the Executive, these are issues that we should raise and these are issues that we raise with concern. I am hoping Mr. Speaker, that as we go into this debate, it should not be a confrontational debate. [AN. HON. MEMBER: No!] It should be a debate about genuinely saying what went wrong and even when the VP comes back and explains to us, I am hoping that the hon. VP, if the investigation has not happened and they do not have the details, there is nothing wrong in saying we are working on it to find out and then we will have the right time to give you the right story. There is absolutely nothing wrong in saying that but what is wrong is trying to say there was no problem. There was a problem because of the issues that I raised but like I said Mr. Speaker, for me what is more important is to make sure that the resources we allocate to the House – it is an exciting time when you have an opening of Parliament because that is what sets an agenda, that is what makes you a legislator and that is what everybody else in the country is waiting for. What I am going to be working on, is it going to be dealing with bread and butter issues; that is what makes us a Parliament and I think we need to make sure that the next time we have an opening of Parliament, we make sure we provide those documents. We could easily have come either to
you or to the Hon. Vice President to say we think there is a problem, how can we deal with it? I thank you.
*MR. MATAMBANADZO: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I want to
add my voice to this debate, especially after hearing others debating. They are crying over a small mistake and now they are saying it is a huge loss to the nation. I am really amazed Mr. Speaker, because recently we returned from holiday because of the Labour Act. One of them was instrumental in that issue. This labour issue cost a lot more than 30 000 people who were fired from work and went away without any benefits. Now, they are taking this as a huge matter which is really small. Today, it is like they are brewing a storm in a tea cup because people are suffering now because of the Labour Act. This is not fair Mr. Speaker Sir, I am better than them.
I think the speech should have been read because we would have made some comparisons. Probably, there were just a few words which were omitted from the original speech. They should have allowed that to go ahead and then allow member to debate later if they came across mistakes. They want to guess that there were mistakes. Are they prophets who prophesy that this is the way to go? You should be ashamed of yourselves. -[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]- Thank you Mr.
Speaker Sir.
- BHEBHE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir – [HON. MEMBERS:
Inaudible interjections.] –
- SPEAKER: Order!
- BHEBHE: Mr. Speaker, as I rise and look at my colleagues sitting on the Government benches, I see some colleagues who are respectable. You can see that they are listening and regretting that yes indeed, what happened was wrong. What is shocking me Mr. Speaker, if a Head of State reads a speech in hard copy obviously someone is going to take that speech and files it away. The only speech that remains will be in a computer. For someone to go to a computer sit and print a speech, he will have read what he is printing. I take it that when you are preparing for an important event like the Opening of Parliament there is a rehearsal. Why I am saying that there is a rehearsal is because yesterday we saw the fly past [AN. HON. MEMBER: Yes.] It is an expense to the Government but it is part of the rehearsal. We saw the President inspecting the Guard of Honour and it is a rehearsal, rehearsing to come and read a speech that is supposed to be read to the nation to outline the agenda of Parliament. Surely, it does not just take an individual, there are a whole lot of people that are lined up to make sure that things are in order. I feel pained if I see other hon. members taking lightly such kind of a mistake and say it is nothing. Surely, if we can see this as nothing, what else can we see that is going wrong in the country if we cannot see such kind of a thing? It means we are actually going to miss a lot of other things that are going to benefit this nation.
I do not want to talk much, but what I would urge the Vice President to do is to be honourable as the Vice President of our party has said, to apologise to us as an honourable House first and apologise to the nation. Then he should tell us this mystery because this is a mystery that has been unveiled to this nation. Next time Mr. Speaker, I also urge your office because you are the head of this institution, when the President comes to deliver these speeches, you should have a copy so that you are able to note all things that are happening in Parliament– [HON. MEMBERS: Hear,
hear.] –
- SPEAKER: Order, order! I do not want to argue against what the hon. member said. Procedurally, the speech is handed after delivery and as Chair, I cannot have it before hand. May I urge members to be brief?
- MANDIPAKA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I am going to be
very brief. Mr. Speaker Sir, I appreciate the concerns raised by our colleagues from the opposite side. I also appreciate what Hon. Chamisa has correctly observed that the mistake was fatal but what I would like to urge this honourable House to appreciate is that to err is human; to forgive is divine.
This mistake that was made, we got some explanations. If you read the newspapers today, the Permanent Secretary in the President’s Office gave an explanation. I want to believe if we want to make progress, we should accept the explanation that was given. I am of the view that the motion raised by the honourable Vice President needs to be supported so that as a nation we look forward to a new and correct speech. Thank you.
- D. P. SIBANDA: Thank you Mr. Speaker for allowing me to add my voice to this debate. I think it is important for me to say, it is quite sad for our country to have leadership that looks at an error that happened yesterday as something that is not grave; as something that is light. Let me state that, that was not a simple mistake. That was a monumental mistake that has serious implications on this country economically, socially and politically.
When we are talking about the President of the country, we are not talking about an individual. We are talking about an institution.
Therefore, if we are a nation that does not respect an institution like that of the Office of the President, to the extent that when a mistake of the nature of the one that happened yesterday, we say let us simply forget it and sweep it under the carpet, I think there is a serious problem that we have as a nation.
My colleagues have indicated the issue of costs and inefficiency but one issue that might not have been mentioned is the issue that what happened yesterday has brought ridicule to the institution of the Presidency of this country. That question is coming locally and internationally, because of the problem that happened yesterday some people are beginning to question where they are not supposed to question.
The question that is beginning to arise is where some people are beginning to question the capacity of our Head of State because of a mistake that happened – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –
I know that some people might not like this but we all plainly know that, that question is actually arising. It is arising nationally and internationally. That is the sign that what happened yesterday was a grave and monumental mistake that has to be investigated seriously. There is no way we can take that lightly and say it was an ordinary mistake. When you bring into disrepute the institution of the President of the country, it deserves so much attention not only from us but throughout the leadership of this country.
I strongly believe that as we stand right now those are the issues that the honourable Vice President, on behalf of the Executive has got to address. Those are the issues that people are still questioning outside there, which have got to be brought to the attention of this House in answer to the questions that people have. There is no way under the situation that this happened we can simply say it was just a mistake and therefore, let us forget about it. I therefore implore that the Executive should really stand up and ensure that whatever damage has been done, not only to the image of the country but the image of the leadership of this country, that damaged is resolved. I thank you Mr. Speaker.
- SHUMBA: Thank you Mr. Speaker, for affording me this opportunity to add my voice to this debate. Firstly, Parliament invited His Excellency to open Parliament. That process must be anchored through our reasoning as to what we are mandating the Executive today. Mr.
Speaker, it is obvious that, that error happened. We have acknowledged it. The President of this country has got officers that have acknowledged this issue. This issue has been reported widely. The Executive is currently seized with this issue and they are in the process of bringing finality to their own internal investigations. As Parliament, let us understand that although we provide oversight, we cannot manage the Executive. We must observe in all our reasoning the doctrine of separation of powers at an appropriate time and I hope timeously. The Executive shall respond to Parliament as to the reasons and provide a reasonable explanation as to what occurred. To try and scuttle the motion that is before us now is both irresponsible and undemocratic. I think we have laboured all afternoon on an issue that should not be seizing us to the extent that we are exaggerating it. Therefore, I move that we proceed with other business.
- SPEAKER: I think there is a deviation now towards repetition and in terms of our Standing Orders, repetitions are not allowed. So, I may now want to come to the close of the debate and allow one or two people to debate, especially in the light of the last speaker Hon. Dr.
Shumba.
- MARIDADI: I wish to thank you and the Hon. Vice President
of this country for allowing this debate to happen in this Parliament. Mr. Speaker, there is only one citizen in this country who has the title of His Excellency. The reason he carries that title is assumed he is not capable of making a mistake. To err is human and the reason His Excellency is not expected to make a mistake is because His Excellency is not considered to be an individual. He is an institution with all layers. People are saying the speech should have been distributed before hand and people could have picked that mistake but that cannot happen because when the President delivers a speech …
- SPEAKER: Order hon. member, are you not repeating what has been said?
- MARIDADI: Mr. Speaker, I am not repeating but indulge me to build on the point that I am trying to make.
- SPEAKER: Please do.
- MARIDADI: Thank you. I am saying that mistake could not have been picked beforehand because the speech is embargoed before the President has delivered it. That is the point I am trying to make.
- SPEAKER: Thank you.
- MARIDADI: So it could not have been picked even by the Vice President because he is not favoured with a copy before the speech is delivered. I was saying the President is an institution with people surrounding him, gatekeepers and all. So, I think that for that whole institution to allow the President to come and deliver a wrong speech is treasonous. Mr. Speaker, the issue we are debating here is that of public accountability. The Executive is accountable to this House because this
House represents the nation. We may want to sweep this under the carpet as if it is not important but I think this a matter of grave concern because it touches on the very soul, the country.
The point I wish to raise is that I believe – because as Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga said, when I was sitting there listening to the speech, in the first five minutes I thought the President was delivering the same speech that he delivered during SONA and then Hon. Gabbuza said to me no, he is talking about the State Procurement Board, meaning it is a different speech. What it means is that somebody in that office deliberately, with conceptive forethought and malicious intent went ahead and gave the President a speech which he knew the President was not supposed to deliver. As a House that holds the Executive to account, we are saying that the person who did that should by now be walking on the streets of Harare.
Mr. Speaker, we are talking of the President’s office. The whole office giving the President the wrong speech to deliver, I think it is unforgiveable. This is one area in which even from across the political divide, we agree that a mistake was made and we want to know how that happened. The Executive must account to this House and that is the right thing to do. This is not the first time that this has happened. It happened a few years ago when the President was addressing the United Nations, he delivered a wrong speech for about five minutes and that speech was switched and that is on record. Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga told us that the second time it happened was in China and it has happened for the third time in this House and that is unforgivable.
In conclusion, I think the point that was raised by Hon. D.P. Sibanda that people are starting to question things that they are not supposed to question is very fundamental. I want to thank you Mr. Speaker.
*MR MUTSEYAMI: I would want to thank you Mr. Speaker for affording me the opportunity to debate the issue before the House. First and foremost, if all of us could come to Parliament like we did yesterday it would be commendable. However, there are other people who think that they may do as they please in this country and write letters to other hon. members telling them that they will decapitate their heads.
Secondly, if it was not that we came here to Parliament and there were exchanges that were made before the President came that were meant to oppress other people so as not to freely express themselves, within 4 minutes into President Robert Gabriel Mugabe’s speech, we could have informed him that Gushungo that speech is the same that you gave last month. This is because in a space of 4 minutes we had already noticed what was happening. Hon. Saruwaka was pointing out the repetitions that were being made and in 5 minutes, we were aware that it was an old speech and that there was nothing new. As opposition, we are not respected and could have simply said the speech he was delivering had already been delivered but we could not do that because we were gagged. We had been threatened with death by people who do not hold human life as sacrosanct.
Mr. Speaker Sir, if we closely examine this matter, if a person accompanies the President to Parliament holding a file and gives the President an old speech, one then wonders why the speech was not filed together with other old speeches that had already been delivered. Why give the President an old speech? Was it misplaced in a file that requires a new speech. You come all the way from the President’s Office, coming here and hand over to the President a fake speech when you are fully aware that this is a wrong speech. You would want our President to be disgraced in the entire country and the whole world.
Mr. Speaker, this issue should be treated with the seriousness that it deserves. I say so because if one looks back at the meticulous arrangements that were made and were in place yesterday to ensure that there was pomp and funfair at the Official Opening, it is in my considered view unacceptable for a man who rode in a Mercedes Benz to ride with a wrong speech and handed over such a speech to an equally majestic President who was riding in a Rolls-Royce, accompanied by his immaculate wife and escorted by mounted police. We should have that individual disciplined because whoever was responsible for such a blunder is either reckless or mischievous.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I urge Parliament to consider the response that is going to be given by the Vice President. If it does not address the fundamental issues, then the Vice President should be given time to give his considered response on Tuesday next week. I say so because this is an issue of national importance. We are discussing an issue where President Robert Mugabe was ridiculed the world over. I believe that the person responsible for this blunder is mischievous and I fear that if they are not censored, we run the risk of the President being given the eulogy that was delivered at the late Vice President Joshua Nkomo’s burial.
Without belabouring the point, this issue must be treated with the seriousness that it deserves, because the perpetrators of this mistake seriously wronged our President. I even fear that because of their mischief, they are capable of giving the President, His Excellency Cde. R. G. Mugabe a speech in which he will erroneously announce his resignation from the Presidency. Thank you.
- SPEAKER: Order, order. Order please!
THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE,
LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (MR.
MNANGAGWA): Mr. Speaker Sir, may I take this opportunity to thank all members from both sides of the House, but perhaps I should initially thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, for allowing debate so that hon. members express their views about the incident of yesterday. This is in keeping with the democracy which we fought for. Mr. Speaker Sir, in the same spirit, I stood up to seek the leave of the House in order that once granted that leave, I would withdraw the text which His Excellency the President delivered to the august House yesterday and replace it with the correct one.
However, hon. members justifiably felt that they needed to know why that mistake happened. Before I address the issue of that mistake, I would like to mention that we are all hon. members but indeed, we are not all endowed with honourable ideas. I have no doubt that the majority of hon. members who have contributed have done so with sincerity except where emotions took over from reason. That is expected of human beings
…
- SPEAKER: Camera people, can you take your positions from here so that you do not obstruct the hon. members. You will be able to capture the front view of the hon. Vice President.
- MNANGAGWA: Mr. Speaker Sir, because the running core of
the debate was one, centrally to the incident of yesterday, I believe that the House should allow me to reply overally rather than individually, to the issues that hon. members and colleagues have raised. We are fully aware as a House that there are three pillars of State; the Executive on one side, the Legislature and the Judiciary on the other and our Constitution spells out the mandate of each of that pillar of State.
With regard to our institution of the Legislature, our duty is to make and unmake laws. We make laws in the belief that we are doing it for the good of our people. We unmake laws because we think that law does not anymore serve the best interest of our people.
In the same vein, I believe that where a mistake has been made, we should have the capacity to remove the mistake and replace it with what we consider to be correct. It is under that spirit of cooperation and collectiveness that I stood to seek the leave of this august House to allow me to remove the incorrect speech and replace it with the correct speech. The theory behind the opening of each session, as one hon. member articulated, is the fact that a roadmap is laid out of the legislative processes for that session in that speech, which did not happen yesterday and I am seeking leave of the House will remedy that in order to put on the Table a statement that lays out the road map of legislation that we ought to carry out during the Third Session of the Eighth Parliament.
The will of the people is identified by the will of the majority. We also believe that the will of the majority is the will of God. I also believe that in terms of our Constitution, we render ourselves every five years to test our mandate to rule the country and the people express themselves. It is true that in a democratic society we can never all be agreed, but the voice of the majority at any given time should be given leeway to succeed.
It is true, Mr. Speaker Sir, that we cannot all debate or articulate issues at the same level, but however, in this august House we are all hon. members and we give respect to whoever speaks, despite the content of the speech. Having stated that, I wish to say that the mistake of yesterday is regretted. It is true that the officials presented to the Head of State the incorrect statement as a mix up. This is what we are correcting. However, it is not the duty of the Legislature to go and interrogate the Executive and say…- [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]-.
It is true, Mr. Speaker Sir, that duty as to why the mistake was permitted, lies squarely with the Executive to interrogate and where necessary action will be taken. Here in this august House, I stand and repeat, I seek leave Mr. Speaker Sir, of the House to move that the text of the speech presented by His Excellency the President, Cde. R. G. Mugabe at the Official Opening of the Third Session of the Eighth Parliament yesterday, Tuesday 15th September, 2015 be withdrawn and substituted …-
[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]-
- CHAMISA: On a point of order Mr. Speaker Sir. The highest office in the land has made some very serious statements imputing and attempting to oust the jurisdiction of the Legislature in our oversight function as per the Constitution. I think this point is very important Mr. Speaker Sir, when we are debating, we are not peeping into the affairs of the Executive for purposes of running it, but we are simply saying there has to be accountability in line with our oversight function. So, for the Vice President to then say that and then for us to accept that, we would have abrogated on our obligation and duty as Members of Parliament.
I am sure the Vice President is aware that it is within our perfect purview to interrogate oversight functions on the Executive. In fact, that is the reason why we were elected. Once we stop doing that, we have absconded our core business and I know some members may not be happy with what I am saying. That is the essence of deliberative engagement. We must differ and we must interrogate these issues purely from a perspective of osmosis of ideas and I hope that osmosis is going to be allowed. So, I just wanted to make that point and say, may it be understood that we have not overstepped our mark. In fact, the Vice President is aware that as a member of the Executive, he has a duty to respond to us after we have exercised our oversight function. Thank you Hon. Speaker.
- SPEAKER: I rule that the hon. member perhaps did not listen very carefully to what the Hon. Vice President had stated. The Hon. Vice President has stated that the views expressed, indeed it is within the purview of the Executive to take – he did not say that but I am saying it – disciplinary action against those who perpetrated the mistake and that call is in response to the debate. So, I do not see where the contradiction is. The Executive is going to account administratively and those found to be perpetrators of the mistake, as the Hon. Vice President said, will be taken to account.
- MNANGAGWA: I thank you Mr. Speaker, for soberly giving advice to the former Executive member who has suddenly forgotten that the Executive has powers to administratively deal with issues that happen in that realm of rule. But I believe that after reminding him of that, I can see him smile, he has now remembered that we have those powers -
[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]-
Mr. Speaker Sir, I was concluding my request for the leave of the House in terms of my speech which I made at the beginning of this debate, seeking leave of the House that we withdraw the statement issued yesterday by His Excellency and substitute it with the correct version. I thank you.
Hon. Chibaya having stood up.
- SPEAKER: Hon. Chibaya, can you please sit down in respect
of the Chair.
MOTION
WITHDRAWAL AND SUBSTITUTION OF THE PRESIDENTIAL
SPEECH
THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (MR.
MNANGAGWA): Mr. Speaker Sir. I move that the text of the speech presented by His Excellency, the President Cde. Robert Gabriel Mugabe at the Official Opening of the Third Session of the Eighth Parliament be withdrawn and substituted with the correct version and that the incorrect text be expunged from the records of Parliament.
Motion put and agreed to.
- SPEAKER: Hon. members, may we all be up standing to allow the Senate procession to leave the National Assembly.
The Deputy President of the Senate and senators left the National Assembly Chamber and proceeded to the Senate Chamber for resumption of business.
- SPEAKER: I now lay upon the table a copy of the correct text of the speech which His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Cde. R. G. Mugabe was meant to have delivered to Parliament on the 15th September, 2015. May I also advise hon. members that they will have their own copies in the pigeon holes.
MOTION
ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE
THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE,
LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (MR.
MNANGAGWA): I wish to thank hon. members on both sides for their enthusiastic participation in this debate and in the spirit of cooperation, I move that the House do now adjourn.
The House accordingly adjourned at Six Minutes past Four o’clock
p.m. until Tuesday 22nd September, 2015.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 6th October, 2015.
The Senate met at Half-past Two o’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(MADAM PRESIDENT in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENT BY MADAM PRESIDENT
VALIDATION OF WOMEN’S PARLIAMENTARY CAUCUS
STRATEGIC PLAN
MADAM PRESIDENT: I have to inform all hon. senators of the
Zimbabwe Women’s Parliamentary Caucus that they are invited to the validation meeting of the Zimbabwe Women’s Parliamentary Caucus’
Strategic Plan and the Advocacy Strategies documents on Wednesday, 7th October, 2015 at 0845 hours in the Senate Chamber. Hon. Senators are requested to be punctual.
APPOINTMENT TO THE CHAIRPERSON’S PANEL
MADAM PRESIDENT: Hon. senators, Section 136 (1) (b) of the
Constitution states that a person presiding at any sitting of the Senate must be, in the absence of the President and Deputy President of the Senate, a senator elected for the purpose by the Senate but that senator must not be a Minister or a Deputy Minister. Standing Order No. 10, (1) provides that as soon as practicable, after the commencement of every
Parliament and from time to time, thereafter as necessity may arise, the
Senate shall appoint one of its members to be Deputy Chairperson of
Committees who shall be entitled to exercise all the powers of the Chairperson of Committees, excluding his or her powers as Deputy President of the Senate.
Standing Order No. 10, (3) provides that as soon as practicable, after the commencement of every Session or as occasion may require, thereafter, the Senate shall elect two members, who with the
Chairperson of Committees and the Deputy Chairperson of Committees shall constitute the Chairperson’s panel. Such members shall be entitled to exercise the powers of the Deputy Chairperson, save in regard to the acceptance of a motion or the closure. I, now therefore, call for nominations for the position of Deputy Chairperson and member of the
Chairperson’s panel. In our case, this has been necessitated by the fact that Senator Mathuthu is now a member of the Executive.
MOTION
ELECTION TO THE CHAIRPERSON’S PANEL
SENATOR MOHADI: Thank you Madam President. I move
that Hon. Senator Angeline Masuku be elected to the Chairperson’s panel to replace Hon. Senator Mathuthu who was appointed Deputy Minister. I thank you.
SENATOR MUMVURI: Thank you Madam President. I rise to
second the motion.
Motion put and agreed to.
A cellphone having rung.
*MADAM PRESIDENT: Please. let us put our cellphones on
silent in case of emergency calls.
An hon. senator’s cell phone having kept on ringing.
MADAM PRESIDENT: The hon. senator may be excused from the Chamber.
Senator Masuku moved to the Chairperson’s Chair.
MADAM PRESIDENT: Before I continue with this motion, I would like to share with hon. senators that Senator Angeline Masuku has held the position of a member of the Chairperson’s Panel in the National Assembly. Thank you for electing a person who has experience with the job. Thank you.
MOTION
PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH: DEBATE ON ADDRESS
First Order read: Adjourned debate on motion in reply to the Presidential Speech.
Question again proposed.
*SENATOR MACHINGAIFA: Thank you Madam President,
for giving me the opportunity to make my contribution on the Presidential Speech. I am very grateful for the speech which he delivered in his capacity as the President of the State, the Head of Government and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces. He is a God-given leader and his leadership is a blessing. He is a man of peace. He has ably managed to lead Zimbabwe for so many years and I am grateful for what he said because he said a lot of constructive issues. It was very exciting to listen to the great leader.
There are some of the things that he mentioned that are already happening as he stated. He talked about the elevation of women and we have seen it happening. They are being elevated to high positions. He also talked about the elevation and participation of youths. He also talked about peace. Zimbabwe is a very peaceful country and it is known worldwide that Zimbabwe is a peaceful country.
The President also talked about irrigation. He said irrigation is an essential tool for fighting hunger in the country and therefore, I beg the people in this august Senate who have dams on their farms, that they should start implementing the irrigation programmes, especially growing maize in order to fight against starvation. We realise that whosoever constructed these dams which we are seeing around the country were foresighted; they knew that rains would default and the only way of going round the problem would be working on irrigation.
The President also spoke strongly against corruption. He said corruption is a cancerous ideology that destroys the country. We therefore need to work in unison, fight corruption and eliminate it completely.
I was glad when I heard the President talking about something which really annoys me; such shameless males who rape infants and abuse babies. They are an abomination to the nation and I wish these people would be eliminated from the face of the earth. These shameless men leave mature women and go to the innocent children.
The President also mentioned some of these things when he was addressing a meeting of the United Nations in New York. He spoke strongly against homosexuality. Zimbabwe recognises heterosexuals. God created men and women, so how can a man fall in love with a man and a woman fall in love with another woman? I read a book by Fred
Mercury of UK. He was a member of the ‘Queens Band’. He was a millionaire and had a mansion but his father lived in a shack. Fred Mercury had a bed which could accommodate 16 people at the same time and that is where he used to sleep. He was a homosexual and would be in bed with 16 men and he enjoyed that. His father was an honest man and he said “my son, use your money as you want, I do not want the money from homosexuality.” We are saying, as Zimbabweans, let us be steadfast and say we do not want dirty money. We would rather stay as we are.
The colonialists who have taken us as captives said we are hard mashona types. It means we are a people who are resilient and who are really growing in statue. We have enough money to buy the properties we want. We know we are not happy but because of the type of food that we eat, we really survive. Even if it is bitter like pepper, we will eat it and when we are suffering, we take in water to cool down the bitterness.
I stand here to make my contribution, Madam President. When you get home and you hear a child saying, we are going to move from this home, that child would have heard his parents saying we are going to move. When I grew up, I would observe my father; if my father cried, I would also cry. If my mother cried, I also cried.
I was watching television and listened to my leader, His Excellency, Cde R.G. Mugabe speaking strongly, standing in for the people of Zimbabwe, appealing to the European Union, and to Barack Obama asking them to remove the illegal sanctions because we do not deserve them for we are a peaceful nation. If a father is talking like that, we should mourn with him and appeal for the removal of sanctions because whatever pains my father should also pain me. Why should I be enjoying when my parents are in pain? Madam President, I am appealing to this Senate that we need to have unity of purpose for the progress of this country.
There was also talk of what was happening to the maize which was sold in 2012 and 2013, appealing to ministers and we are happy to say that the Grain Marketing Board which had not paid the farmers since that period has since paid the farmers and I am proof of that. People came to me and thanked me that the Government had listened and paid them the monies which were due to them.
I went with the Peace and Security Thematic Committee to Plumtree Border Post and I was very much perturbed when they talked about democracy. We wanted to see the border and there were 22 children who came to us at the Zimbabwe-Botswana border – there were three pregnant women who had gone there. They were being deported. The diabolic thing about the Tswanas is that they make these people work and when it is month end they deport them without paying them. The other thing which really pained me Mr. President was that some of the Zimbabweans were whipped. When a crime is committed they are taken to the chiefs and the chiefs have a right to hit somebody on the buttocks and these people were beaten and it is painful. But when these Tswanas come into our country whether as refugees or visitors, we are very hospitable to them. We are a peaceful country. We are a God fearing country and when we have visitors we treat them very well. So why do they mistreat us? Why do they ill- treat us?
When I look at our President Cde R. G. Mugabe, I know he is using God’s power and we also appeal to his ministers and the ministers should deliver that message to us so that we can run the country peacefully. Therefore, I appeal to my fellow senators that we have to be exemplary. We are the elders and role models and therefore we should implement what was stated by His Excellency, the President of this country for the progress of Zimbabwe. I thank you Mr. President for giving me this opportunity.
*SENATOR BHOBHO: Thank you for giving me this
opportunity of making my contribution in this august Senate. I thank His Excellency for the speech which he gave when he was giving us the way which we should follow in the making of laws in this country. I was very much pleased by the previous senator who made contributions on this topic. We need to support the President of this country because he is a steadfast man. He is an honest man. He is a peace loving man who has his people at heart. Whatever it is he does, he takes his time, thinks over it and tells the nation the progress in that area. Whatever progress we have, he will talk about it and if there are any failures, he will tell us. He is a man who has his country at heart and will never rest until his people attain peace.
When we look at our enemies they gave Zimbabwe illegal sanctions and they think that we are suffering and in pain. Yes, in other words we are suffering but because of our steadfast President, he is working hard. He has alleviated the problems which could be befalling us because of the sanctions. He is opening our eyes and charting ways which we should follow in fighting off these illegal diabolic sanctions. He has shown that following the ZIM ASSET programme, we can use our land and benefit from it. People could be suffering as was stated by Senator Machingaifa when he was talking about the problems which were facing farmers who had delivered their maize to the Grain Marketing Board and had problems because of the sanctions. But because of the capable leader, the blessed leader, the great leader, we were able to get enough money to pay our farmers for their sweat in feeding the nation.
I am appealing to fellow parliamentarians that we are representatives of the people and we also represent the Head of State in what will be happening in our constituencies. We should follow that and make our country progress. We should survive, defeat and beat all the illegal sanctions which come from the imperial West. Our children are going to school and we have noticed that His Excellency has the wish that everyone of us in Zimbabwe affords education and wealth. We thank the Lord for giving us His Excellency, a blessed man who has foresight, Solomonic wisdom and whatever he has he gives to the people so that they inherit milk and honey of Zimbabwe.
Education is wealth. Education is progress and if you are not aware of your surroundings you may die of hunger and poverty. But His Excellency, has opened our eyes and we are able to beat illegal sanctions. In times of progress he works with us and in times of shortages he also works with us because he is a knowledgeable man, a learned man, he knows the many ways of beating the problems which
are in the country and therefore I appeal to hon. senators to take what His Excellency said, and that we go and teach people in our constituencies – we go and tell our constituents about ZIM ASSET. If we do not know how to do things, we will always be looking forward to the Government to perform miracles. Since our eyes have been opened, we are the Government. Whenever you are working on anything which you own, you handle it with care. It is not foreign and therefore you value it.
I thank the contribution made by Senator Machingaifa and I praise His Excellency, the Head of State because he is the man who will work hard in looking for resources so that he meets the needs of his people. The illegal sanctions were meant to make us suffer but we are sitting so well. When you go to countries like South Africa, you look for ways whereby you can sleep because you will be afraid that you may be attacked at night but Zimbabwe, beautiful as it is, is a peaceful country. You can move throughout the night with no fear. You do not fear anybody. We have people who move around whether they are children or women.
In the colonial times we were represented by man and women were considered as inconsequential, people of no significance but His Excellency has shown us that women and children can contribute to the development of the country and world at large. There is equality of sexes. There are times when we have noticed that women have a bigger role to play in the running of the home better than their husbands and hence they are empowered. The President has helped us identify the talents in us as women and we are very glad because of the support he has given us. Let me give praise to the men of Zimbabwe because they have since realised that we are also capable of taking the country to greater heights. They do not look down upon their women, they know that we are equal. The President is always promoting knowledge , he is not selfish, he shares whatever he has so that every Zimbabwean will benefit. Everybody becomes independent and self-sufficient. In the colonial era, women were so dependent that when faced with a problem, they would mourn and roll on the ground helplessly. However, we praise our President, women are now capable, they are now taking up all those jobs which were deemed to be fit for men and they are doing them capably. We thank the Lord for giving us His Excellency who is a farmer and is growing what is going to be reaped, which is the progress of the country. I thank you.
+SENATOR BHEBE: Thank you Mr. President for giving me the
opportunity to make my contribution on the Presidential Speech. I also thank the mover of this motion, Hon. Senator Tawengwa and the seconder of the motion. My fellow Senators have made contributions on this Speech. Before I go further, I would like to thank His Excellency for elevating Hon. Mathuthu to Deputy Minister of Media, Information and Broadcasting Services. I know that she is not the only one, many were elevated to ministerial and deputy ministerial positions. I thank His Excellency.
Mr. President Sir, I thank His Excellency for the Speech he gave in opening up this Session of the Eighth Parliament. The President talked about a lot of things which have a bearing on the progress of Zimbabwe such as industry, business, agriculture, the welfare of the people, mining, child care and also starvation and hunger. I know he said a lot of things which I cannot mention.
The President talked a lot about progress in agriculture. He also advised us that, when we are farming, we should be aware of the climatic conditions of our area so that we know which crop to grow, which will withstand the climate of our regions. We have heard climate experts predicting that this farming season, 2015 to 2016 is going to have very little rains. Therefore, it becomes essential that we become aware of the short-seasoned crops which will withstand the short-rainy season which we are faced with. In so doing, we will be able to stave off starvation. We can grow millet and some small grains. Some of these small grains are nutritious and give us vitamins and protect us from diseases. We should therefore concentrate on these small grains such as millet, rapoko and red corn.
We also have to think about the environment. We are being encouraged to take care of the veld fires and we are not even aware of the thick-heads responsible for starting these fires. We need to be aware and stop them from starting these fires. A lot of areas have been destroyed by these veld fires, they are destructive, they kill and maim people, destroy properties and wild flora and fauna. We need to find ways of fighting off these veld fires. We need to look for the reasons why people start these fires. As I speak, we have a lot of livestock and wild life which was destroyed by these fires and yet these flora and fauna create the balance of nature.
We appeal to the people in rural areas, forests and farms to start constructing fire guards. Small scale miners in these areas also start these fires when they use their metal detectors, they start off by burning the grass in those areas so that their detectors can work properly. Mr. President, I appeal to the powers that be, that laws should be enforced so that we do not experience these veld firers.
What is also happening because of climatic change is that we now have lightning striking people because there is nothing to protect them, trees have been cut. The miners are also reckless, they are leaving their mining pits uncovered and yet after mining they are supposed to cover them up. These are presenting a danger to the animals and to the people.
The President was talking about the natural wealth of Zimbabwe, we should protect it. We are now faced with starvation in different areas. We are reading from the newspapers and from the media that we have enough food such that nobody in Zimbabwe will die of hunger. We have people who are moving around collecting names of people who are supposed to benefit from these food handouts. We know that not all areas in Zimbabwe received enough rains. We also hope that in identifying and helping people faced with starvation, there should be no discrimination.
However, what we know is that a few have been identified but we have a lot of people who are suffering from hunger because of climatic change. A hungry man is an angry man. We therefore appeal to the responsible authorities, that we need to look for ways of importing food so that everyone is fed.
When the Government talks about children’s education or education for all, we are made aware that education is a priority because if you are uneducated, you have a limited thinking capacity. Mr.
President, we are now appealing that the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM), which is supposed to take care of the poor and vulnerable in paying for school fees, should have an overhaul because it is no longer paying up the money that it was supposed to pay for the children. As a result, some of these vulnerable groups are no longer going to school, they are suffering.
We therefore appeal to the school authorities to be aware of the fact that we no longer have an efficient BEAM. The elderly are surprised when they find children being ejected from school. I sympathise with the girl-child because if she is ejected from school and stays at home, they are abused. They are abused by the man who will be there because they have nothing to do at home. Therefore, we appeal that this BEAM programme be financed and be able to pay for the fees. I appeal to the powers that be that when the President has said such statements, the powers that be should take steps to alleviate these problems. This is my contribution to His Excellency’s Speech. I thank you. –[HON. SENATORS: Hear, hear.]-
SENATOR MASUKU: Mr. President, I move that the debate do now adjourn.
SENATOR MOHADI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 7th October, 2015.
On the motion of SENATOR MASUKU seconded by SENATOR
MOHADI, the Senate adjourned at Twelve Minutes past Three o’clock, p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 25th August, 2015
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(MR. SPEAKER in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR. SPEAKER
STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, THE
PRESIDENT
- SPEAKER: I wish to inform the House that His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde. R.G. Mugabe will today, 25th August, 2015 at three O’clock p.m. address a Joint Sitting of Parliament on the State of the Nation. Business of the House will resume after the State of the Nation Address.
Business was suspended at Twenty Minutes past Two O’clock p.m.
and was resumed at Three O’clock p.m.
3.00p.m.
MOTION
STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY,
THE PRESIDENT
HIS EXCELLENCY, THE PRESIDENT, CDE. R.G.
MUGABE: Madame President of the Senate,
Mr. Speaker Sir;
Honourable Members of Parliament;
Invited Guests; Ladies and Gentlemen;
Comrades and Friends.
As a Nation, we occasionally find time to reflect on our achievements and the challenges we face in our quest to improve people’s quality of life.
Madame President, Mr. Speaker Sir, we have been able to do so in an environment of peace and stability, sustained since Independence. To this end, I wish to pay tribute to our security and defence forces, and the generality of our people, who have joined hands in peace building efforts, even under very difficult socio-economic conditions.
Madame President, Mr. Speaker Sir, to maintain economic growth, and especially the creation of jobs for our people, my Government has proposed a Ten Point Plan of:
- Revitalizing Agriculture and the Agro-processing value chain.
- Advancing Beneficiation and/or Value Addition to our agricultural and mining resource endowment.
- Focusing on infrastructural development, particularly in the key
Energy, Water, Transport and ICTs subsectors.
- Unlocking the potential of Small to Medium Enterprises.
- Encouraging Private Sector Investment.
- Restoration and building of confidence and stability in the financial services sector.
- Joint ventures and public-private partnerships to boost the role and performance of state owned companies.
- Modernising Labour Laws.
- Pursuing an Anti Corruption thrust.
- Implementation of Special Economic Zones to provide the impetus for foreign direct investment.
Honourable members, please take note that the continued focus on the development of our human capital resource, will be key in this endeavour.
Madame President, Mr. Speaker Sir, overall economic performance, to date, indicates modest growth, particularly in the sectors of agriculture, mining, tourism, construction and telecommunications. The economic growth rate, which was initially projected at 3.2 percent, is now expected to register 1.5 percent growth in 2015, this being occasioned primarily by the negative impact of drought in our agriculture sector.
In 2014 to 2015 season, crop production was negatively affected by a combination of the late onset of rains and its uneven distribution, both consequences of climate change. Consequently, the agricultural sector performance will be below expectation. Such a situation negatively impacts on the country’s overall economic growth. In line with our Food and Nutrition policy thrust, Government, working closely with the private sector and development partners, has adopted a grain importation programme, even though, as we now discover from the volumes of maize sales to the GMB, our farmers did better than we had estimated.
Given the strategic importance of the Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (COTTCO), Government will resuscitate COTTCO in order to restore viability in cotton farming in Zimbabwe. Government will ensure that cotton, which is largely grown by small holder farmers, can once more provide a livelihood for over 300 000 households and jobs for many in the textile industry. The same success story that we witnessed in the production of tobacco over the past few years must now happen to cotton.
Mining, in 2015, exhibits stronger growth of well above 3.5 percent, despite the impact of declining international prices. This growth is primarily driven by substantial output increases of gold, nickel, platinum, chrome, coal, among other minerals. In order for the country to fully benefit from this sector, Government will maintain the policy thrust on beneficiation and value addition that is supported by other reforms which enhance transparency and accountability in the sector.
Madame President, Mr. Speaker Sir, the tourism sector continues to experience tremendous growth and development. It is set to grow by more than 5 per cent this year, reflecting growth in confidence in Zimbabwe as a peaceful tourism destination. Tourism is mainly being driven by our rich climatic, natural and man-made attractions, as well as the peaceful environment prevailing in the country. Current interventions on marketing, relaxing the visa regime, investment in tourism and other related infrastructure, and the promotion of the ‘Open
Skies Policy’, should see the sector making further growth.
Following the closure of large corporations, Small to Medium
Enterprises have become prominent in the Zimbabwean economy.
Although the SME’s sector has steadily become the main source of livelihood for many, the youth, retrenchees and the unemployed, among them, the sector is experiencing several challenges. Government will need to address SMEs operating infrastructure, such as construction of vendor marts and factory shells, and the provision of human power training.
Madame President, Mr. Speaker Sir, the Financial Services Sector generally remains stable, notwithstanding constraints in the operating environment. This stability is a result of various initiatives by
Government and other key stakeholders. To maintain such stability,
Government will continue to focus on instituting corrective Statutory
Instruments including the amendments to the Banking Act which aims at the strengthening of management, supervision and surveillance of financial institutions.
Government has embarked on a US$125 million ICT project for the migration from analogue to digital television broadcasting.
Although the migration process applies to television broadcasting only,
Zimbabwe’s radio broadcast infrastructure is also being revamped through the same project. Once the forty-eight television transmitters are established on designated sites, and twenty-five radio transmitters have been installed, Zimbabwe is going to achieve universal coverage of radio and television services for the first time in the history of broadcasting in this country.
To further strengthen the implementation of the e-Governance Programme, my Government working together with the Government of the People’s Republic of China established the High Performance
Computing (HPC) Centre at the University of Zimbabwe in February
- Zimbabwe’s HPC is the third largest super computer on the
African continent. The immense computing power of the HPC system can be used for socio-economic planning, numerical weather prediction, climate modelling and many other applications to assist in informed decision making by policy-makers.
With a view to bringing health services to the people, and improve access, 51 Rural Health Centres have been built, 103 are under construction, and 400 have been rehabilitated. We are also grateful to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for the medical equipment we have been receiving through a US$90 million loan facility extended to us. The package includes equipment and supplies for operating theatres, surgical, radiological, renal, dental equipment, and special ambulances, among other medical equipment.
Madam President, Mr. Speaker Sir, in order to revamp our infrastructural inadequacies, Government is pursuing both domestic and external alternative financing for key programmes under ZIM ASSET. Zimbabwe is already positioning itself for major economic take-off in keeping with ZIM ASSET which requires massive capital injection and rapid implementation. This has seen Government signing key projects with China covering energy, roads, railways and telecommunication, water, agriculture, mining and tourism.
Let me reiterate that Government recognises the importance of strengthening re-engagement with the international community. Indeed, current re-engagement efforts with both bilateral and multilateral partners, including the African Development Bank, the Afro-Asian Bank and the World Bank under various initiatives, should see improvement of relations and the opening up of new financing avenues, for long overdue reforms and development cooperation.
Madame President, Mr. Speaker Sir, in order to buttress the positive economic gains recorded to date, Government will implement policies that will improve the business environment, and promote, and attract both domestic and foreign investment. In this regard, it is our expectation that once the National Diaspora Policy is finalised, it should spur our people in the Diaspora to take advantage of the many investment opportunities existing in the economy.
In line with the Rapid Results Approach Framework, we should see, before the 31st of December 2015, an urgent overhaul of the Companies Act and all pieces of allied legislation which have hitherto hindered the ease of doing business. Instead, we expect a clear and robust legislative and regulatory framework to be urgently put in place in order to create a One Stop Investment Centre that streamlines processes and procedures. This is now a very urgent and high priority matter for which those responsible will be held to account.
Government acknowledges that unsound procurement practices are slowing down economic growth in the country. In view of this, a new Procurement Bill will be drafted and tabled in Parliament before the end of 2015. The Bill will incorporate COMESA procurement Guidelines which emphasise devolution of power to award tenders to procuring entities. The procuring entities would comprise Government Ministries, Parastatals, State Enterprises and Local Authorities. The State Procurement Board will be transformed into a new non-executive procurement authority tasked with setting standards and guidelines as monitoring compliance by procurement entities. It will also act as advisor to Government on Public Procurement Policy.
Madame President, Mr. Speaker Sir, another key priority for Government as we strive to return the economy to sustained growth, is the reform of Parastatals and State Enterprises. In this regard, Government has now embarked on a programme of Parastatal reform which has prioritised ten strategic state enterprises to urgent attention. In each case, specialised audits are to be undertaken and various reform and turn-around options identified. Underlining the importance we accord agriculture, the Parastatal reform programme is beginning with the Grain Marketing Board and the Cold Storage Company.
In the interim, however, and as an important parallel process, Government has also turned the spotlight on Corporate Governance throughout the public sector, including across all parastatals, state enterprises and local authorities. It is very clear that, over many years, and due to a variety of reasons, the level of compliance with good corporate governance principles at many, if not most, of our parastatals/state enterprises, has fallen to levels well below what might be regarded as even “minimally acceptable”.
The extravagance of remuneration packages and associated benefits which boards and management have blithely awarded themselves, borders on the obscene, reflecting avarice and greed, instead of the commitment to serve which we expect, indeed demand, of those appointed to such strategic positions. The launch, in April 2015, of the National Code on Corporate Governance, and the current process of integrating the principles therein in the amendments to the
Companies Act, indicate Government’s serious intent in this regard.
Following the Supreme Court ruling of 17th July 2015, which saw thousands of workers being fired at three months notice, Government has reviewed the Labour Act. We must remove common law provisions that have been used by employers to unilaterally dismiss workers on notice, sending them home empty handed. Whereas this is intended to be a win-win outcome for business and labour in the true spirit of smart partnerships, the labour reforms are part of the raft of policy measures and legislation being pursued by Government to improve the Ease of Doing Business environment.
Madame President, Mr. Speaker Sir, I wish to conclude by urging our people to continue to treasure and safeguard the peace that we enjoy, and to promote the unity and spirit of hard work that Zimbabweans, all the world over, are known for. Let us continue to believe in ourselves, to believe in our collective capacity to overcome adversity and challenges that confront us. I thank you.
MDC Members chant Save! Save!
ZANU PF Members chant Gushungo! Gushungo!
MDC Members then broke into a song – Zanu yaora baba.
- SPEAKER: Order! Order! I want to remind hon. members that we did ban the issue of singing – [AN HON. MEMBER: Ndivo vatanga.] – Order, I hope this would be the last time when we exercise our voices in song. It is not necessary at all – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – Order! Order! I do not want to remove someone from the House please. I was saying this should be the last time. Once we identify the leader of that song, do not be surprised that you are suspended, perhaps up to the whole session of Parliament and that has got serious consequences in terms of your standing here in Parliament. So I want to appeal to you that, let us restrain ourselves, no matter what the message, no matter where the message is coming from, there will be time for us to debate.
- CHAMISA: Point of clarification. It is a purely point of law Mr. Speaker Sir. The issue I am raising is to do with our new rights that are within the Constitution as Parliament, especially in the context of the President having addressed us through a State of the Nation Address (SONA). We are entitled as Members of Parliament to ask questions after the President has finished – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
- SPEAKER: Order! Order! The hon. member is raising an issue on privilege, so he is entitled to be heard. Can he be heard in silence.
- CHAMISA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. If hon. members knew the import of this point of privilege, they would actually ululate rather than hurting because it is meant to clarify matters so that we embolden and enrich our democracy. The issue is not to embarrass the
Head of State but to make sure that we do what is in the Constitution –
[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – MR. SPEAKER: Order hon. members!
- CHAMISA: Thank you hon. Speaker Sir. I was just mentioning this point in the context of Section 140 of our Constitution read together with our Standing Order, Section 168 (3) which allows, in circumstances within which our President is going to interface with Parliament. There are four circumstances, I think for those who have read the Constitution will understand. I think Mr. Speaker Sir, you will appreciate what I am saying – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible
interjections.] –
- SPEAKER: Order! Order! Hon. Chamisa, do not be destructed, address the Chair and conclude.
- CHAMISA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I hope you restrain
Hon. Kasukuwere from continuing to threaten me – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – I know ndine rekeni Mr. Speaker Sir. I was just trying to say, in terms of our Constitution and our Standing Orders, the President will come to Parliament by way of a special address, either to this National Assembly or Senate separately or together, which is the first option. The second option is for the President to come to Parliament on the basis of a question and answer session which is set aside specifically for that. The third element is when the President comes to Parliament through the Vice President or any Minister, meaning to say he will have a statement that has to be read on his behalf. The fourth one, which is specifically this one, is a State of the Nation Address, which is supposed to be accompanied by questions that are sent to the President so that Members of Parliament are able to raise those questions.
So, we need that clarification Mr. Speaker Sir. As a Parliament, we are supposed to exercise our right as a way of deepening our democracy. I do not think that it is fair for us to pay a blind eye to the Constitution and then say because this is what we have always done, there is a new Constitution. Hon. Speaker Sir, I hope you will take note of this point. I am not saying that we need the President to address us now because he is already out, but we need to correct it for future purposes so that we are able to be in line with the Constitution. Thank you very much – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
- SPEAKER: Order! Order! The Chair would like to make a ruling. What Hon. Chamisa has raised is contextually correct in terms of Section 140 of our Constitution. It is also contextually correct in terms of Section 168 of our Standing Orders. Accordingly, the Chair takes note of the observation and will liaise with the Senate President, the Presiding Officer of the Senate as well as His Excellency the President to see how feasible we can arrange such a session – [HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear.] – Order! Order!
REPORT STAGE
JOINT VENTURES BILL, 2015 (H.B. 4A, 2015)
First Order read: Consideration: Joint Ventures Bill (H.B. 4A,
2015).
Amendments to Clauses 2, 3, 12 and new Clause 17 put and agreed
Bill, as amended, put and adopted.
Third Reading: With leave, forthwith.
THIRD READING
JOINT VENTURES BILL, 2015 (H.B. 4A, 2015)
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT (MR CHINAMASA): I move that the Joint
Ventures Bill, 2015 be now read the third time.
Motion put and agreed to.
Bill read the third time.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT (MR CHINAMASA): I move that Order of the
Day, Number 2, be stood down until the rest of Orders of the Day have been disposed of.
Motion put and agreed to.
SECOND READING
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE AND EVIDENCE AMENDMENT BILL,
2015 (H.B.2, 2015)
Third Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Second Reading of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Amendment Bill, 2015 (H.B. 2, 2015).
Question again proposed.
- GONESE: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir. From my
recollection, this debate was adjourned to enable the relevant Portfolio Committee to finalise its report. As the Speaker might be aware, for the last two weeks, the business of Committees had been suspended. The Committee completed its public hearings but the Committee has not been able to meet to deliberate and finalise on the report.
I believe that in the circumstances, it would be appropriate for the debate to be further adjourned to allow the Committee time to finalise its report, thereafter present its report and then we can have the general debate. So, I am moving for the adjournment of the debate. I just thought I would give the explanation so that the Minister and hon. members of this august House would be in the picture as to what the factual position is. As I have already pointed out, the public hearings were conducted and finalized, but unfortunately the business of Committees had been suspended.
THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (MR.
MNANGAGWA): The hon. member has consulted me on the issue and
I have accepted that we allow the Committee to give their report.
Therefore, I move that the debate do now adjourn.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Tuesday, 15th September, 2015.
On the motion of THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER
OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (MR.
MNANGAGWA), the House adjourned at Five Minutes to Four o’clock p.m. until Tuesday, 15th September, 2015.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 18th, August, 2015
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(MR. SPEAKER in the Chair)
NEW MEMBER SWORN
- SPEAKER: Hon. members, can the oath be taken in silence please.
- KERENIYA UTA took and subscribed to the Oath of
Loyalty as required by law and took her seat – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –
MOTION
LEAVE TO MOVE SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS
- 51, 134, 135(1), 139 AND 32(5)
THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND SOCIAL SERVICES (MRS. MUPFUMIRA): Mr. Speaker, I seek
leave of the House to move that the provisions of the following Standing Orders be suspended in respect of the Labour Amendment Bill [HB 7, 2015]:- Standing Order No. 51, regarding the automatic adjournment of the House at Five Minutes to Seven o’clock p.m and at Twenty Five
Minutes Past One o’clock p.m on a Friday; Standing Order No. 134, regarding the introduction of Bills at least 14 days after gazetting; Standing Order No. 135(1) regarding the period within which the Portfolio Committees should report on Bills; Standing Order No. 139 regarding the Stages of Bills and Standing Order No. 32(5), the period within which the Parliamentary Legal Committee should report on Bills.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS NO. 51, 134, 135(1),
139 AND 32(5)
THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR
AND SOCIAL SERVICES (MRS. MUPFUMIRA): Mr. Speaker Sir,
I move that the provisions of the following Standing Orders be suspended in respect of the Labour Amendment Bill (HB 7, 2015):- Standing Order No. 51, regarding the automatic adjournment of the
House at Five Minutes to Seven o’clock p.m and at Twenty Five
Minutes Past One o’clock p.m on a Friday; Standing Order No. 134, regarding the introduction of Bills at least 14 days after gazetting; Standing Order No. 135(1) regarding the period within which the Portfolio Committees should report on Bills; Standing Order No. 139 regarding the Stages of Bills and Standing Order No. 32(5), the period within which the Parliamentary Legal Committee should report on Bills.
Motion put and agreed to.
FIRST READING
LABOUR AMENDMENT BILL [H. B. 7, 2015]
THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND
SOCIAL SERVICES (MRS. MUPFUMIRA) presented the Labour
Amendment Bill [HB 7, 2015]
Bill read the first time.
Bill referred to the Parliamentary Legal Committee.
Business was suspended at Twenty Five Minutes to Three o’clock and was resumed at Six Minutes to Three o’clock p.m.
ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR. SPEAKER
ADVERSE REPORT RECEIVED FROM THE
PARLIAMENTARY LEGAL COMMITTEE
- SPEAKER: I have to inform the House that I have received an adverse report from the Parliamentary Legal Committee on the Labour Amendment Bill (H. B. 7, 2015).
Committee: With leave, forthwith.
COMMITTEE STAGE
ADVERSE REPORT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY LEGAL
COMMITTEE ON LABOUR AMENDMENT BILL (H. B. 7, 2015)
House in Committee.
- CHASI: Thank you Madam Chairperson. In pursuit of its constitutional mandate as provided for in Section 152(3)(a) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the Parliamentary Legal Committee met on the 18th of August, 2015 at 1130hrs to consider the Labour Amendment Bill [H.B. 7, 2015]. After deliberations, the Committee resolved that an adverse report be issued in respect of the Bill. In compliance with Standing Order 32 (3), members of the Committee, legally qualified and as envisaged by Section 152(2) of the Constitution, unanimously agreed and present were: Honourables Chasi, Samukange and Majome that the Bill contained provisions that, if enacted would violate the Constitution.
The adverse report was issued due to the following considerations:
Clause 18 (Transitional Provision)
The clause provides for the retrospective application of Section 12 of the Act to every employee whose services were terminated on three months’ notice on or after the 17th July. The Committee unanimously agreed that the clause violates Section 3 (2) (e) of the Constitution regarding of the separation of powers in that the judgement made by the Judiciary was correct at law and in seeking to nullify that by an insertion of the retrospective clause, Parliament will have violated the principle of separation of powers. Additionally, since the employers acted from the correct position at law, and having vested rights in terms of the Act, applying the retrospective provisions in the clause would be punitive on the employer and violates Section 56 of the Constitution relating to equal protection of the law.
Moreover, in the case of Walls vs Walls 1996 (2) ZLR 117, it was held that although Parliament has the power to legislate retrospectively, however, as much as possible, legislation should not be made in a manner which interferes with accrued rights. In this regard, the right accrued in this case relates to the vested rights of the employer to terminate on notice.
Due to the aforesaid, the Committee resolved on a majority of 4:0 to issue an adverse report on the Bill. I thank you.
- KEREKE: Madam Chair, thank you and good afternoon. I want to add views on the adverse report as tendered by Hon. Chasi. The interpretation of the Committee is that retrospective application of the Bill, as contemplated would be tantamount to nullifying a judgment by the judicial arm - that is incorrect. In fact, the judgment by the Supreme Court would not be nullified in any way, if it is the majority view of the hon. House that the consequences of the judgment had the effects of impairing the well-being of society, in particular the affected persons who deserve protection of the law.
Section 85 of the Constitution is so precise in its prescription that you do not need the fundamental rights to be violated per se, what is sufficient is that there be a demonstrable likelihood and a threat that rights are about to be violated. When you look at the consequences of what is happening, where a worker who would have stayed at a company for 20 – 30 years, all that effort is nullified at a stroke of the pen. That violates without any doubt, Section 51 - the right to human dignity of that individual, which is under Chapter 4 of the Constitution. It also even violates the right to access to adequate food and several other imperatives. It is the reason why the representative authority of Parliament was established, to adjudicate and realign laws in a manner that protects society and individual.
The Constitution also stipulates that any law, and this is important – any law, action or conduct that is at variance with the Constitution is null and void. What we are doing here is simply academic, to recognise a piece of law which contravenes the Constitution, the labour law in its ancient form which we are sitting here to adjust. The Constitution lays the foundation upon which we are to officially recognise the nullity of that piece of law which is in existence. I urge the House, the Committee to override the pronunciation of the four members who constituted a due arm of the legislature, the Committee and let the business progress, we digest the Bill on its merit. Please, let us protect the workers. Thank you.
MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: Thank you very much
Madam Chair. I think what we need to do as we consider the
Parliamentary Legal Committee Report, is not to mix issues. There are issues of the merits which are in the Bill which we need to debate. There is no-one who is arguing. I do not think that even the
Parliamentary Legal Committee is arguing against the issues of justice and fairness around the workers. Let us separate that. What the adverse report is talking to is the issue of retrospectivity. That is an issue that we need to deal with, not necessarily for ourselves because we can all go home and sleep and hope we have done well when we know that at the end of day, there are going to be court challenges to which that very worker that you are claiming you are going to be defending is going to sit in that court.
I am sad the Hon. Chinamasa is not here, each time we have debated issues here, the issue of saying you cannot come up with a law that is retrospective has always come up. I am surprised that today because we want to be populists and pretend to be doing something when we know we are not. Let me refer you to the Constitution, Section 70 (k), whilst it is talking about the issue around criminal law but it is very clear and states, ‘not to be convicted of an act or omission that was not an offence when it took place;’ I cannot beat a wife today when there is no law against beating wives and then come back and say, because now we have a law you can beat up a wife. It is obvious and clear. In my opinion, let us not create a situation.
No one from the Parliamentary Legal Committee including some of us that are talking about this issue of rule of law is talking about the merits of the Bill. When we get to the merits of the Bill, we are very clear it is an issue of justice and fairness. Let us go there, but let us not mix up the issue of justice and fairness with the issue of rule of law. For anyone who is a lawyer, to come up here and want to justify that you can generally do that- I understand that some people are saying, ‘we have done it in other circumstances.’ Doing a wrong thing does not mean you justify doing it. If it was done wrongly during the land reform and we fast tracked something, it does not necessarily say - [HON. MEMBERS:
Inaudible interjections.] -
THE CHAIRPERSON: Order! Order, hon. members. Order in the House. Order! Please, order! Order, hon. members. Order! Can the hon. member be heard in silence? If you have something to debate on, you will have your chance. - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible
interjections.]
MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: It is only the Madam
Chair who can get me to sit down not anyone. The part that I am trying to buttress and emphasise is that we cannot do something because it was done before. If we passed things because we did not follow the procedure, it does not necessarily mean that we have to continue to do exactly the same thing even if we know that it is wrong. Madam Chair, the Constitution is a product of this very Parliament. It has never been different from any other Constitution because other constitutions, members do not participate in coming up with that Constitution. How do you justify coming up with a Constitution and you become the people who violate that very thing that you have come up with?
So, let us not box ourselves but let us learn to think outside the box. I would have thought that what we would have done today is to say that the Minister and the Parliamentary Legal Committee perhaps need to sit down and say, how do we begin to address this because it is a real issue that we have 20 000 people who were fired. So what we should be doing now is, what is possible under these circumstances and how do we redraft this to put it in a context where there is some relief that we can give to these people that have been fired. We try and do that by pretending that you are going to override. Like I am saying, I have no problem going with this, knowing pretty well that the issues of access and affordability to justice are a problem. You are going to get these workers going back to the same Supreme Court. Madam Chair, some of us know that one of the fundamental problems which we were going to raise when we were dealing with the merits of the Bill is that, it has raised some of the issues that we have raised before.
If anyone was to go back, what we have now is a Supreme Court ruling – the Zuva Supreme Court ruling. If you were to go back and have the people going back to a Constitutional Court - because as we are sitting in here, we are having people arguing on this particular point. So, whether you accept the issue of the adverse report or not, it has become a legal contentious issue. If anything becomes contentious, it means that somebody is going to have to arbitrate and somebody will have to make a decision and we know that that decision will have to be made in the same courts. We have four people who sat during the time of the
Supreme Court and they will probably add five more to make up the Constitutional Court and the chance is that the workers will not win this particular war.
So, in fact we have done nothing but like I said, if people want to pretend that they are doing good and have a good night’s sleep and pretend that they have done well for the workers, more power to you. But, as far as some of us are concerned, we should be able to listen to our legal people. We put that Parliamentary legal Committee because we believe that it should be able to advise us but if we are now sitting here and say we do not want because we want to be populists - more power to you like I said. But, as far as I am concerned, it is a war that we have not won and we are lying to the majority of those who are suffering – the workers. I thank you.
- CHAMISA: Thank you very much Madam Chair. I want to preface my contribution by saying that it is a very unusual position for me to agree with a Minister from Government. You know that I always differ with my Ministers here but on this one, I associate with the wisdom of the Minister in making sure that the element of remuneration for the affected workers is retrospective. I associate with the pronouncements of the Head of State to say that we must go back to retrospectively deal with the mischief of the law -[HON. MEMBERS:
Inaudible interjections]-
THE CHAIRPERSON: Order, order in the House. Hon.
member, if you can please address the Chair?
- CHAMISA: Thank you Madam Chair. I am saying this Madam Chair, realising that there are circumstances where you have to distinguish what is distinguishable. We are a Parliament, the sovereign embodiment of the wishes and interests of the people and our duty is to go a little level higher in terms of how we look at our laws. We have the duty to make laws and the courts have the duty to interpret the laws. If the courts choose to interpret laws how-so-ever they choose to interpret them, we have a duty as the Parliament, being the repositories, custodians and reservoirs of the people’s interests to make sure that we safeguard those interests. This has nothing to do with votes because there is no vote to be taken nationally. It has all to do with what we fought for during the liberation struggle -[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-
THE CHAIRPERSON: Order, order. Can the hon. member proceed?
- CHAMISA: Thank you Madam Chair. I am saying this advisedly and I may need to emphasise my point. What we are beginning to see is something that goes to the very heart of what our war of independence was all about. It goes to the very crux of why we lost blood in this country and why we had sweat and toiling in this country – protecting our own indigenous people against the vagaries of capital. When I debate this, I debate it with the full knowledge that I have not switched on political sides. I believe in the independence of our country, in the liberation of our country and I believe that what the Minister is doing is what is best under the circumstances. I would want to immediately correct my sister Hon. Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga who says that Section 70 (1) k – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible
interjections.]-
THE CHAIRPERSON: Hon. member, address the Chair.
- CHAMISA: Okay Madam Chair. Section 70 (1) k of the Constitution which she relies upon to say you cannot do things retrospectively. With all due respect Madam Chair, it actually relates to accused persons and it has nothing to do with circumstances such as these which are sui generis cases. These are cases of a special nature wherein people have respected the common law position for such a long time but then they seem to sneak in their interests out of the interpretation that has been given by the court.
Parliament has a duty to make sure that our people are not given a bomb disguised as a cake and that our people are not given thorns disguised as roses. We want to make sure that we go to the bottom of this matter. In fact, I would have problems if any hon. Member of Parliament who has a constituency and people whom they represent were to say we are supposed to then deal away with retrospectivity because that is the necessary assurance of security that we can give to our people. I want to thank the Minister for that one. Hon. Minister, thank you for the wisdom to retrospectively apply it in terms of the law.
Madam Chair, in terms of the law, we are not violating any law. I have studied law competently and I can tell you one thing. Parliament, both in the Constitution and at common law, is allowed to make the law to the extent that we are not subtracting from any vested rights. And, I have no doubt that as Parliament, at common law, in terms of this Constitution, I would want anybody including even lawyers from another planet to come and convince me that there is anything that is being done that violates the Constitution. There is a common law presumption against applying the law retrospectively, but it is altered once the Parliament chooses to explicitly say a certain law has to apply retrospectively like we have done. So, for that simple reason, Madam Chair, I do not see any reason why we should have problems. This is not the first time we have done this. We did this when we dealt with our war veterans, when we adopted the War Veterans Act. We did this even in terms of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Act. If you remember what we did with Section 44, it was implemented retrospectively to September 2009. We did this with our Land Reform Programme because it was a noble project, in the public interest - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – For us Madam Chair, to fail to see – [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
THE CHAIRPERSON: Order, order please!
- CHAMISA: I genuinely believe Madam Chair and hon. members, that the effect of the Bill has been to expose our employees and workers, hardworking workers to the vagaries and vicissitudes of capital. We need to make sure that we do it in the interest of our liberation ethos and Section 55 of the Labour Act. We need to make sure that we defend our people – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – and we can only do so by adopting what Hon. Kereke has already said, that we need to just override the aspect of this adverse report. In fact, there is nothing adverse about it. We need to make sure that we confirm, in the interest of fairness and in the separation of powers that as Parliament, we continue to adopt that retrospective element.
Madam Chair, having said that, I believe that this will enrich the debate of those who are going to support but also dissuade and demobilise those who have been visited by a very dangerous feeling to go against our workers. Thank you very much – [HON. MEMBERS:
Inaudible interjections].
THE CHAIRPERSON: Order, order! I am calling for order
please.
- CHINOTIMBA: I am not going to say much but what I want to say is that even as we pray to God, we say the God of Isaac and
Jacob, we do not say today’s God. So this issue of saying that we should ignore our workers because of other people who want to enrich themselves, I do not think it is good. I do not agree with what the Committee has tabled before us. We want a Committee that has eyes like those of the war veterans, who had foresight that people were suffering in the country and they fought for the people. All of us here are representing people and our issue here is that we want people to survive and not let them suffer when they voted for us. Most of these Members of Parliament, if we do not listen to what people are, you will not come back. Our workers – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]–
*THE CHAIRPERSON: It is important that we listen to what Hon. Chinotimba is saying because he has the floor. Anyone who wants to contribute will get the chance and also when you are debating, you want people to listen to you. All the people up there want to hear what is being said. So you should lower your voices, I plead with you. If you want to talk, I think you can leave the House.
- CHINOTIMBA: What I am trying to say is that I am in agreement with what the Minister has done. I am representing workers who were retrenched after 42 years working for Meikles and then they were given three months notice. What the Minister is saying is that we should go back to those people so that they can be remunerated. What I can say to the Minister is that Meikles retrenched 500 people using this same clause. So what we are saying is that this Act should be amended.
Mbuya Nehanda said her bones shall arise.
We went, fought and took over from where they had left. The same applies with law. We want to fight for the people that suffered in the past so that they live well because most of us are getting allowances which our people out there are not getting. I am saying the Minister did a jobwell-done. Yes, there are issues that we should amend here and there, I do not want to say much but look at the Meikles issue. When we go to the 17th, people had been chased away even way back as in March. I think we should go back as far as February so that those people also benefit. That is what I want to say. I think we should go forward. I do not think we should go backwards.
Madam Chair, what I am really seeing is that our Members of Parliament this year, most of them are business people and do not want to help people because they are business people. They want workers to suffer. We do not want business people in Parliament. Your business should be done outside Parliament but when we are here, we are here to help the workers. We do not want to talk about your business. If it was where we come from, when in Parliament that is what we say down with. We want the workers to be well remunerated. Thank you Madam Chair.
- MANGAMI: I rise to also add my voice on the Bill. Looking at the report made by the Parliamentary Legal Committee, it takes us back and does not give us progress. We actually have got the majority of
Zimbabweans who are suffering or have been suffering for the past three weeks or so due to the law which we want to amend today. In fact, a good law is one which takes cognisant of the majority of people who have got problems. If it is only taking care of a few people, then it is not a good law. So I actually support the Bill brought to us by the Minister that when it is passed, then it works in retrospect because all those Zimbabweans who are now in the streets, it will compound our economic problems. So I suggest that we take it as it is and actually discard the PLC’s report. I thank you.
*MS. ZINDI: Thank you Madam Speaker. I want to support
Hon. Kereke, Hon Chamisa and Hon. Mangami’s position that as Parliament we should support this Bill, especially looking at our workers. If they have worked for 42 years and then they are told to leave their employment with nothing, it is very painful. Yes, I am aware that our economy is not performing well but …
THE CHAIRPERSON: Order hon. members, can the hon.
member be heard in silence.
*MS. ZINDI: Thank you Madam Speaker for protecting me. Let me go on to say that the reason why I am supporting this Bill, even if the Parliamentary Legal Committee is saying it is not in line with our Constitution, I know our economy is not performing well - but besides that, we should not hope for things to be well by chasing other people from employment. We should not then start working on things to be well because we would have placed ourselves on a wrong footing. If we want to save our economy we should not chase people away but protect the few companies that are left. I am saying this because the issue of coming up with this labour law has been debated for a long time but as Government, we have been slow in amending this Labour Act when things were alright at that time. What I am saying is that what has happened should be a lesson to Government, that in future we should not procrastinate but we should take into consideration what our business people are saying when it comes to the law.
We should amend our laws in time because this Labour Act was instituted immediately after the war because we wanted to protect our workers. We later realised that businesses could not function well or could be closed when it comes to retrenchment packages for 2 or 3 workers where a company employs 700 people. So, our Executive took a long time to amend those laws and that is why we are where we are today. With that Madam Chair, I want to say that as Parliament, we should support this Bill. How it is going to be done for people to get paid, I think it is another step but we should lay the foundation today. If you look at how people are being retrenched, it is not only the private sector but even our parastatals like ZBC retrenched 300 people, Zim Papers - 300 and that applies to the private sector as well. So, we should not be seen as a Government which is biting itself, yet we are the same people who are supposed to protect the people. So, I think we should support this Bill. I thank you.
- HOLDER: Thank you for allowing me to contribute to this debate. To apply amendments retrospectively will be unconstitutional as it is against the principle of legality.
THE CHAIRPERSON: Order Hon. member. I would like to remind Hon. members that we are not yet debating the Bill but the adverse report from the Parliamentary Legal Committee.
- HOLDER: Thank you Madam Chair. I think I will wait for the debate of the Bill.
MR CHAPFIKA: I am a bit concerned that as we debate, we seem to be confusing the constitutionality of the report from our experts. These experts comprise of a fully constituted Committee of Parliament chosen on the basis of their ability, knowledge and experience in the legal fraternity. I was actually surprised with the eloquence of Hon. Chamisa. For the first time in the history of MDC-T, Hon. Chamisa has found it fit to support the ruling ZANU PF Minister of Government. -
[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-
THE CHAIRPERSON: Order, order hon. members. Order Hon,
Chibaya, Order!
- CHAPFIKA: I was surprised that Hon. Chamisa spoke eloquently in support. I say so Madam Chair because I just wonder whether Hon. Chamisa would be happy or would decry the collapse of industry. -[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-
THE CHAIRPERSON: Order, order hon. members. Order Hon. Zwizwai, Order! I do not want to send you out.
- CHAMISA: On a point of order Madam Chair. I kindly ask the hon. member to debate the report and not the question please.
Chamisa is not before the House.
THE CHAIRPERSON: Order Hon. Chamisa! I think the mentioning of names is not new. Some hon. members were even referring to other hon. members who were debating – [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-. Order please! Hon. Chibaya and Hon. Zwizwai, I think I am giving you the last chance. I was saying, if someone is referring to what has been said by another hon. member, I do not think that is a crime.
- CHAPFIKA: Thank you Madam Chair. I just hope that people will not eat into my time. I was saying Madam Chair, I do not know what would happen, whether Hon. Chamisa would celebrate the success of industry or he would celebrate if industries collapse. I view
Chamisa’s support with suspicion. I do not know because Hon. Chinotimba alluded to the fact that a worker was fired after 42 years of service. Do we know what that translates to, weeks in respect of retrospective payment and definitely, if there are more than four or 10 employees, such companies would collapse in the current environment.
Madam Chair, I do not think anyone is against protecting the worker. The worker has to be protected, but the constitutionality of this issue must also be observed…
- D. SIBANDA: On a point of order Madam Speaker. I think that it is important that we debate on the adverse report. The hon. member is now dwelling on debating the Bill.
THE CHAIRPERSON: I will remind the hon. member to speak on the adverse report but that does not give us reason to make a lot of noise.
- CHAPFIKA: Coming back to the adverse report, I am of the strong view that we respect the institution of Parliament and I think in principle, we are all agreed on this Bill, but what we need to do is to ensure that the Bill sticks to the original objectives of a win/win situation. I would urge the Committee to sit with the Hon. Minister to consider issues of variance and to clarify to the Hon. Minister areas of disagreement or constitutional conflict. Thank you.
- CHIBAYA: Thank you very much Madam Chair. I would like to urge hon. members to go to the third paragraph of the PLC report.
The third paragraph clearly states that ‘it was held that although Parliament has the power to legislate retrospectively, which means that the PLC is actually aware that as Parliament, we have got that right to actually legislate in retrospect. So I just rise here to advise hon.
members that there is no need for us to debate about this issue because the law actually allows this Parliament to legislate in retrospect. I thank you.
- NDUNA: Thank you Madam Chair. I want to add my voice on issues to do with applying the law in retrospect. It is very key
Madam Speaker and I want to take you to the role of Parliament. It is representative, plays an oversight role and also is in fact, a law maker’s position, which laws we make here in this august House. In particular Madam Chair, we should not be coming here to Harare to eat good food and to live lavish lifestyles– [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible
interjections]-.
THE CHAIRPERSON: Order, order! If I call for order, I mean everyone, even those who are moving. Can we have order please? Let us have order hon. members.
- NDUNA: As I touch on those three roles Madam Chair, I want to take you back. I might not be a lawyer as Hon. Chamisa but I need to take you back to 1993 where a law was made on capital punishment on inmates that were on death row, to the effect that the waiting period after judgment was unconstitutional. As that law was amended, it was amended and only not backdated because it was capital punishment and the law only subsisted from the day that it was enacted going forward. Why do I say this? I think in all honesty, if we make a law and apply it in retrospect in terms of capital punishment we are shooting ourselves in the foot. However, for every other law, in my view, it is quite good for us to apply to it in retrospect. Why do I say this Madam Speaker? We are a Government for the people, by the people and with the people. If the laws infringe upon the rights of our people, we should burn the midnight candle and make sure we amend those laws. Why should we make laws that we cannot amend? Why should we be an august House? Why should we be called a Parliament that has those three roles?
Madam Speaker, the reason I believe we should apply this law in retrospect and make laws for the good governance of our people is with this in mind, that some of these companies that are busy retrenching our workers are listed on the London Stock Exchange, premised on the mineral rights of our country and now with the power vested on our land - the rights of our people are being infringed upon by companies that are listed outside the borders of this country, based on the minerals of this country – the minerals that are supposed to benefit the very people that are being retrenched today and in particular ACR who are now calling themselves Vast Resources and Brackenridge. These are companies that are listed using our God-given mineral resources and now because of a licencing permit given by the Minister under the Mines and Minerals Act, whose law we are supposed to be enacting ourselves, we now come here and infringe upon the rights of our people using the laws that we have enacted to empower the capitalists Madam Chair.
I say we should wake up and smell the coffee and protect the rights of our people because this Government is for the people, by the people and with the people. I thank you.
- M. KHUMALO: I would like to raise an issue with the Parliamentary Legal Committee (PLC). The issue is that in their brief which they have presented to us, they seem to favour one side – the side of the employer. I would have liked the Committee to look at both sides. If this clause that we are looking at protects the employees and deprives the employer, what did the previous clause in the old Act protect? It protected the employees and not the employer. They should have balanced these issues. I say so because from the 17th of July to 17th of August 2015, 20 000 workers have been dismissed, a number which is more than the people in my constituency. If those people are dismissed in one month, what about in a year? Can Parliament allow a clause in the Act that retrenches 20 000 workers in one month, this is wrong Madam Chair.
I would like the Parliamentary Legal Committee to look at these issues and balance them because the employees have the rights. Parliament represents both the employers and the employees but I think the employees were not considered by the Parliamentary Legal
Committee. I thank you.
- P. D. SIBANDA: I also rise to add my voice to the issue of the Adverse Report that has been given by our Parliamentary Legal Committee. Let me say that, I think in our post-Independence period, this is the second moment of madness that we have witnessed in the country. Therefore, it is important that as leadership of the country, we do not become emotional but, react in a manner that will create stability within the nation.
Dismissal of over 20 000 people is not something that this nation can ignore. It is something of so much significance that it should concern us. When I was looking at the submission by the Parliamentary Legal Committee, I realise that they said that retrospective provisions in the clause would be punitive on the employer and that it violates Section 56 of the Constitution relating, to equal protection of the law. Let me say that there is nothing punitive about the provision that is saying let us act in retrospect because the law that we are talking about is a law that has been in existence from 1985 and was amended sometime around 2005. We have never witnessed the abuse of that section like we have done in the last 30 days.
It could have been a vested right if there was a law that had said that the employer is allowed to fire on 3 months’ notice. Now, there is no such law which says so. What merely exists Madam Chair which was actually observed by the Supreme Court was merely a gap in the law that the law did not clearly enunciate that 3 months notice dismissal should not be done. Therefore, it is my belief that there is no right of the employer that would be violated by allowing this law - there is nothing
in this section of acting in retrospect that violates the rights of the employers. What we are simply saying is this, after the ruling by the
Supreme Court, there was this unprecedented action by the employers.
Therefore, what we are saying in this law is that can we try to return to the status quo so that as a nation, we can sit and then engage properly and see where we are going. We cannot do so at a moment when over 20 000 of our people are suffering because of an action in which they were not pre-warned that they are going to face such kind of a scenario. Therefore, I believe that it is proper that we return even against the ruling of the Parliamentary Legal Committee the provision that says this law should act in retrospect. I do not believe that the employer will suffer any prejudice at all if this provision goes ahead as it is. The employer does not suffer any prejudice because what we are simply doing is that let us return to the status quo and then if there is need for further engagement, the employer can still further engage with the employees and also the respective authorities.
ENG. CHIDAVAENZI: This Adverse Report is misplaced and I
stand here to reject it in its totality.
THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE,
LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (MR.
MNANGAGWA): Madam Chair, I wish to contribute on the on-going debate on the Adverse Report of the Parliamentary Legal Committee on the Labour Amendment Bill. I had the opportunity since I came into the House to read the Adverse Report of the Parliamentary Legal Committee. I am satisfied that the same report contradicts itself in a substantive manner. They acknowledge that the Legislature has legislative authority to make and unmake laws which I believe at that stage, it was a sober application of their minds to the law.
When they proceeded, they then applied themselves to the rights of one section of the social contract not to both. I, therefore, seek the indulgence of this House that we overturn the Parliamentary Legal
Committee Adverse Report and proceed to debate the Bill. I thank you.
THE CHAIRPERSON: Can I call upon the Chairperson of the
Parliamentary Legal Committee to respond if he has any response.
- CHASI: Thank you Madam Chair. I have listened very carefully to the submissions by members of the House and I will be so guided. Thank you.
House resumed.
Progress reported.
Report rejected.
Second Reading: With leave; forthwith.
SECOND READING
LABOUR AMENDMENT BILL (H. B. 7, 2015)
THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND SOCIAL SERVICES (MRS. MUPFUMIRA): Background,
rationale and progression of the Labour Reform Process. Government, since 2008, was seized with the process of harmonising labour laws in consultation with social partners and various stakeholders since the last amendment of the Labour Act in 2005. The labour law harmonisation process was driven by the need to create an enabling environment for socio-economic transformation, taking cognisance of the dynamics of the labour market.
During the process, the Cabinet Task Force on Labour Law Reforms met and mandated the Working Party of officials to ensure that the labour laws of the country are aligned to the spirit and purpose of ZIM ASSET; promote labour market flexibility; are not vague and do not have contradictory provisions. The Working Party of officials completed its assignment and reported to the Cabinet Task Force of Ministers. The report was endorsed subject to some minor amendments after which the meeting agreed to seek Cabinet approval of the harmonised labour law principles.
On the sidelines of the Cabinet Taskforce’s activities, my Ministry also engaged business and labour leadership to seek buy-in of the process which resulted in a tripartite agreement on the draft principles which Cabinet approved on the 11th of December 2014. The principles were premised on the historic economic blue print, ZIM ASSET, which seeks to achieve sustainable development and social equity anchored on indigenisation, empowerment and employment creation. These underlying principles will thrive under robust labour laws which seek to strike a balance amongst the interest of Government, business and labour. This is the intent of the purpose of the current labour law reform
– [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-
The Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Number 20 of 2013 also guided this process as it provides for the…
MR SPEAKER: Order, order! Can the Hon. Minister be heard in silence please? This is a very important Bill and I would like hon.
members to listen very carefully so that they can debate constructively.
THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND
SOCIAL SERVICES (MRS. MUPFUMIRA): The Constitution of
Zimbabwe Amendment Number 20 of 2013 also guided this process as it provides for the right to just, fair and equitable conditions of work. It also guarantees fundamental labour rights, particularly under Section 65. It is necessary to ensure that these constitutional provisions are clearly elaborated in the various Acts of Parliament that gives effect to workers and employers rights and obligations. Aligning constitutional provisions and the labour statutes, certainly creates an environment for harmonious industrial relations where the rights of all parties are guaranteed.
As a member of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Zimbabwe also has an obligation to domesticate and give effect to conventions that it has ratified as required in terms of Section 34 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. Domestication of these International
Conventions will ensure that Zimbabwe is in concordance with the International Community. This will cultivate a conducive environment for investment promotion that will enable Zimbabwe to achieve economic growth and reposition the country as one of the strongest economies in the region and Africa as envisaged under ZIM ASSET.
The major issues arising out of the tripartite consultation – it emerged during the consultations that certain constitutional rights, particularly the right to collective job action and the right to maternity protection should be reviewed. The right to strike is a fundamental social right. However, it is not absolute but it is limited by the subjective right of others in so far as such limitations are prescribed by law and necessary in a democratic society for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others or for the protection of the public interest, national security, public health or morals.
On the right to maternity leave, Cabinet observed that it is essential for the State to provide mechanisms to support employers to ensure that female employees fully enjoy their maternity rights and those enterprises remain viable in line with the spirit and purpose of ZIM ASSET. To this end, my Ministry is working on establishing a Maternity Protection Scheme which will enable female employees to enjoy their maternal rights without overburdening the employer as we strive to balance interests of social partners in the labour market.
In as far as the principle of streamlining retrenchment provisions is concerned, the social partners compromised on the principle to set retrenchment packages for all workers. It was realised that when the retrenchment process commences, parties will spend long hours trying to negotiate a package. After thorough closed debates amongst social partners, it was then agreed that this was hindering productivity hence a minimum package should be set. Without a minimum package as is currently the case, employers are of the view that they potentially carry an unlimited liability in the event of retrenchment. In further discussions, it was also agreed that those companies which can demonstrate inability to pay the minimum package will be taken care of by the proposed “exemption clause”.
Cabinet deliberated on this proposed amendment at its 25th meeting and resolved that we emulate regional best practices, therefore the package of one month per every two years served was prescribed.
In the spirit of facilitating recovery and competitiveness of fledgling companies, the right of the employer to engage workers on fixed term contracts was retained. However, the existing provisions to protect workers on fixed term contracts are maintained. It was also agreed that employees engaged on fixed term contracts for a period beyond a specified period should enjoy the same rights and benefits as permanent employees.
The Government had intended to set an alternative Dispute Resolution Centre so as to streamline dispute resolution. However, due to financial constraints, the proposal has been shelved indefinitely. The responsible department will separate roles of labour officers administratively.
Additionally, the Labour Amendment Bill took into consideration the Cabinet Resolution to incorporate amendments which dealt with the Supreme Court ruling of the 17th of July, 2015 in the Case of Zuva Petroleum versus Nyamande and Donga SC 43/15. The Supreme Court bench ruled that the employer has a right under common law, to terminate a contract of employment on notice just like an employee does. Pursuant to this ruling, the labour market witnessed masses of job layoffs which were threatening national security and eroding the purpose of the Tripartite Negotiation Forum (TNF). An urgent TNF meeting was convened but employer representatives were not present to submit their views. They however submitted written views two weeks after the Bill had gone through Cabinet.
Additional amendments sought to address the gaps that had been exposed by the Supreme Court bench by regulating the right of an employer to terminate contracts of employment on notice and providing retrospective relief to affected employees. This ruling had serious ripple-effects in spite of endless pleas to employers to exercise restraint in the foregoing. My Ministry is conducting a survey to inform the nation, the extent of the job layoffs, in order to come up with a sustainable resolution. It is indeed Government’s will for the employees who were affected to find some source of livelihood and continue to support their families. All relevant ministries have been engaged and challenged to pull resources together to ensure cushioning of those affected by this national crisis. The developments above necessitated coordinated Government effort to expedite tabling of the Labour Amendment Bill 2015, which is the reason why the House has been urgently summoned.
CONCLUSION
In light of the foregoing, my Ministry has finalised the drafting of a Labour Amendment Bill incorporating all the principles referred to above. The Bill, as reiterated above, was tabled before the Cabinet Committee on Legislation on the 30th July, 2015 and subsequently in Cabinet on the 4th August, 2015.
The proposed regulatory framework will ensure social justice, democracy and fair labour standards at the work place. The pursuing amendments have taken into consideration the evolving nature of labour laws vis-a-vis macro-economic trends.
RECOMMENDATION
It is in view of the above sequenced developments that I hereby submit the Labour Amendment Bill for consideration by the National Assembly. Mr. Speaker, I therefore move that the Bill be read a second time.
MRS. CHIKWAMA: INTRODUCTION
Pursuant to its legislative oversight role, the Portfolio
Committee on Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare met on
17th August, 2015 to analyse the Labour Amendment Bill (H.B. 7, 2015). It was not practicable for the Committee to consult the public and other key stakeholders because of the urgency of the labour relations situation in the country, which had prompted His Excellency, President R.G. Mugabe to summon Parliament to consider the Bill in terms of Section 110(2c) of the Constitution.
BACKGROUND
The Labour Amendment Bill is a step towards aligning labour laws with the Constitution, in particular, Section 65 on Labour Rights. The Bill is a response to massive unilateral dismissals of workers by employers on notice without any packages on the basis of the common law position. In addition, the Bill seeks to promote productivity and competitiveness of local industry.
COMMITTEE FINDINGS AND OBSERVATIONS These were some of the findings and observations of the
Committee:
The Labour Amendment Bill seeks to create a balance between employers and employees rights necessary for the survival of both parties in the current economic environment. Clause 4 amends Section 12(C) of the Labour Act and repeals the common law as a basis for termination of employment as it explicitly outlines reasons for termination of employment without benefits.
Compensation of workers who were retrenched on notice on or after 17th July, 2015 in terms of Clause 18 of the Bill is a welcome development. The Committee observed that although this cannot undo the physical and emotional suffering these workers were exposed to, it would be a stepping stone towards the future and would set a good precedence. However, the Committee is of the view that compensation should be extended to workers dismissed on the same grounds before
17th July, 2015.
Clause 5 of the Bill which deals with Retrenchment and Compensation of Employment on retrenchment introduces a minimum retrenchment package of not less than one month’s salary wages for every two years of service is a positive development. This provision recognises the difficult economic environment in which industry is currently operating under and is equally responsive to the needs of the employees who offer their services to an entity have to be paid off. The Committee also noted the need to review the minimum retrenchment package to not less than one month’s salary wages for every year of
service in the future.
However, the Committee is concerned that Clause 5 (3) contradicts the idea of a minimum retrenchment package to be paid by the employer. The Committee is of the view that the provision for application of exemption is against the principle of social justice and might be manipulated by employers. Furthermore, the Committee is concerned about the provision that if an Employment Council or
Retrenchment Board fails to respond to an employer’s application within two weeks, it is deemed to be an exemption from paying a retrenchment package.
In addition, the Committee observed that Clause 5 only covers the minimum retrenchment package and is silent about severance and relocation allowances, which leaves these at the discretion of employers.
The Committee further noted that Clause 6 of the Bill strips away the employee’s right to representation which increases his vulnerability in relation to the employer. Therefore, the Committee feels that this provision would not add value to the labour relations in Zimbabwe.
The Committee hails the empowerment of the labour officer to make a ruling on a dispute of right (Clause16), a departure from the previous situation where this could only be effected by an arbitrator. This development would accelerate the conclusion of labour cases backlog accumulated over the years due to shortage of manpower. The Committee however, observed that the situation could be further improved if the Bill extends the labour officer’s jurisdiction to determine disputes of interests.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends:
- Speedy and comprehensive alignment of laws to the
Constitution to avoid recurrence of crisis situations, such as the recent nationwide job terminations which derail economic development and cause unnecessary discontentment.
- Compensation should be extended to workers dismissed on notice without retrenchment packages since February 2015.
- The retrenchment package should not be less than one month’s salary wages for every year of service rendered by the employee.
- Clause 5 (3) of the Bill should be amended to read as
‘…failing which response the application is deemed not to have been granted.'
- Both the labour officer and arbitrator should be empowered to
preside over disputes of rights and interests.
- That the Bill places the responsibility of determining the severance, relocation and related allowances in the Works Council and Employment Council.
CONCLUSION
The Committee is of the view that the above recommendations will assist the Government to come up with a wholesome package to amend the country's labour laws in Zimbabwe. I thank you. – [HON.
MEMBRS: Hear, hear.] -
- MPARIWA: Thank you hon. Speaker. Let me begin by thanking my Chair Hon. Chikwama, of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare. Indeed, you see that due to time constraints, your Committee was at difficulty in terms of conducting its business because it was business unusual. However, I want to believe that it puts the reflection in terms of the observations of your Portfolio Committee.
You will note that in paragraph 3 (4) of the report, there is mention on the principle on social justice as a violation in terms of the proposals of exemption by the Minister in the proposed Bill. The hon. Minister highlighted to the House that we ascribe to the International Labour Organisation (ILO). If this was to stay in the proposed Bill, this will be against the ILO Declaration on Social Justice of 2008. It is my humble submission that the Minister re-looks at this particular provision in the Bill, because the Committee deliberated on this point for us to come up with the recommendation that we came up with.
The number 2 point is on the rushed process in terms of the Bill, because hon. Speaker, you will see that it affects the human face. When 22 000 workers are affected, then the nation is burning. So, we also did extra-ordinarily the work of the Committee in order to come up with this particular report. The firing of the 22 000 workers has actually brought panic, confusion and pain into the lives of many. The piecemeal approach in terms of coming with the Bill that the Minister has done is appreciated. However, hon. Speaker, I think the Minister also
mentioned that there was consultation with the social partners in terms of coming up with a good law, that is also harmonization.
A wholesome package would not have caused damage because I want to believe that there are several other urgent provisions in the current Labour Act that need urgent attention. I will go quickly to
Section 18 of the Labour Act 28.01, which is a violation of workers’ rights, particularly women on maternity leave, I quote, “On production of a certificate signed by a registered medical practitioner or state registered nurse, certifying that she is pregnant, a female employee may proceed on maternity leave, not earlier than 45 days and not later than the 21st day prior to the expected day of her delivery.” It goes on to say, “A female employee shall be entitled to be granted a maximum of three periods of maternity leave.” This means she can only have three children when she is serving under one employer and a certified nurse actually has to acknowledge or prove to the employer beyond reasonable doubt. This is also very urgent in terms of what we would have wanted for a good law on urgent issues.
Hon. Speaker, this takes me to the next point on Section 65, concerning labour rights. Section 65 cannot be taken in isolation without including Section 65(3), which proposes that workers have to be granted a right to collective job action, in other words, strike, picketing or demonstration, without any notice to the employer. You cannot warn your enemy that you want to fight them otherwise they will be ready to crush that particular fight. I think these are also part of what the Committee considered as sections that also needed speedy amendments so that the rights are not given in bits and pieces or a piecemeal approach. I make this contribution fully aware that the Minister worked very hard in terms of coming up with this particular amendment. However, I want to believe that in future, when we do amendments, they must be brought in full.
That takes me to the next point hon. Speaker, that the Minister mentions the consultation process in terms of getting on board the social or tripartite partners. I also want to believe that she takes into cognisance that tripartite forum of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 144 compels the partners to consult each other on the negotiating table and come up with one thing. At the end of the day, we do not want any complaints coming to Parliament to say such and such organisations have not been consulted. There is also need to take on board those issues which would have been agreed as a social contract, into the Bill so that everyone’s view is included.
The last point I want to mention hon. Speaker is just a warning. I have said, I have always said it and I will say it again today. We belong to ILO and it was not easy for us to occupy the Vice Presidency of the
ILO. It was embarrassing in that Chamber when everyone was against Zimbabwe for us to occupy a certain space. I personally would not want to see Zimbabwe being ridiculed because they have not followed the talk or the recommendations of the ILO Commission of 2009 – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear] – Paragraph 589 highlights that Zimbabwe committed offences in terms of violating workers’ rights through interference, which is also against Convention 87, which deals with freedom of association, assembly and the right to collective bargaining.
Hon. Speaker, I would want to believe that the Minister always consults and refers back to the ILO recommendations to see which point we are on because they were about 15 or 11, I cannot remember. However, I want to believe that we actually need to clean up the mess so that we are a clean country in terms of implementation and processes of our laws. Once they are in a tripartite nature and inclusive, no one will doubt the product that will come out of that. I think Government interference in trade unions was one key factor that was highlighted in the ILO Commission of Inquiry in 2009. That was actually interfering with the business of the trade unions. I want to believe that the Minister would want to leave a record in terms of legacy on whether she would have done the best during her tenure. I thank you hon. Speaker – [HON.
MEMBER: Hear, hear] –
- SPEAKER: Order, order! Because there is so much interest in the debate, I have allowed the Chairperson and the Deputy unlimited time. In terms of Standing Order No. 52, I shall now limit time for debate to six minutes.
- NDUNA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I will try and run down quickly. If it went by me, I applaud them and they would read as follows: No employer according to Section 12(4a), shall terminate employment on notice. Mr. Speaker Sir, it would only encompass two entities. The second one would: As provided for, employees whose employment was terminated on the 17th of July shall be entitled to one month salary for the two- years served. As alluded to by our Chairperson of the Labour Committee, I would also ask that, that be reviewed upward to read; one month pay for every year served Mr. Speaker Sir – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear] – so that we will not be taken to court for damages.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I also propose that a period for which the affected employers could pay the affected employees be set at a minimum of six months so that the employees, after not having received their retrenchment packages do not seek litigation to cite unfair dismissal.
I want to touch on the issues to do with corporate governance or accountability as regards the issue to do with Workers’ Council and Workers Unions. This is applauded and I think it is a self auditing system that the Minister has incorporated. I also want to add my voice on that particular point to say there are innocent unsuspecting members of the public who are not members of these Workers’ Unions that charged 35% in subscriptions and if these entities are not audited, we are shooting ourselves in the foot as representatives of the masses.
On the same note, I want to say that the process of aligning the
Labour Act with the new Constitution has started. Mr. Speaker Sir, in 2005 the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) was going through challenging times. However, because of mitigatory factors and issues that they put together in order to turnaround the entity - they actually declared a dividend in 2007, after turning around the entity, by 2006 they were now down to 40 days in backlog of salary instead of 12 months wage bill backlog. So, after having had this judgment, NRZ which is on a turnaround path has on its own also retrenched 498 employees. I think they are just trying to go with the tide. They have got an opportunity to turn around their department using the Chrome ore that is now being exported – if we move the Chrome ore through NRZ alone, making it the sole transporter for the 30 million tonnes.
Mr. Speaker Sir, CMED, Air Zimbabwe, ZINARA, ZBC and in particular I want to touch on other companies that we hear have been protected for a long time; that are listed on the London Stock Exchange and are linked to INNSCOR, Meikles and are using our mineral wealth in order to be listed on the London Stock Exchange but are now utilising that leverage and power to dis-enfranchise the workers, our masses. This should be condemned wholeheartedly. So I want to say in the same vein we want Government to be proactive in the future after the enactment and the amendment of this law. There should be a social plan put in place after we have enacted this law and these amendments. Government should be proactive Mr. Speaker Sir, in terms of re-deployment and retraining of employees in the future who are going to be retrenched in order to prepare them for future employment or to prepare them to be employers in the future.
Mr. Speaker Sir, this immediate reaction of the employers has caused unnecessary suffering in terms of the ability of former employees to pay for accommodation, school fees. Also in terms of the urban to rural migration, you will find that a lot of the workers that have been retrenched are tracking back to the rural areas. It is not right Mr. Speaker Sir, and if we do not resist this we are shooting ourselves in the foot. We should go back -[AN. HON. MEMBER: Time up]- to the tripartite negotiating forum after realizing that if we do not go into convergence with labour, with the Government and with the employees, we will have such occurrences in the future. I thank you Mr. Speaker. – [HON.
MEMBERS: Hear, hear]-
- CHIDAVAENZI: Thank you Mr. Speaker. Thank you very
much for allowing me to contribute to this landmark birth. I want to thank His Excellency the President of Zimbabwe Cde. R.G. Mugabe for, clearly and boldly stating that the law must serve the people and not the people to serve the law. – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.]-
The people are supreme and as they are the makers of the law, so is social justice. I concur and Zimbabweans concur with the President’s statesmanship and leadership. Mr. Speaker Sir, it is an obvious testimony and demonstration that we have a Government freely and wisely elected and constituted to serve the people of Zimbabwe. I would also want to thank the Supreme Court Bench and everyone involved or implicated in the Zuva case because without them, the snake under the bed would have remained unnoticed and unexposed. However, my greatest shock Mr. Speaker Sir, emanates from the silence and passive attitude demonstrated towards this matter by the so called Labour Movements. I must publicly register this astonishment. I am sure they have a hidden agenda to use this as a campaign tool during the forth- coming 2018 General Elections. This is cheap, senseless and insensitive and I am sorry it has died a still birth - yafa yaka loader. Only the opposite works: serve the people and they will vote for you.
On the Bill, I hereby seek your attention to the detail on Section
18, Transitional Provision. It must be applied effectively and wholesomely to all affected employees whose services were terminated on a three month notice as from February 2015. This is the reason why we are all here. It is very clear that the Government has set its foot and demonstrated that it is Government for the people and by the people. I thank you Hon. Speaker Sir.
- SPEAKER: Hon. Chifamba, I am being guided here by the list from the Whips, he is not here.
- KHUPE: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir. As I stand before this House today my heart is bleeding. My heart is bleeding because we are sitting here today to talk about firing of workers instead of us to be talking about hiring of workers. – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.]- From the onset I would like to put it on record that as the MDC, we do not support the Supreme Court Judgment of the 17th July 2015. We do not support the common law right to terminate employment on notice. We do not support the powers being given to the Minister to interfere with the running of trade unions and employment councils. We do not support the powers being given to the Minister to interfere with collective bargaining outcomes. I know that these issues are going to be debated extensively but I just wanted to put this on record.
Mr. Speaker Sir, this Bill does not comply with the Constitution.
Section 65 of the Constitution on Labour Rights clearly states that
‘Every person has the right to fair and safe labour practices and standards and to be paid a fair and reasonable wage’. Except for members of the security services, every person has the right to form and join Trade Unions and Employee or Employers organisations of their choice and to participate in the lawful activities of those unions and organisations. Except for members of the security services, every employee has the right to participate in collective job action, including the right to strike, sit-in, withdraw their labour and to take other similar concerted actions. Every employee is entitled to just, equitable and satisfactory conditions of work. Except for members of the security services, every employee, trade union and employee or employers’ organisations has the right to engage in collective bargaining, to organise and to form and join federations of such unions and organisations.
Women and men have a right to equal remuneration for similar work. Women employees have the right to fully paid maternity leave for a period of at least three months. Mr. Speaker Sir, this Bill does not speak to these issues.
According to the 2014 Labour Force Survey by ZIMSTAT, 94.5% of all jobs are informal in Zimbabwe. I am saying this because it is important that we start talking about real issues here. The real issues that we are supposed to be talking about are production and productivity. That is the only way we are going to be able to recover our economy – HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear] – As Parliament we are supposed to be discussing about growing the cake. The sad reality, however, is that instead of us talking about the growing the cake, we are talking about firing of workers. This Bill is there to reduce the remaining 5.5% formal jobs.
As I said earlier on, our major focus should be building the economy so that there is competitiveness and sustainability in this economy – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear] – By so doing we will be able to create jobs. Right now, youths who complete their education have no job opportunities. They complete their education but cannot find a job anywhere. This is not healthy for youths, this is not healthy for us as Parliament and for the nation. The formal sector is shrinking day by day Mr. Speaker Sir.
In 2004, the same Labour Force Survey indicated that 80% of all jobs are informal. In 2011, the survey again said, 84% of all jobs were informal. Now, the same survey is saying 94.5%. The formal sector is dying every day. We have now created the informal sector. Zimbabwe is highly informalised right now and informalisation does not facilitate capital accumulation. There is no ways the informal sector can operate without the formal sector. Hence, I am saying let us talk about real issues here.
Mr. Speaker Sir, with urban poverty, fired workers are not going to be able to sustain a living. They will not be able to pay their rentals, electricity and water bills. They will not be able to pay school fees for their children, health etcetera. When we talk about development, it is the ability of a country to satisfy the people’s needs using its own resources. The needs are food, shelter, health, education and clean water amongst others. In order for people to have all these needs, they need jobs. As the MDC, this is why I said we do not support the judgement by the Supreme Court. Right now we are saying all those fired workers must be reinstated – HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear] – Failure of which they must be adequately compensated and not this two weeks’ salary in a year or whatever.
This is serious insult to workers. As MDC we are calling for dialogue. We want Government, labour and business people to sit down and come up with a social contact because partners have been complaining that their inputs were not included in this Bill. After consultations, they are complaining that if they look at this Bill, none of the issues they raised are included in this Bill. This Bill has nothing for the workers. The Bill does not taken into consideration the ILO requirements. There is no alignment of the Bill to the Constitution.
In conclusion, let us not deal with the symptoms. Let us deal with the root cause of these problems – HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear] – Let us stop patching the trousers. Let us come up with new trousers. Let us create job opportunities for our youths. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – As MDC we are not in support of the judgement by the Supreme Court. We are saying let all the workers who were fired be reinstated, failure of which they must be compensated adequately. I thank you.
*MR. CHINOTIMBA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I would like to start by thanking His Excellency the President, who refused to be used by people who were saying that the President has no powers to change the law. That is when I realised that we had a real President of the country – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – There are some people who do not believe that our President is knowledgeable. They are always complaining. But now they have realised that we have a President because he said that the Bill should be brought to Parliament for debate, which is why we are here. So, I would like to thank the President for a job well done. Please do not subtract my time; I am just thanking the President.
I do not have much to say. I would only want to zero- in on where I want the Bill to be amended in line with the conditions of workers. If ….
THE MINISTEROF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES AND CO-OPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT (MRS. NYONI): On a
point of order. There is an hon. member who is eating in Parliament.
She is eating in Parliament and that is unparliamentary – [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] –
- SPEAKER: Order, order if an hon. member has to chew something because of medical reasons, we have cases of diabetes. The hon. member can quietly sneak out and go and do the chewing outside.
*MR. CHINOTIMBA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I wanted to say
when the drafters were drafting this Bill; if you look at Clause 17, concerning statutory benefits on termination of employment, to all employees directly or indirectly – [Laughter]- which means that there are people….
*MR. SPEAKER: Hon. members, English is our second language, I think Hon. Chinotimba has really tried.
*MR. CHINOTIMBA: Mr. Speaker, I once said in this House
that all the laws should be written in Shona to cater for people in the rural areas. If it is in English, people who think that they are educated will laugh at us yet they are stealing from us. If you look at that clause, the way it has been defined here, if you go to the end of the amendment which reads, “Section 12 of this Act applies to every employee whose services were terminated on three months’ notice on or after the 17th July, 2015”. So, what I am saying is that the Minister was not aware that employees’ services were terminated in February. Like I said earlier, Meikles terminated 500 work permits and judges used the same judgement which was done on the 17th July, 2015. Mr. Speaker, this should apply from February because we 500 employees lost their jobs and went with nothing. I have the paper work here. The paper I am holding now is of a Meikles worker who had worked for 17 years and went with nothing. I think the judge saw what Meikles did and that is exactly what the judge did. So, what I am saying is that the drafters should go back to as far as February on this clause. The judge should also incorporate all workers who were affected.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I am just looking at clauses which I want to be amended. If you look at Section 12 (c) of Chapter 28:01, the principal Act is amended by the repeal of Section 12(c) and the substitution of the following sections; Mr. Speaker, 4 (a) and 4(b) are in conflict. They are contradicting each other. So, we do not know which is which now. That clause should be amended. I am happy that the person who is responsible for the welfare of the workers is here. It does not mean anything because he is contradicting himself.
Mr. Speaker, as workers leaders, we do not agree with that. It should be clear. Also, contract workers were left out. This is only referring to the permanent workers but contract workers were left out.
Where do contract workers come in? It has to be clear.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I also do not agree with the Committee on two months’ salary. Surely Mr. Speaker, at 42 years a person is sent home because the employer is now afraid of paying because that person is reaching retirement. If you add 28 years to 42 years, it now becomes 70 years, so that person is due for retirement. Suppose someone starts work at 42 years, that person is due for retirement. So, they calculated that they will pay more, so they will just dismiss people and give them two months’ salary. I think this should be relooked, that if someone reaches 42 years at work, that person should just finish well but two months is nothing for our workers. This is like a mockery to the workers. I think they should do the calculations looking at 85% of the salary.
Mr. Speaker, for example if we take Harare City Council, those who work at the sewages, for them to be given two months’ salary, it is not fair, already they would have been affected health-wise.
- SPEAKER: Order, order, your time is up. Thank you.
- MUDEREDZWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, for giving
me this opportunity to contribute to this important debate. First and foremost, I want to thank the Minister and the Executive for responding timeously to an event that has caused a lot of suffering to the workers. Mr. Speaker Sir, laws are made, amended or repealed. That process is common, this is what is happening.
Of course there are issues that are being raised by the opposition party to say we should be talking of hiring instead of dismissing people but the situation that we are in is a situation whereby we are trying to solve the problem. The interpretation of the law only comes when the courts read what the law is made out of. This is what happened and the Government is responding to a happening that was adverse to the workers. Mr. Speaker Sir, I had little time to go through this Bill but I have realised that it is well couched. The employers are not being driven to the wall. They are given leeway to be flexible. It is either you are going to retrench or you are going to ensure that you reduce the wage bill or you are going to do something around the work place such that the worker and the employer are all happy.
I want to raise the issue of the psychological contract that should exist between the worker and the employer. When a worker joins an organisation, the perception is that the worker is going to serve his or her working time with that organisation. We have received evidence in the august House of workers who have been employed for more than 40 years, serving one company and after that, they are just given a pittance and dismissed, it is unfair.
Mr. Speaker Sir, the psychological contract also relates to a situation whereby workers give most of their energy to the employer and the company will be growing. Right now as we speak, the companies that are retrenching, most of them are companies that are prospering. If they were closing shop we would say the employer is stranded but they are retrenching instead of closing shop. It shows that there is progress or prosperity within those companies - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – Yes, I want to say so because some of the issues that are being raised to say all the companies started in 2009 when we started to dollarize are not true. Some of the companies were buying assets and it is out of those assets that they should also recognise the workers.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I know that management in the respective companies are saying the best way of cutting costs is to retrench or dismiss, it is not true. There is also a leeway for employers to reduce their salaries and benefits so that they can also move at par with the workers. In my view, this Bill is noble. It was well timed although late but I am convinced that the Minister is going to ensure that there is a redress of what happened unfortunately, in the past. I am strongly behind this Bill and am urging the House to support this Bill. – [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – I thank you.
- SPEAKER: Hon. members, if there is very little you may add to the debate, do not be tempted to be irrelevant or being tempted to repetition. Can we have fresh thinking on the Bill? Otherwise, the Chair will be forced to ask a member to sit down if you repeat yourself, in terms of Section 106 of our Standing Orders.
- CHIMANIKIRE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I want to add my voice to those who have debated before me. Having the experience of being in the trade union movement as a leader for 17 years; I was a secretary general of the union, I never imagined that I would actually witness genocide being perpetrated against workers in this country. -
[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
Mr. Speaker Sir, when one looks very closely at the causes of what has occurred now, one would notice that there were omissions – who was responsible for the omissions? Yes, I take cognisance of the fact that we had to be urgently summoned to come before Parliament in order to debate this issue but was it necessary to follow that route or we should have properly put our laws into place and made sure that all statutory instruments were being read, observed and understood by those in the office?
I want to go to the exact points that I wish to advise or suggest to the Minister to be followed. One, when you are looking at retrenchment packages, you first of all have to look at severance packages. In other words, formulate what you look at as a package. A severance package will be six months’ salary then followed by the two weeks or one - two month salary per each year of service. It cannot just be two weeks of salary for each year of service. There has to be a lump sum and at the same time, other benefits like medical aid payment for a year after one has terminated their services with the company that has to be taken into consideration.
From there, we have to look at also the issue of transportation. If you are coming from Harare and you live in Zvimba for example, you need bus fare and a lorry to carry your goods to go there because you no longer have a monthly income that supports one’s needs. Mr. Speaker Sir, the other issue that we have to look at is the issue of ensuring that you cannot have an exemption clause in this Bill when actually that company has not filed for insolvency. Why are we trying to say he is a very sick person and that person has not even gone to hospital because they are not sick? We cannot start having tsiye nyoro for a company that has not gone before the law to prove that it is insolvent or it is getting broke. I believe that the law must actually be observed and we must make sure that we do not put exemptions.
The Vice President of my party MDC-T, in her presentation, looked at areas where there are violations of the Constitution, violations in terms of the powers that the Minister is asking this House to endorse. You cannot suspend an elected executive of a trade union in order to replace it with an administrator - no ways, because the Constitution provides in Section 65 that you have freedom of association and freedom to organise. I would like to quote you Mr. Speaker, when you called us for a seminar in the Senate Chamber; you said as legislators, we are there to defend the Constitution. That is exactly what I am trying to say right now, to defend the Constitution.
The Minister cannot be empowered to, when the Constitution says you have a right to form a trade union, to elect your leadership, right to collective bargaining, then the Minister comes in to say in the interest of the public, you cannot have your 50% salary increase, what is that? We are no longer defending the Constitution if we allow this to go through in this Bill. If the Minister is empowered to suspend the executive of a trade union. We are no longer being lawful as legislators if we allow this Bill to go through with that type of content. - [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –
The other issue that I would like to touch on is, we cannot allow an unconstitutional amendment. There has been an inference both in the public newspapers including The Herald, that employers are to complying with the pronouncements made by the President during the Defence Forces Day so that we can attract foreign investors. Mr. Speaker Sir, I wish for my olden days when I would call for strikes that would last for fourteen days, because you cannot tell me that while there is no investor who is coming in to invest you want to fire me because you want to attract the investor to come into my country. How do you have children when you have divorced? You cannot have children with your wife when you are divorced your wife. - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]- You should be talking about talking about reality Mr. Speaker, I cannot because my wife says we can have twins after she has left my house. This is what some of the employers are suggesting in this country and it is pathetic. So Mr. Speaker, I would like to urge the Minister that in coming up with this Bill, to also remember that the President in his speech when he came to the opening of this current session which has just been added an extra day, indicated that he would want to see the alignment of laws with the new Constitution to which I was also a scribe.
So, in coming up with this Bill, let us not forget that in the background of what we are doing, there is that requirement which the President has insisted upon. Let us not just pay lip service to that. We should ensure that we do not add certain clauses here that we will have to edit when it comes to the actual alignment of the laws with what we actually have as the constitutional provisions.
Mr. Speaker Sir, when we look at it, there are certain areas that have been omitted in making some of these amendments. However, we would like to urge the Minister to avoid interference in the running of labour. We should maintain the independence of labour and at the same time, we should ensure that the final benefits that go to the workers when they are retrenched is that they should be able to be equitably and fairly rewarded for the services that they would have rendered. We are not looking at this Bill as individuals but as breadwinners who have trailers of people behind them. So, let us not look at one person but maybe at ten, fifteen or twenty people. I thank you Mr. Speaker.
- MLILO: Thank you Mr. Speaker for according me this opportunity to air my voice and my views on the proposed amendments of this Bill. I would like to take this opportunity to thank and salute the fellow Minister for her swiftness to the plight of the workers. One month for every year served equivalence to a salary as the minimum retrenchment package to be agreed upon by the Works Council or the
NEC and sanctioned by the Retrenchment Board … -[HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-
- SPEAKER: Order, order. Hon. member, did you say fellow
Minister? If you did, withdraw that.
- MLILO: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, I will withdraw my earlier statement, that was a slip of the tongue. The intended statement was, I would like to thank my fellow parliamentarian, the hon. Minister for her swiftness in responding to the plight of the workers during such a time of madness. I would also like to thank His Excellency the President, Cde. Robert Gabriel Mugabe and the Politburo of ZANU PF for their swiftness in responding to this plight of workers which therefore, led him to recalling Parliamentarians to come and debate on this Bill. Hopefully, to get a willing formula as well for the proposed amendments.
However, I would like to point out some grey areas and some more technical areas with regards to the proposed amendments. The first one being the one month for every year served equivalence of salary as the minimum retrenchment package to be agreed upon by the Works Council or the NEC and sanctioned by the Retrenchment Board seems to take the view that this only covers NEC level employees but does not cover managerial employees. The Act needs to address this level of employees in order not to create grey areas in the provisions. This needs to be explicit.
The second one is the issue of fixed term contracts which have been rolled over a certain number of times becoming employees whose contracts are without limit of time by default when contracts have been renewed a certain number of times, being left to any season where council has to decide, creates a problem.
- CHIBAYA: On a point of order Mr. Speaker. It is not the hon. member’s first time to speak in this august House. That is not his maiden speech. So, he is not allowed to read. I thank you Mr. Speaker -
[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-
- SPEAKER: Order, order! May the hon. member please refer to the notes and speak to the Chair.
- MLILO: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I brought these notes because I wanted to have a point of reference. The third point that I would like to be addressed is the relevant practitioners of this Act are normally the human resources managers that are hired by companies.
So, with this in mind, there is need for the creation of a law, a chartered human resources practitioner whose advice should be recognised at law, for companies and should it be incorrect there should be accompanying sanctions to this as has happened with other professions. The other professions that I would obviously like to take notes from are the
Chartered Institute of Accountants, ZIMA and Lawyers’ associations.
They are strict and they maintain a vigilant attitude to malpractice. So, if we are to effectively have human resources chartered practioners, this would lead to a situation where our employees are protected because these human resources practitioners will therefore advise management accordingly. Even though that management does not take heed of the advice, this would create problems with management as management or owners of the businesses will face sanctions. Then law provisions for exemptions is made where contracts or a company cannot afford to pay retrenchment packages. Before exemption is granted to protect the employee, consideration should be made for a payment plan.
Last but not least, there is a need to pre-define what continuous employment is, especially for those over-contracts which will eventually make the employee one with a contract without limit of time by default. When renewed several times, this is necessary where we now need to retrench the employee. Do you just consider the last contract signed or do you consider the current contract signed?
Then, Section 93 of the Bill must not allow the labour officer or the designated agent to be both the judge and prosecutor in matters as this is capable of breeding corruption. The Act should allow the complainant to make submissions to the Labour Court or High Court themselves. I would like to thank you Mr. Speaker.
- KEREKE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, because of time, we need to be brief, so I lay on the table a full text of my contributions. I want to first contribute by indicating that in any country, socio economic and even a political stability can only be guaranteed if society perceives existence of reasonable fairness in the distribution of national incomes and the means of production across the different social classes.
Generalized perceptions that one class of society is unfairly treated and much worse, is being exploited, typically breed and feed conditions for socio-political tensions that can spin out of control if not addressed swiftly.
Zimbabwe is a country that was born out of a spirited armed resistance against colonial subjugation, which in turn was underpinned by abusive laws meant to suppress and oppress the majority indigenous African people. Our preoccupation with on-going sub-struggles for total economic independence, sovereignty on the global geopolitical scene and convergence in respect of key developmental ideals such as the
United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) has, however, diverted the country’s attention away from riding ourselves of residual remnants of colonial laws that are against our aspirations as a people.
It is reality that several statutory provisions, most of which are from the colonial era, and some from our young independent past are at variance with the letter and spirit of Zimbabwe’s new Constitution. The wide-spread job-losses that have been triggered by the 17th of July, 2015 Supreme Court ruling are just but a tip of the iceberg on the legislative reforms the country has to undergo for the preservation of good order and universal constitutionalism in our nation. Government, through Parliament, must therefore, without further delays, institute deliberate cleansing processes to weed out statutory aberrations in our laws. Doing otherwise would be to foster accidents in waiting that would come to hurt our cohesive existence as a people.
The Need for Composure, Due Process and Far-sightedness
There is need for Parliament to carefully avoid the risk of reviewing the Labour Amendment Bill, 2015 with a preconceived mindset of blind affirmation, whipped by current emotions, albeit justifiable, to stop the job losses but without due considerations on the long-term implications of the suggested reforms. It is my considered view that Parliament carefully goes through the Labour Amendment Bill, 2015 with a steady mind-set that sees beyond the current compulsions to finding a quick-fix solution to the on-going job-losses.
Long-term peace and stability of the country very much depends on the progressiveness of the tripartite relations between and among labour (workers), Government and employers. This tripartite symbiosis forms the bedrock of any society’s peace and social well-being index. The Labour Amendment Bill, 2015 has the following areas of concern which Parliament should resolve to amend:
- a) The presumptive contemplation in the Bill that an application by an employer to retrench without paying packages on the allegation of inability to pay be deemed as approved if not responded to within 14 days is a clear biased enclave for potential abuse of workers. The right of workers will be better protected in a fair manner if the law explicitly makes it a requirement that all necessary due processes be done and an explicit response to the employer’s application be tendered within the stipulated timeframe. Workers cannot be subjected to potential ejection from employment without compensation in events where obtuse inefficiencies on the part of the adjudicators lead to no responses in the
14 days (Section 5(3) in the Bill).
- b) Section 5 (2) of the Bill effectively sets the floor package at two
weeks’ salary for every year worked (one month’s salary for every
two years worked). This level is a harsh threshold against the welfare of workers. It appears this level has been set under emotional persuasion from Zimbabwe’s current stringent liquidity constraints but without due regard to the absurdity of the minimalist provision when the economy’s transitory setbacks are overcome. Laws must be set for perpetual application well into the future beyond the sway of monetary transitory realities. The sting in this proposition does, in fact, intrinsically plant undesirable conflict between and among workers, Government and employers. If not corrected, this very clause has the capacity to ignite hectic states of perpetual protestations by labour as they seek to secure and ring-fence their eroded interests.
Government must create the institutional framework that safeguards society’s interests at the individual/household level. The toil (both physical and mental effort) which workers devote in the productive matrix of society has undeniable annuity factors into the country’s investment capacity. That is, current productive efforts by workers in a given job directly contribute towards that company/entity’s and the country’s future growth and investment potential. Stated differently, there is a positive hysteresis factor; a positive self-propelling multiplier factor arising from each current productive effort by labour which forms the basis and reason for consideration of one’s length of service when determining severance packages. Under these considerations, engraving two weeks pay for each year worked into our laws would be an unacceptable diminution of the pivotal role labour plays in the wealth-creation process for our nation.
It must be noted that most companies do fail as a result of successive extractive dividend policies by their directors which only benefit shareholders at the expense of the inter-temporal sustainability of the productive entity into the future. The end result of such extractive dividend policies is that companies are left shaky, with slim prospects of robust future growth, leading to current labour levels becoming unsustainable. Companies that have a culture of building organic
internal reserves have capacity to withstand headwinds that may arise from market-wide systematic risks.
It is for this reason that in adjudicating any waivers on payment of packages the law must prescribe that considerations be done on an employer’s history on dividend policy; variety of assets on the balance sheet, and key decisions by the employer (in the case of Government as the employer) falling outside the control of workers. There must be a shared burden of responsibility between workers and the employer.
Positives in the Bill
The Bill’s transitional provision that this contemplated law be retrospectively effective from 17th July, 2015 is very welcome. The Bill also outlaws child labour by elevating the age cluster of labour from thirteen (13) years to sixteen (16) years.
The last point is to do with constitutionality of the provisions we legislate. Certainly, the issues around the validity of freedom of association and trade unionism that are embedded in our Constitution, we need to fine tune the Bill to ensure that there is consistency. Equally important, the gender issues within the Constitution, do we save money by saying women on maternity leave should not be paid. In my view, that will not be constitutional because it is a constitutional right to have freedom to form the family unit. Therefore, we need to just ensure that our laws are consistent with the constitutional provisions. Thank you.
*MR. CHIBAYA: Thank you Mr. Speaker, for according me this opportunity to add my voice. I want to touch on an issue which has not been touched in this House. Mr. Speaker, this Bill is not clear about the worker whose employment has been terminated not according to the law. A worker who has been dismissed unlawfully from work, what damages are they entitled to?
Secondly, looking at our workers in this country for those who would have worked for many years, then all of a sudden their contracts are terminated and given two weeks salaries per year. What we are saying as a nation is that we no longer want workers. A worker who will have worked for such a long time and is only entitled to two weeks salary per year, it is very unfair and that’s labour market flexibility and is anti-worker.
Many people will be nearing the age of retirement then they are given those meagre benefits. I do not think it is fair. I plead through you Mr. Speaker that our Minister looks through the report of the
Committee, that they should take it seriously and that the worker should be entitled to one month’s salary per year. If they can support that, it is okay and is now between the employee and the employer, but as our Minister, I think you should amend the law so that those who are chased away from employment should get at least one month’s salary for every
year worked.
I know as our Minister who listens very attentively, showing signs of listening to what we are saying. Madam Speaker, – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – Sorry, Mr. Speaker. I was focusing on the Minister, so am really sorry, please forgive me. Minister, if you can help us that all our labour laws should be aligned to the Constitution which we are using right now. I do not see us facing the same challenges as we are facing right now.
In conclusion, I would want to say to our Minister, if we can leave those trade unions to do their work and watch from a distance without interfering with the work of the trade unionist, I think we will have done our work very well. Let me say that when we leave this House without rectifying the Bill, I think we will be in trouble with the people that we represent. So we should all unite so that the worker is given a reasonable package because if we leave this room within two weeks, I think we will be in trouble.
I would like to thank our President, Cde R.G. Mugabe for handing over the Chairmanship of the SADC to Khama. I thought he was going
to refuse.
- SPEAKER: Order, the final comment made by Hon. Chibaya is derogatory of the Head of State and the Standing Orders are very clear on that one. As a long serving Member of Parliament, you are aware that the Chairmanship of SADC or AU is rotational upon expiry
of one year, so there is no question there of someone sticking to a position. I ask you to withdraw that statement.
*MR. CHIBAYA: Thank you Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my statement.
- MGUNI: Mr. Speaker Sir, the leaders that always care for the people – that generation is fading slowly and going away. I therefore thank the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe who called us in today with the people in mind. He has the people in his mind, so let us applaud him.
If we look at this Bill on Number 5, it says “any employer who wishes to retrench one or more employees is to give a written notice of his or her intention to the Works Council”. I heard Hon. Khupe mentioning that the Bill must allow freedom on the workers and the councils of which this Bill complies with, because it stimulates talks between the Works’ Council and the employer to come to an agreement before any third party comes in. Although the Minister mentioned the tripartite alliance, the Minister is the rightful representative of Government to make the tripartite alliance and Parliament, because the Minister is an MP also. So, she must go there representing the laws as a legislator and representing the Government. Therefore this Bill is flexible to the two negotiators, the employer and the employee. I really plead with the people who did not notice this to take note of that.
We also note that Hon. Khupe rightfully said we need to deal with the causes and not the symptoms but the causes of all these things are sanctions. Therefore, we need to deal with these sanctions that are suppressing every company to function properly in Zimbabwe. That is where we have to start from before we go to any other matter. Yes, the Bill may not have covered all our expectations but as a fundamental document that wants to rectify the problem that has risen just recently, it is adequate enough for us to approve this Bill and then we follow the rules of amending as we go on, because we have to protect the workers that have lost their jobs. I want to thank you Sir.
*MR. TARUSENGA: I only have one point that I want to talk about. Our problem began when we opened the Second Session of Parliament, when we had the issue of the Export Processing Zones being introduced into our economy. This issue goes hand in hand with the issue of employees who do not enjoy their rights fully. What I would want to say is how it affects our nation. If we follow that route, our nation loses a lot, but our Bill right now is trying to fix the problems that have arisen and maintaining the things that are there. The people who were dismissed will not get much money but what happens is that our Government will lose a lot from such kind of attitude and behaviour. About 25,000 workers lost their jobs. They are the ones who used to bring revenue to the Government at 22.5% that we get from workers as pay as you earn, that means that the US$246 minimum salary that came up as per the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe salary survey. As you know 20% is contributed towards pay as you earn, the Government loses a lot of money, of approximately US$1.2 million. In my constituency, as an example, there is only one clinic. So by allocating US$100 000 per clinic about 12 clinics could be built in my constituency.
Another problem that I want to talk about concerns disposable incomes from these 25 000 people who were dismissed from their jobs. That is considering that after statutory deductions the employee would take home US$180, then the value added tax at 60%, the Government would realize has revenue would amount to US$4.5m. That means value added at US$4.5m would result into US$675 000.
Therefore, I was saying to myself if this money could be used in my constituency to people with children on BEAM at US$30 per month for each child that means this money could be used to pay fees for 22 500 children per term. However, this is impossible if we legislate laws that make our Government lose so much money. I would like to thank the Speaker for allowing me to make this contribution that speaks on the effects of not growing the cake. This is all I wanted to prove to the people that such moves could make our Government lose a lot of money.
MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: Thank you very much
Mr. Speaker Sir. Like everybody else, let me just be short and to the point. Mr. Speaker, this particular Bill that we are talking about is about justice and fairness and I think everybody agrees with that in terms of the principle of what we are discussing. My only problem with it and I know that the hon. Minister is a Christian, so I am not going to go through the entire document that I had written here for her, but I am going to give it to her so that she can go and read.
When we go to Proverbs 12:18, it speaks about the words that we give, that they either can break or they can heal. What I find missing hon. Minister and with due respect, that even as we are talking about the 20 000 to 25 000 of these workers that have been fired, the majority of those are actually our Government workers. Hon. Minister, you are sitting here and you yourself are the Minister of Media, Information and Broadcasting Services. It is ZBC that has fired these workers, so what is it that is happening between us as Government? How do we as
Government inflict a particular pain…
- SPEAKER: Order, order. Will the hon. member address the
Chair.
MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: I am sorry Mr.
Speaker. I usually forget to look at your eyes. It is Government that has the largest number of those workers and the reason why I am raising this is in connection with the exemption clause. Why the exemption clause is problematic is, for example, if you look at ZBC, NRZ and all these parastatals, if you were to audit them they would declare losses. So for example, a person from NRZ will go with this exemption clause and basically say what do you want me to sell - the train wagons that are by
NRZ?
So it means that even though we have included and we seem to have dealt with the workers, we really have not dealt with the fundamental issues, which is why Hon. Khupe’s point is critical in that whilst we can spend a lot of time debating this particular Bill and talking to these issues, this is not the issue. The issue is the economy. We can and I will repeat what I said earlier on Mr. Speaker, we can do whatever we do now so that we can have a good feeling and it is okay. We can walk out there and can be seen as the people who are standing for the workers, but if we do not deal with the fundamental issues, it is a problem.
If I go back to Proverbs 12:18 that I gave to the hon. Minister, I would have thought that in her remarks as she was starting, the first thing would have been to apologise, to say I am sorry. We are sorry that it took us 35 years to get where we are today. We are sorry that as a Government, we are the ones that are inflicting a lot of pain on the workers. We are sorry that we have not done enough as far as the TNF is concerned because this would have been a consultative process and we would have been far off better than what we are today. That we spend a whole day debating why and where and changing provisions and things like that, is as a result of that we were caught napping. We were caught napping on the job and we need to start taking responsibility. The one mark of leadership is to take responsibility. In asking Government to take responsibility, I too am taking responsibility. I am taking responsibility that I sat as a Cabinet Minister from 2009 to 2013 and at that particular point in time, we may have said it but we did not address it. So all of us should take responsibility, but the first point is to say I am sorry Mr. Speaker but I did not hear it being said.
Mr. Speaker, in conclusion again, Hon. Khupe picked on it. The companies that we are talking about are minimal. The companies we are talking about are a very small percentage, so we are hiding behind the skirts of a few companies instead of addressing the fundamental issues. So even if we address this and I can assure you hon. Speaker ; if the Lord gives us the grace to be alive, we are going to sit here and we are going to see a real reeling of an economy. We are going to see a complete stopping of this economy. Yes it is bad, but we have not seen the worst because we refuse to deal with what the issues are. Hon. Mashakada brought to this House an issue around the economy. When we were raising it in this very House no one wanted to listen. In fact, people wanted to shoot down that particular issue, but it was the one addressing the fundamental issues. Today, we should not be sitting here and having this particular conversation; we should have dealt with it a long time ago.
Just a few issues of clarification hon. Minister; perhaps you could indicate in your response, issues to do with accessibility and affordability to justice because I am concerned that we are still going to have court challenges and I am concerned that if we have not dealt with the issue when it goes to the labour court, employees will not afford to have a lawyer. So, we will still have employers with top notch lawyers who will be able to argue their cases. So perhaps, that issue would be important to raise. What is it that we can do? I do not know, but I am asking her where it goes.
The second issue is the practicability of what we are doing today.
Let us assume the President ascends to this Bill on Thursday and on a Friday, it is law. What does it mean for the 20 000 to 25 000? Do they merely walk back into these companies and say, “hallo I am Priscilla I am back”. These people made the law and they will sit. Mr. Speaker, if it is okay and that is what is going to happen, I will applaud this House because we would have done a historic issue and I would love to see them going back to NRZ and ZBC, sitting there and no one raising an issue. Mr. Speaker I do not know about Choppies, I have never been to
Choppies and I cannot speak on behalf of Choppies – [Laughter] – [MR
MPHOKO: No! Choppies did not fire anyone]-
- SHAMU: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, for providing me this opportunity to contribute to this debate and in that vein, congratulates the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Services for having ably steered this Amendment Bill through this House. Let me take this opportunity of expressing our profound gratitude to His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Commander-in-Chief of the
Zimbabwe Defence Forces and also the First Secretary of the Party,
ZANU PF and its President and in that vein …
- SPEAKER: Order! There is nothing wrong with whispering to your neighbour. Please can the hon. member be heard in silence? The hon. member in a red tie, I cannot recognise your name properly, please also observe the rules.
- SHAMU: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, before I was interrupted, I was saying in that vein, I would also like to thank the Central Committee of ZANU PF. I would also want to thank the Politburo of the party and also the National Consultative Assembly which met two weeks ago to debate on issues concerning this country and especially focusing on the issue of the workers in Zimbabwe. ZANU PF gave direction to us all on what needed to be done. I would like to pursue an ideological angle with regards to what His Excellency espouses. He speaks of us being called upon always to speak the truth, the truth based on facts and those facts giving birth to realities.
I want to say Mr. Speaker Sir, through this Bill, the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Services and indeed some of the colleagues who have spoken before me have endorsed that vein of thought through which we shall see born out of this Bill, measures that will help to make sure that this country overcomes the economic difficulties that we are facing today. I say so because when you talk of labour, you are not only talking of the social aspects of life but you are also talking about the economy. Our economic recovery can really be achieve through upholding common objectives, there is need for unity of purpose. Sound economic needs to be underpinned on sound political decisions. This decision that has been taken not only by ZANU PF as a party, but through its Government, Cabinet and its Cabinet Minister, is living testimony of the truth of that vein of thought. I believe that in this manner, we see a future full of success, greatness for Zimbabwe and indeed an opportunity for us to be able to exploit our human and natural resources, God-given as they are for the benefit of our country.
Recently, we had the Chinese National Development Reform Commission in Zimbabwe and among other issues discussed about, you could see a vision of massive job opportunities in this country. This is where Zimbabwe is headed to in a few months from now. Why do I say so? They spoke of development in the dualisation of major roads, rehabilitation of national railways, water and energy. Those are all job creating projects. It is not all gloomy. In fact, what it speaks to is a vision that we have all shared and is now being seen to be a living reality that our economy and country can indeed survive as a people without the West, hence our Look East Policy is now paying dividends. The economy is on the rebound.
In conclusion Mr. Speaker Sir, in supporting this Bill, I would like once again to emphasise the fact that unity of purpose is necessary but may I call upon the Minister to ensure that workshops are held not only for our workers, but also employers so that they are educated on the various laws that govern labour issues in this country, peace and harmony prevail in order for us to fulfill the goals of our objectives. I thank you.
- MARIDADI: I am going to talk about the social aspects of what has been happening in the past one and half months or so ever since the landmark court ruling. It is quite suspicious that when the Minister of Finance and Economic Development came to this House, he spoke about 40% reduction of the Civil Service salary bill and following hard on that pronouncement is this avalanche of workers being dismissed without any compensation. I wish to also talk about the attitude of the Executive. The Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Services who is also the Acting Minister of Information came out in the media and said Government was against firing of employees and yet ZBC and Zimpapers were terminating workers on exactly the same conditions that the Minister was saying Government was not happy about.
If you look at ZBC and Zimpapers, they have terminated the jobs of shop floor employees. Management has been left intact. The memorandum that accompanies this Bill seems to suggest that retrenching or sacking of employees seeks to promote productivity and competitiveness in the local industry. So, it suggests that when you fire employees, then the company becomes competitive because the salary bill has been reduced. I was looking at both Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation and Zimbabwe Newspapers, if you look at their salary bills, top five employees of Zimbabwe Newspapers earn the equivalence of about 65% of the company calculated on costs to the employer.
Looking at their perks alone, the first thing that Zimbabwe Papers pays before even paying salaries at the beginning of the year is school fees of the senior executives’ children. Each executive is entitled to four children who go to a private school. One executive would have one son who goes to Peter House at US$5 000 per term, another son who goes to St Georges at US$3 600 and daughter who goes to Chisipite Senior at US$3 600 per term.
So, at the beginning of the year this executive in school fees alone walks away with US$12 000, that is the equivalent of salaries of about
24 middle level employees per month. That same executive’s salary would be US$10 000 but there are so many perks that are hidden in there which are not taxable; holiday allowance, entertainment allowance, a company car. One of the representative allowance benefits et cetera, one can get in a company is a company car because it is serviced by the company, fueled by the company and you have a company driver. Those executives have not been touched, in all these companies that have retrenched.
Once upon a time, I was vice chairman of Zimbabwe Broadcasting
Corporation Workers’ Committee, and I was saying if a company is not performing, do not look at the cleaners, look at the chief executive. The company does not fail to perform because of the cleaners; it fails to perform because of the chief executive. I would have wanted the Minister to say Zimbabwe Newspapers; if you are going to retrench you have to retrench the chief executive first, the company is failing to perform because the chief executive is not giving leadership and proper strategic direction that ensures sustainability and competitiveness.
Mr. Speaker, when I was doing form one my Mathematics teacher told me, ‘if you want to pass your Ordinary level Mathematics you must know easy equation.’ For you to be able to know easy equation there is a presupposition that you must know division, addition, subtraction and multiplication, the law of BODMAS When you are doing equation, there is one which is called quadratic equation, when you are solving a quadratic equation you are given two statements. You are given a first statement, you must solve it as a hypothesis, when you get a result, you juxtapose it in the second statement and then you get an answer.
What is important is that when you get the second answer you say, therefore, the answer for the first statement is this one. Let me come to why I am saying that analogy. Before I give that analogy, when I was coming to debate this, I was listening to the radio, I am a D.J and once a
- J., always a D.J. I was listening to Oliver Mutukudzi’s album which
he produced in 2005.
- SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. D.J.
- MARIDADI: Yes, thank you –[HON. MEMBERS:
Laughter] – the album is called Nhava it was produced in 2005. On that album there are 9 songs, and I thought they were very instructive for purposes of my debate. There is a song which is called Ninipa which means please be humble. There is a song which is called Rizere mhepo which means full of air, full of nothing. There is a song which is called Tiregerereiwo which means please forgive us and that is what Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga was saying. The Minister should have at least apologized to the people of Zimbabwe.
Now, there is a song on that album which I want to talk about, it says Handiro dambudziko “that is not where the problem is”. You have a headache, but the headache is only a symptom, there is an underlying disease inside you. Why we are debating this Mr. Speaker, I do not even want to leave this podium before I talk about leadership. So, I say because of leadership ineptitude that is why you have retrenchments, you have an economy which has been informalised to the tune of 85%, you have a bloated executive. The United State of America with a population of 320 million has only 15 ministers, our country with a population of 15 million, 4 million of whom are living in the diaspora because of the economy conditions back home, has more than 60 ministers, deputy ministers, provincial ministers and all that.
If you are serious about cutting costs Mr. Speaker, let us start with the executive, the Cabinet that is where the problem is. I am saying we have debated everything and therefore, the problem we have is a problem of leadership is. We can talk about everything else until the cows come home. If the leadership of this country remains stuck in the past, and remain with their heads buried in the sand, we have a problem. Leadership must come up and start to give direction. Mr. Speaker. His
Excellency, the President when there was this avalanche, all he said is;
‘The law is in ass’ that is what he said.
- SPEAKER: Time up.
- MARIDADI: They need provide...
- SPEAKER: I will extend it.
- MARIDADI: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I want to rewind – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – Mr. Speaker, what I am saying is that time has come for true leaders to stand up and give this country direction. Lastly, I would like to congratulate the President, for handing over power of SADC to President Khama.
- SPEAKER: Hon. Maridadi, are you contradicting the
Chair’s ruling against Hon. Chibaya.
- MARIDADI: It was a genuine congratulatory message because I saw it on television. I am genuinely congratulating the President. The time had come for him to hand over the power on rotational basis and I am congratulating him. As a patriotic
Zimbabwean I felt I would congratulate – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] –
- SPEAKER: Hon. member, the Chair is very much schooled in the language of English. You are being very sarcastic. In terms of Standing Order Number 93(d), you are trespassing in terms of not respecting the authority of the President. We cannot allow sarcasm in this House. I ask you to apologise.
- MARIDADI: I apologise to you Mr. Speaker and I apologise to His Excellency. Thank you.
- T. J. DUBE: Hon. Speaker, I think this debate resembles a people representing the bourgeoisie and the proletariat; the proletariat being the workers and the bourgeoisie being the employers. We need to examine that we are not partial in what we are debating because whichever way we go, it will affect us tomorrow. The fact is that we know that there has been a spate of closure of companies in the past few months. What has been the cause of this? The cause of this is that the employers had no leeway; they had no other way except to close the companies instead of making their companies go forward that is finding a way to assist their workers to remain at work. So, now it means that as long as we look at the workers problems only and the proletariat side, we still come back here and find that we need to make more solutions before we can find a real solution and more efforts before we can find a solution. What I mean is that I have been working on the side of an employer myself and I know the problems the employer has and how the worker feels. If we really do not look at both sides equally, we will find that more closures of companies will take place before this year comes to an end. We must be very careful in all our deliberations because if we only look at the workers side, the employer will be forced to close his company because there is no lee-way for him, no other way he can do business.
We are not just looking at salaries that must be given but we are looking at the whole company. Will the company ever continue to exist if the owner feels that he has no option but to close it because he is not able to meet the requirements of the law? At the same time, we must know that since we have passed this law in retrospect, it is now becoming law. The lawyers will tell me that if you pass a judgment, then in future it will be used as a reference that whatever they do, they will come back and say in such a year Parliament passed this law and in retrospect, it became a new law. It supersedes the law that was passed by the Supreme Court. Thank you.
- MAJOME: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir for this opportunity to debate this very important historical Bill that has caused Parliament to be summoned from its recess. Mr. Speaker Sir, firstly, we must start at the very beginning and I want to support what was said by other hon. speakers, especially Hon. Khupe. For us to solve this problem that has caused our workers….
- SPEAKER: Hon. member, Standing Order Number 106
says, we should avoid repetition, and if it has been said then it has been said.
- MAJOME: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, but I need to preface my points on that issue because I have been bringing my points in light of that. Mr. Speaker Sir, in order for us to solve this problem that has hit our workers, we need to address the failure of Government to promote a policy framework for job creation as well as preventing job losses, this is the reason why we have been summoned back to Parliament. This year 2015, when a worker loses their job, the crisis is all the more because there are no jobs for them to look for and we must really solve that.
The second problem we have and it is indeed a spectacular failure in that instead of creating 2, 2 million jobs, we have losses that have caused us to be summoned. The second failure that this Bill as well as what our measures will do, is to also address the other cataclysmic failure of the Government, that is to provide a policy framework for social security that affords a safety net for those who are unable to work or who have lost their jobs to be caught it. So, my debate of the Bill and the specific clauses are in that light.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I also want to urge the hon. Minister as she considers the other measures that she will take in terms of employment also demonstrate that the Government is indeed sincere and is genuine about protecting the rights of workers. It is not a secret that the
Government is under a lot of pressure from the International Monetary Fund and is on a staff monitoring programme. Government is required to reduce its wage bill and the Hon. Minister of Finance and Economic Development told us in the Mid-Term Fiscal Policy Review. I want to implore the Hon. Minister that she reassures me because I am suspicious that what the Government has allowed to happen is an experiment on the private sector to see the public reaction if private sector employees lose their jobs so that it tests the waters and sees that when it decides to jettison members of the public service, it will know what to do. I implore through you Mr. Speaker Sir, the hon. Minister to demonstrate that the Government is sincere.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I would also want to acknowledge, because in preparation of my contribution, I have consulted Harare Westerners through a platform that I use on Face book, where I tell them what is before Parliament and get to know their views. I want to say that the predominant sentiment was that we must indeed pass this Bill so that we stop the uncertainty and fear that is in a lot of the few employees who are still in employment that their jobs will be lost. My specific contributions to clauses of the Bill, I also informed by those comments that I am grateful for and that I acknowledge.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to attend to specific clauses and respectfully request the hon. Minister to re-look at them so that we sharpen the Bill and ameliorate millions from suffering. Firstly, I would like to urge the hon. Minister to attend to Clause 4 so that she indeed proposes a certain fixed period or either a formula for setting a fixed period by which an employee who stays on short a contracts can be regarded to have been fully employed so that we do not leave it to uncertainty as well.
Secondly, I would like to draw the hon. Minister’s attention to the need to attend to Clause 4, in particular sub-clause A, B which seeks to provide that an employer can only terminate a contract if there is a mutual agreement between the employer and the employee. I wonder what happens if an employer, for example, refuses to accept because this is a double edged sword. What happens if an employee wishes to resign and the employer says – no you cannot resign? I want to urge the Minister to look at those provisions because sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander, because it is designed to ensure that the employer cannot dismiss an employee but it must apply both ways. There should be avoidance of violating Sections 52 and 53 of the Constitution that protect people from slavery, servitude and forced labour. I would want to believe that there is need to attend to that.
I would also want to suggest that in terms of Clause 4, that one month’s salary in every 2 years has caused an outcry, as well as the issue of making the payments retrospective for those employees who were released. I want to propose a solution that the hon. Minister can consider and this can be done. This is to say that while the employers indeed might be suffering and they might not have enough money but the lack of a severance package and one month’s salary is too little. The hon. Minister has means at her disposal in terms of something called the National Social Security Authority and an Act that she administers which empowers her in Section 3 to set up any scheme and also in Section 23 that the National Social Security Authority looks at the public interests.
I want to implore the hon. Minister to make up for that loss and the suffering that will be done by setting up a special fund for those 22 000 or so workers who have been jettisoned because of the Zuva Petroleum judgement so that they are covered and so that at the end, workers get meaningful compensation for job losses, severance pay and we also avoid pushing the retrospectivity on employers.
I also want to suggest that on Clauses 11 and 12, the registrar with the Minister must not look at the administrative issues so that they do not get an excuse to interfere with the functioning of Employment Councils and Trade Unions for undefined reasons.
Mr. Speaker, I suggest that in Clause 14, the very issue of public interest should be removed as a consideration for registering a collective bargaining agreement because it is prone to abuse. It can mean anything and can be political.
In Clause 15, I want to implore the hon. Minister to use this Bill to give the Labour Court full and competent powers to even execute judgements and be a fully-fledged court of law. I want to believe it is possible Mr. Speaker Sir.
I also want to suggest in Clause 16 that we maintain the principle of protection of the law in the Constitution. The words ‘unfair labour practices’ must be used as an ‘alleged or a suspected unfair labour practice’ until an employer is found to have indeed committed it because that would be a bias against the employers.
This Bill must be fair so that we play our role as Parliament to promote employment as is required by the Constitution in Section 14 that we, as Parliament and others, must create and promote employment. Those are my humble submissions, let us address the root causes. I thank you.
- ANASTANCIA NDHLOVU: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I
would like to thank you for affording me this opportunity to very briefly add my voice to the debate and as I do that, I am supporting that this Bill passes.
I would like to thank the hon. Minister and also the Government in general for summoning us to sit to address this issue. I am sure the reason we are here as Members of Parliament is to make laws for the peace, order and good governance of our beautiful country. So I do not see anything wrong with us coming and correcting any mishaps so that there is no anarchy in our country.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I think it is the role of this august House to defend all the gains of the liberation struggle and one of those gains is what we saw happening in 1985 when Hon. Shava was the Minister of Labour, the coming in or the birth of the Labour Relations Act, the first one in post independent Zimbabwe.
Some will say that when the labour laws where enacted in our country, they were to protect the black majority workers from the employers who were largely white then. Now, some will therefore say that today most employers are black. While that may be true, I am of the view that we need to be able to strike a balance in a manner which is able to promote and sustain harmonious industrial relations at the work place and at the same time be able to inspire increased productivity.
Also even more importantly, be able to attract foreign direct investment. So, I think that we need to take a more holistic approach and deal with this issue without emotions for the good of the country and the people we represent here.
While there have been chaos in the past three weeks or so, we must not forget to applaud the progress that Government has made with regards to employer/employee relations and issues of industrial relations in general from 1980 to date. Of course, it is not possible to have a smooth running, but what is important is that where we see any shortfalls, we immediately and quickly come to fix them. We must therefore, applaud ourselves, stop the blame game and move as one united front in defence of the rights and freedoms of the workers in our country.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I however would like to urge the hon. Minister as she takes note of the comments that have come out of this debate to also probably see how our labour laws can protect the workers in the agriculture sector. Our economy is mainly agro-based and the salvation of this economy, in my view, is agrarian but our labour laws do not do much to protect the workers in that sector so that is one of my comments.
I also would like to congratulate the Minister for progress made to date in as far as the Tripartite Negotiation Forum (TNF) is concerned but I want to urge her as I congratulate her to move with more speed and bring the TNF Bill to this august House. I believe that social dialogue has a big role to play in solving the challenges that we face as a nation. I would like to urge that part of labour reforms process should also include moving with more speed in as far as finalising and concretising issues of social dialogue in order for us to have a social contract are concerned.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I will not repeat what the other hon. members have said but as I stress the importance of the social dialogue, I would like to urge all parties to the social dialogue to be more sincere recognising that the hon. Minister when she addressed us said that the employers’ representatives did not turn up for the consultations. They only submitted written submissions two weeks later and that shows a lack of commitment and seriousness on their part.
I would like to thank you Mr. Speaker and all the hon. members who have supported this Bill in a progressive manner and say that, it is not too late to correct this mess. I would also like to salute and thank the workers of this country for remaining resolute despite the challenges that we are facing.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I therefore also want to urge them to always remember why and how we ended up in that mess. One hon. member said that the Government of the day is not sincere in protecting the workers. I do not agree with that, we need to be sincere and honest with each other. The reason the workers have suffered in this country, the reason there is no productivity at the work place is because of the challenges we face as a country and mostly to do with the illegal sanctions imposed on this nation. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] –
Mr. Speaker Sir, I would like to thank you and urge all hon.
members to remain truthful to the cause of why we are here and urge everyone to support the passing of this Bill. I thank you.
- PARADZA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. First and foremost, I would like to thank the Minister for her quick reaction in coming up with this Bill and also His Excellency, the President for summoning
Parliament in such short notice for us to come here and debate this Bill.
I have sad news about this bad law that we are amending today. I am happy that the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development, Dr. Made is here. The sad news is that a certain Grain
Marketing Board (GMB) employee by the name of Garaba who is from Chiweshe, upon receiving his letter of termination last week after having worked diligently for 18 years, took poison and died yesterday. As we speak, his body is lying in a mortuary at Howard hospital. This is how bad this law is for those who think otherwise. So, officially he is the first known victim of this bad law. We do not know of others whose cases have not been reported. The other issue which I want to raise is that this gentleman was not receiving his salary from GMB for a couple of months. He has now received a letter of termination, to say can you go home without any terminal benefits. He does not know when he is going to receive his terminal benefits and so forth. I was hoping that in this Bill, can the Minister indicate or give a directive to say if any company that wished to retrench, must, with immediate effect give that person his/her terminal benefits?
I want to borrow a little bit from Hon. Maridadi when he was talking about Chief Executives. These are the people in most cases, who are running down these companies through bad management, but the victim is the shop floor worker. It is happening across the board, no matter it is in the private or public sector. They protect themselves through board or management. That aspect must be looked into Mr.
Speaker. Turning around to the issue in the media industry, for the past
30 to 35 years, they have not had anything which we call Employment Council. We had the union which is the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ), but no Employment Councils and no Retrenchment Boards.
So, what we have is a media at that level which is fragmented. I would want, through you Mr. Speaker, for the Minister to consider making it mandatory for the media industry in particular, to have an Employment Council so that when we are negotiating retrenchment packages, they have at least somewhere to take their issues to. What we have is that each media house has its own rules. We have Zimpapers, ZBC, Alpha Media and Associated Newspapers, and all these have retrenched. These workers are not going to get any relief because of the work of these Employment Councils or Retrenchment Boards. I saw that in the Bill, there is a new section which is set to substitute Section 12 (c). It talks about getting some relief or negotiations through these particular councils, whether it is a Works Council, Employment Councils or Retrenchment Boards, but this does not exist in the media industry.
The core business of the media is used. We have boys and girls up there and their job is to write, gather and disseminate news. That is the core business of the industry. The good thing is that the Minister who happens now to be the Acting Minister of Information can look into this, make sure this is corrected and take this opportunity to correct that anomaly. Thank you Mr. Speaker.
- SANSOLE: Thank you Mr. Speaker for giving me this opportunity to contribute to this important debate on the Labour Amendment Bill. Thousands of people are now out of employment as a result of a law which is not new, a law which has been with us for a long time. The major problem is that employers have won, taking advantage of the law and abusing it. The law is not meant for retrenchment. It is meant to regulate the relationship between the employer and the employee. So, if applied on a one-on-one basis where a relationship between an employer and the employee is no longer sustainable, there is nothing wrong with the law.
However, if it is abused and used for retrenchment purposes, then it gives way to the disasters that we have at the moment, where it has brought about extreme suffering to a number of workers who found themselves out of employment. I say abused because there is the politics of the employer and the employee having an unsustainable relationship which needs to be terminated. But, how does an employer wake up one day and have an unsustainable relationship with 50, 100 or 300 employees at the same time? Obviously, it is being abused.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to touch on the right to terminate employment on three months’ notice and also to touch on Section 5, which talks about the retrenchment packages. As I have said, the right to terminate employment on three months’ is meant to be reciprocal in the sense that the employee can also give the employer three months’ notice to terminate employment when they want to leave. We must also be careful that we do not let laws which are not balanced. Let us try and find the balance between the interest of the employer and the employee and the interest of the investor and the employees. Let us not come up with rules which scare away investors.
As long as the law is not abused, both parties will be protected. In this case, one party has abused the law to the detriment of the other which is a very unfortunate and undesirable situation. I want to say that employers on the one hand view employees as people in whom they invested money. Therefore, they feel short-changed when an employee all of a sudden, decides to walk away, hence employers have taken advantage and decided to terminate employment contracts at an alarming rate that we have seen.
On the issue of compensation, the compensation that is proposed is inadequate as already been pointed out. There is need to review that upwards with one month pay for every year served being the barest minimum that can be paid to anyone. This is because employees will have put in long years of service into an organisation. There is also a provision on Section 5 (4) which empowers the Retrenchment Board to propose a payment plan in installments. I think that is not an unreasonable proposition. While we are trying to protect workers, I think we should encourage employers to pay reasonable packages. One way to encourage them is to avoid coming up with laws which make it impossible to meet such payments.
So, I think the proposal to allow an employer to pay over a period of time is an eligible proposition for as long as the period is reasonable. I also feel that, in addition to the payment of a retrenchment package, there is also need to consider relocation because once the employment contract is terminated, an employee does not necessarily continue to reside in the area in which they were employed. They have to relocate to their homes and there is need for them to get compensation in order to be able to do so. We have seen cases where workers have been dismissed and they struggle to raise money so that they travel to their homes and the situation is undesirable.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I would like to propose that we look at a situation where we try and find a balance between the interests of the parties concerned, particularly taking care of the workers’ plight because of the power dynamics between the employer and the employee. The employee is in an inferior bargaining position naturally compared to the employer. Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
- MACKENZIE: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir for
giving me this opportunity to add my voice to this Bill. Mr. Speaker Sir, it is my view that when all the members come to this august House to discuss issues like this Bill, we must be united. I do not agree with what Hon. Maridadi was saying. He was talking of retrenchment, starting off from the directors. It is my view that ZANU PF and MDC must be very serious on matters to do with the people of Zimbabwe.
If it is on issue of retrenchment, Hon. Maridadi, it started off with
MDC and when you retrenched, you never targeted the directors. Anyway, I do not want to dwell much on that, but I just want us to be reminded that we must be very serious when discussing these issues.
Mr. Speaker Sir…
- SPEAKER: Order hon. member –[AN HON. MEMBER: Matemba] – Hamuna matemba muno. I am correcting those who are shouting matemba, whatever that means. Hon. member, can you restrict yourself to the Bill. Please carry on.
- MACKENZIE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to dwell more on the issues to do with the Workers’ Unions. The Workers’ Unions in Zimbabwe – I want to applaud the Minister for bringing up issues to do with the Workers’ Unions in Zimbabwe. I have discovered that the Workers’ Unions in Zimbabwe are no longer representing the interests of the workers. Most unions bargain for salary and wage increase for the workers and when the employers fail to pay up, the same unions go on to attach equipment. I really feel that there is need for the Workers’ Union to be monitored.
Mr. Speaker Sir, in Zimbabwe, we have one very satanic Workers’ Union, the Rural District Councils Workers’ Union. That union is also led by the Secretary General who is a very senior MDC activist – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – Last week, one Rural District Council sent a vehicle to collect medicine for the clinics and because that local authority had not paid up the Workers’ Union dues, that vehicle was attached. So most local authorities in Zimbabwe, especially the Rural District Councils are suffering because of some of these unions, especially the Rural District Council Workers’ Union. So, I want to applaud the Minister for this Bill.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to salute the Government of ZANU PF for being very proactive to the needs of the people of Zimbabwe – [HON.
MEMBERS: Hear, hear] – we had never had any retrenchment in ZANU PF but we have heard of retrenchment in the opposition. However, when members from the opposition come to this House, they do not want to address the issues at hand – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – As said by one hon. member, this Bill must give us a win-win situation for both the employers and the employees…
- SPEAKER: Your time is up. Hon. members, if the next two or three members carry on repeating themselves, I will close the debate and ask the Minister to comment. Let us add value to the debate.
- MUSANHI: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. A lot has been said, but I would like to talk about the overprotection of workers which I feel will retard a lot of progress in the industry. Mr. Speaker Sir, in Zimbabwe, it is easier to terminate a marriage contract than to terminate the contract of a lazy employee. So, Mr. Speaker Sir, it is disturbing to a lot of our investors. We have got a lot of investors that want to bring money into the country and we have always been talking of Labour
Reforms which we feel will actually help the economy to tick. Mr. Speaker Sir, it is disturbing that our colleagues across the table take this issue as a forum for mockery, yet it is a very serious issue that we are supposed to talk about in order to move our economy forward.
So, if you look across our region, the Southern African region Zimbabweans are regarded as the best employees. They produce the best. If you look at the same Zimbabwean being back home because of our overprotection of employees, he will come and he will not producing as he was doing in South Africa, Botswana or any other neighbouring state. While this is a noble idea that this Bill passes through, I feel the Minister has a lot of work to do in order for this country to sustain the industry because if we keep on protecting workers without balancing the whole equation to the employer and employee, the whole thing will be distorted Mr. Speaker Sir. I would like to thank you very much for affording me this opportunity to air my views on this issue. Thank you very much. – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.]-
*MR. MUTSEYAMI: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. What I want to say most of the things have already been said. The issue concerning all the things that have been talked about, I am pleading with the Minister that if you look at all the clauses of this Bill, there are outcries. So because of that I am pleading with the hon. Minister that she should go back and re-look at the Bill. After serious consideration I think she should amend what the concerns are then she should bring it back and we should look at it. For now that is important and one thing that we should look at is the issue of workers who are being sacked from work. What do we do concerning the workers who went empty handed? All these other things we should look at them in line with our Constitution
so that it should align with regional laws and African Union concerning workers. I think for now we should deal with the issue that workers should be protected and that if they are sacked from work they should live well. Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear,
hear.]-
- SPEAKER: Order, order, hon. member, nhasi matidzidzisa kureketa chaizvo.
*MR. MATAMBANADZO: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, for
affording this opportunity to add my voice on this Labour Bill which has brought turmoil in the country.
Firstly, I would like to thank the President for having mercy on his people who lost their jobs because of what has happened, so, that the law should be amended for the protection of the workers. I have stood up for my constituency Mr. Speaker Sir, the people are lamenting that the one who caused this, did you reprimand him? The one who have caused this and there are people who have died because of this person. Who is this person who has caused this? It is a person who is quite learned. The people have said it is a matter that should be investigated. That individual, was he not a beneficiary of the Presidential Scholarship? People are really pained because of what happened and what was caused by this hon. member. He has contributed in this House but people are really pained by what he did. By representing three people and this case has led to the whole country being in shambles. Now, many people are being fired from their work places empty handed and he is the one who caused this. I have seen that if I do not say this, people from my constituency would really be angered because they have said this lawyer should be given his packages as well. If he is a lawyer with a company he should be removed and that his licence should be canceled.
People from my constituency have sent me because they are pained.
- SPEAKER: On a point of order.
- GONESE: On a point of order Mr. Speaker Sir. I believe that the hon. member is not debating the principles annunciated in the
Amendment Bill and I believe that in debating, the hon. member must not debate the individual. The hon. member must be debating the principles which are relevant to the Amendment Bill. I believe Mr. Speaker that the hon. member has departed from the principles of the
Bill.
*MR. SPEAKER: Hon. Matambanadzo, you have diverted from
the debate. You should debate in line with this Bill.
*MR. MATAMBANADZO: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir for
drawing me back. but it is very painful. I want to thank the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Services that she has done her best so that workers can be given their packages. I would like to add my voice on what was said by an hon. member from the opposite side that most people who were fired are from parastatals. That was caused by them because of the sanctions that they have called for to be imposed on our country. They are also the very same people who trained these Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) to be harsh on employees. They trained them to give each other huge salaries, school fees packages and fuel allowances at the expense of employees. This has caused - [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]- I cannot continue because they are not listening.
Time limit
*MR. SPEAKER: Sorry, your time is up.
- J. TSHUMA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, for according this opportunity to also add my voice on this terrible debate. Needless to say, this is a very sad debate. We cannot as Members of Parliament, duly elected by these very same people, sit and be comfortable with a situation whereby the same people are going to suffer day-in, day-out. I want to thank the hon. Minister, the President and ZANU PF party for coming up fast. – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear] –
It is our duty all of us in this august House, to always first and foremost, think of the people that we represent. By so doing, this will enable us to say we have been able to come up with solutions to our problems. I want to speak very strongly about the issue of National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ). Why, because it is a parastatal that operates in my area of Bulawayo. Most of the people who are affected come from my Constituency, Pelandaba-Mpopoma.
My biggest worry is: how can a parastatal that has been paying people for the past two years want to take up the easy route of retrenching? We cannot have that. As Parliament, we cannot condone that. – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – We want a situation which is very noble and a win-win situation for everybody. Yes, let the companies win but let the employee win as well. The situation right now is that people are actually conducting criminal activities. These companies that are retrenching people are committing a crime because they have misunderstood the Supreme Court ruling. That Zuva issue was a simple matter of people who were on contract.
If we look at the Labour Act itself, it has got all the provisions on how to lay off people. We must remember that we are talking of the same person who has laboured for you from day one. The same person who has given 100% commitment to your production and profit at the end of the day, then you just want to kick out that person and say you can go to hell with nothing. Aiwaka, hazviite izvozvo.
My proposal Mr. Speaker Sir is that, this Bill must be passed but we must look at a situation whereby the employer and the employee are winners at the end of the day so that we do not jeopardize the element of foreign direct investment or the investors coming in but at the same time, thinking about the lives, duty, services of those people that we represent.
I would like to urge this House to make sure that we pass this Bill as fast as possible before a lot of other people fall victim to this cruel, unnecessary and criminal activity. With these few words, I would like to thank you and say Madam Minister, congratulations. I hope we shall pass this Bill as soon as possible.
- SPEAKER: Order, order! I have exhausted the lists I had been given by either side but we have not finished the task. I will ask the hon. Minster to respond.
THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND
SOCIAL SERVICES (MRS. MUPFUMIRA): Thank you Mr. Speaker
Sir. I would like to thank the hon. members for all the positive and meaningful contributions or comments and a lively debate. The essence of the Labour Legislation is a very important economic and social pillar which cannot be undermined. As Minister responsible for labour, I value each and every contribution that you submitted this afternoon. My Ministry will consider all the valuable contributions.
Allow me to single out the Report of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service, Labour and Social Services. The recommendations are not only meaningful, but progressive towards attainment of social justice
– [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear] – and democracy at the work place. The Bill will be fine tuned to incorporate the recommendations as emphasised by a number of hon. members. -[HON: MEMBERS: Hear, hear] – Let me express my gratitude to you Mr. Speaker and all
Members of Parliament for summoning Parliament through His
Excellency. The fact that we came in our numbers shows that we value the workers who are being thrown into the streets. I want to apologise but in a positive way to the hon. member who said we are fast-tracking things and so forth. As a legislator and as a mother, it is a crisis. When people are being put into the streets and then we say let us go the normal way, there is no normal way when the livelihood of many people is being affected. They have no money for rentals and so forth.
Mr. Speaker, it was reasonable that we requested His Excellency to summon Parliament back. It shows we are responsible legislators, representing the people out there. The overwhelming attendance, at short notice, demonstrates commitment to real bread and butter issues. We are talking about bread and butter issues. The labour market is at the moment in a crisis. In a crisis, you also look for remedies which are not normal. For that, I can apologise – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear] - the fine tuning is a process. I think the whole amendment is a process. It cannot be done overnight, there are a lot of things which have been pointed out to us which we will look at and we will fine tune. The other administrative issues will all be considered and looked into but we cannot wait and sit whilst Rome is burning.
Mr. Speaker, I am sure we are all aware of what His Excellency said at the Official Opening of Parliament; the alignment of our laws with the Constitution. We have just started the process but I believe it is just that we had to rush because of the dismissal of people in a harsh manner. I will respond to one or two of the comments, in particular singling out Hon. Chimanikire’s comments on public interests. Public interests are protected by the Minister in the interest of good corporate governance.
Mr. Speaker, if Employment Councils and trade unions are permitted to operate as they wish, there might be some disorder. Some people might abuse those offices. We are looking at union dues, we are aware that some unions have been collecting dues. There is no accountability, people just squandering dues. So, we are saying the oversight of the Ministry as far as good corporate governance is concerned, we are not going to abuse the workers. The administrator is authorised by the Labour Court, so there is transparency. Again, this process is important to ensure that workers interests are safeguarded.
There is the issue of maternity, I agree with the hon. members who commented. Yes, in the Constitution it says 90 days and in the current Act, it says 98 days, then it goes on to say three times. I agree with you, there is need to remove the qualification or the period because it is national duty. I do not think there is any need to argue about that – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear].
Mr. Speaker Sir, as Government, we are looking at ways of alleviating some of the problems these workers who have been put on the streets have. We have already started engaging other ministries including the Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement for those who are interested in agriculture, how they can be assisted. They can be assisted for actual farming or small market gardening. The other
Ministry is Local Government, Public Works and National Housing.
We are engaging them on stands for urban and rural housing. The
Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises and Co-operative Development can assist with loans. We have engaged NSSA, it is within the mandate of NSSA to create a special fund to assist the retrenchees. So we have already started looking at these issues. It is not like as Government, we are just looking at the employers especially when we discuss the issue of retrospective, which I think we all agreed as a House right at the beginning. So, Government is doing something over and above what we expect what the other social partner to do.
Mr. Speaker Sir, to summarise the purpose of this Act, it is to advance social justice and democracy in the work by giving effect to the fundamental rights of employees and employers; provide a legal framework within which employees can bargain collectively for the improvements of conditions of employment; promotion and participation of employees in decisions affecting their interests at the work place. What has just happened is, it was like one sided, I am not a lawyer but I have discussed with learned people the legitimate expectation to be at work. I get up in the morning expecting to go to work, I get to work and I am told you are dismissed, having worked for 20 years at a company.
Those are some of the issues which we have to look at as legislators, to protect the people of Zimbabwe.
In a nutshell, I want to thank all the hon. members, all the deliberations, points and weaknesses. As I said, it is a process. It is not a one day thing but we will try our best to ensure that we remain united. I am seeing the spirit of togetherness. So, I want us to continue making progress so that we stop the attrition which is happening. As I stand here, people are going ahead firing people. I plead that we conclude this. We will continue reviewing and amending. I thank you. Mr.
Speaker, I move that the Bill be read a second time.
Bill read a second time.
Motion put and agreed to.
Bill read a second time.
Committee:..-[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-
- SPEAKER: Hon. members, I think that the underlying statement of the Hon. Minister is to harness the attrition of the workers and the Chair wants the job done now. So, I confer with the Minister that let us go on.
- GONESE: Thank you very much hon. Speaker Sir. Mr. Speaker Sir, I think that hon. members on both sides of the House are equally committed to have the Bill debated and I think that they have already shown their commitment and the Bill has already passed through its Second Reading today. As I understand it Mr. Speaker Sir, the Senate is only sitting on Thursday and at this point and time, we are going to the Committee Stage but hon. members need time to digest. Because, when you are looking at the Committee Stage, that is when we go through the Bill clause by clause and hon. members may want to propose amendments and those amendments need time. People need to formulate what amendments they may want and they need to convince the Minister. Whilst I acknowledge and appreciate the concern that this Bill must be passed into law expeditiously, we do not lose anything by proceeding to the Committee Stage tomorrow, bearing in mind what I have already said that the Senate is only sitting on Thursday.
So, at the end of the day, even if we were to complete the Committee Stage and the Third Reading today, the Bill will only be transmitted to the Senate on Thursday and if we do that tomorrow Mr. Speaker Sir, it allows us an opportunity. The Executive had ample time to deliberate on the amendments of the Bill which they proposed to us. Equally as legislators, we need ample time to look at the clauses so that if we want to propose any changes, we can do so from an informed position. I believe that it is only fair and in accordance with our responsibilities as legislators to do justice to the clauses. So the Bill is on Committee Stage. I thank you Mr. Speaker.
- SPEAKER: Order, order! I understand what Hon. Gonese is saying. Unfortunately, he was not here at the beginning. It was agreed and leave was given to the Hon. Minister to waiver the Standing Orders so that we can do justice to the Bill. As the hon. member is a learned friend, he can sink on his feet.
Committee: With leave; forthwith.
COMMITTEE STAGE
LABOUR AMENDMENT BILL (H.B. 7, 2015)
House in Committee.
Clauses 1 to 4 put and agreed to.
On Clause 5:
- GONESE: Mr. Chairman, which clause are you on?
THE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: We are now on Clause 5.
- GONESE: Sorry Mr. Chairman, I think I beg for your indulgence. We were just conferring and I beg for your indulgence. I would kindly request the Chair to allow us because there were certain clauses where we have contributions and this is why I am begging for the Chairperson’s indulgence. I think we are all anxious and I just want to confirm which clause. Can we just start clause by clause?
THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON: We are now on Clause 5 and I
cannot start on Clause 1. You were talking when I was reading here.
- GONESE: Mr. Chairman, I beg your pardon. I am sorry Mr.
Chairman, can we go back to Clause 3. We just want to contribute.
THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON: No, I cannot.
Clause 5 put and agreed to.
Clauses 6 and 7 put and agreed to.
On Clause 8:
- CHAMISA: We have a problem Hon. Chairman. We cannot hear where we are.
THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON: It is because you are talking.
- CHAMISA: No, we are seated here but there is a lot of noise.
THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON: I am saying order and can you hear me now?
- CHAMISA: Yes, Sir.
THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON: May you sit down and then
listen to me.
Clause 8 put and agreed to.
- CHAMISA: Hon. Chair, I actually had done some consideration. My request is still on Clause 5.
THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON: Hon. member, are you talking
to Clause 8?
- CHAMISA: No, I thought we were still on Clause 5.
On Clause 9:
- CHAMISA: Mr. Chair, I think I have the right where a member raises a point when they have not heard and I think it is only fair that we debate.
THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON: What clause are you referring to? I am on Clause 9 now.
- CHAMISA: Clause 5!
THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON: No, we cannot go to Clause 5.
- CHAMISA: But why?
THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON: You were seated there – [MR. CHAMISA: But we could not hear you.] – If you could not hear me, tough luck. I will go ahead if you are not debating Clause 9. – [MR.
CHAMISA: Go ahead where?] –
Clauses 9 and 10 put and agreed to. – [MR. CHAMISA: No, I want to debate Clause 5.] -
Clauses 11 and 12 put and agreed to - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – [MR. CHAMISA: No, no, if you do not want people to debate just say you do not want people to debate.]
THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON: We cannot go to Clause 5. – [MR. CHAMISA: We must debate the law. Do you want us to debate?] – No, I cannot go back to Clause 5 honestly. Hon. Gonese, you were all there – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – [MR. GONESE:
Sorry, Mr. Chair, you listened to me and when I sat down, my
colleagues wanted to contribute. Then the next thing you were already on Clause 7.] –
Clause 13 to 17 - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – put and agreed to
House resumed.
Bill reported without amendments.
Third Reading:..
- GONESE: On a point of order Mr. Speaker. I have a point of order on the Committee Stage. We did not have a Committee for the reason that we had indicated that members from this side of the House wanted to propose amendments. Unfortunately Mr. Speaker, the Chairperson was moving at breakneck speed and did not give us an opportunity to listen to which clauses though we had made representations. What I am seeking is for the Bill to be recommitted to the Committee Stage. There were members who were raising the issue of a quorum and were also ignored. The long and short of it is that there are some fundamental clauses where members feel strongly that they want to propose amendments but that opportunity was not given. You will see that there was absolutely no debate on any of the clauses and I believe that in the interest of the people of this country and if we are sincere Mr. Speaker, we must have the Bill recommitted to the Committee Stage, which is permissible. At that point in time all the members will make proposals and if the Minister is in agreement we expect the amendments to be effected and if she is not in agreement we would also expect the Minister to explain why she does not accede to those proposals. We are being very sincere but it is only that when matters progressed there was some noise and we were explaining to the chairperson why we wanted to go back to Clause 3 which was the first clause we wanted to debate on, but the chairperson did not agree to it. I believe the people of this country expect us to do things properly.
So, my request is for the Bill to be recommitted to the Committee Stage to enable members to debate on areas they feel they want to propose amendments. I do not believe it will prejudice anyone because we have already suspended the Standing Orders and we are prepared to be here until we have done justice to the Bill in the Committee Stage. -
[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] -
- SPEAKER: Order, order. What I find incredible is that there could not be any debate raised in all the sections that were called out. I would have understood if you had debated and made your submissions to other clauses that were called out but now there was nothing. Hon. members, I have liaised with hon. members on both sides that there are only three clauses where amendments are being suggested.
In terms of procedure, I cannot recommit again to Committee Stage. What I can appeal to the hon. members who want amendments, proposed amendments to Clauses 4, 5 and 14, to submit these through the Chief Whips. There is Hon. Gonese. The Minister has assured me that those will be taken care of as proposed.
Hon. members, there are two Houses here – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] -. Order! That is why some of you did not get the clauses that were being called out. Now, I am trying to say I understand the indulgence that was being craved for by Hon. Gonese,
Leader of the opposition. There are only three clauses that is Clauses 4, 5 and 14 which hon. members on my left wanted to make suggested amendments. I have said the amendments can be made in writing to the hon. Minister and secondly, we have a second safety net through the Senate. The Senate can also be favoured, through the relevant Members of Parliament in the Senate, to push for those amendments accordingly.
So, with that ruling, I crave the indulgence that I now have to change my reading here. The Chairperson of Committees reports the Labour Amendment Bill (H.B. 7, 2015) without amendments subject to my ruling that the proposed amendments which did not come through the Committee Stage be given to the Minister and also be brought forward in the Senate.
- GONESE: With very heavy hearts, Mr. Speaker Sir, we have to accede to that Third Reading.
THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE,
LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (MR.
MNANGAGWA): Mr. Speaker Sir, I am a full member of the House and I have stood here to exercise my rights as a member of this House. My rights are to the extent of thinking, hon. members who have, with enthusiasm participated in this debate – although I was out of the Chamber, I was listening from my office at the entire debate and I am very grateful to the views expressed by both sides, so progressive views that I think this country is endowed by patriotic persons. I thank you.
- SPEAKER: Hon. Vice President, it was not my intention to take away your right but your contribution, I think it is well received by the hon. members and may I also recognise the indulgence of Hon. Gonese, the Chief Whip on the other side, for his statement and that the process that we have agreed upon will be exercised for the good of sanitising the Labour Amendment Bill.
Third Reading: With leave; forthwith.
THIRD READING
LABOUR AMENDMENT BILL (H.B. 7, 2015)
THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND SOCIAL SERVICES (SENATOR MUPFUMIRA): I move that
the Bill be now read the third time.
Motion put and agreed to.
Bill read the third time
On the motion of THE VICE PRESIDENT AND
MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY
AFFAIRS (MR MNANGAGWA), the House adjourned at Twenty
Seven Minutes past Eight o’clock p.m. until Tuesday, 25th August, 2015.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 4th August, 2015
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two O’clock p.m
PRAYERS
(MR. SPEAKER in the Chair)
MOTION
FINANCE BILL: 2015 MID-TERM FISCAL POLICY REVIEW
STATEMENT
First Order read: Adjourned debate on motion that leave be granted to bring in a Finance Bill.
Question again proposed.
- HOLDER: Thank you Mr. Speaker for allowing me to
contribute to this noble debate. Mr. Speaker Sir…
- SPEAKER: Order! Sorry to interrupt you, I just want to confirm with the Clerks at the Table.
Order, order, I believe there is a slight hitch; the Chairperson should be here any time. So, in the interest of time, the Acting Chief Whip may rise and take the floor.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
- CHIKWAMA: Mr. Speaker Sir, I move that Orders of the Day numbers 1 to 3 be stood over until Order number 4 has been disposed off.
- MUKWANGWARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH: DEBATE ON ADDRESS
Fourth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion in reply to the Presidential Speech.
Question again proposed.
- MLILO: I would like to thank you Mr. Speaker Sir for affording me this opportunity to give my maiden speech today. Furthermore, I would like to thank the people of Luveve Constituency for having confidence in me to represent them as their Member of Parliament which primarily is the reason I am here. I also would like to salute …
- SPEAKER: Order, order, please allow the hon. member
who is having the floor to be heard in silence.
- MLILO: Mr. Speaker Sir, I salute our President, His
Excellency, Cde Robert Gabriel Mugabe who also happens to be the
Commander-in- Chief of the Defence Forces, Chairperson of SADC and Chairperson of AU. I also want to salute our war veterans, chimbwidos, ex detainees, our lost gallant sons of the soil for their part in liberating this country, for without independence, I would not be standing in this august House.
I also want to salute our First Lady. On behalf of my family, headed by Engineer Milio G. S, on behalf of my Constituency Luveve, I would like to congratulate Amai Dr. Grace Mugabe on her 50th Birthday Anniversary. She has been and still is an illustrious daughter of the soil as she dedicates her life to acts of benevolence and support in all ways for the underprivileged and marginalised vulnerable members of our society. May the good Lord bless her and her family abundantly.
I also like to thank Dr Amai Grace Mugabe for the donation that she made to Thembiso Children’s Home, an orphanage in my constituency. The donation will surely go a long way in bringing smiles, joy and happiness to the children.
Mr. Speaker Sir, Luveve Constituency is an agglomeration of three wards namely, New and Old Luveve, which make up Ward 15,
Gwabalanda which is Ward 16 and Cowdry Park which is Ward 28. Ward 15 and 16 are predominantly old suburbs and the infrastructure is up to a point with regards…
- SPEAKER: Order, order, Hon. Labode, can you leave the august
House.
Hon. Labode was escorted out of the House by the Serjeant-AtArms.
- MLILO: Mr. Speaker Sir, with regards to education, business, sport and culture, recreation - ward 28 is a new growing suburb and is in dire need of infrastructure. Ward 15 and 16 comprise mainly of senior citizens, and youth of ages 21 to 40. The senior citizens, most whom have just retired or are in the process of retiring. Their biggest challenge is accessing their pensions. Most have gone countless times to the Government Complex in Bulawayo to make applications of their pensions and come back with nothing but promises. Those who are lucky to have money end up commuting to Harare to get this done.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I would like to make an appeal to the relevant minister to make some moves of either decentralising the current system or alternatively investigate and implement desired solutions to these problems. The youth are in dire need of jobs. Allow me Mr. Speaker
Sir, to draw from the Speech presented by His Excellency when he said, “our people should not be reduced to mere appendages of economic processes of their country”. What is evident in my constituency is that at some point, people are being reduced to mere appendages of the economic processes.
It is unfortunate that when His Excellency speaks of the Look East policy, laymen misinterpret it as simply going to Asia to purchase blankets, phones, TVs, decoders, suits and laptops for resale in our country. This is completely wrong. We are expected to go and tap into the knowledge base of Asians with a view of coming back to our country and applying the knowledge for ultimately positioning our country as a manufacturing base. Worldwide, it is known that small to medium scale enterprises contribute to the growth of the economy mainly in manufacturing than in retail. I therefore, Mr. Speaker Sir, would like to encourage the Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development to formulate programmes pro-manufacturing and target my area with a view of reducing unemployment.
Mr. Speaker Sir, Ward 28 is more of rural set up in an urban environment. This is characterised by blair toilets, no electricity, no access roads and communal taps for water. I am happy to say that I have met and sat down with the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing. Plans are already under way to avert a looming health disaster. As we speak, the Ministry is in consultation with the Bulawayo City Council to come up with a road map of eradicating deurbanisation in Cowdry Park.
Education
Mr. Speaker Sir, with regards to education, Cowdry Park, which is Ward 28 has a population of 24 000 homes and these homes are serviced by one secondary school and three primary schools. The fourth primary school is a makeshift structure. The suburb has no library, community hall and recreation facilities. Mr. Speaker Sir, the main challenge here is building and upgrading educational facilities for my people. I therefore appeal that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education moves fast to build good formal classrooms for the proper discharge of learning in my constituency.
Health
Mr. Speaker Sir, Ward 28 has a small four roomed house which is being used as a clinic. This house came as a donation from a building contractor and it is failing to service the continuously growing community. I therefore would like to appeal to the Ministry of Health and Child Care to make plans to build and commission a referral hospital as the current population in this ward cannot be adequately serviced by a clinic.
It is a welcome gesture that Bulawayo is listed under Special Economic Zones. We hope this will stimulate growth in foreign direct investment, technology transfer and also lead to employment creation.
I.C.T
Mr. Speaker Sir, it is my prayer that the Ministry of Education initiates strategic partnerships in schools from developed countries to facilitate information technology transfer in the I.C.T sector. This will lead to a high rise of I.C.T appreciation in our education sector. I also would like to implore the telecommunication players to support the schools through creation of cheap, affordable and reliable internet facilities for the schools. A couple of schools in my constituency are recipients of the Presidential donation of computers but these computers need connectivity for them to be effectively used.
Lastly Mr. Speaker Sir, I would like to say that the effects of sanctions are felt mainly eight to twelve years after being effected. It is therefore not surprising that our people are going through hardships currently. The only positive thing is that these sanctions have taught us to be self-reliant and we have thus thickened our skin towards them. I would like to encourage our fellow brothers and sisters from the Movement for Democratic Change to come and work with us in earnest towards fighting for the lifting of sanctions. These sanctions know no race, colour or origin; they affect the general populace of the country.
As Members of Parliament, let us unite in the fight against sanctions and also fulfill our mandate to our constituents.
Heroes day is fast approaching. Let us take this time to look back and see where we come from. One wise man once said, “if you forget where you come from, you will never make it where you are going.” So, I would like to implore you all fellow Members of Parliament to reflect back and look at the sacrifices that were made by our brothers and sisters who went to war to liberate this country and commemorate this day as this day has made us who we are and put the country where it is.
In conclusion, I would want to say, together and united I believe we can do it; we can make Zimbabwe a better country for ourselves and future generations. I thank you.
- J. GUMBO: Mr. Speaker, I move that the debate do now adjourn.
- CHIKWAMA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 5th August, 2015.
MOTION
FINANCE BILL: 2015 MID-TERM FISCAL POLICY REVIEW
STATEMENT
- CHAPFIKA:
INTRODUCTION
Following the presentation of the 2015 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Statement by the Hon. Minister of Finance and Economic Development, your Committee on Finance and Economic Development met to review the measures proposed to take the country to the end of this year. Your
Committee in welcoming the Minister’s statement, wishes to bring to the attention of this august House issues that the Hon. Minister should attend to. The current economic environment requires a total paradigm shift in respect of Government policy intervention to turnaround the economy.
AREAS OF CONCERN
ECONOMIC GROWTH
Your Committee noted with concern the lack of adequate measures put in place by the Hon. Minister to address the decline in the growth of the economy, which has been revised downwards to 1.5% from the initial projection 3.2%. The fiscal space has contracted and the key to progress is to grow the national economy so as to be able to achieve our national objectives, consistent with ZIM ASSET. Your Committee proposes that the Hon. Minister needs to seriously consider effective deployment of the country’s natural resources to unlock value to finance
development programmes.
AGRICULTURE
The Hon. Minister admitted in his report that the poor performance of the agricultural sector, by and large, attributed the downward revision of the country’s economic growth. It is therefore, imperative that our policies should promote the growth of this sector. Whilst the Committee welcomes the measure proposed by the Hon. Minister aimed at protecting the local fertilizer companies. Your Committee is however concerned that the Hon. Minister acknowledges that this is a critical sector and is proposing to impose duty at 25%, thereby making an agricultural input very expensive and would negatively impact this sector.
Your Committee feels that the overall objective to boost production of fertilizer will not be achieved given that the manufacturing companies have a host of other challenges such as lack of working capital, obsolete equipment and high cost of production among others. Further, this introduction is coming well into the preparation of the agricultural season where farmers have already taken positions
Further, the introduction of this tax will increase the cost of agriculture, which will have a ripple effect on the rest of the economy, given that Zimbabwean economy is, by and large agro-based. The Committee therefore strongly recommends that the import duty should not be introduced.
Your Committee notes with concern, development in the seed manufacturing sector, where for example seed houses purchase seed maize from growers, at about US$ 700 per tonne and resell same after processing at US$ 2400 per tonne. Your Committee calls for the justification of the huge variance between the two, conscious of the fact that the seed manufacturers only grade, treat and package the maize seed. All businesses in general, should desist from the practice of profiteering which characterised the pricing models during the hyperinflationary period.
Your Committee also noted with concern the lack of prioritisation by the Hon. Minister to adequately fund the 2015/2016 agricultural season. The Hon. Minister stated that a total of US$1.7 billion is required for the season and that Government shall only finance a paltry US$91.33 million (5.37%). The lack of adequate mechanisms put in place by Treasury to address food security in the country is a direct contravention of the constitutional provisions as outlined under Chapter
4, Section 77(b).
Your Committee strongly recommends that the Hon. Minister provides for the payment of the farmers who delivered grain to the GMB to enable them to finance their input. Your Committee therefore commends the Hon Minister’s initiative to develop the irrigation infrastructure to avoid farmers’ reliance on normal rainfall, thereby mitigating the effects of droughts.
MINING
Chrome
The Hon. Minister projects a 3.5% growth in the sector against the initial projection of 3.1%. Your Committee has reservations concerning the 500 000 tonnes projection of chrome output given that only 96 000 tonnes was produced during the first half of 2015. This exponential trajectory seems inconstant with the first half performance, even when one factors in the lifting of the ban on the export of raw chrome.
Diamonds
In respect to diamond production, the first half projection at 1.44 million carat is more or less the same as that in 2014. Your Committee noted with concern the apparent contradiction with reported reduced activity in that sector given the pending consolidation of the sector. In addition to this, the shift from mining of alluvial diamonds to kimberlite, which requires more investment.
Coal
Your Committee has also observed with reservations the projected coal output of 2.8 million in 2015 against an annual projection of 7.8 tonnes. The two fold increase of the first half performance appears unrealistic even after taking into account improved production capacity at Hwange Colliery, which is projected at 300 000 tonnes per month. At this rate, Hwange Colliery will only be able to produce about 1.8 million tonnes during the second half of the year. Further, not much is expected from the other coal mining houses such Makomo Resources, who have scaled down operations.
MANUFACTURING
The Hon. Minister’s statement is devoid of bold strategies to retool the manufacturing industry to make them competitive. Your Committee welcomes the Hon. Minister’s initiatives taken by the Minister to protect the local industry.
To enable the manufacturing sector to be competitive, your Committee recommends that duty on raw materials in the manufacturing sector be scraped. To further protect the local manufacturing industry,
Government should also impose stiff penalties on any imported finished products which are manufactured locally, e.g. building and packaging material. Your Committee also recommends that Government should also monitor the importation of manufactured goods in violation of the SADC rules of origin and also impose stiff penalties on offenders.
Your Committee also noted with concern the high cost of utilities in Zimbabwe, water, electricity and other inputs and urged the Minister to continue revising these issues to ensure that businesses are revised.
FINANCIAL SECTOR
Banking Sector
Your Committee noted with concern the high cost of borrowing which your Committee felt is extortionist in nature and not serving the intended objective of advancing national growth. It is the Committee’s hope that the issue of high interest rates and the repeated charging of arrangements fees and other charges on rolling over of loans to avoid the in duplum rule should be addressed by the Governor of the Reserve
Bank of Zimbabwe’ Monetary Policy Statement expected soon.
Micro Finance Institutions
Your Committee also noted with concern the high interest rates charged by the micro-finance institutions and urges Government to monitor the sector.
Revenue Collection
In an effort to enhance revenue collection by the Ministry of Finance, your Committee recommends that a simplified tax formula be adopted.
Whilst your Committee acknowledges the significant role played by the various Government agencies in collecting revenue, it is prudent that all the revenue collected is channeled to Consolidated Revenue
Fund.
Austerity Measures
The Hon. Minister proposes to reduce employment cost from about 8% to 40% of total expenditure, without stating how he intends to achieve this. It is your Committee’s view that to achieve this; the Hon. Minister will either reduce the size of the Civil Service or reduce the salary levels of the current workforce. The challenge is that Government does not have the resources for retrenchment packages should it lay off some of its employees nor can it effect a salary cut as this would be in violation of our labour statute. The Committee requests the Hon.
Minister to explain how he intends to deal with this matter.
CONCLUSION
Your Committee submits this report to the House for consideration and hope that the Hon. Minister will take on board the Committee’s recommendations.
- KEREKE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I rise to debate the motion at hand, which is a motion on the proposed amendments to the
Finance Bill, 2015. Before I come to the substantives of the Budget Mr. Speaker Sir, I need to underscore that the Finance Bill and amendments thereto is a critical piece of legislation which the august House is rightfully discussing.
Mr. Speaker Sir, we have noted the current turmoil that is characterising the labour market whereupon workers and civil servants are being thrown on to the streets like literal garbage. This is against a background of legal processes that are following the law. What this means is that as Parliament, we need to learn from errors of past parliaments in passing laws that have ‘teeth’ that bite innocent citizens.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to advocate that, as we analyse these proposed amendments to the Finance Bill, we look at the extent to which the provisions protect the welfare of the people. The issue of food security lies at the centre of the welfare of our nation. It is a critical point, which we urge the Treasury to listen to with a heart for the people. We have a food deficit of 700 000 metric tonnes and the budget is only attending to 2% and hope that the private sector will bring food to our grandmothers in the rural areas. It is not only unfair, it is impractical and unconstitutional. It is our hope that the right amendments arising from the discussions of this House would be looked at to ensure that we promote food availability to the disadvantaged communities.
Mr. Speaker Sir, when we look at the Constitution, Chapter 4 has a pronounced bearing in the laws that we create. The Bill of Rights pronounced in Chapter 4, at all times, these are principles that must be observed without any reservation. Other areas of the Constitution would require compliance over time as resources permit. However, on matters of food security, which is protected under Section 77(b) of the Constitution, it is important that this budget attends to it.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I move on to the adequacy of how we are prepared as a country to deal with the coming agricultural season. The hon. Minister indicated in the budget that we will need a total US$1.7 billion to finance our agriculture. It is prudent that as a nation, we ask how this money can be raised. First of all, will the private sector be able to meet this requirement when we look at the status of our banking sector? The budget indicated that total loans to the economy in the banking sector rose from US$3.8 billion in June 2014 to US$4 billion in June 2015, which is an increase over the year of only US$200 million.
So, for our economy’s banking sector – the total lending only rose by US$200 million in the year. It is therefore next to impossible to hope that within this season alone, the banking sector can solely raise the
US$1.7 billion that we require for our agriculture.
Mr. Speaker Sir, this means that we need to look elsewhere for strategic partners that can fund our agriculture either in cash or kind. Facilities could be negotiated whereupon suppliers of fertilizer can supply into the economy on the basis that on harvesting, the inputs can be paid for. There is a worrying constraint Mr. Speaker Sir, where the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) has placed a ceiling on
Government’s capacity to borrow and this is serious. For those hon. members who have a copy of the full text of the budget, I refer to pages 246 and 247. Mr. Speaker Sir, those show in explicit terms, the targets and limits that have been imposed on the country by the IMF who say
Government’s non-concessional borrowing must not go beyond US$400m on a cumulative basis. Given that, as at December 2014, we were at US$369m, the IMF is saying to the economy do not borrow US$31m, yet we want US$1.7m to sustain our economy. So it means our hands as a country, have literally been tied and it is time that we need to introspect and assess the virtues and constraints that comes with the policies we get.
Mr. Speaker Sir, another area which I think needs to be looked at is debate on whether adopting the stance of austerity measures is the right policy mix, given where we are as a country. Austerity means cut your expenditure, retrench, stop projects, reduce spending and this in our case would include reduction of expenditure on the social sectors of the economy. Again Mr. Speaker, when we look at the IMF staff monitored targets which are in the budget, we are being given floor ceilings of US$35m spending on social sectors, what is that? Even a village would not sustain itself, if we really talk of serious infrastructure but as a country, we are being given that as a target and we must comply. For what purpose, it is not clear. So, the point is that we need to introspect and realize that the IMF at this point will not give us money unless ZIDERA is removed - but to the extent it is there, I think we need to take some of their policy measures with a pinch of salt.
Mr. Speaker Sir, when we look at the proposed land tax, the draft Bill proposes that the Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement collects and puts the money in the Consolidated Revenue Fund as the Chair of the Committee has clearly stated. We would want that that principle be spread to all other agents of Government so that we pool our resources together as opposed to a case where individual departments and ministries claim to collect and retain revenue whilst the sender does not have money.
Mr. Speaker Sir, on the issue of the mining sector, the budget does not articulate fully the silence and the invisibility of the diamond sector in our balance of payments statistics. We would want that as a country we implement all measures as possible to re-ignite activity in this critical sector which had become one of the flagships in terms of promoting economic performance and employment creation. The proposed measures are that let us increase import duties to protect local industries. Whilst theoretically, this is a plausible argument, it is an argument which is losing traction in contemporary economics. We want to say, when we see our citizens importing bails of used clothes, some of them are not really used. They come in bails because it reduces packaging costs.
The issue is when we define the people’s welfare, what exactly do we mean? In my view Mr. Speaker and I speak for the constituencies as well - when a household is getting t-shirts, dresses, decent clothing at a dollar, it is not necessarily a bad thing given our circumstances and the hardships that the communities are facing. Imposing duty on second hand clothes in terms of revenue raised, it will not raise much,rather we need to say how can Government fund local industry to retool using new technologies that reduce costs not to go and build a high tariff road. It will only work to build apprehensions internally and social stresses that divert attention from productive focus into needless conflict and fighting.
Mr. Speaker Sir, with regard to the financial services sector, I need to amplify the point that until they realize that the charges that banks are imposing on the economy are one of the largest impairments in our systems, we continue on the downward spiral. GDP growth of 1.5% this year, we need to debate, we need to recommend policies to the Hon.
Minister to say Zimbabwe, we need a higher growth for this year, let us find the solutions and it is doable. Thank you Sir. . – [HON
MEMBERS: Hear, hear.]
- P. D. SIBANDA: Thank you Mr. Speaker for allowing me to also add my voice to the review of the review of the fiscal policy by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development. I am going to echo my debate basically on the rational expectations of economic agents such as the people of Binga North and generally everybody in the economy. Obviously when people heard that there is going to be a policy review or fiscal policy review, there are certain expectations that they had on what the Minister was going to do. I would like to say Mr. Speaker, when we talk of fiscal policy, there is usually expectations that the Government is going to intervene with certain instruments in order to stimulate favourable macro-economic conditions for favourable welfare outcomes in the economy.
Ordinarily, Mr. Speaker, when the Hon. Minister comes in to review the policy, the expectations are that he is going to deal with the macro-economic problems and variables such as unemployment, depressed aggregate demand, increased productivity, increased inflow of investment and capital, general economic growth, consumption levels, saving levels; so those are the expectations that will be there outside in the economy. Therefore, as I debate, I am going to measure the policy statement that was given on Thursday, in line with these variables and problems that are expected to be dealt with by the community. The previous speakers, Mr. Speaker have spoken that indeed what we expected were policies and instruments from the Hon. Minister that would generally stimulate growth in the economy and not a downward revision of the GDP. We generally expected the Minister to pronounce policies that were going to deal with unemployment rather than increasing levels of unemployment by encouraging a flexible labour market practice in the economy.
We expected policies from the Minister that encourage aggregate demand, that encouraged more consumption by the consumers in the market and when we are talking of a deflationary economy that we have currently with an inflation of minus 2.18%. Instead of celebrating that prices are re-adjusting, we should actually see that to be a reflection of the increase in the level of poverty in our economy. It actually reflects that more and more people are unable to purchase commodities in the market. A low inflation or a deflation that we are experiencing is actually an indication that we are having more goods that are chasing less money within the economy. Instead of increasing taxes on imports that come in, one expected that the Minister of Finance and Economic Development was going to reduce the taxes so that we can then stimulate more consumption within the economy.
The danger of increasing import duties like the Minister did is that, at the end of the day we are actually increasing the poverty levels. We are also promoting inefficiency in our local production processes. We are saying, our local producers will be therefore at liberty to increase prices as they want and it means that the people who have more purchasing power because we know by the statistics of inflation that we have that it is an indication that people do not have the power to purchase whatever they want. Therefore, that power is going to be reduced and the ability by consumers to buy is going to be reduced further. That translates to a situation where even our PDL is going to rise from the current $530 to something like $700 or $800 and poverty levels are going to increase if the stance that was pronounced by the Minister is allowed to go on. Therefore, I agree with the previous speakers that we need to revise the element of increasing import duties until at a time that we can be able to say, our own domestic industry has been capacitated enough to compete efficiently with the foreign producers.
Mr. Speaker Sir, the banning of the importation of second-hand clothes as already been said, the impact of that on the general economy is that, the majority of vendors who are the people that are keeping the aggregate demand at the level that it is currently on will no longer have disposable income to spend within this economy. Therefore, at the end of the day, it is going even to depress inflation to lower and lower levels.
Importation of second hand clothes is one of the very few sources of income that are available to Zimbabweans in these days of high unemployment rate. In my view, instead of dealing with these peripherals that the Minister touched on, I believe that it was important for the policy to touch on real issues – structural issues that are affecting this economy that we need to deal with bravely so that our economy can be able to kick start. These issues are – Hon. Kereke has just mentioned about the diamond levels, that they are not reflecting the sales of diamonds and they are also not reflecting on our BOP levels. The reason for that is that for a long time, the deals of diamonds in this country have been murky. They are not transparent.
We need to come out clearly and be transparent to the nation and say, what is it exactly that is happening in the diamond sector. Unless we begin to account for each and every sale that is coming from there, our economy will continue to be depressed. There are a lot of questions that are being asked and everybody knows that it is not very clear who Anjin is and who are the shareholders of Anjin, Mbada Diamonds or of most of the companies that are operating there and how they are operating the mining of diamonds in that area. We need therefore that kind of transparency so that if we can deal with them, then the inflow of resources and foreign currency into the country can be increased.
Mr. Speaker, I also believe that, one issue that was mentioned by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development when he was presenting the 2015 budget was low investor confidence in the economy. Therefore, one expected that in this policy review, the Minister should have touched on the factors that are contributing towards low investor confidence in this economy. There is no way Mr. Speaker, that this economy on its own, can pull itself out of the situation that we are in, unless we get investors coming in to pour in resources in this economy. We should be asking ourselves questions of why it is that, at a time when we are getting only about $400 million in Foreign Direct
Investment, Mozambique is getting something like $8 billion and Zambia is getting something like $6 billion. Why do we remain the lowest recipients of Foreign Direct Investment even within the region? Why do we not then try to look at those factors so that we may be able to address them?
Mr. Speaker, I believe that time has come for us as a nation to be honest with ourselves. We cannot continue dilly-dallying and wanting to point fingers at others all the time without making some self introspection. We need to look at ourselves seriously and say, we are charged as leaders with the responsibility to ensure that the welfare of all those people that elected us is improved. Unless we do that and we continue to blame everybody except ourselves, Mr. Speaker, I believe that will not take us anywhere as a country.
Mr. Speaker, I also thought that some of the measures that the Minister of Finance and Economic Development was supposed to talk about are issues to do with transparency in our debt and mega-deals. I want to just give an example. Very recently, we were in Belarus to buy tractors. The question that I asked myself was, have we really made a thorough research and then discovered that the real problem that we have in this country in our economy are tractors, such that we should go and borrow more tractors. The question that I asked myself was, why are we going to borrow more tractors at a time when the Brazilian facility of mechanisation has not yet been unpacked to everybody so that we know what kind of result we are going to expect from that facility?
Why should we go to look for tractors at a time when even the farm mechanisation programmes that we recently buried as a carcass in the RBZ Debt Assumption Bill has not been studied as to its effects? What impact did the Farm Mechanisation Programme have on the general economy? Therefore Mr. Speaker, it is my view that we need to be more transparent and we need to be more economic on issues to do with more and more debt and facilities that we are getting.
Mr. Speaker, I also believe that, one of the major problems that has continued to haunt us as a country, especially on the challenges of the economy, include budgetary indiscipline. It is only a few weeks ago that the Auditor General was reporting that about $3 billion had leaked from the economy. What measures are we taking as a country to ensure that we deal with those leakages? I believe that we also need to deal with our history. Our history includes situations where we have invaded private accounts of investors in this country and used that money for whatever purposes without their consent. It is that kind of a scenario that keeps investors outside the country because they are afraid that once we walk in, their money can be simply taken away from their accounts without any recourse. Unless we deal with that kind of history that we have, investor confidence in this country will continue to be low.
Let me speak about retrenchments and downsizing Government human resources. I think we need to show serious political will in that area. We can only show that political will if we do not only retrench those that are at the bottom but we retrench ourselves up there. I believe that in times of such economic problems that we have, we cannot continue to have a Cabinet that is as huge as a Cabinet that existed in 1982, when our economy was still kicking. It is time that we need to look at ourselves and say ‘with the size of Cabinet that we have, are these ministries that we have adding any economic value to this country or we are just keeping them there?’ I am looking at a situation where one Cabinet Minister goes with a whole lot of bureaucracy behind him and the cost behind that whole ministry is so huge. Do we make an analysis of the value being added to the economy of this country by the whole ministry or we are just keeping friends and relatives warming benches whilst the economy is not moving. So, it is my view that we need to show that serious political will. Why should we not show as a leadership that if we want to retrench the man on the ground, we can start by trimming our Cabinet? Why do we not show that we can start by saying we want to reduce our trips oversees so that we try to save the little foreign currency we have in this country. Why should we sacrifice the person on the ground all the time without sacrificing ourselves? I think that lack of political will, will not pull us out of the situation that we are in.
Finally, let me talk of the need for us to have a policy direction.
Let us try to move away from policies that are hostile to investors. Honestly speaking, the Minister spoke about that but without doing anything, for example to the Indigenisation and Empowerment Act, we are not showing any serious will that we want to come up with better policies. I think we need to start by making sure we do the right actions. Let us set aside that piece of legislation. It is a good piece of legislation in the national interest and for the people but not at this particular moment. I believe that it is time that we set it aside and start to build our economy, then after that we can then try to bring it in.
I do not agree with the previous speaker on the issue that we should throw away IMF policies. It is not the time to alienate ourselves from the rest of the world. I think this is the time that we need everybody and it is not time for us to look East only but time for us to look everywhere and bring everybody aboard to try and assist us to build our economy. Remember Mr. Speaker, when the Chinese were turning around their economy said, as long as it is a cat, black or white, if it catches mice we want it. So, let us not be selective but let us also embrace everybody and move with everyone’s policies so that we build our economy for the welfare of our people. I thank you Mr. Speaker.
ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR. SPEAKER
NON ADVERSE REPORT RECEIVED FROM THE
PARLIAMENTARY LEGAL COMMITTEE
- SPEAKER: I want to announce that the Chair has received a non adverse certificate for the Joint Ventures Bill H.B.4A, 2015, from the Parliamentary Legal Committee.
VARIATION OF DEBATING TIME
- SPEAKER: Also because of the interest being shown to debate the issue, the Chair rules as follows: In terms of Standing Order No 52; In order to facilitate business of the House or for any other reasons, the Speaker may in his or her discretion suspend business or varying the time laid down for the interruption of the suspension of the business and must as soon as possible inform the House of his or her intention to do so. I am therefore cutting down the 20 minutes debate to 10 minutes so that everybody has the chance to debate.
- HOLDER: Mr. Speaker Sir, I note that in his presentation, the hon. Minister did mention that some of the presentations that he had done in the debate would be with effect from 1st August and I see today is the 4th August, 2015. Allow me just to clarify and find out whether our debate is going to change anything or are we going to rubber stamp what has been presented to this House. I am not going to touch on many issues that the hon. Minister touched in his budget but I am going to focus on the Mines and Mining department. I feel that the hon. Minister, on presenting his Budget to this House regarding the mining sector, there were things that were said in the last Budget that was presented in 2015 on Section 601 on the exemption of the 15% raw platinum exported.
- SPEAKER: Order, may I correct the impression that we are debating the Budget. We are debating the Policy Review Statement and not the Budget. Could you please stick to the policy statement?
- HOLDER: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I have taken note of that. The reason why I had said that is because in the last presentation, he spoke about the 15% exemption of raw platinum which was to be exported but the problem is, when we say something here and it is not implemented it does not make a good impression out there. I note with concern that the Minister was very silent when it came to that 15% on the platinum sector. I feel that he should have said something regarding the platinum sector so that we could actually build investor confidence in platinum mining. The problem is when something is not said and the policy is inconsistent, investors tend to panic. Looking at the current scenario that we are living in where platinum prices are going down, we are predicting gold prices to also go right down to about at least US$500 – US$800 per troy ounce.
Mr. Speaker Sir, you find that the 15% which was supposed to be exempted then was not exempted. They were actually paying and instead for us to push these platinum mines to increase production by least 50% or 80% to expand, we were penny wise and pound foolish. In other words, we are charging 15% tax instead of giving them a chance to increase. The more they produce, the more the country will benefit.
I am actually pleased that the Minister spoke about the royalty from 3% down to 1%. That was a very good initiative. There are other issues that are pertaining to the same problem where we are looking at
3% down to 1% and yet we have a reputation where custom milling pays
$8000, special grants are $5000 and custom millers are there to help the small scale miner to mine but you find that this custom miller has to first pay $8000 to help somebody. When you pay so much money and you want to help somebody to produce, it becomes a problem. I think the Minister should have intervened in the policy regarding these fees that are exorbitant.
When looking at other countries, he spoke about stock exchange in the industries but the mining sector does not have a stock exchange. We have countries such as Canada and Australia that have a stock exchange where, proven on the resource, the stocks go up. We have people who come to this country and get agreements and go back to their countries and raise money from there. If this stock exchange was here, I think we would also raise money based on the proven resources which are in the ground.
Looking at the other sectors regarding the policies in the Mines and Minerals Act, that has not come through. I feel Mr. Speaker Sir, that he should have addressed this more sincerely because mining plays a pivotal in the recovery of the economy. If we do not do something about that, we will not be able to get people to mine and produce. Looking at the metal prices that are coming down continuously, we need to cushion ourselves now so that we will be able to produce.
One of the recommendations which I think the Minister should have taken into consideration is to exempt that 15% tax on raw materials exported and ask these big mining companies to expand by 50% to improve on production, noting also that the prices of metal have come down from $1500 to $980 per ounce. It is continuing to drop. If we do not do something now to cushion ourselves, we will be hit very badly.
MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: Thank you Mr. Speaker
Sir. Let me start by thanking the Minister for the review. I am only going to deal with two issues in the review and I would like to thank you personally for the guidance that you have given us in terms of speaking around issues that are also in the Constitution so that as we speak to the things that would have come to the House, we are able to link them to the constitutional provisions.
I am going to speak to two issues that are in the Constitution, which are Section 17 which speaks to issues of gender balance and Section 18 which speaks to issues around fair regional representation.
Let me start with the subject that I already hear some of the hon. members speaking to which is the banning of second hand imported clothing. Mr. Speaker Sir, unfortunately you were not in the House when I raised this particular issue. This particular issue was very specific. It was specific to issues to do with under garments. Let me say that I still hold that position. I hold that position and I hope the doctors that are here will be able to buttress that particular point because I am not a medical doctor.
The issues of second hand garments cannot be allowed. They cannot continue primarily because when you are talking about under garments, you are talking about people putting on these things on the most sensitive part of the human anatomy. It brings with it – I know this is why a lot of people are shocked around panties because I was worried why the issue of panties was creating such problems until I realised that people are probably mistaking panties for me speaking to the human anatomy. It is as if when I was showing panties, I was showing the human anatomy of the woman which was not the idea. The issue was to try and prove because if I had spoken to it without showing those undergarments, I am sure Hon. Chinamasa would have thought I was being a drama queen.
The undergarments are a health hazard Mr. Speaker. They are put inside those things. They are taken for hours. If there is a fungal issue that is there, it provides for the kind of environment that ensures the fungus grows. We have issues like pubic lice and so, it is not about women’s health but men’s health too because they will get in contact with those women one way or the other. The issue of undergarments remains a problem. I can see and this is the unfortunate thing in having to debate when people have not completely read what the Minister has put in. Even as he speaks about those issues of banning second hand clothing, I think he is clear because when I heard that he had banned, I equally went into the mode that my other colleagues are in to say if you ban and you have not given an alternative, what is the issue?
He does speak and I think it is on Section 1027 of his document. He speaks about providing a manufacturers rebate, which means what he is saying is that if you are going to import raw materials and machinery to make those things – because the problem that we have with the textile industry, is about the inability and lack of capacity to produce at the level where if you go into his document, he speaks about providing a manufacturer’s rebate. Basically, it means what he is saying is, if you are going to import raw materials or machinery to make those things, because the problem that we have with the textile industry is about the inability and the lack of capacity to produce at the level where you can produce some of these cheap products that are coming in. I totally agree, though I do not usually agree with Hon. Kereke, that perhaps we need to finance these processes.
Whilst we can look at undergarments and say this is totally unacceptable, I do not think anyone can call the issue of undergarments a frivolous issue. It is problematic, wrong morally and ethically and we need to deal with it but we also need to begin to acknowledge the issue of second-hand clothing and say to ourselves, given where we are right now, does a ban stop or help the entire community? I am sure we are all agreed that if we ban, then what will people put on, because we do not have an alternative at the moment.
Let me quickly rush to the issue around the regional representation.
One of the problems that I have with the review is that whilst the Minister speaks and goes at length about the agricultural inputs, he behaves as if livestock is not part of agriculture. If you look at it, he does articulate the problems that are there around agriculture but he does not spend as much time saying what he is going to do with livestock. We know about the areas that have problems with livestock are which areas.
They are areas that are in Matebeleland.
If we come here and say we are not happy with our regional representation, it is those things that we are talking about because you cannot talk about agriculture as if agriculture is about Mashonaland. We know that Mashonaland is a region which can produce things like maize, that we know and he indicates in his review how much of the yields that Matebeleland has found. So, if you are going to articulate and say this is the amount of money we are going to give to Mashonaland for purposes of agriculture or crop production, you equally have to do the same with the issues around livestock [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear].
What makes it worse Mr. Speaker around that issue is that he did very well last time by taking out the 25% export tax on raw hides. He takes away that right now knowing that in that community, we still do not have the capacity to be able to do leather on our own. In fact, you have not given anything to the livestock for people in Matebeleland. You also go beyond and punish them by introducing another 25% which is on export.
Lastly Mr. Speaker, it is to do with irrigation. That one is what really made me very cross and I must say so Mr. Speaker. He does a list of the places in which he is going to assist around irrigation. In that entire list, you find that Mashonaland East is going to have three places where they are going to have irrigation schemes that are going to be rehabilitated. There is Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West and of course, Matebeleland North. There is absolutely nothing in
Matebeleland South. What are we saying Mr. Speaker? We are saying that the irrigation schemes that are in Matebeleland South should not get anything that is there. This is why I said Mr. Speaker, I thank you because you have taught to us to link the issues that are in the
Constitution to the issues that are in the policy. That is not fair regional representation. For everything that we are doing, we need to say if I am going to do this for this particular region, I equally have to do that.
Lastly, he deals with the issues around education. I brought a motion here around the problems that are happening both in
Matebeleland North and Matebeleland South. It seemed one of the major problems that we have is not having the schools that have the capacity to have science laboratories. I even counted and brought the figures to this House Mr. Speaker. When he puts in the schools that are going to be rehabilitated in his review, what does he do? He gives one primary school in Matebeleland South. We do not need a primary school; we need an organised science school so that the children there can have the access to get into NUST and UZ because they are unable to get into those places because they have not been trained in the sciences. I think the more we begin to listen to what people are saying, the better that our review is.
Like I said, I thank you. At least he did listen to one of the issues that we brought to the House and I hope that as people speak right now, he is also beginning to speak. Like I said, he should go back to Section 17 and 18. He was part of the negotiators and knows why we put those sections. This is not in compliance with the Constitution, the issues of gender and issues around regional representation which are not properly dealt with in this particular review. Mr. Speaker, I will stop there because of time. I thank you Sir – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.].
- MUDEREDZWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, for giving
me the opportunity to make my contribution to the Minister’s Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review Statement. Let me begin by thanking the Minister for coming up with this statement at a very difficult time in terms of how our economy is performing. I would like to thank him as he has tried his level best to come up with at least policies that can drive the economy towards growth but there are certain areas that I would like to highlight. Most of the areas have been highlighted by other speakers that spoke before me. I would like to start by agreeing with the Minister that the overall economic growth performance of 1, 5% in a situation where we have planned for 3, 2% is not good performance at all. Something should be done to ensure that we stimulate that economic growth rate.
I will start with agriculture. I am concerned with importation of maize from Zambia, Malawi and other places. I would like to thank the Minister for realizing that there is need to support small scale farmers so that we can also grow maize in adequacy but my worry is that each and every year, the farmers receive these inputs late. It is not good enough to provide farmers with input in November, December or January because that season will have elapsed. I am urging the hon. Minister to say this time around, let it be planned such that the farmers get inputs much earlier, September or October is ideal not the trend that we have gone through for the last period.
I would also like to make a comment on tobacco. I am concerned with agriculture because agriculture comes second from mining in terms of stimulating growth in this country. I applaud the Minister for supporting contracting farming especially in the area of tobacco but we should also realise that, there are individual farmers who would like to grow as individual farmers. We should not direct most of energy on contract farming because we realise that of recent, the people who are doing this contracting farming, if not the companies from China, Asia and other places, are the white farmers who used to be the owners of those pieces of land. They have come back in earnest and we are not at all comfortable having them as the people who are doing the farming the people who are doing the farming. We would like to ensure that our indigenous farmers are supported so that they are able to do farming. Along this reasoning, I would like to say Agribank is the bank that they should support to ensure that we grow. The 30 million that was
provided to Agribank by way of capitalization is not enough. We need more funds to be directed to Agribank.
If I happen to talk about marketing of tobacco, you will realise that the public auction system is slowly dying because it appears as if Government is supporting the contract farming system and the contract marketing system. This is against logic Mr. Speaker Sir, because all crops across the world are sold at a public auction. So why is it that we are now pursuing the contract farming practice as if it is the bastion of our farming programmes. We need to ensure that individual farmers are given support so that they grow and in that process, we are going to develop as a nation.
I would also like to touch on the aspect of the One Stop Shop Investment Centre. Mr. Speaker Sir, the Minister indicated that the concept was started in December 2010, now it is July 2015; we have not concluded. The respective ministries have not seconded their staff to form this investment centre. It is very difficult in this country to form a company and operate. There are a lot of papers that should be filled from different ministries; you run from one ministry to the other. It might be different from other countries where things are done at one place. We need to get rid of the paper dragon in this country. We need to simplify systems so that we are able to perform better as a nation.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I would also want to touch on the aspect of how our economy is performing in terms of how it is generating national income. It is not good enough for us to depend heavily on taxation, we need foreign direct investment. We need an injection in our economy so that the economy grows. In that respect, it is prudent for our
Government to make sure that we re-look at our investment policies. I am happy that the Hon. Minister has you have come up with the Joint Venture Bill, eventually maybe when it is in operation; it is going to attract investors because it has got a cocktail of ways in which people can invest. We need to relook at our investment policy because it is the one that is deterring investors into Zimbabwe, if you compare with what is happening in other countries that are next to us.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to touch on the energy sector. I am happy that there are a number of initiatives that are taking place in terms of the energy generation but I take concern that the Rural Electrification Authority is being underfunded by ZESA. The six percent that is given is not enough. Right now, if we look at the projections of this year, it is supposed to be given 6 million but of late, it has been given 1.5 million REA is underfunded, it is being given 6% of what ZESA is earning and we are saying it is possible to increase this figure to 10% so that REA is shouldered with the responsibility of ensuring that power is given to people in the rural areas. We cannot talk of development when we look at urban areas only. Some of us come from rural areas and my constituency is in the rural areas where there is no electricity. When rural business centres do not have electricity, it means that economic activity in those respective areas is not pronounced. So, the Minister should relate with his counterparts in Government so that at least there is a re-look at what REA is getting from ZESA.
I do also want to look at transport in terms of what ZINARA is doing. It is doing a lot of good work to the rural district councils, urban councils including DDF.
- SPEAKER: Order, hon. member. Your time is up.
- MARIDADI: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I might not be able to cover all the areas that I had intended but I would want to premise my debate on the following: economic growth, revenue collection, food security, mining sector, protection of domestic industry, wage bill reduction and employment creation as well as labour market flexibility.
Mr. Speaker, I want to look at the statement that was presented by the Minister. He revealed that the projected growth of 3, 2% has been revised downwards to about 1,5%, which means it has been reduced downwards by more than 50%. The Minster talked about the agriculture sector as the backbone of this economy but I think the industrial sector if it is properly funded will replace the declines in the agricultural productivity and stir the economy.
The focus of policy towards the re-capitalization of the manufacturing sector will be essential in order to increase productivity in the economy. The Minister did not however sufficiently deal with efforts to restore the manufacturing sector in the recapitalization of the sector. I think what we need to do now Madam Speaker, is to be honest with each other and also tell each other the truth. As the previous speaker has said, there are policies that we have in this country that do not do anything to encourage foreign direct investment. The Minister talks about different types of taxation and he did not talk about foreign direct investment. I think what this country needs more than anything else is foreign direct investment. Prevailing double digits in lending rates on the financial markets are preventing the recovery of the universal sector because money is very expensive. So, companies cannot borrow. Interest rates are up to 20% and a company cannot borrow and expect to pay back at an interest of 20%. What kind of business will one be engaging in for one to raise that 20%?
Madam Speaker, I want to go on and say the Government has to make conscious efforts to deal with three underlying macro-economic challenges that we have while at the same time putting in place formulas to deal with corruption and poor management of public funds. The 2015 National Budget proposed a focus on the forms to promote accountability and management of public resources. The financial audits of 10 major parastatals have not been done except for ZBC. ZBC is the only one out of 10 important parastatal that had an audit done, the rest of them audits have not been done because it is under the supervision of Hon. Prof. J. Moyo. The proposed Public Sector Government Bill that will seek to ensure compliance as well as illegally enforce corporate governance in state enterprises and parastatals. That is what we need to put in place.
In terms of accountability, Madam Speaker, the Auditor General reports that for 2014, 2014 clearly exposes the lack of compliance with approved frameworks, that is taking place in Government departments and in ministries. Mismanagement of resources is one of the major deterrents to service delivery in the country and this impacts on the effectiveness of the national development agenda. Madam Speaker, it is not sufficient to just mention that the Government is already working on development of necessary mechanisms for accountability, as stated by the Minister in his statement. Government needs to design ways to deal with this matter. Political will will also be required to ensure that public funds are used for their rightful purpose. If you look at the Auditor
General’s report on the various parastatals, it appears parastatals are not sticking to their mandate that there is a lot of pilferage
I do not necessarily agree with Hon. Kereke when he said that we must not talk to international organisations like the International
Monetary Fund and the World Bank. If you look at page 197 of the
Minister’s statement, the Minister says “on 16th February, 2015,
Zimbabwe and EU signed the National Indicative Programme under the
11th European Development Fund for the period 2014 to 2020”. Under this the Minister goes on to say “the National Indicative Programme (NIP) is programmed on an indicative amount of US$234 million and outlines the following areas of support:–
Health - 88 million Euro
Agriculture - 88 million Euro
Government and institution buildings - 45 million Euro”
He goes on to give a list of the money that will be received by this
Government totaling about 250 million Euro. The Minister says
“However, you will be aware that Zimbabwe has not been benefiting from the IFAD initiatives due to our current arrear situation in line with finance governing laws”. The Minister does not talk about sanctions. He talks about Zimbabwe’s arrears, which is the money that we are not paying. He says that “I am therefore pleased to advice that Government is involved in negotiations with IFAD on finding a solution to our arrears situation which will facilitate the resumption of IFAD support to our agricultural sector. The amount of arrears due to IFAD is 16.6 million Euro which is equivalent to US$ 23.1 million”. So, when people are debating on the Minister’s statement, it is important that people read the statement…
THE ACTING SPEAKER: Hon. Maridadi, you are left with two minutes.
- MARIDADI: Madam Speaker, I will leave everything that I wanted to debate and go on to ask the following questions to the Minister. What is Government policy in ensuring that the improvements that have taken place in the health sector as a result of the Health Transition Fund are sustained given the fund is approaching its expiry date? What has Government put in place to ensure there is speeding up of beneficiation of minerals such as gold, platinum and chrome among others? What is Government policy on the recapitalisation of local manufacturing industries? What has Government put in place to ensure employment creation through the Youth Employment Creation Fund? What measures have been put in place to cater for the salaries that are being owed by parastatals, namely the NRZ, Air Zimbabwe and the
GMB? Lastly, what is Government doing to ensure that small holder farmers, in particular, are able to access irrigation equipment so that they can sustain their productivity if they face unreliable rains as experienced in the 2014/2015 season?
Madam Speaker, while I am on that, looking at what the Minister said in terms of retrenchment, you cannot talk about retrenchments at the moment. ZIM ASSET, which is the economic bible of this country, talks about the creation of two million jobs. We spoke about the creation of two million jobs at the elections in 2013. Hardly two years later, we are talking of retrenching people. I think this is actionable by the workers. Workers can take Government to an international court and
Government will lose because instead of creating two million jobs, the Government wants to cut on employment – [HON. MEMBERS:
Inaudible interjections] -. We talk of a pro-poor budget. Is a pro-poor budget there to reduce poverty or induce poverty? The statement that was presented by the Minister in this House is a statement that will increase poverty.
Madam Speaker, we cannot talk about retrenchments. We know the chaos that is going on in the private sector. Government cannot ride on that chaos and also try to induce that chaos in the public sector. I think Zimbabweans reserve the right, if they are retrenched by this Government, especially civil servants, to take this Government to an international court and sue this Government. I know that the
Zimbabweans will be able to win. I thank you Madam Speaker – [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] -.
- ZINDI: Madam Speaker I also rise to contribute to this Mid
Year Fiscal Policy Review which was presented by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development on 30th July, 2015. The presentation by the Minister of Finance is in compliance with Section 72 (a) of the Public Finance Management Act. I shall raise my concerns on economic growth, revenue collection, food security, tourism and protection of jobs.
Madam Speaker, on the issue of economic growth for example, the
Minister revealed that the projected growth of 3.2% will not be achieved and the country is expecting to only achieve 1.5% growth. An analysis of that tells us that it is actually less or maybe 50% of the initial projected growth of our economy. The impact of the low agricultural productivity, which the Minister actually said was precipitated by drought or shortfall or poor rains, was sighted as having the effect on the economic decline. Thus, what I then suggest for the Government to do is to ensure that the farmers, be they communal farmers, small holder farmers or the newly resettled farmers, there should be that proactiveness on the part of Government to ensure that irrigation is made available to the farmers for food security.
Furthermore, on the question of the FDIs, which is the Foreign
Direct Investment in the country, Madam Speaker, I urge the Government to be consistant in terms of policy. We do not want to continue to hear of policy inconsistencies, that this minister is saying this and the other minister is saying that and this minister is contradicting the other minister. That does not create a conducive environment for the investors. So therefore, I appeal to our Government to have policy consistency as an issue that should be addressed with immediate urgency it requires.
Secondly, on the issue of investment environment, Madam Speaker, we need to deal with corruption as it is not conducive for investors. We need to deal with that as a matter of urgency.
Further, we have gone through the Auditor-General’s Report of 2014 and the Auditor-General made it very clear that there is no compliance by our Ministers, ministries or public officials in terms of compliance in public expenditure. Therefore, that is also equally required on the part of our Government to ensure that there is compliance … - [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear] –
Madam Speaker, due to time limitations, I may not end up raising all issues but of importance to me, is the issue of revenue collection. The Minister revealed that Government will not be able to collect the expected projected revenue which was actually at $3.99billion. So far, that has been revised to $3.6billion which is about 90.2% of the initial required revenue. The country expects a further deficit to the tune of about $400million which will negatively affect service provision especially in the social services.
Thus in an effort Madam Speaker, to increase the revenue base, our Minister of Finance and Economic Development had to propose other areas in order to enhance revenue increase and this is to do with the amendment of tax legislation to include taxation of income derived from profit oriented business entities that is from 1st January, 2016.
Further, in view of the improved capacity of the tax administration, the Minister proposed to extend VAT to transactions or short-term insurance with effect from 1st September, 2015 and also on imported motor vehicles which are five years and above from the date of importation to attract a surtax charge of 35% with effect from 1st September, 2015. This is to increase efficiency in revenue collection and ZIMRA again will set up a platform to receive data from the already installed devices of 4 176 Category ‘C’ operators by 31st October, 2015.
On the issue of food security, Madam Speaker, the removal for example of rebate on groceries by families, I think it is a cause for concern. I am saying so because on the issue of food security, most families have been able to go to South Africa and it is mostly women who travel to South Africa and bring groceries that are cheaper than what is locally produced. Therefore, removal of that rebate will expose more families to hunger.
I am saying, according to the Minister, we are supposed to import over 700 000 tonnes of maize. If we look into the statistics of what has been imported so far, the Government has managed to purchase 16 670 supported by the private sector that has been able to bring in 101 716 tonnes and in total, that gives us about 17% of the food that has been imported.
Therefore, at this rate if the Government is to remove the rebate on groceries that are being imported by families, this is going to expose more families to hunger. It is therefore my concern particularly when it is mostly women who are involved in the cross border business, bringing in groceries for their families and also to get some extra income. We realise the fact that most women are the backbone of the informal sector.
I would still propose and say that we need the Government to review the rebate on groceries.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, order, Hon. Zindi, you
are left with two minutes.
- ZINDI: Thank you Madam Speaker. Then on the issue of employment creation, we saw an amount of $500 000.00 that was made available for Youth Employment Creation. We would need justification from our Government, for accountability purposes, so then we know and understand how far that money was used; how much and how many in terms of job creation have been undertaken by the disbursement of the half a million dollars that I am talking about when the unemployment rate is at 80% and youths are the most affected.
I am, therefore, appealing for justification and explanation on the use of the $500 000.00 that was meant for employment creation so then at least we have an idea of how much employment has been created and how many of the youths have been employed as a result of the $500
000.00. I thank you.
- HLONGWANE: Thank you Madam Speaker for allowing
me to add my voice to the debate on the Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review Statement.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Development obviously operating in a very difficult operating environment had to make a lot of compromises. I was very encouraged by the fact that he made a few admissions in respect of the performance of the economy. He was in fact candid about the direction that needs to be taken. It is obviously not the best policy statement but I think in the given circumstances overally, the Minister tried his best to do a balancing act.
The first thing that I want to allude to in respect of the admission by the Minister, is on how to finance our economy’s productive sector through banks. The Minister admitted that the double-digit lending rates which is the cost of money, borrowing and lending is very expensive, unsustainable and is preventing recovery by the economy’s manufacturing sector. I think that is an important admission by the
Minister and I think that the Minister would want to have gone on to say, how then do you regulate the issue of interest rates down to single digit levels so that the productive sector can be able to borrow and finance production in our economy, therefore expanding the growth of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
I think that in respect of the same matter, Madam Speaker, it is important that there be financial innovation to deal with issues of production. Issues of long term funding are very important to assist productivity … - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] - …
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, order hon. members,
may the hon. member be heard in silence.
- HLONGWANE: Thank you Madam Speaker. Issues of
long term and cheap financing are very important in terms of bringing life to the productive sector of our economy. The other economies, especially those in East Asia that have been able to rise rapidly from circumstances such as ours have set up models of development banks. The models of development banks are financed so that they are able to onward lend, cheap finance, long term finance at very minimum interest rates. I think that is important; what is the role of our own Development Bank in Zimbabwe? How do we assist the Zimbabwe Development
Bank to attract investment for onward lending to the productive sector of our economy as well as infrastructure development? That was the very
first thing.
The second aspect is in respect of the reduction of the cost of utilities in this particular view, energy. Minister Chinamasa did reduce in fact the cost of energy to the manufacturing sector. That is very important for me because when you are dealing with the manufacturing sector you are dealing with the supply side of the economy. You are dealing with the real economy; you are not dealing with none essentials.
This reduction of the cost of power is important in terms of …
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, order, Hon.
Munengami, can you please behave yourself in the House.
- HLONGWANE: It is common cause that the cost of utility has been one of the many albatrosses around the neck of our economy especially the supply side of our economy, which is the productive sector. With the reduction of the cost of power to six cents per kilowatt, I think it is very important and will go a long way in stimulating activities within the productive sector.
I am not a financial expert myself but I think that the Minister did allude to the challenges out of salary arrears in very important companies such as the NRZ. NRZ is a very important strategic company in terms of the movement of bulk goods and so forth as well as the Grain Marketing Board and Air Zimbabwe. I think that there must be an approach from the fiscal authorities to first and foremost identify those strategic assets that are Government owned such as the NRZ and others. Madam Speaker, the Government should then say, how do we deal with the issue of debt that is causing these companies to fail to attract investment? If that issue is dealt with, new investments can be obtained for those assets and we can begin to see a stimulus economic activity.
The other point Madam Speaker is in respect of bringing down the wage bill. The Minister did speak to the effect that he wants to bring down the wage bill to about 40% of national revenue. The international standard is 30%, I think this is something that is laudable. What is lacking in respect of this in as far as the presentation is concerned is the modus operandi, how actually is this going to be implemented. I think that it must be done in a way that tries to avoid hostility; it must be done in a way that encourages investment in that area.
Madam Speaker, I differ with the other speakers on the issue of second hand clothes. I think protecting domestic industry is a fundamental of what we should be doing in respect of our economy right now. What we should be focusing on is how to revive the cotton industry, to say how does Gokwe come back to life as far as the cotton industry is concerned? Also, how does the South Eastern Lowveld come back to life as far as the cotton industry is concerned? How do we activate the downstream industries, the linkage industries that are associated with the production of cotton that includes our ginneries and cone textiles that are located in many of our major cities. I think that is important for us to do that, for us to save jobs and also to create those kind of jobs that we have lost.
Madam Speaker, in respect of protecting our local textile and shoe industry, I think that raising tariffs on second hand clothes will also stimulate activities in as far as the cattle industry is concerned because as you know, hides are obtained in that area to the extent that we are importing most of these things. It means that there is no serious attention being paid to the cattle industry.
The last point I want speak to Madam Speaker, is the issue of the ease of doing business, another admission again by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development that we need to address the ease of doing business in our country…
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, order, Hon. Chibaya
and Hon. Mutseyami, can you please behave yourself in the House.
- HLONGWANE: I think the Minister needs to engage in reforms that are much bolder, that will be accelerated in terms of implementation as far as the ease of doing business is concerned. The ease of doing business in Zimbabwe is one of the issues that has been an albatross around the neck of this economy from a point of view of attracting foreign direct investment; be it the issue of talking about how long it takes to register a company, be it the issue of labour market or repatriation of profits and several other things. I think that the ease of doing business environment in Zimbabwe really needs to be addressed.
Finally, we need to have clearly defined path for engagement. We have ZIDERA which continues to haunt our economy. We still have sanctions on the President, First Lady and the Zimbabwe Defence Industries. We need a very clearly defined path for engagement in order to engage international partners for the removal of these sanctions. These sanctions are continuing to hemorrhage our economy by either imposing a direct clean up on our economy or by way of a stigma that continues to haunt us in this economy.
On the issue of the IMF that Dr. Kereke mentioned, I just want to give an example Madam Speaker Sir, that as far as Dr. Kereke is concerned, I think he is not saying that we should not be talking to the IMF. I want to give an example that during the rise of the Asian Tigers in the late 90s, most of the East Asian economies avoided engaging the IMF. There is one country that did so, which is called Thailand.
Thailand did engage IMF and true to what was predicted in 1998, the Thai currency collapsed, and the economy went down with it. Those countries that avoided the IMF became stronger and have continued on a growth trajectory. So, it is very important that we understand given the context of our relations, the IMF is continuing surveillance on our economy, we need to be careful on how far we can go in as far as that engagement process is concerned.
*MS. MPARIWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the Minister for the Mid-Term Fiscal Review Policy Statement. Firstly, I want to deal with issues pertaining to women. I am in agreement with him that the imports of agricultural produce should not be encouraged. I further also noted that the Hon. Minister did not clearly spell out how we are going to have sufficient implements for farming. Food security was also talked about. It is given that God is responsible for rainfall. It is common because year- in year-out in Zimbabwe, we have a deficit in our bread basket. There was need for better clarity by the Minister so
that we know what we should do for farmers, so that we can be self sufficient. We also want to utilise the irrigation in all parts of the country so that the farmers have sufficient support which will lead to a good harvest on small grains like in Matabeleland so that we can assist such farmers. The Minister should have gone further and indicated what we need to do so that we have enough food. In the last five years, we have never been self sufficient. We know that the Government is responsible for food deficits. If we have drought, it is a legal requirement in our Constitution talking of the vulnerable groups such as orphans and the aged.
I will move on to second hand clothes. It is a difficult issue that when you look at the industry, there is nothing going on. Those children that are between 15 to 24 years are unemployed. Some of them are gold panners and street vendors and the mothers are busy selling vegetables and second hand clothes. Once we remove second hand clothes from the streets, we need safety nets for those vulnerable groups and these are the children and the women, before we pass this death sentence on them by unilaterally declaring that there should be no second hand clothes.
Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga talked about undergarments. She reiterated the same statement today. You cannot give a death sentence by declaring in a country where there are less privileged people such as the elderly who do not have any other means of livelihoods. The Minister should also look at other means to ensure that these vulnerable groups have a livelihood. My appeal to the Minister is that he should look into this and he should reconsider uplifting the ban on second hand clothes, because the protection of the industry is not necessary as we do not have money and we no longer have thieves, because people were busy selling their second hand jackets which are sold for $1 for two. If you ask the people who are here - how many have been to
Mupedzanhamo? If you had done that survey, 93% would have gone to Mupedzanhamo to buy second hand clothes.
For us to be able to support our constituencies, we were making our livelihoods from Mupedzanhamo. The Minister should reconsider this because as vulnerable groups, poor people and as MPs, we have the elderly, orphans and widows whom we were looking after by using second hand clothes. On the issue of groceries, it means we do not want those goods to be imported into the country. There was one thing that I saw and it is sanitary wear. It was coming from there. We urge the Minister to include it as part of the duty free items.
On page 74, the Labour Market and Flexibility on paragraph 333, if you hit the messenger, he will tell you who has sent him. Three weeks ago, we were not aware that this was already in the Minister’s Statement that employees are being retrenched without benefits or this was a precursor to this thing. We notice that teachers are now going to be sacked. This is not good in a country where there is no employment to talk about.
In this country, we have social partners. When the Minister makes such statements, may he consult social partners so that he takes that into consideration - the employers and employees so that members of the tripartite agreement are consulted and if this was done, paragraph 3 would not be in this document. It is difficult for this country where there are insufficient jobs. How can people without any special skills be retrenched without anything? We belong to ILO and we should not be encouraging workers to be retrenched without packages.
Lastly, I have noticed that there is a warning that my time is up. I was thinking that the Kadoma Declaration that was launched by President Mugabe in 2010, Hon. Chimanikire talked about it two weeks ago. He said we have sufficient in terms of the economy. We have people who go to industries where we can reduce the country’s risk factor and workers can add to this promotion. The three groups need to come together to ensure that industry can go well. It takes two to tango hon. Speaker. We should work together and there should be a social contract from the three social partners that comes after a negotiation. This is the best practice in countries that subscribe to the ILO. We should walk our talk and we should practice what we preach so that as a member of the international community, we will be seen to be a member befitting that stature in the international community. I thank you hon.
Speaker.
- MGUNI: Thank you Mr. Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to debate on this very important budget that was presented by the Minister. Zimbabwe is a God obeying country. In a Godly manner, we have to feed our people. Therefore, maize, sorghum, beef, cotton and poultry should be driven first because if you look at God’s commandments, tobacco must be the last, but we see that tobacco comes in front. I urge the Minister to give more priority to staple foods where people must be fed in this country. Mr. Speaker Sir, ZIMRA, the revenue collectors should have a mandate of collecting maximum revenue that is due to the State while protecting local industry and facilitating trade. If that is not balanced correctly, everything will be bizarre, because once they are on enforcement only the revenue that they have battled to collect may not come. This is because they need to balance all these three that I have mentioned. Mr. Speaker, I have seen that there are funds that are given to DDF, RDC and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development. I have seen success of collaboration within these three departments in some of the districts whereby they work together because there is no way DDF can go and work on this road without travelling on the State road or passing through the RDC road. Therefore, there should be a policy formulated to make them learn how to work within the budget of the little funds available to them.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I welcome the economic zones. However, there is the Distressed Industries and Marginalised Areas Fund (DIMAF). We have to check and scrutinize who we are giving this fund because the last batch that was given, some of them were already outside the country; they just received the money and retrenched the workers. They are not reviving these factories. There is a Ndebele saying Uvuswa evukayo, there is no way you can go to a dead cow and try to wake it up.
It is gone.
The Rhodesians went through sanctions, but they relied on ZISCO
Steel. This was used to counter those sanctions because it produced some things which other countries in the world needed. They could not do without those goods. I am appealing to the Minister to give priority to ZISCO Steel because it is where the heart of Zimbabwe is. Some of the countries demand what comes from ZISCO Steel. That is how we can beat sanctions.
Mr. Speaker Sir, banks have to play a pivotal role in formalising the informal and micro-businesses. In other countries, banks approach those informal business people and offer them good banking rates with reasonable interest rates from 2 to 5% against any money deposited per month. From there, the bank will encourage those people to register with the department of trade, industry and commerce. Industry and commerce is the department that will link them with ZIMRA. However, you will find that ZIMRA is in the forefront of bringing those people down and people are scared to go and formalise. They fear that monster which came before they could be managed, skilled and brought up correctly.
Mr. Speaker, let me close my debate by saying, under the circumstances we have in Zimbabwe, the Minister has tried his best because of the sanctions – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – that is the only truthful way to come up with such a budget. People must reconsider and think of it that we are in a situation which is not normal in Zimbabwe due to the pressure given by the Western countries trying to force the regime change. I thank you Mr. Speaker.
- CROSS: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I think the central problem that the Minister has presented to us in his Mid Term Review Statement is how to achieve economic growth. If you look at the fundamental problems, they are all ready to the fact that our economy is simply not expanding at a fast enough rate to meet our social and economic needs. I think we really have to concentrate on this issue of how to grow the cake and not just look at how it is going to be distributed. Until we get Zimbabwe back on a growth path, we are simply going nowhere.
Mr. Speaker Sir, we have to recognize again, the potential of this country. We are a country with the highest ratio of natural resources to population in the world. We are richer in natural resources than Saudi Arabia. This wealth, which is under our feet, is simply not being translated into production and income for the nation. That is our central problem. How do we do that?
Mr. Speaker Sir, when it comes to resources, we have to recognise that in the world market, there are almost unlimited resources for developing a country like this. If you take a country like China, its national debt is 200% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). China has brought its economic miracle on debt, they borrowed the money from the world market, and they pay extremely low interest rates, 2 to 3% at most. At those kinds of interest rates, you can do just about anything, you can build infrastructure, establish and rebuild your factories, reequip your plants or build modern infrastructure.
We do not have access to those kinds of resources because of our political isolation. I think we have to be frank with each other; these are not easy things to deal with. My colleagues on the left side are constantly talking about sanctions, they have to understand that sanctions were imposed on this country simply because of our misbehaviour in the political realm – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – until we correct that Mr. Speaker Sir, there can be no resolution in terms of our economic problems. We have to fix the political problems that we face first. The Minister himself has acknowledged that. The thing that I find astonishing is that we know what to do. Why are we not doing it? That is the issue.
In so far as the Financial Draft Bill is concerned, I have a few queries to register. The first one is the question of land rentals. I learnt that the rental on A2 farm has gone to US$5 per hectare. I just pointed out to my colleagues, I come from Matebeleland and in Region 5, and you need 25 hectares for one mature beast. Maximum gross revenue on a 25 hectare plot is about US$200 a year. US$125 a year in tax is simply not sustainable. I do not know why they have not differentiated the rental of land depending on the agro-economic zones. For me, it makes no sense to have a similar rental on land in Regions 1 to 3 to Regions 4 to 6 yet the former have high levels of production. This is something that needs to be noted.
The second issue is that of second hand clothes. We are a country where only 6% of our population is on paid employment. 94% of our population is unemployed. Today, we have a situation where 2,5 million people make their living from selling things on the street. We cannot avoid that. That is the reality. We have 500 000 people operating makorokozas, those are the symptoms of our economic crisis; let us face up to it. Banning importation of clothes will deny our people access to cheap clothing, which is a fundamental welfare issue.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I remember a few years ago, I was the Managing
Director of the Beira Corridor Group. The first time I went to Mozambique, I will never forget the things that I saw. I saw naked women hiding themselves by the side of the road. When I came home, I appealed to my Church to raise second hand clothing to send to
Mozambique and we did that. We had boxes and truck loads of second hand clothing sent to Mozambique to help those desperately poor people.
Believe me Mr. Speaker; our people depend on second hand clothing, not only for income but for basic necessities. If you are going to force them to buy new clothing, let me tell you, they will simply go naked, they do not have the capacity to do that – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – I do not know what kind of world my colleagues live in.
The next thing Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to welcome what the Minister has done in respect to churches. When I read that they were considering taxing the churches, I was apprehensive but I see that the
Minister has been very sensible in the way in which he tackled about.
The next thing is maize marketing, the GMB has bought 10 thousand tonnes of maize in this season and we have not paid for it. Ten thousand maize is 2 days consumption. We are consuming 5 thousands tonnes a day, thus is one and a half million dollars worth of maize a day. Let us get real, the answer is not the GMB. Peasant farmers are being paid as low as US$130 a tonne for maize. Right now, there are commercial farmers who cannot sell the maize that they produce here because we are importing cheap maize from Zambia.
Mr. Speaker, please we have to have sanity in this maize marketing. What we need is a commodity exchange, what we need is an agreement that we will not import maize until the local crop has been exhausted. We need to make sure that farmers are paid. We are paying cash to Irvines, National Foods and National Foods is importing 40 thousand tonnes a month, paying cash for that. They are paying cash to Zambian farmers while our farmers are not receiving cash for their crops. This is something that needs the urgent attention of the
Government. Why is it not being attended to? I simply do not know.
The last thing I want to say Mr. Speaker Sir, in my contribution this afternoon, is to welcome the very sharp growth in the volume of foreign aid to Zimbabwe. I note for example for the first time, there was US$400m financial assistance from various international agencies that has been channeled through the Budget. This growth from a point of view zero a few years ago is very, very welcome. I think the House needs to note that 50%, half of our health budget is being funded by the international community today [AN HONOUR MEMBER: It is more
than that] – it is more than that. This is a major contribution by the international community and I think we need to express gratitude to our international parties for this assistance.
I also note, despite all the criticism, that the World Bank is one of our major contributors and this is in the form of grant funds and not in the form of loans. I would like to see a 100% of all foreign aid to Zimbabwe going through the Budget but we are not there yet. International organisations paying US$1.1b in Zimbabwe this year, if that went through the Budget we would make a major contribution to our national needs.
Mr. Speaker, I think the Minister’s statement was excellent. I think it was fantastic to have a comprehensive review of national activities like this and I want to compliment him for it, but I just want to say this; I think his estimate of growth is optimistic. I think in fact the economy of Zimbabwe today is actually shrinking. Thank you Mr.
Speaker.
- MHLANGA: Thank you Mr. Speaker for recognizing me. I begin by thanking Hon. Chinamasa, our Minister of Finance and Economic Development for always painting a true picture of how our economy is performing and also for this timeous presentation of the midterm fiscal policy review statement to the nation, seeing enhancing competitiveness through increased productivity, value addition and beneficiation.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I need to point out that the statement has adequately dealt with the issues that were sticking out in the budgetary plan of 2015. I will begin by speaking to the trade deficit. The imbalance of exports to imports, which is cause for concern to the nation. Our country now manifests this giant warehouse where countries come to dump their cheap products including those with a short shelf life or short span life to the detriment of our industry.
Mr. Speaker Sir, the containment measures, therefore that Hon. Chinamasa has spelt out will help reduce the Import Bill which is mainly consumptive in nature. This year Mr. Speaker, the imports will continue to grow against the background of the poor agricultural season that our country has had and this has also necessitated the importation of food, mainly grain to augment whatever is available in the country. Exports growth on the other hand, will decline as opposed to the desired effect of rising. Our exports hinge on mineral resources which also are exported in raw form. This in turn means that our exports are only fetching lower prices, coupled with the prevailing poor prices in the international markets.
A vibrant export drive Mr. Speaker, guarantees formal jobs and the inflows to the fiscus are also augmented by these efforts. At the moment, our exports are stagnant. We note the ban that has been imposed by Hon. Chinamasa on hides and skin and we commend this effort as our country has huge potential for the shoe and leather industry.
On the other hand the Import Bill includes such items as poor quality shoes and second hand shoes, an irony in terms of these economic fundamentals.
Mr. Speaker Sir, we await the special economic zones with eagerness as these are set to give life into the exports and ultimately, to our economy. We commend our Government for spreading these special economic zones to various towns and cities which are otherwise sleeping giants that are just waiting to leap up. This in turn Mr. Speaker Sir, are ripple effects of creating employment and also putting money in the country’s space.
Industrial capitalization and utilization - related to the trade deficit issue Mr. Speaker Sir is, also our low industry utilization. This in essence is attributed to our low business confidence. On low business confidence, the talk of policy inconsistencies, sending divergent signals in terms of important policy pronouncements. They also talk of lack of international finance as well as that finance voters are available but also expensive.
Mr. Speaker Sir, our industrial infrastructure is now dilapidated and obsolete and also under this environment capital, is also very expensive. Our industry needs to adapt to new technologies in order to achieve efficiencies and cost effectiveness.
On the competitiveness radar, our companies still lag behind and there is need to work on the doing business notion like what Hon. Hlongwane alluded to. The one stop shop that was mooted in 2010 can come into play to reduce the various stages, authorities and agencies that a new business has to pass through before they can commence operations in our country.
Investors complain that these stages are cumbersome and take an average of 91 days compared to just under a week in countries like Uganda. Surely, if other countries are waiting for these investors, is this not shooting ourselves on the foot? Consequently Mr. Speaker Sir, we are ranked very low in terms of things of doing business and we need to vigorously work on these bureaucratic hurdles.
A positive in the market has seen the prices decline, which we want to appreciate, where relevant authorities and stakeholders have worked together to correct domestic price structures and also the alignment of prices to our trading partners, mostly South Africa. This has seen us becoming more competitive. Mr. Speaker Sir, it should be noted that, manufacturing is on a positive growth index of 1.6%, which we should appreciate as it signifies stimulation.
Mr. Speaker Sir, the reply to industry incapacitation is also FDI.
We continue to clamour at the fact that countries like Zambia, Mozambique and South Africa, even though in South Africa it has declined, we continue to clamour for a rise in our FDI which in 2014 stood at $545 million. However, FDI is set to grow this year 2015 but on the bedrock of global economic re-engagement.
Perhaps the most contentious topic at the moment is that of our wage bill. The issue of reducing the wage bill from a hovering 75% to about 80% down to 40% is noble. But, like other speakers have said, the question is how we achieve this. Mr. Speaker Sir, not reducing our
wage bill undermines the ZIM ASSET agenda as most funds are gobbled by the wage bill. The wage bill also infringes on developmental expenditure as well as the provision of services to the generality of our population. The wage bill continues to nag the fiscus as it is unsustainable, so we have to grow the economy in order to meet our wage obligations. Mr. Speaker Sir, if this continues unabated, we are violating Chapter 13 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe in terms of national development as only a small section of the population is benefiting from the country’s collected revenues and resources. Hon. Chinamasa and the Government are clear on the need to identify all areas of scope for savings in terms of the wage bill. The removal of duplication and overlaps which are real on the stimulus roles and functions; some of these measures Mr. Speaker Sir, include the audit on the Civil Service which has begun to bear fruits with anomalies being detected.
Mr. Speaker Sir, on a positive note, inrods have been made in roads and bridges construction. We applaud the upgrading of the Victoria Falls Airport.
Mining reforms that are also taking place on the consolidation of the diamond mines is a positive sign and we hope that this can bring more transparency and accountability to this important sector. Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
[Time Limit]
*MR. CHINOTIMBA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I am not going to be talking much about the Mid-Term Fiscal Policy Review that was announced by Minister Chinamasa, suffice to say that I am in agreement with the previous speakers. I believe that in the manner in which we have conducted our debate, we are in agreement and this is not a protracted debate by the two protagonists or parties.
The issue that I wanted to speak about is the issue on pants and clothes that Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga spoke about. Undergarments and second-hand clothes could have been worn by someone with measles. It also affects - whether you have skin diseases or rashes, it still can be passed on to another person but I believe that, by banning second-hand clothes, it does not ensure that we have eliminated poverty in this country.
At the moment, we have people who are losing their jobs. There are institutes like the City of Harare where workers have gone for four months without pay and it becomes difficult for a man or a woman to go into a shop and buy new clothes. It would be better for them to go and buy second-hand clothes because they would cover their poverty by wearing these second-hand clothes. If they do not work, they will put on skin loins as was the case with our ancestors and they would be exposing their buttocks.
I would want to believe that you were not in the House Hon. Speaker, but when we were in this House, Hon. Chinamasa said that he was going to ban the importation of second-hand clothes. I am saying, as Members of Parliament, we should make constructive debate as Ministers also weigh to see if what is being said is good or bad. I am not in agreement that the banning of second-hand clothes be done.
The problem is that we are greedy and we become so greedy and forget that we are blacks. If we would look at the issue of fertilizer that is now being taxed, if you go to Malawi, you will buy a bag of fertilizer for $10 and in South Africa it is $11. But, when it is brought to Zimbabwe, it costs $40. I believe that if the Minister is saying that instead of protecting the companies, he is now killing people because the same companies that the Minister wants to protect will never reduce their prices to $9. They will even raise their price to $40 per bag. So, there is no protection that the Minister is doing to these companies. What we have done is to cover corruption. In fact, we are covering thieves. Two litres of D’light cooking oil, you will buy it for $1.50 in South Africa and in Zimbabwe, it is going for $3.40 or $4. They are imported for $1.50 and instead of being landed for $2, they are now sold at $3.40 or $4. There is nothing that we are going to achieve by this protection.
I believe that before the Minister looks at his Mid-Term Policy Review, he should ask people to go into the regional markets and see how our other colleagues are doing things. Then thereafter, we will use best practice methods. They can do research. He has people that can do research and has advisors.
He should be careful about them because most of the time, industrialists come to the Minister and advocate their position without realising that the country has gone down by being misled. The Ministers, not only Mr. Chinamasa but all of them should be pro-people first before they talk about anything. This Mid Term Fiscal Review Policy needs scrutiny before it is passed. It should be scrutinized and sent back to him and what we will have urged him to do should be implemented.
However, there are certain things that we many advocate for but cannot be undone. There is the issue of retrenchment which can be done but once we have retrenched these people, what are we going to give them? What are we going to do with the people that we will have retrenched? Those are the fundamental issues that have to be looked into. I am not saying that people should not be retrenched but we would want to know what life becomes after retrenchment. We have moved them from the central business district and they are now out of Harare.
Now, we have banned the importation of second hand clothing. What are they going to be selling at these new points? I would want to be in agreement with those who have spoken before about ministries. Yes of course, people may say this and that but if there is transparency and accountability for instance at ZUPCO, buses are bought but the monies are used by ZUPCO and nothing comes to Government though we want the money to be there. Once the funds are there and money has been collected from the farms, where will this money go? We should look at some of these things. Surely, I am in agreement.
We are going to be off-loading parastatals and we are doing away with people who are paid US$1 and leaving behind those that earn US$5000. We heard that Air Zimbabwe is now top heavy and when it came to retrenchment – well, I am not talking about the retrenchment of Ministers but those that remain behind are the ones who draw a lot from the wage bill. So, I am saying that the budget should be revisited so that people will not face hardships.
Food security – the staple food is maize and if we take it lightly, there is not going to be any meaningful farming because people do not have money. GMB has not repaid the farmers so that they can buy fertilizer. Once there is taxation on fertilizer, it is going to be sold at US$50. So it will be better to talk to the companies that are importing this fertilizer so that they reduce their prices. It will be best if the Minister comes up with a price for fertiliser because if he does not do that, everything will go down the drain. Let me tell you about the tractors that we are getting outside the country. We do not ask how much a single tractor cost but just bring them in and we pay exorbitant prices. I looked for a tractor in Britain and when I found it the cost was US$1,500. If it were to be sold in Zimbabwe it would be US$20,000. So, these tractors that we import into this country, we are paying for them through the nose. I implore the Minister of Finance and Economic Development to do due diligence. IMF gives us money and we do not tax it but when they want their money back, they want it with interest. I want to thank you Mr. Speaker.
- LABODE: I want to contribute on the second hand clothing because I think Hon. Chinotimba and others have spoken about it. The status of our economy does not allow us to ban second hand clothing. At the same time, I agree with Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga that maybe you can ban pants but not everything. I fail to understand that the Minister actually believes that if you ban second hand clothing you can revive the textile industry. That is impossible. The issues surrounding the textile industry go beyond second hand clothing. Even if today, you removed the duty or the VAT on the textile industry, we were told by the Minister that the cost of energy is very high. We are using obsolete equipment, which means where we should be producing one million dresses per day we will produce ten because the machines are moving slowly. Generally, most of these factories are very old. They need refurbishment, water is not available and there is no capital. To borrow capital for a company is very expensive and when you add up everything, anything that is made in this country especially textile will be very expensive, unless we invest a lot of money in refurbishing all these factories. This cannot be done with a little bit of money called
DiMAF because what DiMAF does is enable you to go and import your fabric which pays VAT when it comes in, manufacture the dress and when you take it to the shop, you pay VAT again. How can that dress be buyable? If we are to ensure that our textile industry survives, we have to increase the duty on finished products from China. Then, we will have helped the textile industry to a certain extent. Failure to do that, we will have done nothing.
My issue here is, I am begging Hon. Chinamasa to remove the sentence that says, ban second hand clothing. So, I strongly feel that we should look at our people. They are poor. We have removed them from their vending sites, we are chasing them from employment and now you are saying you are removing second hand clothing. How are they going to survive? Let us sit and reflect on the status of our people. Our people are poor and we are a poor nation. Thank you Mr. Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: In terms of Standing Order No. 75, I shall not allow any repetition. Any member who stands up must come up with new ideas.
*MRS. MNANGAGWA: What I am going to say has already been said by other hon. members –[AN HON MEMBER: Hanzi no repetition] – Mira mhani nditaure saAmai, semunhu womudzimai.
The banning of these bales will cause problems and children will go without livelihoods. As women parliamentarians, we have constituencies where people are making a livelihood out of the use of second hand clothes and we were able to look after our constituents. May he consider that issue? I do not know what the Government is saying because the same people who are going to face the hardships, do not have money for electricity, food, they cannot plough and they have no seeds - how are they going to eke out a living? We beg and implore the Minister to reconsider his position because by so doing, this will cause a lot of social upheavals such as rape cases, divorces and a lot of intertwining issues that are going to be cutting across this statement.
Thank you so much Mr. Speaker.
- SARUWAKA: I just want to add my voice on the motion by
the Minister. My intervention is on food security and nutrition cluster in which the Minister spoke about introducing the Presidential Input
Support Scheme. This scheme’s intentions are always positive but my experience has been that it is a drain on our fiscus without the attendant benefits because of the way we manage the Presidential Input Scheme. I want to say we must consider taking the allocation for the Presidential Input Scheme to pay for the grain that has been delivered by those farmers that have already produced.
What has happened is that we are giving people in the hope that they are going to produce and the same people do not produce that food. So, rather take that amount and coincidentally if you look at the figures that the Minister presented, the farmers who have delivered grain to
GMB are owed around $29m and the allocation of the Presidential Input Scheme for the coming season is around $28m. It is actually better to use that money to pay the farmers that have delivered grain to GMB so that they can go back to the field than to give these people who are given on partisan lines.
The other issue that I want to highlight is to do with the Special Economic Zones highlighted by the Minister in terms of pushing our economy forward. It is correct that the Minister then identified Victoria Falls as a tourism hub. For the diamond sector, I do not know why he then put Mutare and Harare. Why did he include Harare as part of the diamond Special Economic Zone? Manicaland and Mutare must be the hub where diamond production is concentrated. The unfortunate situation about spreading the economic zone for diamond from Harare to Mutare is that you then lose the benefit of concentrating your operation in one area. According to my submission, there is no reason to include Harare as part of the Special Economic Zone for the diamond sector. The only reason I can think of is the half hearted approach towards developing areas outside Harare. If we indeed appreciate that the bulk of our diamond deposits are in Manicaland, then that Special Economic Zone status must only be given to Manicaland and Mutare – not Harare for diamond exploitations.
I need to add another dimension on the second hand clothing. My dimension is that there is no one who buys second hand clothing out of choice. We all want to dress in Foschini and Giovanni. That is what we want. No one wants to wear second hand underwear but the reason why someone goes to buy that is because of the situation. We must not pretend as if we are not a poor nation. We have impoverished ourselves to an extent where we are now depending on the second hand clothing. I differ totally with all hon. members that are saying we must limit the second hand ban to the under garment. The reason why someone goes to buy that under garment is not that they do not know that it is an under garment, they know it. Are we saying that people then go naked without under garments because they cannot buy it firsthand?
If you look at the reasons that were proffered by the Minister for banning the under garments, it was the supposed non-fumigation of the clothing. Has the Minister done any investigations to find out whether they are not properly fumigated? In the policy statement, he did not show that the investigations were done. It was a suggestion. I am saying if the Minister then goes to do the investigation and finds out that they are properly fumigated, is he going to reverse the position. As far as I am concerned, Zimbabweans are in this position not by choice. We must continue until we are able to buy the brand new ones.
The other issue that I wanted to contribute on clothing is that you would realise that all the reasons that were proffered on why we are imposing duty is to try and protect the industry and not to protect the individuals or people of Zimbabwe. All the duty that we are imposing is meant to resuscitate the dead industry. Are we not flogging a dead horse here? For now, we must accept that we are in a global world where if our cost of production is too high, what we are managing to achieve by banning second hand clothing and imposing duty on the imports is to make life more difficult for Zimbabweans. We must court investors that will produce goods at competitive prices so that they can sell outside and not to say we want to limit our own people to buy expensive goods in the name of trying to protect our own industry. We must open the borders and allow the flow of affordable goods for Zimbabweans because we are at a stage where we cannot afford expensive goods.
My last contribution is that, I believe there are a number of opportunities for the Minister of Finance and Economic Development to save money for this country. Others have talked about the bloated Government. I want to come to the issue of the civil servants, the ghost workers that we know because I can tell you, from the constituency that I come from, we have on average three youth officers per ward that do not do anything productive for this country but they continue to draw money from our fiscus. If we multiply the average number of three officers for about 2000 wards, we talk of about 6 000 youth officers that are earning no less than $2, 4 million per month. That money can be used to build a hospital or many schools each month using the savings from the money we are paying people that are not doing any productive work. For me, that is an opportunity which Government can take advantage of.
I want to believe Mr. Speaker that we can also help this economy by stopping unnecessary freebies and payouts to some of our people. In this particular case, allow me to say that it is not bad to pay our war vets if our economy is healthy but at this stage, if we go into our Constitution, the definition of the people that are supposed to benefit from the war veterans funds is such that there are so many people. So, I want to believe that we can remove the Ministry of Psychomotor Activities in Education and also cut on the Ministry of Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators, Former Political Detainees and Restrictees. If we have got any war veterans who are disabled, they must be catered for under the disabled funds. If we have got aged war veterans, then they must be served under the old people because those war veterans fought so that we get equal treatment, not that they get more out of our economy. I thank you.
- E. GUMBO: On a point of order Mr. Speaker, by the new rulings you said 70 makes a quorum. I am of the opinion that there is no quorum in the House – [HON. MEMBERS: Aa-h!] – The Speaker said so – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.].
- SPEAKER: Order, order. You remember I read for you last week and the issue of points of order was put in your pigeon holes. One of them is you can raise your point of order relative to the quorum, so the hon. member is correct in raising that point of order, but I will exercise – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – Wait a minute. I will exercise my prerogative. I want the Clerks-at-the-Table, to count the numbers without dividing the House. Please, stay where you are –
[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
Counting by the Clerks-at-the-Table.
- SPEAKER: Hon. Gumbo from Gwanda, I thank you for your observation and as result, we have more than 70 hon. members. I hope they will not go out to allow us to conclude – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – Order, order. I hope the hon. members who have come and others who are still coming will not go out again until we conclude the matter. The point of order should therefore be withdrawn.
- E. GUMBO: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I withdraw the point of order and I hope that I get the chance to debate too.
- NDUNA: I want to add a lighter moment to this debate and congratulate Highlanders Football Club for finally beating – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – Highlanders Football Club iteam yelizwe lonke for finally beating Dynamos Football Club – [HON. MEMBERS:
Inaudible interjections] –
- SPEAKER: Order, Order. I will not allow the politics of sports here. We are discussing the fiscal statement so may I request Hon.
Nduna to please, be so directed.
- NDUNA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I want to add my voice to the Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review Statement by Hon. Chinamasa, Minister of Finance and Economic Development. I want to touch on a few things that are very pertinent that he touched on. One of these issues is the issue of special economic zones. I will ask you to allow me to keep referring to my notes as this is very pertinent and key. You have asked us to go through this volume in two days. This is akin to writing O’ level after only two months.
However, the issue of special economic zones, in my view is good that it has come out loud and clear that it is now going to be operationalised. What now needs to be done is for the Bill to come to the House for us to debate on it. However Mr. Speaker Sir, you do not restrict special economic zones. Special economic zones should be a preserve of the constituencies or the places from which its market is derived because a special economic zone has a way of reversing de-industrialisation and if optimally given its space, I believe Zimbabwe can become an economic giant like it was before, not only in the region but in Africa and globally. The Special economic zones are a very innovative instrument for national economic development. It has helped major economies like China and Turkey which are global power houses.
In special economic zones, we invite global class companies that have capital technology and management expertise to Zimbabwe. It is like inviting Adidas to come and put in a shop for creating a brand which is second to none,which is globally recognized. It is like having all people coming to Zimbabwe and buy Adidas. The jacket that I am wearing is made in Turkey, if you bring in a Turkish manufacturer, he will put in the relative infrastructure, and it will woo workers that have expertise from Zimbabwe because we have workers that are second to none. We have spruced up the economy of South Africa, Mr. Speaker Sir. This brings to mind the issue of the engineers in 2010, when the South Africans hosted the World Cup. Our engineers went to South Africa en masse and we, hedging on our expertise, propped up the economy of South Africa during a needy time and the global community gives thanks to Zimbabwe as a result.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I also want to say what Government is going to derive out of the establishment of special economic zones, out of the establishment of those companies and its infrastructure here in Zimbabwe is huge. As they go Mr. Speaker Sir, they will never take away the infrastructure with them, they will leave that infrastructure and expertise here in Zimbabwe, and we are going to enjoy that infrastructure, expertise, facilities for long after they have gone.
Zimbabwe has the human skills second to none of global class. We have educated labour force with discipline; they will work hard to produce goods and services for the global market. We must find goods in supermarkets that have a brand or that have a label ‘made in
Zimbabwe’, in global supermarkets. So, this is why the establishment of special economic zones is very key and I am actually proud that I moved a motion on special economic zones and it has knee-jerked the Executive into action to make sure that we have a nationalistic policy that establishes special economic zones.
The issue of tourism Mr. Speaker Sir, the Minister touched on the border post in Beitbridge. What I need to let this House know is that a delay of three days for a 30 tonne truck Mr. Speaker Sir loaded with sugar at the Beitbridge border post or any other boarder post for argument sake; is equal to two and half percent of price added on to that commodity. It is 3% for a 30 tonne or 30 000 litre tanker or fuel that is 3% added on the value of fuel. So, we are shooting ourselves in the foot if we do not spruce up the border posts. So, I should congratulate the Minister for observing that we cannot delay our goods and we cannot congest our border posts. How do we de-congest our boarder post Mr. Speaker Sir – by making sure that we separate vehicular traffic and our tourists as well as our cross boarder buyers? How do we do this? We do that by establishing a robust ICT sector at that border post.
Mr. Speaker Sir, you will realise that in the past year, I do not remember the Minister mentioning it, but he alluded to the fact that we are losing tourist traffic through Beitbridge border post and any other border post because of congestion. We lost half the tourists coming in through the Beitbridge border post purely because of congestion which needs to be addressed expeditiously and immediately. We could basically bring, in the same vein, goods from South Africa and warehouse them in Beitbridge in a bonded ware house Mr. Speaker Sir. It is possible. We just need to be innovative and create policies that are close to special economic zone policies.
The issue of removing the 15% VAT on tourism services, it is not too late to reverse that entity, Mr. Speaker Sir. It is not too late to reverse that entity, it is not too late to reverse that instruction even if it was put in, in January we need to swallow our pride and look at other ways of raising income. There are a lot of revenue streams than punishing the tourist. Tourists will never say that they have been punished; they will just stay in South Africa, visit the majestic Victoria Falls and then fly out on the same day. We need them to stay here and at least spend, that is the whole point why we need tourists here. By introducing the 15% VAT, we are only disincentivising the tourists including the tourism sector. Tourism does not only reside in the
Victoria Falls, if we charge them 15% VAT on one of the Seven Wonders of the World, what happens then to village tourism? We have got the Nyau dancers in Chegutu West and that is called cultural tourism. If we have to charge 15% VAT on top of tourists coming to see the Nyau dancers, we are basically shooting ourselves in the foot, we are disincentivising that sector. We will never have tourists in Chegutu and
Masvingo in the Khami Ruins, Bulawayo and other sectors.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I need to touch on the industry, Chegutu West in particular because it is the headquarters of David Whitehead. We need to call a spade a spade. David Whitehead is in Chegutu, Gweru, Kadoma, Bulawayo and Harare but headquartered in Chegutu, it used to employ more than 4 000 employees. The issue of DIMAF does not arise when you talk of David Whitehead; it has legacy, historic issues that border on corruption, collusion, nepotism and fraud. Why do I say so Mr. Speaker Sir – it is a company that has gone through three judicial managers. It is now time for it.
- SPEAKER: Your time is up.
- NDUNA: I just need one more minute. Mr. Speaker Sir. It is very important that I talk of mining. The issue of mining, the Minister has alluded to the fact that…
- SPEAKER: I thought I had given you time to wind up on
David Whitehead.
- NDUNA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. David Whitehead needs to pursue legal issues in terms of prosecution. What it needs is not DIMAF. We need to prosecute those that are the perpetrators of fraud at
David Whitehead and we also need to make sure we do not give into DIMAF. DIMAF is going to give it about US$1.8 million where it has issues that border on US$20 million, in terms of deficit and what it is owing. I want to thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, but issues to do with mining are very clear – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] -.
We need to decriminalise chikorokoza. I thank you.
*MR. MATAMBANADZO: Thank you for the time you have given me to add my voice on the Mid-Term Fiscal Statement made by Hon. Minister Chinamasa. I would like to thank the Minister for the tremendous efforts that he is making to ensure that our country develops. I will thank him by adding the following words, where I am going to give my own contributions and pointers.
On the issue of foreign companies, those that would want to come and work with us and run ZISCO Steel for instance, those that come and mislead the country that they are going to open up the country and then renege on that promise. Five years down the line, they have not done anything and then they are allowed to go scot-free. I would have thought it prudent that such companies should also be warned in this fiscal policy statement, that if they would have reneged on running ZISCO Steel and opening it up, they should be penalised. This will act as a deterrent to would be same minded investors. ZISCO Steel is the mainstay of the country. Without ZISCO Steel, there is no industry, building and no railway. The railway would not be resuscitated. We cannot even have aircrafts because we do not have the material to construct aircrafts.
I am of the belief that if such things were allowed to go on unabated, we will go nowhere. There are others amongst us who go there to ask for sanctions and these are nations or companies who impose sanctions on us. If we look at the scenario at ZISCO Steel, the mainstay of the country, Essar caused the loss of lives at ZISCO Steel. School children did not go to school, children of workers at ZISCO Steel failed to write their Ordinary Levels, even others failed to attend Grade 1 because of the actions of Essar and they were allowed to go scot-free without being taken to task, without any compensation or payment to show that what they did was bad. I urge that this issue be looked into.
Yes, I heard that Zambia. Botswana and Mozambique were given billions of dollars for loans for development. I had a big question on why that had been done, but the person who made that suggestion observed that this was bad, but the same person is the one who imposed the sanctions to be imposed on us, thus rendering us unable to receive such foreign direct investment or loans. I would like to say the key ministries, such as parastatals, should be wary of advisors of this sort.
They give you advice which is ill informed and they do a summersault. We were shown undergarments that are being sold and it was condemned. But you hear them making a summersault saying it is not bad. One shudders to think what this mentality is, what advice are they giving us. They are throwing spanners into the works of this economy. It is detrimental to suggest on one hand and condemn the use of second hand undergarments. Once it has been banned, you then remonstrate and say this is wrong. What exactly are you standing on?
We hear that there are children who are failing to access sanitary wear, that they are using leaves and cow dung. We heard it in this august House. If we were to put cow dung on one side and leaves on the other and put the second hand panty next to these two, what is better for use? The second hand pant is better than the cow dung or the leaf in comparison. It is also part and parcel of this monitory review because if our people do not have the second hand clothes – they are brought into this country via Mozambique.
I once paid a visit to that country with a view to find out what was happening. I am told that these bales are brought into Mozambique free of charge because their Government said that their industry was destroyed and that their people were moving naked and they were asked to come and get used clothes for free. They go out of the country select the clothes and bale them and have them delivered to Mozambique for free. When Mozambique realised that they had been afforded this opportunity, they used those second hand clothes to clothe their people. The used clothes were fumigated because you know white people have problems with skin diseases, their skins peel off. They suffer from that ailment, so these clothes would be fumigated. How many Mozambicans died because of skin cancers? How many died from these skin diseases? So, are we wise in Zimbabwe to realise that our people can die from using these second hand clothes. We urge our Minister to turn a blind eye to this issue and allow people in Zimbabwe to make a living out of selling these second hand clothes.
450 people in my constituency in ZIMASCO had been retrenched. 500 were retrenched last month. I now have 1 040 people who have been retrenched, all those people need to have a livelihood and to be clothed. The secondhand clothes that go for a dollar for two or a dollar are quite affordable to them so that they can protect themselves from the scourge of going naked on the streets.
Mozambique is now taking advantage of the second hand clothes that it is now selling to us and would have acquired for free. Why should our Minister also not look for a way for us to access these secondhand clothes and avoid the middle men in Mozambique? We are teaching our children to be illegal operators as they are now smuggling these secondhand clothes through the border areas where they face the risk of landmines. Some of them are losing their limbs as they smuggle these bales into Zimbabwe. I urge the Minister to open up the issue of second hand clothing so that they can be freely brought into the country.
I also want to look at other ways on which we can turn around our economy. We should look at money earners, what exactly should we look at? We should identify the means of livelihood our people are engaging in. We can then make money from the livelihoods that our people are having. Are they making a livelihood out of the flea markets or out of the selling of fruits such as oranges or second hand clothes? Find out the quantities of the people involved and thereafter, we find a way of ensuring that the money does not go out of the country.
For example Mr. Speaker Sir, our people are going to buy clothes
…
*MR. SPEAKER: Order, order hon. member, your time has
elapsed.
*MR. MATAMBANADZO: May I please have an extension of a few minutes?
*MR. SPEAKER: Your time has run out … - [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] –
*MR. MATAMBANADZO: I am talking to Mr. Speaker.
*MR. SPEAKER: Order, order hon. member your time has
elapsed. Thank you, your time has elapsed.
*MR. MATAMBANADZO: Thank you Mr. Speaker.
- BHEBHE: I rise to add my voice on the Mid-Year Fiscal
Review Policy Statement …
An hon. member having walked towards an exit point.
- SPEAKER: Order, order hon. member carrying a bag, where are you going to? We agreed that no one was going to leave the
House, are you still here?
*MR. CHIVAMBA: I am not going out Mr. Speaker. I was coming to have a word with Hon. Anastancia Ndhlovu.
- BHEBHE: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker, as advised
by you, I will thoroughly differ with the rest of the members who debated on this motion.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to preamble by saying, the easiest way to learn is to accept failure… - [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] - Mr. Speaker Sir, the problem that we have that I want to highlight on is that as a country, we have actually gone in the Guinness Book of Record by recording the highest inflation in the world using our own currency that we failed to administer. We have reverted to foreign currency that we believe is stable. We are now seen again, sliding backwards. Our inflation as we speak and as alluded to by the Minister in his statement, is 2.8% showing that we are already on deflation. So, for us to dream that we are going to turn this economy around is just but saying we do not want to accept failure. – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear] – This statement that is premised by the thinking that the cause of our failure is as a result of sanctions, I want to address and debate that and put it to rest.
Mr. Speaker, in any social club or any business dealing, there are rules and regulations and punishments that go with those rules. As a country Zimbabwe, we are now lamenting about sanctions that we applied for to be applied on us. Rules were laid down and particularly, we are a member of the IMF which is a world body that we are a signatory to and that we agreed to abide by the rules.
The rules are very clear, they were very clear that sanctions are going to be applied on that member if they break any one of those rules. So, when the sanctions are being applied on the member, why then are we crying that sanctions have been applied on Zimbabwe when we applied for them ourselves? – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] - It is high time we disabuse ourselves by keeping on talking about sanctions instead of accepting failure. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – I just want to highlight a few indicators that are showing that we have to accept failure because it is indicating from the Minister’s statement that we are already going in the
wrong direction.
Mr. Speaker, if you compare the figures of the beef slaughter, for instance on page 33. In 2004, round about this time, the amount of beef that we had slaughtered is less than what we have slaughtered at the same time this year. This is a very clear indicator that we are facing serious hunger as people have already started slaughtering more of their beasts and thus applying for poverty.
It is very clear with the Minister acknowledging that it is happening but not putting any measures in place to try and stop what is happening. I do not see this economy managing to support the restocking that would cover the gap that we will have created. It is a very clear sign that we are going in the wrong direction.
The second point that I just want to highlight on is that, it was also highlighted by the Minister, is the input scheme. We have always seen the issue of the input scheme coming up in every statement by the
Minister but if we look at the amount of abuse of those input schemes, it is shocking. We always see the same people who were given those inputs selling the inputs, meaning that they were distributed on political and partisan lines and they do not deserve to get them because they do not know how to use the input scheme. – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear,
hear.] –
They then go around selling them because they do not know how to use the inputs. So, it is very clear that those are clearly grave signs of failure. We implore and ask the Government that you have been given time for 25 years yet you failed to deliver. The honest and honourable thing is to accept failure and accepting failure means that you pass on the baton.
Mr. Speaker, I want to move on to the mining sector. We have always heard the Government talking about beneficiation. If you talk of beneficiation without actually dealing with the laws that govern mining in this country, it is a waste of time. I do not want to give examples. If we were to come up with a law that allows those that have got financial capital to come and invest here; any investment that they do in the mining sector should be guaranteed by that particular applicant, having in mind to also process the minerals that are mined in this country. It will assist in a long way because you are already giving a window to the people that are planning to come and invest here in Zimbabwe knowing that our products need at least to be value added before they are exported.
So, if we do not put those laws in place, we are busy talking without adjusting our laws to accommodate beneficiation, it is a waste of time Mr. Speaker. For instance, if you take platinum - platinum is doing very well. So, there is need for us to build a refinery here in Zimbabwe but that refinery should not be the card that is played by the Government but the card should be played by the private sector. If the private sector takes a leading role in coming up with a refinery, that refinery will come to fruition. If it is the Government that is making the loudest noise, I can bet you and guarantee you my last dollar, no one is going to come and invest in Zimbabwe because of the previous transgressions Mr. Speaker.
History in business is the one that drives an investor to come and invest in the country.
- ANASTANCIA NDHLOVU: Thank you Mr. Speaker for
affording me this opportunity to very briefly add my voice to this debate. I am not going to touch on areas already touched by my colleagues from both sides of the House. I want to start by congratulating the Hon. Minister Chinamasa for delivery this Mid-Term Fiscal Policy Statement which, in my view, managed to portray the true picture of how our economy is perfoming today.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I will talk about the issue which made me to rise and seek permission to speak on the tourism sector as outlined from pages 88 up to 92…
- SPEAKER: Order, order, can you assist the Chair by referring to paragraphs so that we are together.
- ANASTANCIA NDHLOVU: The Honourable Minister of
Finance and Economic Development once again stressed the point that the tourism sector is one of the key sectors with potential to drive our economy from paragraph 402 on page 88, I quote “this year the tourism sector is projected to grow by 5.1% , this is aggressive destination efforts” the Hon. Minister of Finance made reference to the fact that Government has supported efforts to market the country as a must visit destination but on page 89 paragraph 505, he goes on to acknowledge the fact that there has been a marginal decline in arrivals during the first quarter of the year. The decline is from 388 732 to 387 557.
Mr. Speaker Sir, the Honourable Minister spoke to this decline being caused by the Ebola outbreak but in my view, the major reason of this big decline in the first quarter of 2015 is the introduction of the 15% VAT on accommodation of foreign tourists. To my surprise Mr. Speaker Sir, the Hon. Minister spoke about the issue that needs to be addressed which contributes to the sector improving its performance but he chose to be very silent on this 15% VAT. I think he needs to rethink and look at the removal of this 15%VAT as recommended by your
Portfolio Committee’s report which we presented in this august House, last week.
I strongly feel that if this is removed, the tourism sector…
- SPEAKER: Order, order, hon. member, I thought that issue has been raised adequately by Hon. Nduna.
- ANASTANCIA NDHLOVU: Mr. Speaker Sir, I already rest my case on the 15% VAT. I now move on to mention very briefly with regards to issues of water and sanitation by way of just commending progress made to date. I will specifically speak about the Morton Jaffary works in Norton which has seen the supply of water improving in Harare Metropolitan Province. I want to urge the Minister to also concentrate on other cities such as Bulawayo and find resources to improve water supplies in Bulawayo.
Mr. Speaker Sir, once again, with your permission, I will applaud the Government on efforts made in supporting the energy sector. The energy sector is key in achieving the economic blueprint. However, I want to encourage the Minister of Finance to consider supporting renewable or clean energy. This country enjoys a lot of sunlight, almost three quarters of the year but we are failing to harness that potential which will add value to the energy sector. Mr. Speaker Sir, I would like to thank you for affording me this opportunity. I do not need to finish the whole ten minutes because most of the issues have been raised by the other hon. members. The Minister needs to do away with the 15% VAT on tourism.
- M. KHUMALO: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I rise to also thank the Minister of Finance and Economic Development for bringing this Mid-Term Fiscal Policy Statement. I want to only indicate those things that are missing in this review. I am afraid that Hon.
Misihairabwi-Mushonga is away. I want to collaborate with her when she talks about the Constitution in terms of gender and also in terms of regional representation, even in terms of the resources that are budgeted for. I come from a region which is in the southern part of the country. When I look at this statement Mr. Speaker Sir, on agriculture, if you look at the $48 million which is outstanding payment for farmers - the Minister says he has paid about $18 million and he is left with $29 million. I just calculated how many months it took him to pay this amount over the period of deliveries. He does not indicate when this $29 million is going to be paid to farmers. To me, in the six months to come, I see the Minister failing to honour the farmers on this money that is left and this money dates back to last year and the other year.
Mr. Speaker, I went to Mashonaland Central and the Press has indicated that Mashonaland Central has a slight surplus this year. When I went there personally, I found that people have not harvested and the Minister does not even indicate how GMB is going to mobilise that maize in
Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West and parts of Mashonaland East. When you look at this Budget Statement, you find the Minister has indicated that Government has bought thousands of tonnes of maize outside the country and he has given permits to the private sector to bring in thousands of tonnes and these tonnes were paid cash, more than what the Government owes to farmers. This is not sincere to our local farmers. So we are suggesting Hon. Speaker that Government must take its time in mobilising all the maize which is a surplus in the country before it takes the money outside the country. For that reason, I want to talk to Matabeleland North for example. The area is full of wildlife and wildlife has brought a lot of money into this country. In this Policy Statement, nothing talks about the National Parks where our elephants were banned from export. -[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjection]- I will come to Cecil.
Lupane, where I come from, has an abundant methane gas which has been exploited which will provide over 300 MW of power into the grid. The deposits have been exploited. The Gwayi Mine, even in the budget, it is said that it is going to provide some power over 600 MW this year, but in the statement, it does not even indicate how that contribution is going to affect the economy. If you look at Hwange Colliery, the machinery was provided and the statement says a lot of coal is going to be produced. The Minister does not speak about the National Railways of Zimbabwe which is going to carry that coal to where it is needed, this side of the country. The Afrochine, with chrome there – you know the ban on the export of chrome has been lifted. It is using trucks to damage this road, the Plumtree/Mutare road and the Minister is not indicating how all this abandoned chrome which is going to be exported is going to be ferried without the NRZ. We are so worried Mr. Speaker Sir.
When you look at the funds that have been raised towards Cecil, the people in Matabeleland, particularly in Lupane, Hwange and Binga where you come from Mr. Speaker, have lost thousands of cattle because of elephants and hyenas. They have heard that $500 000 have been raised by the Western countries to support the disappearance of the death of Cecil the lion. I feel ashamed to refund this lion without refunding the people of Matabeleland, the thousands of livestock that they lost through, probably this lion. For your information, the people in Hwange and Lupane where I come from are celebrating the disappearance of
Cecil because over the time, no killings have happened in their livestock.
They think that this Cecil the lion was killing their livestock. –
[Laughter]-
Mr. Speaker Sir, I think as I said, I wanted to support my colleague
Mrs. Misihairabwi-Mushonga that surely, if you read this statement, I come from that region which is Midlands and Matabeleland areas, there is little you say about what is going to happen in the next six months. Surely, we ask the Minister to be sincere about this document and revise it and put things that are happening that side. Thank you Mr. Speaker.
- MUDARIKWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I think to do
justice to this debate, most of the things have been said and I am just there to sum up. –[Laughter]- The issue of economics is everybody’s business. You only realise that you are economically wrong when after five years you see the Master of High Court wanting to say something. So, let us look at these things in a proper way. The first thing that I observed in this country is that as long as we do not have plastic money, we are running a black market economy. This august House must say all border posts, all essential Government departments must pay through plastic money. That is the beginning of everything. Corruption is there and you cannot stop people from doing whatever they are doing when they are handling cash. That is why plastic money must be introduced in all these hotels and everywhere. So, our starting point is to say Government must introduce plastic money in all institutions. You will see that the collection levels will go up.
The issue of importation has been mentioned. I went to school from selling vegetables. This is our constitutional right. People from
Murehwa, Mutoko, Chinamhora and Seke, and when you come to the stage where people are importing mbambaira, sweet potatoes, madhorofiya and magogoya, then there is something fundamentally wrong. It is uneconomic and sad. When we are at that stage, we are lost economically because those supermarkets which are importing sweet potatoes, why can they not also import customers? They must import their own customers because we will have import phobia as time goes on when we deal with those situations or where you do not allow things to happen the way it is happening. Then the issue of easy ways of doing business, people are just saying we must do this. We have mentioned this several times.
I did my military training in Yugoslavia. My comrades from
Yugoslavia came here wanting to establish a Five Star Hotel at Chivake on our way to Murehwa. They almost paid. They were supposed to pay more than 60 statutory fees, starting with the Environmental Management Agency (EMA). The truck which was carrying sand needed EMA permit. We went to the Rural District Council (RDC), Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA), the regulatory authority of the building industry and so on. There is a percentage of the engineers.
From there, you have to go and apply for hotel licence, liquor licence, hair dressing licence, fire arms licence and so on. You also want to keep animals there and you have to apply to the National Parks. A bus that carries customers from the airport, you need to have certificate of fitness of the driver, the bus, television and radio licence in the bus. There should be a television licence in all the rooms, whether they are empty or not. We continued and we also had to pay at the toll gates. In order to establish that hotel, these Yugoslavians had to pay
US$6.5 upfront and they said, ‘we are going.’ This is what we must look at.
There is also this issue about Zimbabweans of saying these people are cheating us, everyone is cheating you. Where are you, are you sleep? We must wake up and understand that when people come here to do business, they have to make a profitable margin. Jesus Christ is not in business, in business, we want to make a profit. These are some of the things that we must deal with.
Mr. Speaker Sir, there is the issue of mining industry. I am personally involved with the mining industry. I run a company that exports ±US$15 million per year. However, my major problem is that I have to pay an export permit of US$10 000 per quarter for me to export. Exports are bringing in new money to the economy, which is critical for the development of this economy. Even the use of those diamond companies in Murowa Diamonds, they are paying ground rental of
US$3000 per hectare per year. If you look at that figure, it goes up to US$119 million which they are supposed to pay. That money does not go into Government coffers; it goes to a particular ministry. We must have a centralised collection of revenue. There is no way we can have this ministry getting money, another one is getting money, the constitutional obligation of collecting money rests with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. We must limit to say the maximum a ministry can collect is US$300 and anything more than that must be submitted to the central coffers – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear] – the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.
On the issue of chrome, people are saying that we must not export raw chrome, we must beneficiate. We are debating from a wrong dimension about chrome mining. Most of these chrome markets require a certain percentage of chrome. If your chrome is less than 35%, they will not take it. What do we do with that chrome? Mr. Speaker Sir, we are sitting on how many millions of chrome? We have a reserved chrome of more than 400 years, are we going to live for more than 400 years? Let us eat now and make sure that the economy is up and running whilst we are still alive.
Then we come to the issue of gold panning. This must be understood in its historical and economic context. The Munhumutapa Kingdom was there because of gold panning. It is an intellectual right that we inherited from our forefathers that we must be proud of. We must never stop gold panning on this planet, but it must be controlled in such a way that it does not destroy the environment. As time passed by, we have seen the Chinese coming with 80 tonne excavators to the middle of Mazoe River. This is not beneficial. Let us allow our people to do gold panning because it is a right and it is a skill that we acquired from Munhumutapa. Today, our gold is in China and Israel. We must continue producing gold in the interest of our people.
Mr. Speaker Sir, our decision on agriculture makes it very difficult. We have 5 million cattle in Zimbabwe. We fail to insure the cattle and securitise them so that they have a commercial value. If we insure the 5 million cattle, it amounts to US$1.6 billion and people can borrow against the 5 million cattle. These cattle continue to be ceremonial, that can never be put into commercial use.
In my conclusion Mr. Speaker Sir, poverty is the inability to utilize the resources around you for your personal and national benefit. So we are failing to utilise the cattle around us for our personal benefit. This is why we look at these situations and say, let us create a commercial value so that we can have a benefit. I worked in Government for 28 years and the way we continue doing business must be changed. Even the way we debate in this august House must also change. People must research; we must see Members of Parliament with ipads and laptops for the purpose of researching. We must have an informed debate which is there to benefit. People may talk about historical inflation, but what is important is …
- SPEAIKER: Order, order, unfortunately your time is up.
- MUDARIKWA: Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to thank you very much for allowing me to debate. I want to thank hon. members for listening to an intelligent and constructive debate – [HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear].
- E. GUMBO: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. It is difficult to debate such an intelligent debate. However, a lot has been said about the
Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Statement. I would like to thank the hon.
Minister for trying to address a lot of opposing issues and also for addressing issues from a point of very little resources. However, I need to thank him because he did an excellent job to craft it in a difficult time.
In the interest of time, I would like to draw attention to very urgent issues that I think need to be addressed, issues of tomorrow and not next month, the issue of agriculture. There is hardly any provision for agriculture, yet the agricultural season is around the corner. This is the time that we should prepare. There is very little money that has been provided for agriculture - [AN HON. MEMBER: It has been said.] – the point I am driving at is that there is no money provided for the household inputs. Last year we had US$1.2b, what is going to happen to the household people? Not even to say enough – there, will talk of that. We have not provided for them but we are then but putting a duty of 25% on fertilizers. That really I think is a bit of double blow on them. I will point out that farmers benefited very much from no duty on fertilizer. They formed groups and importing the fertilizer on their own from South Africa; that way they were curbing the middleman. That is a very important aspect and I think the duty on fertilizer must be removed to support those farmers, especially on the essence that we are not giving them any inputs. Even if the duty is to be put, it is bad timing to be done now on fertilizer. People have already planned and wholesalers have already stopped. They will withhold the fertilizer because there is a duty to be put there. So they will sell it at a higher price. The fertilizer in the country now will not be available to the farmers, thereby farmers will be inconvenienced more by not putting the inputs in time. I think we should remove it for the sake of progress. If necessary, it must be brought in later, may be in January.
On the issue of clothing, I am not going to say what everybody has said. If you ban clothing you know who benefits, it is Edgars. It is the biggest importer of textiles from China. So if you stop the old clothes, all you do is that you are making a big market for Edgars and Truworths because they are the biggest importers. Is that why you want our people to suffer so that you promote Edgars? I will not dwell too much on it because of the sake of time, but if you ban old clothing you are promoting imports of new textiles. If you ban, the people might as well buy old textiles; it must not be one sided. We also need to look at the aspect of improving conditions of doing business in Zimbabwe because confidence is the highway in which business people live on. I will not dwell too much into this because of time but it is worth mentioning.
Another thing which worries us - we want to grow and produce for ourselves but we should look at the capital investment because to produce we need capital. The Budget only provides for 1.5% out of the US$2b that is needed for the half year, 1.5% that is not enough to do anything. It will not make our industry competitive, I think we need to devote more resources towards capital and also make laws like the customs duty to be removed on capital goods, the ones that we used to produce.
Then there is another aspect - we should also look at what we can do as Zimbabweans and do what we call import substitution. If I can prove that I can do all the aluminium in this country and I can do it effectively, the Government must come on board, stop importing aluminium and support local people. We should look at import substitution. As long as the plan is there, we will show that there is a local industry that we can match and compete, even if it means we put prohibitive tariffs to stop other things coming in…
ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR. SPEAKER
SUSPENSION OF COMMITTEE BUSINESS
- SPEAKER: I just have one announcement. I wish to inform the House that the business of all Committees of Parliament will be suspended today until the 31st of August, 2015. Only activities approved prior to the 4th of August will be allowed to proceed, especially Committees that will be going out on certain schedules approved by the Speaker.
May I also recognize the commendable spirit of debate today. You have clocked one of the few feats of having debated for four hours and eleven minutes – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear] – I hope you will continue. This other side is sleeping. Why are you not accepting with me? You do not sound like the people who know themselves. I was going to say, hon. members, on behalf of those who have just gone away, you keep up the good spirit of debate. [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear]-
It being Seven o’clock p.m. MR. SPEAKER automatically adjourned the House without putting any question until 1st September,
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 28th July, 2015
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two O’clock p.m
PRAYERS
(MR. SPEAKER in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MR. SPEAKER
POSTPONEMENT OF THE DIPLOMATIC TRAINING WORKSHOP
- SPEAKER: I have to inform the House that the Diplomatic
Training Workshop, which had been scheduled for 31st July to 3rd August 2015, has been postponed until further notice. Hon. Members will be advised of new dates in due course.
NON-ADVERSE REPORTS RECEIVED FROM THE
PARLIAMENTARY LEGAL COMMITTEE
- SPEAKER: I have received non-adverse reports on the General Laws Amendment Bill [H.B. 3, 2015] and Statutory Instruments and General Notices gazetted during the month of July, 2015.
INVITATION TO A MEETING BY WOMEN’S UNIVERSITY
IN AFRICA
- SPEAKER: I have to inform the House that Women’s University in Africa is inviting all Members of Parliament to a meeting on Wednesday, 29th July, 2015 at 0900 hours in the Senate Chamber. The purpose of the meeting is for the university staff to share information on the programmes the university offers, as well as career opportunities created by such programmes. Please attend.
MR. SPEAKER’S RULING
HON. MARIDADI’S POINT OF ORDER ON THE SECOND
READING OF THE JOINT VENTURES’ BILL
- SPEAKER: This is a ruling by the Chair on the point of order raised by Hon. J. Maridadi on the presentation of a committee report by Hon. Dr. Mukanduri. On Thursday, 23rd July, 2015, Hon. Maridadi raised a point of order during the debate on the Second
Reading of the Joint Ventures Bill [H.B.4, 2015], seeking the Chair’s ruling on which version of the report on the Committee on Finance and Economic Development the House should consider. The point of order arose after a claim by Hon. Dr. Kereke, a member of the Finance and
Economic Development Committee that the committee’s report presented by the Acting Chairperson, Hon. Dr. Mukanduri had material omissions in respect of the Committee’s recommendations.
I have since sought clarification on the matter and I have established the following:
- The Committee deliberated on the Joint Ventures Bill on 22nd June, 2015 and on 6th July, 2015 respectively, following the public hearings held from 15 – 20th June, 2015. On these two meetings, Hon. Dr. Kereke attended the latter.
- The Committee considered and adopted the report on the Bill on the 13th July, 2015. Hon. Dr. Kereke was not in attendance
at this meeting. The issues he claims were omitted were never adopted by the Committee on Finance and Economic
Development. After such debate and deliberation, the
Committee resolved not to include Hon. Dr. Kereke’s submissions in its final report as presented to the august House.
- This, therefore, means that the report presented in the House by the Acting Chair, Hon. Dr. Mukanduri is a true reflection of the Committee’s proceedings and resolutions. To this end, the point of order raised by Hon. Maridadi must fail and is hereby dismissed – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] I also want to announce that hon. Ministers are still in Cabinet.
- MARIDADI: On a point of order Mr. Speaker Sir.
- SPEAKER: The Speaker has not finished his nnouncement, do you want to interrupt him on announcements?
- MARIDADI: I just wanted to comment on the ruling by the
Speaker.
- SPEAKER: You are not allowed in terms of the Standing Rules and Orders. Please read your Standing Rules and Orders properly.
When the Chair has ruled, he has ruled.
RECOMMITAL TO COMMITTEE STAGE
ZIMBABWE GENDER COMMISSION BILL, 2014 (H.B.
8, 2014)
First Order read: Recommittal: Zimbabwe Gender Commission Bill, (H.B.8, 2014).
House in Committee.
On Clause 2:
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF WOMEN’S AFFAIRS, GENDER AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (MS.
DAMASANE): I move the amendments standing in my name that;
On page 4 of the Bill, in subclause (1), insert the following definitions after the definition of “Chief Executive Officer”:
“gender” means the roles, duties and responsibilities which are culturally or socially ascribed to women, men, girls and boys;
“gender equality” means the equal enjoyment of rights and access to opportunities and outcomes, including resources by women, men, girls and boys;
“gender equity” means the just and fair distribution of benefits, rewards and opportunities between women, men, girls and boys;
“gender mainstreaming” means the process of identifying and resolving gender gaps, and making the concerns and experiences of women, men, girls and boys integral to the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes in all spheres so that they benefit equally”.
On page 4 of the Bill in subclause (2) of Clause 2, delete in lines
44 and 45 the words “In this Act, “systemic barrier prejudicial to gender equality” means any barrier, practice, custom, law or other impediment prejudicial to the achievement of gender equality, including equality of opportunities and outcomes in the following spheres of activity or sectors of the society or economy” and substitute “In this Act, “systemic barrier prejudicial to gender equality, gender equity or gender mainstreaming” means any barrier, practice, custom, law or other impediment prejudicial to the achievement of gender equality, gender equality, gender equity or gender mainstreaming including equality of opportunities and outcomes in the following spheres of activity or sectors of the society or economy (whose itemization here is not to be taken as exhaustive or as limiting the generality of the foregoing)”
On page 5 of the Bill, delete paragraph (f) on lines 13 and 14 and substitute the following paragraphs –
“(f) in the sphere of family law (including marriage, divorce, custody and guardianship), children’s rights, succession and inheritance;
(g) any other sphere or activity specified by the Commission in pursuance of its constitutional mandate”.
Amendment to Clause 2 put and agreed to.
Clause 2, as amended, put and agreed to.
On Clause 5:
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF WOMEN’S AFFAIRS, GENDER AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (MS.
DAMASANE): I move the amendment standing in my name that;
On page 6 of the Bill, delete in line 11 the phrase “system barrier prejudicial to the gender equality” and substitute “systemic barrier prejudicial to gender equality, gender equity or gender mainstreaming”.
Amendment to Clause 5 put and agreed to.
On Clause 6:
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF WOMEN’S AFFAIRS,
GENDER AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (MS.
DAMASANE): I move the amendment standing in my name that:
On page 6 of the Bill, insert in line 7 after subsection (6) the following sub-clause and renumber the subsequent paragraphs accordingly –
“(6) an aggrieved person, may in accordance with the Administrative Justice Act [Chapter 10:28] (No. 24 of 20040, appeal against such certificate, and the court hearing the appeal shall treat any evidence or documentation subject to the certificate in the manner specified in section 8 (“Discretion to refuse or to restrict supply of reasons”) of the Administrative Justice Act [Chapter 10:28] (No 24 of
2004)”
Amendment to Clause 6 put and agreed to.
Clause 6, as amended, put and agreed to.
On Clause 7:
MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: On a point of order
Chair. We are on what clause? We can hardly hear – [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-. We just want to follow
THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON: Order, order! We are now on
Clause 7.
MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: Are you just going to
speak on the amendments or we may raise issues even on the issues that have not been raised for amendment by the Minister?
THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON: I had already said, is there any debate and nobody stood up to say there is debate.
MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: I want to know, are
you going section by section. What I am asking is that if we get to…
THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON: You mean amendment by amendment.
MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: On section 16, I have a
proposal that I want to make. Are you going to say Clause 8, Clause 9, Clause 10 or are you just going to go on amendments?
THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON: It is only on amendments.
MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: So we cannot speak on
Clauses.
THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON: No, we can only speak on
amendments. This is in respect of the amendments that were done. The chance was given and amendments proposed. This is what we are talking about right now.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF WOMEN’S AFFAIRS, GENDER AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (MS.
DAMASANE): I move the amendment standing in my name that:
On page 7 of the Bill, delete the introductory words, “If, after conducting an investigation, the Commission is of the opinion that the investigation has revealed any systemic barrier prejudicial to gender equality, it shall report in writing to the Minister – “ and substitute “If, after conducting an investigation, the Commission is of the opinion that the investigation has revealed any systemic barrier prejudicial to gender equality, it shall, after having informed the Minister in writing, report to
Parliament on-”
On page 7 of the Bill, delete in line 35 the phrase “systemic barrier prejudicial to gender equality” and substitute “systemic barrier prejudicial to gender equality, gender equity or gender mainstreaming”.
On page 7 of the Bill, in paragraph (c), delete in line 35 the phrase
“gender equality” and substitute “gender equality, gender equity or gender mainstreaming”.
Amendment to Clause 7 put and agreed to.
Clause 7, as amended, put and agreed to.
On Clause 8:
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF WOMEN’S AFFAIRS,
GENDER AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (MS.
DAMASANE): I move the amendment standing in my name that;
On page 8 of the Bill, insert the following proviso to subclause (1):
“Provided that the venue of the Gender Forum shall rotate annually through every provincial centre of Zimbabwe in such order as the
Commission shall determine”.
On page 8 of the Bill, in subclause (3), insert the following paragraph after paragraph (c):
“(d) receive reports from the subcommittees (if any) constituted in terms of subsection (4).”
On page 8 of the Bill, insert the following proviso to subclause (3), the subsequent clauses being renumbered accordingly:
“(4) To assist the Pre-Forum Committee in discharging its terms of reference the Commission may constitute a subcommittee in every provincial centre of Zimbabwe chaired by a member of the Pre-Forum Committee.
On page 8 of the Bill, delete in lines 34 and 35 subclause (4) (now subclause (5)) and substitute the following subclause:
“(5) Paragraph 7 of the First Schedule applies to the appointment and meetings of the Pre-Forum Committee, and to any subcommittee constituted in terms of subsection as if the Pre-Forum Committee and subcommittee were committees of the Commission”
Amendment to Clause 8 put and agreed to.
Clause 8, as amended, put and agreed to.
On Clause 10:
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF WOMEN’S AFFAIRS, GENDER AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (MS.
DAMASANE): I move the amendment standing in my name that;
On page 9 of the Bill, delete in line 18 the phrase “in consultation with the Minister” and substitute, “after consultation with the Minister”.
On page 9 of the Bill, delete the proviso to subclause (1) from lines
22 to 24.
On page 9 of the Bill, delete in line 25 the phrase “Except with
written authority of the Minister”.
Amendment to Clause 10 put and agreed to.
Clause 10, as amended, put and agreed to.
On First Schedule:
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF WOMEN’S AFFAIRS, GENDER AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (MS.
DAMASANE): I move the amendment standing in my name that;
On page 13 of the Bill, delete paragraph 3 from lines 16 to 23 and renumber the subsequent paragraphs accordingly.
On page 13 of the Bill, in paragraph 4 (now paragraph 3) from lines 27 to 29 delete the phrase “one month after the date he or she gives notice in writing to the Minister of his or her intention to resign his office or after the expiry of such other period of notice as he or she and the Minister may agree” and substitute “one month after the date he or she gives notice in writing to the President or in the case of the CEO to the Chairperson, of his or her intention to resign his office or after the expiry of such other period of notice as he or she and the President or Chairperson, as the case maybe, agree.
On page 13 of the Bill, in paragraph 4 (now paragraph 3), delete subparagraph (2) from lines 39 to 44 and renumber subparagraph (3) as subparagraph (2).
On page 13 of the Bill, in paragraph 4 (now paragraph 3), delete in line 45 the word “Minister” and substitute “President”.
On page 14 of the Bill, in paragraph 5 (now paragraph 4), delete in line 5 the word “Minister” and substitute “President”.
Amendment to First Schedule put and agreed to.
First Schedule, as amended, put and agreed to.
House resumed.
Bill reported with amendments.
Bill referred to the Parliamentary Legal Committee.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
- CHIKWAMA: 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.
- MUKWANGWARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH: DEBATE ON ADDRESS
Fourth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion in reply to the
Presidential Speech.
Question again proposed.
- MASAMVU: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir for affording me the time to respond to the Presidential Speech that was ushered on the Official Opening of the 2nd Session of the Eighth Parliament. Allow me to congratulate His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Cde R.G. Mugabe for the two appointments to the Chair of the African Union and the SADC.
Mr. Speaker Sir, in response to His Excellency’s desire to increase power production in Zimbabwe, I am pleased to inform the House that my constituency is now generating 21 megawatts into the power grid of Zimbabwe Energy Transmission and Distribution Company that is enhancing stability of power distribution not only in my constituency but in Manicaland. This wonderful contribution to the State’s power situation is being done through our friendly stakeholder Nyangani Renewable Energy Power Company in collaboration with our power distribution company, Zimbabwe Electricity Distribution and the entire human resources of Mutasa North Constituency and local traditional leadership.
The power stations have been built from our rich resources of rivers that flow throughout the year in the following areas: Nyamhingura Power Station is generating 1.1 Megawatts from water diverted from Nyamhingura and Madhengwe Rivers. Duru Power
Station is generating 2.2 megawatts from Duru River; Pungwe A Power
Station is generating 15 megawatts from the main Pungwe River;
Pungwe B Power Station is generating 15 megawatts from the main
Pungwe River. NRE is currently building another Pungwe C Power Station in Chiteme River near headman Zindi. Further plans are already in process to build more small power plants in Ngarura and Towe rivers.
The 2014 statistics revealed that the energy that was generated from the three commissioned power stations with an output of 6.1 megawatts was 24 488 megawatts.
The power that has been produced has also benefited our 7 schools and further 13 schools will also be receiving connections in the very near future. Our appreciation goes to the good donations that we are receiving from our Community Development Committees and supported by NRE. I have also recently coordinated the connections of power in Phase 2 residential areas of Hauna Growth Point, a project that started 15 years ago and abandoned. Our people in that area are now in the process of electrifying their properties.
I would like to thank His Excellency for the policy on independent Power Producing Companies which is yielding evident results. Most business operators in Honde Valley are operating viably as we are now receiving next to none power cuts. It is imperative for our Government to continue to support such good and productive partnership with IPPs to harness the great wonder of God-given resources to produce clean power for our people and indeed, grow our industries.
Mr. Speaker Sir, His Excellency alluded to the importance of promoting the tourism sector as it is vibrant economic growth note. My constituency is amongst the one wonders of the world that hosts a hive of touristic areas such as the already mentioned Mill Hydro Power
Stations, Mutarazi Falls with 762 metres waterfall, the highest fall in
Zimbabwe and the second highest in Africa, Mahwema Simike Mountains, Nyawamba Dam, Aberfoyle Resort Resort with a brilliant 18 hole golf course, rich and well conserved rivers that is Pungwe, Nyamhingura Honde Rivers and tea estates.
My constituency is in the consultation process to publicise these beautiful areas so that we attract, not only local but foreign visitors to enjoy the friendliness of our people, important learning sites in power production, mechanical tea plucking and processing at the vibrant Eastern Highlands Tea Estates. Of recent, so many schools from all over Zimbabwe have been visiting my constituency to enjoy wonders of my constituency. It is therefore my appeal to the Government to ensure that the main link road that runs from Selbourne through to Eastern Highlands Tea Estate….
- SPEAKER: Order, order. Can the hon. members not
debating restrict themselves to whispers, especially these on the front here on my left. Hon. Wadyajena, do not join the club. We need to follow the debate so that if there are certain issues that need correction, we can do so either by debating ourselves.
- MASAMVU: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
- SPEAKER: Order Hon. Mutseyami, are you disputing the
Chair’s ruling?
- MASAMVU: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Of recent, so many schools from all over Zimbabwe have been visiting my constituency to enjoy wonders of my constituency. It is therefore my appeal to the Government to ensure that the main link road that runs from Selbourne through to Eastern Highlands Tea Estates be maintained in a very good state so that our country’s tourism benefit from these wonderful sites
Mr. Speaker Sir, I salute the President for working tirelessly in motivating the much needed assistance to keep growing our agricultural sector. The recent agreement signed on agricultural mechanization and the first batch of tillage equipment for communal and resettled areas is highly appreciated. My constituency continues to do what it knows best in the production of fruits and other staple crops to feed many towns and cities. Banana production has become one of the biggest farming activity and members here present will agree with me that we produce the best quality bananas. Tabasco chili, tea, coffee, pineapples and yams, commonly known as magogoya are part of the crops that I have been supporting. Honey production is also on the increase with Nyahari Honey Association now competing at national level and indeed, on the international forums such as the recent Honey Expo held in Zimbabwe which they won the second prize in the world.
Following the launch of the Nutritional Cluster at Hauna in my constituency, our efforts to champion nutritional projects has begun with assisting organisations in the logistics of properly distributing and promoting chicken production in the constituency. However, our initiatives and great efforts in producing more than what we can consume now requires our Government to focus in value addition and beneficiation of our fruits so that we can also export canned fruits to all over the world and not only Mbare Msika. My constituency desperately requires an immediate intervention to construct a factory that will process most of these fruits so that our farmers enjoy better rewards from their sweat.
At this juncture, I would like to urge my fellow Zimbabweans that shall benefit from the tillage initiatives of His Excellency to effectively and efficiently utilize this wonderful opportunity to increase agricultural production for our country.
Mr. Speaker Sir, allow me to speak about mining which His
Excellency has always indicated, that it plays a catalytic role in the growth of our economy. I would like to congratulate His Excellency for the envisaged legislation and policy framework which I believe shall benefit, not only Mutasa North claim holders, but the whole country.
Mining has emerged as a strong economic pillar of the country’s gross domestic product. In Mutasa North Mr. Speaker Sir, I have been working on the identification of possible partnerships to assist our initiatives to mine gold from the current allocations that we shall be getting from Redwing Mine. About 15 to 20 blocks will be allocated to various associations and cooperatives formed by the youth, women, war veterans, ZILIWACO, ZIPEDRA and various other stakeholders we
identify. It is our strong belief that once this is fully supported, our people will also benefit immensely from the mineral resources of our country and that the smart partnerships will also create employment for our youth.
Mr. Speaker Sir, infrastructure development and rehabilitation plays a major role in promoting the various efforts of development. I hail His Excellency for the current major roads idealization and rehabilitation. In my constituency, I have assisted in maintaining the main link road from Selbourne to Eastern highlands plantations. The road had menacing pot holes for over 3 years and with the assistance of our colleagues, my community and ever supporting stakeholders, our road is now accessible. Several bridges have been planned to be rehabilitated and these are Katambarare and Ngarura bridges. All the necessary materials are already available and the Ministry of Roads engineers are now working on applicable processes.
As mentioned earlier, Mr. Speaker Sir, Mutasa North borders Mozambique and plans to build a border post were done some 15 years ago. Four beautiful residential houses were built at the proposed site and up to now, the place is now being manned by security. EHPL which will be the main beneficiary for the transport of its tea to Beira has in the past been working tirelessly with the relevant Government ministry but still nothing has happened. It is imperative to note that all that we are doing will require us to cut costs of transporting certain raw materials.
We do not want to have that, including fuel and as such, this border post will immensely help our constituencies with easy access to sea. I therefore, humbly request the Government to expedite the available plans and any consultations with the Mozambican Government to finalise this border post which will also assist in revenue generation by
ZIMRA.
Mr. Speaker Sir, as we now live in a global village, we cannot afford to survive with Information Technology in our communities. I applaud His Excellency, the President for the initiative of the National Information Communication Technology Policy (ICT) to facilitate ICT development and management across sectors of the economy. I would like to further thank His Excellency, for the donation of computers to ten secondary schools in my constituency.
To compliment His Excellency’s initiatives, my office has also assisted the main high school, St Columbus Secondary School with WiFi equipment to enhance internet availability. As usual, our stakeholders NRE, through its Trust has installed 7V-SAT systems in seven schools, that have been recently electrified. 20 schools will benefit with 20 computers per school and V-SAT internet connectivity. As we all know, catch them young, is what we are doing to introduce our children to ICT so that they play the required integral role of research in order to act wisely in the future.
In conclusion, my constituency has a parastatal ARDA Katiyo that went broke many years ago. It is our hope that the land and equipment that used to produce internationally recognised tea be resuscitated for the benefit, not only for the people of Katiyo, Chisuko and Mandeya, but the whole nation. His Excellency commissioned the wonderful factory and for many years, the tea estate received local and internationals awards from its unique clonal teas which today we cherish to continue to see. Our smallholder tea growers are ready to provide the company with tea and all we require from the Government is an ideal partnership to get the company to operate again.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I am very delighted to note that Zimbabweans have not looked back in condoning illegal sanctions imposed on
Zimbabwe by the West and its allies – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear] – His Excellency has continued to use his greatest visionary, philosophic and economic wisdom to protect our interests as a country which has seen a lot of policies and programmes being developed to protect our nation. The ZIM ASSET and Indigenisation Policies will ever be cherished by Zimbabweans as they have already started bringing in the much needed turnaround strategies. I thank you.
- J. TSHUMA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. My name is Joseph
Tshuma, the new Member of Parliament for Pelandaba-Mpopoma Constituency in Bulawayo, elected on the 10th June, 2015. May I take this opportunity to congratulate you on your election and appointment as Speaker of this august House. May I also take this opportunity to thank the people of Pelandaba-Mpopoma Constituency for vesting their trust in me, by electing me to come and represent them in this august House.
Their votes shall ssurely be repaid by my actions as I intend to do justice to my role of being their servant and voice in all matters of this House and the country in general, to bring back development and success in our beautiful part of the country which has seen little or no development at all, for the past 15 years due to circumstance brought about by our desire to change of which no change occurred at all.
Instead we experienced a deteriorating status of all our systems. Mr.
Speaker Sir, may I take this opportunity to salute and thank His
Excellency, the President, the Head of State and Government, The
Commander-in Chief of the Defence Force, the Chairman of African
Union and also the Chairman of SADC for his sound address at the
Official Opening of the Second Session of the Eighth Parliament of
Zimbabwe on the 28th October, 2014 – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.]
May I take this opportunity to congratulate His Excellency on the resounding victory and being elected to lead us in July 2013 elections – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – May I congratulate him again, for his subsequent elevation and election to Chair SADC and AU. Indeed this man is a cut above the rest. His visionary leadership even left Tendai Biti and David Coltart of the opposition in full admiration for our iconic leader when they publicly acknowledged him in our local media as a leader and father figure par excellent. Hate him or like him, he is a God given man and a God given leader of our beautiful nation – [HON.
MEMBERS: Hear, hear] – and indeed of Africa as a whole.
Mr. Speaker Sir, my constituency is an urban one and hence it relies more on employment, job creation and sustenance. The current scenario of rampant closures of companies and the unilateral firing of employees is a great cause of concern to all of us. There is need also for all of us to put our heads together to try and foster a lasting solution to this evil. This can be done through what His Excellency said in his address when he said “in fulfillment of its constitutional mandate, Parliament will, during the Second Session of the Eighth Parliament place great emphasis on the alignment of laws to the Constitution and reviewing of existing and enacting of new legislation that lends support to the attainment of goals socio-economic development in general and to those of ZIM ASSET in particular”. – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.]
Mr. Speaker, hon. members seated in this House today to a great extent represent the entire nation. What is at stake is our ability to agree and act upon issues collectively. There is need to create sustainable political and legislative momentum and support each other irrespective of our political differences. I am tempted to buy into Martin Luther
King’s speech which he made in June, 1965 entitled ‘Remaining Awake through a Great Revolution’. He said “the world in which we live in is geographically one, the great challenge now is to make it one in terms of brotherhood” He further went on to say, “ we must learn to live together as brothers, or we will all perish together as fools. This is the greatest issue facing us today, no individual can live alone, and no nation can live alone, we are tied together”
Mr. Speaker Sir, having noted that, it is therefore critical that we embrace such thoughts in order to lead and work for our constituencies for the betterment of our people. My constituency has challenges that are emanating from the issue of pensions. As you are aware, I lead an urban constituency, most of our people rely on employment. Now, with the change over from the Zimbabwean dollar era to the United States era, we had a lot of people who lost out on their pensions. My hope and prayer is that, as a House, as a system and as the Executive, we shall be able to solve such problems for our people because they worked for all their lives and we are hoping that the savings or pensions that were supposed to be due to them were going to see them through their later stages of life when they reach retirement.
I also have got a very big problem of issues of employment and issues of companies that have closed down. I am greatly saddened to note that the CSC which used to employ over 5 000 people from Bulawayo alone – with the closure of CSC, we are actually burdened by the people’s situation. Like I said, we are an urbanised constituency and highly depend on employment. It is therefore prudent that what the President said in his address; the issues of the Joint Venture Bill and the issues of resuscitating our economy must be looked into seriously in order for us to make sure that such companies like CSC come back again to work so that the people of Bulawayo in general benefit from such a noble Government move.
If we also look at NRZ, it employs a lot of people from my constituency. We look at people from Matshobane, Mpopoma and Iminyela Flats. All these have been employed by NRZ. Most of them have not been paid for months and months. You wonder how they are going to survive, pay rentals, feed their children or even send them to school. It all comes back to the point that we all need to put our heads together as a nation and as a people. We should put our political differences aside and make sure that we do things for our country. Our country first and our political stands second.
I also want to look at the issue of energy. If we look at this issue, we understand that Bulawayo has always been called Kontuthu ziyathunqa, it was because of the industries there. If industries are going to work and if we are going to resuscitate our whole system there, we need energy without any doubt. I have been looking at it from a very simplicity point of view. We are a nation that has been blessed by a natural resource called solar. I have always been wondering why as a House and system, we do not push for a situation whereby we put solar as our substitute for electricity. If we look at the pylon poles that carry electricity, they have got a vast piece of land underneath them where we can actually put solar panels and be able to produce solar that will give us electricity to a point whereby we can even export the same commodity to our neighboring countries and thereby realizing revenue into our fiscus. The President, in his address, actually put us on that gear and I hope that it is going to be this House’s and Executive duty to make sure that they follow what the President alluded to already in his speech.
I will come to the issue of roads; our roads are in dire straits. In the social media, for example WhatsApp, you get pictures of a crocodile in a pothole. To me, this is very deplorable and it should never be allowed. I am hoping and praying that if we all listen and follow the wise counsel of our President, we should be able, through ZINARA and the local authorities, to try and alleviate people’s problems. A lot of breakdowns on vehicles and accidents are being caused by the status of our roads. It is my hope that we shall be able one day to sit and look back and smile and say it is a problem that has been solved already.
May I also take you to the ICT issue; we realise that because we are a global village and world, all trends lead to ensure that we are now moving to a point whereby ICT is going to be the main domain.
Therefore, I think it is necessary for us, through the Ministry of Primary Education to try and drive that all our primary schools become ICT compliant.
In my constituency, I have got Induna, Mpumelelo, Seventh Day Adventist, Gum Pool and Nkulumane Primary School. It is my hope that we are going to push to have all these primary schools incorporated into the ICT programmes so that we catch them whilst they are young. They learn these things so that when they grow up, they do so with the technology that we so desire. After all, they are the future of our country.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I will go into the health issue. The state of our hospitals in Bulawayo, if you look at Mpilo hospital and UBH; things are not well at all. It is incumbent upon us to try and move fast. The President in his address noted that there was some 89 million dollars that was set aside for the health delivery system to be awakened and it is my hope and wish that part of that fund will advently come to Bulawayo.
With the problems with the mortuary at Mpilo; it has grown so small. The numbers in Bulawayo have gone up and so we need things like the mortuary well done. We also need equipment for surgical operations so that our people do not have to go outside the country to seek these medical remedies. They can get them from within.
It is also my contention that we look at the issue of Ekhusileni hospital that was coined by the late Vice President Dr. Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo. If we could take this thing and bring it up, it is going to go a long way in alleviating the health problems that we are facing as Bulawayo.
If I look at the issues of education, I have a big problem. In
Bulawayo, we were one of the first people to have the National University of Science and Technology but if you look at our schools; in my constituency, I have Mpopoma and Sizane High Schools. If you look at our average inflow into the last university, you will discover that we actually have less students that are coming from Bulawayo to go into the National University of Science and Technology. To me, that is a cause of concern.
Therefore, I would like this House to look into such issues so that we actually prioritise the learning of science subjects in Bulawayo in particular, so that a balance is achieved because right now, if you go to the National University of Science and Technology, you will be shocked that most of the students that come there are coming from all over Zimbabwe but Bulawayo. We only got a few Bulawayo people that go into their university. To me, that is a sign of weakness that we need to change as leaders from Bulawayo and make sure that we support the learning of science subjects so that we also have equal representation of students that go into such noble universities.
My other point is on the issue of water. It has always been a perennial cry. We are always running short of water. I shudder and wonder how we are having such things when we have the Khami dam which can be used to have water going into the industries. There can be a pipeline that will directly take the water from this dam to go and service industries. It will not go to the consumption of people or into houses. That water can be treated to go and service industries; then the water that was going to industries can now come into the residential places. That way Mr. Speaker Sir, we will have solved a big problem.
We also have the Nyamandlovu Acquifer, what have we done? The last time that I heard, it was reported that pumps were stolen from it but what are we doing about it? That is water that is already there. We have a lot of water. I am also meant to believe that there is water right in the middle of Bulawayo under Lapf House under the tower block. I am told that we have abundant resources of water there. Look at Botswana, they are living from such kind of sources of water. Why can we not look at such things and make sure that we tap into the things that God gave us already –[HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear]-.
As a long term effect, we are now going to look at the issues of the Zambezi Water Project. As much as the President has already told us about the Mtshabezi Dam Project, all these things if we pool them to context, if we look into them with one and an attentive mind, we will be able, Mr. Speaker Sir, one day as we leave Parliament, to say that we have done well for our country and constituency because that is what is paramount when we come to this august House.
Mr. Speaker Sir, in conclusion and on a lighter note, may I take this opportunity to thank you for bringing the games that were played over the weekend to Bulawayo. You left Bulawayo vibrant and - [HON. MEMBERS: Ululating.]. It was a well done gesture and we thank you for that. On that same note, may I take this opportunity to also congratulate the parliamentary netball and football warriors for a good show that they put over there? The House might actually want to know that I was actually one of co-coaches in that game and that is why we won 4 – 1 – [HON. MEMBERS: Laughter] – and it was such a memorable outing Mr. Speaker. I hope that next time you shall keep on bringing all these games to Bulawayo. With this, I thank you Mr.
Speaker Sir – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections].
MRS. CHIKWAMA: Mr. Speaker Sir, I –
- SPEAKER: Order, order. I want to say that the two debates that have taken place this afternoon are indicative of the level of the benchmarks that we should emulate, - [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] - very factual and logically presented. Let us keep up that standard – [HON. LABODE: It was a ZAPU speech.] – Hon. Labode, can you withdraw your insinuation. I shall not allow that.
- LABODE: I withdraw the insinuation or the misunderstanding of the speech from my brother Tshuma.
- SPEAKER: You have withdrawn nothing. Can you withdraw that that is from ZAPU?
- LABODE: Okay, I withdraw the word ZAPU.
ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR. SPEAKER
DISORDERLY PARKING OF VEHICLES
- SPEAKER: Hon. Members, we have disorderly parking of our vehicles in the parking area. There are several vehicles whose registration I shall read out which are disorderly parked; Ford Ranger ADI 9333, Ford Everest ACY 3120, Ford Ranger AD – Hon. Chamisa are you listening? This could be one of your cars. Ford Ranger ADI 9475, Mercedes Benz ABM 8663, Ford Ranger ADI 9282, Ford Ranger
9156, and last is a SUNNY which does not have a number – [AN HON.
MEMBER: Ndeya Chamisa.]
I have now instructed the police at the entrance gate to the car park, when a member refuses to obey a lawful instruction to park his vehicle properly, that hon. member shall be dishonourable and I have given the police an order to arrest accordingly – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.].
MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: Mr. Speaker, just to
clarify what is happening in case you have not heard. There are vehicles in that car park that are permanently there and broken down. Literally, the reason we are not having parking space for hon. members is there is a time that you gave a ruling that all those cars should be moved from the parking space. They all have come back. If they were all to be removed, there would absolutely be no problem for hon. members to go in – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] -. I counted them today Hon. Speaker and there are 26 cars that you can tell are not moving and have been parked there for some time because they are dead – [AN. HON. MEMBER: Pane yaZvoma.]. We are please asking you to again enforce it before you allow the police to deal with us dishonourably. I think it is important to also enforce the same spirit for those people that have parked in that place because it is not theirs. Thank you.
- SPEAKER: I thank the Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga for
that observation. I take it seriously and will ensure that by next week, all those unclaimed or broken down vehicles are removed from there – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.]. Hon. Chikwama, you wanted to say something.
MRS. CHIKWAMA: Mr. Speaker Sir, I move that the debate do now adjourn.
- ANASTANCIA NDHLOVU: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 29th July, 2015.
ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR. SPEAKER
NON-ADVERSE REPORT RECEIVED FROM THE
PARLIAMENTARY LEGAL COMMITTEE
- SPEAKER: There is a problem of technicality and I apologize to the Deputy Minister of Women’s Affairs, Gender and
Community Development, after your submission of the report from the
Committee. The Chair should have indicated as follows: -
I have received a non-adverse report from the Parliamentary Legal
Committee on the Zimbabwe Gender Commission Bill [H.B. 8A, 2014].
REPORT STAGE
ZIMBABWE GENDER COMMISSION BILL (H.B.8A, 2014)
Amendments to Clauses 2,5,6,7,8,10 and First Schedule put and agreed to.
Bill, as amended, adopted.
Third Reading: With leave; forthwith.
THIRD READING
ZIMBABWE GENDER COMMISSION BILL [H.B. 8A, 2014].
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF WOMEN’S AFFAIRS, GENDER AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (MS.
DAMASANE): 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 HOUSE
- MUKWANGWARIWA: Mr. Speaker, I move that Order of
the Day number 5, be stood over until the rest of the Orders have been disposed off.
- ANASTANCIA NDHLOVU: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
FIRST REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON
ENVIRONMENT, WATER, TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY
INDUSTRY ON FIFTEEN PER CENT VAT ON HOTEL
ACCOMMODATION FOR FOREIGN TOURISTS
- ANASTANCIA NDHLOVU: Mr. Speaker, I move the
motion standing in my name that this House takes note of the First
Report on the Portfolio Committee on Environment, Water, Tourism and
Hospitality Industry on 15% VAT on Hotel Accommodation for Foreign Tourists (S.C. 18, 2015).
- MHONA: I second.
- ANASTANCIA NDHLOVU: I thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
I am here to present the Report of the Portfolio Committee on
Environment, Water, Tourism and Hospitality Industry on the 15% VAT on Hotel Accommodation for Foreign Tourists.
1.0 Introduction
The Portfolio Committee on Environment, Water, Tourism and Hospitality Industry resolved to inquire into the impact of the 15% VAT introduced on hotel accommodation for foreign tourists with effect from January 2015 by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development as announced in the 2014 Budget presentation.
2.0 Objectives of the Enquiry
The broad objective of the enquiry was to enable Committee Members to understand how the tourism sector was performing considering the projected growth target of 4.7% by the end of 2015. In more specific terms, the Committee sought to;-
- Understand the economic effects, on the tourism sector, of the introduction of 15% VAT on hotel accommodation services for foreign tourists.
- Appreciate the measures that are being taken to address the challenges emanating from the introduction of 15% VAT on foreign tourists.
- To engage tourist operators pursuant to the need to understand their concerns in respect of the introduced 15% VAT on foreign
tourists.
The last objective is consistent with section 141 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, as read together with Standing Order No. 167 (b), which compels Parliament to facilitate public involvement in its legislative and other processes and in the processes of its committees and gives select committees the power to receive representations from interested parties. In addition, it is instructive from the onset to note that representations made were from both the private and public sector. Therefore, the Committee was of the opinion that the cross sectional perspective presentations made constituted a good representation and measure of the challenges that may be prevalent in both the public and the private stakeholders.
3.0 Methodology
To get a technical insight into the tourism value chain components, oral evidence was first delivered to the Committee by the Zimbabwe Council for Tourism. The Committee was apprised of the implications of the value chain costs as they relate to the destination. These included, inter alia, levies, advertising costs, travel insurance and vaccinations and health costs. It was highlighted that the tourism operators faced imminent loss of business as sales agents are out competed by their contemporaries from other destination markets in luring volumes from the oversees tourist. Oral evidence was also received from The Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry representing the public sector perception. Over and above these two representations, the Committee further sought the fiscus point of view from the Permanent Secretary for Finance and Economic Development. Suffice at this juncture to highlight that the Committee was concerned about the sorry state of the tourism sector.
- Committee’s Findings
- Zero Rated Value Added Tax
The Tourism Industry was regarded as an exporter and used to be accorded a zero rated Value Added Tax for its export receipts. The Ministry calls for the exemption of tax on hotel accommodation to be continued as was done in 1988 and 2003 when the sector was regarded as an exporter to grow effective Foreign Direct Investment into Zimbabwe.
The Committee took note of the application of the 15% VAT on tourist accommodation services in line with the destination principle which stipulates that VAT is collected by the country where the product is consumed and on offshore accommodation bookings. It further noted that the collection of VAT is in line with the SADC Protocol on Finance and Investment that urges Member States to harmonise the VAT regime and adopt international best practice and that the 15% VAT figure was a statutory requirement as is legislated in the country.
- Employment Creation
World statistics show that one in twelve people are employed in the Tourism sector, meaning that one tourist creates twelve jobs. The obtaining situation depicts that tourists visiting Zimbabwe are currently creating employment for only six people. New employment opportunities can only be created within the industry when new hotels open up, products and activities are taking place. Thirty to forty percent of jobs of companies in the sector are dependent on oversees tourists. Therefore, the introduced 15% VAT would create challenges on employment opportunities
- Destination Competitiveness
The Cost of Doing Business is prohibitive, that is, licences, cost of funding business and musical rights, make it difficult for tourism operators to find ways of keeping their prices competitive and lower. The fixed costs in Zimbabwe are too high for operators for a tourist to stay in a hotel, camp or lodge. This might have been caused by the transition from the Zimbabwean to the US dollar that was not handled well. The Tourism sector is currently giving away between 30 to 35% of their turn over on commissions to the supply chain to get business to
Zimbabwe.
The VAT and certain components in the value chain impact negatively on destination competitiveness. It becomes difficult for sales agents in the various markets to compete with other destination markets and lure volumes into Zimbabwe. International tourists would content with the high costs incurred by the operators relating to advertising their products on the international website, cost of travel, visa cost, travel insurance, vaccinations and health costs as well as the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority levy. The introduction of 15% VAT has the effect of increasing companies' losses. Investors are likely to consider our industry as non- profitable and one that does not give returns to investors.
- Timing
The Zimbabwe Council for Tourism submitted that the industry works two years in advance and it is impossible to pass on a tax such as this to the final consumer of the tourism product given that contracts for 2015 were signed in February and March of 2014 by the industry. Prices for the year were in brochures already in travel agencies in every feeder market following trade across the globe. Bookings that are already in the system, based on contractual obligations with tour operators, airlines and agents, will not accept that clients that have been booked to pay an additional 15% for their trip. The industry will be forced to absorb that cost, refusing to do so will result in cancellation and relocation of the booking to a competitor country. This effectively means the operators within the sector absorbed the two year 15% loss on their balance sheets. The implication of all the value chain cost is that the cost is borne by the consumer. However, oversees tourists consider the final outcome of their journey in order to compare the best deals and select destinations. Trade in source markets can only accept small price increases based on inflation usually in the source market.
- Negative Image and Perception
Despite the 15% VAT, the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry opined that the country suffers from negative image and perception and does not receive assistance from the European Union to embark on international tours and exhibition to market the destination.
According to the 2015 World Economic Forum Travel and Tourism Competitive Report, Zimbabwe is ranked among the worst tourism destinations in the world at 115 out of 141 countries.
- Victoria Falls Investment Justification
The VAT would make the justification of the Victoria Falls investment defeated because it scares away the investors making Zimbabwe fail to realise its potential revenue from the proceeds accruing from the Victoria Falls airport. The number of foreign airlines flying directly into Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls is critical to viability of Zimbabwe as a destination and competitive prices will be necessary to ensure these airlines get the required capacity to route into Zimbabwe.
- Tax Compromise
It was submitted that if the revenue from the VAT is forgone, it would be recovered downstream. The tourism industry is only at the beginning of the much needed investment. A great deal more would be coming, provided the right conditions exist. The tourism industry is a fast foreign exchange generator, creator of direct and downstream employment, tax generator in so many other ways, and promises significant growth. The growth in the industry is not yet very good. Tourism room nights are still at low occupancies. It is apparent that the nation would benefit from visa fees, airport taxes and exit fees, commissions from international agencies and domestic operators, service taxes, VAT and corporate tax, air tickets fuel charges, tariffs and commuting, lodgings, room fares hotel taxes, local fees permits for
National Parks and other local tours when a tourist lands in the country.
- Tax Rebates and Concessions
The Government supported the tourism sector by extending tax concessions to improve its competitiveness in the region and beyond, for instance, rebate of duty on capital goods and suspension of duty on motor vehicles imported by Safari Operators. It was revealed that 55 operators have benefitted from duty concessions and the amount of forgone revenue from the rebates and concessions between January and
April is over $1.7 million. The Committee was also advised that tourism operators have already started remitting the proceeds of the 15% VAT to ZIMRA and the cumulative revenue amount collected between January and April 2015 is slightly in excess of $1 650 000.
- African Union Taxes on Tourism
In light of the proposed introduction of tax on tourism specifically on air tickets for all flight to and from Africa as well as on all hotel rooms in Africa by the African Union, the task to lure foreign tourists would be made more difficult. A continental levy that is also being proposed by the African Union on tourism would threaten the competitiveness of the country as a destination.
Foreign tourists’ arrivals were 27% of the total arrivals in Zimbabwe in 1999 had dropped to 13% by 2013. These arrivals fall under the high volume low value bracket hence the need to attract these high spenders from European Markets. The Committee learnt that the world's best spending countries are China, Germany, United Kingdom, Russian Federation, France, Canada, Japan Australia, Italy and the
United States of America. Tourists from these countries are the ones the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry tries to lure into the country. Zimbabwe currently endures very low percentages of visitors from overseas and very high percentage of visitors from Africa.
- Feasibility Studies
It appeared to the Committee that a bone of contention exists on this matter. It was submitted that the announcement of the introduction of the 15% VAT on hotel accommodation by the Minister of Finance was made before a study on its impact on the sector was concluded.
Thus, the sector was then compelled to comply with the pronouncement.
The Permanent Secretary refutes the allegation that the Minister of Finance and Economic Development introduced the 15% VAT on hotel accommodation before the conclusion of feasibility studies on the matter. The Permanent Secretary also argued that the current economic hardship affects all sectors of our economy, thus the request from the Tourist Operators to lower the VAT would not augur well with the rest of the sectors.
- Destination Accessibility
The Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry reiterated that Beitbridge Border Post is hampering the arrival of foreign tourists into the country because of too much bureaucracy.
5.0 Analysis of the Key Issues
From all the three presentations and submissions, it was lucid that the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No 20) Act, 2013, the
Tourism Act (Chapter 14:20), and the Value Added Tax Act (Chapter
23: 12) provide the rational basis for the Committee’s recommendations on the issues raised above as explained below.
Three issues emerged important, pivotal and critical. These can be summarised as follows; - There is need for;
- Urgent intervention to protect the sector from regressing by incentivising international arrivals through economically viable rates;
- Urgent need for the Government to consider scrapping off the 15% VAT on payments for accommodation and tourism services by foreign visitors; and
- Reduce the pricing structure in the country.
- Tourism Destination Promotion
Section 5 (1) (a) of the Tourism Act (Chapter 14:20), provides that
“Subject to this Act, the function of the Authority shall be to promote Zimbabwe as a destination for tourists, and to promote the tourist industry in overseas, regional and domestic market;” The Zimbabwe
Tourism Authority’s function to promote Zimbabwe as a destination and tourist industry is of paramount importance. The successful execution of this function is directly hinged on level playing field in both regional and international tourism sectors. The introduced 15% VAT on foreign tourist arrivals in Zimbabwe negatively affects the destination competitiveness and the growth of tourism industry in the country. Tax charges for hotel accommodation for source markets are much lower than the standard rate. If this would be implemented in Zimbabwe, tourism operators and players would compete favourably with other destination markets and allow them to operate at full capacity. Thus, the 15% VAT introduced by the Government becomes a significant cost for oversees market and would be very difficult for the local operators to absorb.
- Tourism Investment Promotion
Section 7 (b) of the Zimbabwe Investment Authority Act (Chapter
14:30), also espouses that
“Subject to this Act, the functions of the Authority shall be to plan and implement investment promotion strategies for the purpose of encouraging investment by domestic and foreign investors;” Again the Zimbabwe Investment Authority is mandated to encourage foreign investment in all sectors of the economy including the tourism sector. The Authority relies mainly on potential profitability of the sector of which tourism is promising. Promotion strategies could be easily thwarted when this particular sector is viewed as non-profitable or that with dwindling returns. Therefore, a 15% price rise will unquestionably be a significant momentum stopper in the sector with regard to investment potential and can set the industry behind several years and it will be costly to recover.
- Employment Creation
Pursuant to the need to uphold and adhere to the provisions of section 24 (1) and (2) (a) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment
(No 20) Act, 2013, which state that,
“The State and all institutions and agencies of Government at every level must adopt reasonable policies and measures …. to provide everyone with an opportunity to work…and must endeavor to secure full employment,”
There is need to create employment opportunities within the tourism industry through new hotels opening up. As it stands, thirty to forty percent of jobs of companies in the tourism sector are dependent on oversees tourists. It goes without saying that, the introduced 15% VAT would create challenges on employment opportunities when foreign tourist and foreign investors shun Zimbabwe as a tourist destination. As has already been alluded to, it is important to attract and grow oversees tourists because they are the ones that bring employment to the nation as compared to the transit tourists.
As legislators, our obligation is to ensure that tourism is governed and managed in a manner that is in the national interest, in terms of section 119 (2) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, and promote economic development. There is need to achieve the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-economic Transformation (ZIM ASSET)'s target for the Tourism sector to contribute 15% of the GDP to the economy by
2015, and be in line with the UNWTO 2015 Tourism Day theme “One
Billion tourists, One Billion opportunities.” There is also a need for the industry to become profitable and grow so that the current stock of rooms would be increased in order to meet the demand of the projected growth of the tourist arrivals of 4.7% by 2015.
Informed by this pertinent observation, the Committee recommends the Executive to urgently consider the following, pursuant to the need to achieve two of the four ZIM ASSET Strategic Clusters of
Food Security and Nutrition and Social Services and Poverty Eradication.
6.0 Recommendations
6.1 The Committee recommends for an ongoing evaluation of the tourism business and monitoring of the situation and effects so that the recovery of the sector is not undermined by the 15% VAT on foreign tourists. This is partly because timing of the move was wrong and indications are that it is difficult for the industry to come up with attractive rates for domestic and regional markets. Some of our tourism products are now 35% more expensive compared to some regional markets. The 15% VAT charge dampen average hotel room and bed occupancy levels expected to improve this year to 61% and 42% respectively.
6.2 It also recommends the Executive to introduce creative and intelligent taxation that moves the whole value chain. It must be emphasised, at this juncture, that an insistence on tax compromise would grow the sector and avoid the consequences of cancellations of already made commitments. If a zero rating, in terms of section 10 of the Value Added Tax Act (Chapter 23:12), cannot be continued on the tourism sector, VAT on foreign tourists can either be introduced on an incremental basis as in phases of 3%, 5% and 7% beginning in 2016. Economically, it is destructive to introduce a 15% tax all at once. There is severe damage pending if this continues. Uganda and Tanzania have experienced the impact of added cost through VAT and have since retracted.
6.3 The Committee further recommends that, with immediate effect, duty rebate introduced by Government covers all tourism products required by the tourism players to operate. Currently, some sectors in tourism such as the car hire and tour operators are totally left out, thereby exposing tourists to unwanted poor service in those areas. Airlines are excluded from the schemes extended yet they have a lot to offer the destination by way of a conducive and appealing destination.
6.4 It is the Committee’s recommendation to the Executive that the implementation of measures to enhance the competiveness of industries in Zimbabwe be expedited in order for the sector to be able to revise its costing structure downwards. The Cost of Doing Business impacts negatively on the pricing structure in the country and wards off potential tourists. Zimbabwe’s tourism services are deemed exorbitant.
6.5 Last but not least, the Committee strongly recommends the Executive to totally suspend the VAT for foreign tourists with effect from 1st August 2015 until 2019, for the sector to recover, grow volumes, allow the many potential dividends from the UNWTO to pay off and increase direct arrivals at the new Victoria Falls Airport.
7.0 Conclusion
With the above submissions, Mr. Speaker Sir, I now commend this report for consideration by this august House. I thank you.
- MHONA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, for according me this opportunity to debate on this noble motion by Hon. Anastancia Ndhlovu.
I will not dwell much on the findings of the Committee because the Committee did a wonderful job in coming up with these exhaustive findings and deliberations.
The issue of VAT is a topical issue. If we allow this to go ahead, we will have a number of challenges that we will face as a nation. In that area, I will also highlight the issue of comparative analysis which is critical at this moment. We need to actually ascertain what other sister companies especially in the SADC region, are doing with regards to this VAT. I will cite an example of South Africa, Botswana, DRC, Angola and Namibia, the VAT does not exceed 5%. You can imagine us charging 15%, the implication thereof. As to facilitate and promote this tourism industry, it is important to address this issue urgently.
I will take it from a different perspective Mr. Speaker Sir, to say what the Hon. Chairperson of the Committee has articulated in our report which is your report, there are areas that we can add value to the fiscus without necessarily factoring our minds on this 15%. I will cite a number of these initiatives that we can adopt as a nation. We have infrastructure development. We can take an example of the Zambezi River. We can come up with bridges, thereby collecting revenue from those bridges. Look at Zambezi escarpment, Kanyemba Border Post; we can have beautiful bridges there whereby we can raise enough revenue towards the fiscus.
I also have another issue which is quite disturbing, the national airline, Air Zimbabwe. If you look at Air Zimbabwe, we take it as a profit making organisation but it brings pride to the nation if we have our airline functioning well. Instead of us focusing mainly on the national airline, it is quite important to come up with a policy whereby as a nation, we are going to support our national airline so that it will promote tourism. If we do not have a viable national airline, how are we going to contribute positively to the tourism industry? Let us focus our minds on rebuilding our national airline which will also bring joy to the nation, our beautiful land Zimbabwe.
Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir, on that note but there is a major area of concern, the policy in consistency whereby you find that the application of law is discretional. At times you do not know what is really transpiring. One day you come up with a policy, the next day you actual have diverted views on that policy. This impacts negatively to the operation of the nation, in particular this industry. I will cite one of the examples that was alluded to by Hon. Chairperson of the Committee, the issue of applying the policies selectively; the issue of safari operators being given the right to import cars duty free but the industry consist of a number of players. Why can we not extend that noble benefit to a number of players so that this will benefit positively to the nation?
Mr. Speaker Sir, the issue of policy inconsistency is a conduit pipe to corruption. If we do not have consistency in policy, we create a window of corruption. I think it is very important to have this in place.
I also want the buttress the section that hon. Chairperson of the Committee Madam Ndlovu said, Section 24 of our supreme Constitution of Zimbabwe with Section 24 (2)(b) which states and I quote , “ the removal of restrictions that are necessary inhibit or prevent people from working and otherwise engaging in gainful economic activities”. Mr. Speaker Sir, the issue of employment creation is quite pivotal. It impacts negatively to the nation if it is not well addressed. Given the recent or the contemporary ruling by the Supreme Court which is also topical again, you see that a number of employers are left with no option but to retrench since this ruling is in their favour. It is quite important to urgently address the issue of VAT so that hotel accommodation will be viable and at the end of the day, we will not have this mass exodus of employees as witnessed recently.
I would also want to thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, for this noble motion that 15% be scraped. I also share the same sentiments that it is urgent to address the issue and remove this 15%. I borrow the words from the preamble of our Constitution of Zimbabwe of which I will quote, “acknowledging the richness of natural resources, celebrating the vibrancy of our traditions and cultures”. It is my humble submission Mr. Speaker Sir, to say that Zimbabwe is a favoured and blessed nation. Let us tap into our resources and have comparative advantage; have advantage over a number of countries that do not have these natural resources so that we promote and enhance tourism in Zimbabwe, thereby creating employment and avoiding a number of challenges bedeviling our country. I say to you hon. Speaker Sir, with your permission, let us all be united as Zimbabweans and drive this noble cause of rebuilding our Zimbabwe. Thank you very much.
- SPEAKER: I make a very particular observation by the mover of the motion and seconder. A clear illustration that they have read the Constitution as a Committee and the Constitution is our Bible and that it is the springboard of all pieces of legislation that need to be aligned, I thank you for that example.
- TOFFA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, for affording me this opportunity to contribute to this motion on the introduction of 15% VAT on hotel accommodation. The 15% addition to our heavily taxed nation and especially the industry of hospitality and tourism will have a negative impact if it goes ahead. Tourism is one of the very few industries in Zimbabwe today that is contributing to the Gross Domestic Product. At the moment, tourism is not doing well, as can be seen by the accommodation that is being taken up in our local hotels, in Harare itself and in the tourism areas.
Mr. Speaker Sir, tourism is one of those industries that is, as has been alluded to by one of the Committee Members, a God-given gift to us that we need to nurture and contribute to. If we add 15% VAT to accommodation, we are only doing an injustice to our industry. We need to, as recommended by our Committee, hold on to adding this VAT. We know that VAT is needed to contribute into the economy, but the timing is definitely wrong.
We also need to realise that we must not compare ourselves with other countries that have VAT on accommodation. We need to look at those other economies holistically. We need to understand that those economies have other industries that are contributing, that are running smoothly whereas in Zimbabwe, we are still grappling with trying to find our feet; trying to get going. This will also affect unemployment. As it is the hotel industry, as alluded to by our report that at the moment it contributes to employment 20 to 40%, if I remember correctly, that will go down. We would not have any employment being generated because what we will do is kill the little that we have. What is our objective as a Committee towards the hotel, hospitality and tourism industry? Our objective is to maximise our benefits and the growth of the industry. By introducing the 15%, we will be doing an injustice.
Other people would say, there are some members of the industry that are already contributing towards the 15% and a figure of US$1.6 million is realised, yet the industry has a projected income of US$5 billion that they want to achieve. If we are going to introduce the 15% on that little that we have, we will not be able to get to that threshold. What also need to be done is, as we are looking at this industry, we need to look at all the contributing factors involved in industry. For example, how our guests are received at our border posts? The bureaucracy that they have to go through, that needs special attention as we heard from the presentation that we had during our Committee Sessions.
Another sector that needs to be looked at is the airlines. For example, there is a departure fee that needs to be paid by tourists when leaving the country. That departure fee was once upon a time included on the ticket, but now you have to pay it on departure. You find that this is not information that the tourist is privy to, at most. I am sure many of us have been tourists. When you go shopping and you spend all your money right to the last cent, when you get to the airport you find that
you have to pay a departure fee, which you would have not prepared for. The reason from the responsible Ministry, when we asked the question as to why this departure fee is no longer included in the ticket, it was found that Air Zimbabwe was not doing its job. They were not remitting the departure fee to the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe. This speaks to the fact that the responsible Ministry must make sure that people are not sleeping on their jobs, instead of making the tourists suffer for our inability.
As a member of the Committee, I feel that it is very important at this stage to make sure that we do not introduce the 15% VAT. We will introduce it once the industry has recovered, is on its feet and contributing positively to the economy. Thank you Mr. Speaker.
- CHIMWAMUROMBE: Thank you Mr. Sir, for recognising
and giving me this opportunity to contribute to this topical motion. Mr. Speaker Sir, after UNWTO Conference in Victoria Falls, we were very happy that tourism industry has been boosted and given life lime to recover from the bad perception the world had before. By introducing this 15%, we are working against the work that had been done by
UNWTO and our Hon. Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry.
As much as we would want to increase our fiscus, introduction of VAT is normally done when we want to discourage things like smoking cigarettes so that we can boost our fiscus. By introducing the 15% on tourism accommodation, we are actually like telling the people that tourism is not good. We can actually do away with it. I would want this hon. House to discourage that perception by contributing to this debate that the 15% VAT should not be put in place.
As we speak, we are using United States dollars and the rand is falling. We are becoming more expensive than our surrounding neighbours. Tourism is a very dynamic industry and because of technology it is very fast to change. So far, from January to date, we have lost 20% of tourist arrivals. By the mere fact that the US$ that we are using is stronger than the rand makes us expensive.
Mr. Speaker Sir, as we are already expensive due to the increases and changes of currencies from our Zimbabwean dollar to the rand, our accommodation cost of valuing businesses is very expensive compared to Zambia, Botswana and other surrounding countries. It will be detrimental for us to introduce this 15%. I beg you and the Executive not to introduce this 15%. I thank you.
- SPEAKER: Hon Misihairabwi-Mushonga, were you
standing?
MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: No, Hon. Nduna asked
me whether he would give me the chance to debate. I do not know whether he was taking your job. I then said, khuluma sihlobo sami.
+MR. SPEAKER: Hon. Nduna, do not take my Chair [Laughter]- Please go ahead and debate Hon. Nduna.
- NDUNA: Thank very much Mr. Speaker. I want to add my
voice to this noble report on the 15% in the tourism sector. I want to touch on a few points. The country is already reeling under the yoke of sanctions and if we now add 15% to an already ailing sector, that is Godgiven like Hon. Toffa alluded to, we are not only shooting the industry in the foot but the nation as a whole.
We should be exercising our sovereign rights to utilise what has been God-given to make what we can and get what we can using what we have already. By introducing 15%, we are basically missing the point and we are not going to go far. We are going to run but we are not going to hide.
The other reason I stood up to add my voice is; because I chair the Committee on Transport and Infrastructure Development – the issue of our airline, flagship carrier should be taken seriously. We need the right people. We do not need the square plugs in round holes. The issue of the departure tax vis a vis our monies for the ticket I think it should be a collaborated activity that should not leave anything to the imagination that should not also inconvenience unduly our tourists.
As Hon. Toffa alluded to, this used to be under the same umbrella but because of the shenanigans and lack of convergence and cooperation between Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe and Air Zimbabwe, we are not inconveniencing our tourists. How then do we optimally bring them in and how do we expeditiously get them out in a more robust manner without inconveniencing them?
I want you Mr. Speaker, to picture this; you buy your ticket and you are now told to go to another cubicle to buy departure tax which is domestically US$15. If you had bought your ticket at one port, that is the ticket sales office and you go through check-in and go and board your aircraft; it is better off than being taken from one cubicle to another in the same airport. What will this do to the tourist who is outside and comparing us with the other global players in the region and in the same market? They will opt for a carrier which is not flection. How then do we say we have got a flagship carrier and we are proud of Air Zimbabwe if they are going to behave as though they are a bull in a China shop?
It boggles one’s mind how we are then able to have a whole board in place and cannot administer such a small entity or issue that borders on the issue of departure tax. I am not debating from the report on Air Zimbabwe but however, I thought I should put it across to you that I think it is an issue of square plugs in round holes. We need to deal with this issue immediately.
I spoke of a robust transport system without which we cannot bring in our tourists. In the tourist resort areas, we should not only be able to give a rebate in terms of tax at the border post for the purchase of vehicles in the tourism sector. We should also go further by making sure that the road network in those tourism areas is second to none. I will bring you to a point where during the UNWTO, the Zimbabwe Ministry of Transport, through ZINARA and other entities went all out to spruce up our road networks. I applaud them for doing that because our road networks and the tourism sector is the face of the nation.
Currently, we have the expansion of the Victoria Falls airport through Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe so that we can optimally lend the big aircrafts that are globally oriented. I applaud this activity through the Chinese loan of US$150 million facility…
- ANASTANCIA NDHLOVU: On a point of Order Mr.
Speaker Sir. The Hon. John Holder is disturbing the debate; I therefore plead with you to whip him Sir.
- SPEAKER: Hon. Holder, please sit down. What Hon. Nduna is emphasizing is the question of volumes of tourists as opposed to hammering tourists with 15% VAT taxation. That is a valid argument. So please, hold your own. Thank you – [MRS.
MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: He has been terrorizing us] – MR.
HOLDER: Inaudible interjections.] –
- SPEAKER: Order! Are you arguing against my ruling?
- HOLDER: Someone is saying I am terrorizing them Mr. Speaker, - that is the problem. I am just saying he must stick to the debate. Thank you.
- SPEAKER: He is sticking to the debate. There are no terrorists in this House – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –
- NDUNA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. At one time, our road network was better than that of Zambia. I would like to applaud the authorities in the Executive who are making sure that our road network is back to its former glory. At a certain stage, we used to joke at how one could not drive straight into Zambia because there were a lot of potholes as compared to those in Zimbabwe. However, Zambia overtook us and we are not getting at par in terms of infrastructure development. I therefore want to applaud the Minister for taking up the challenge to spruce up the road network especially in the tourist resort areas. This was done during and after very big events like the World Trade Organisation Summit.
I also want to say that during the same time, we had our health institutions being spruced up including rehabilitation and ….
Hon. Nduna having been addressing the gallery.
- SPEAKER: Hon. member, address the Chair.
- NDUNA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. At any point Mr. Speaker Sir, do not think that I am not addressing you, I am just getting carried away, but I am…
- SPEAKER: Order, order. The Chair is not occupied by an ugly man. Please address the Chair.
- NDUNA: I apologise Mr. Speaker.
- SPEAKER: Apology accepted. Wind up your debate.
- NDUNA: Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to touch on the issue of Special Economic Zones (SEZs). It addresses the issue to do with taxes and One Stop Shop, the ease of doing business. When the tourists come here, let us optimally utilize the game of economics by making sure that we get everything that they have. As alluded to by Hon. Cross in his debate on SEZs, we can have conference facilities and bring the tourists, not only to view the majestic Victoria Falls, but also to carry out their conferences in a place where they can enjoy both business and pleasure.
Mr. Speaker Sir, the health sector in the same tourist resort, is going to make sure that we do not unnecessarily have to put in unnecessary taxes where we can have ailing tourists who are flown in for two activities for the price of one. In the same tourist resort, if we establish a health facility second to none, we can then cater for our top notch tourists who can feel free to come to this nation knowing fully that they can be taken care of both health wise and enjoy the majestic Victoria Falls.
Hon. Chamisa also alluded to the fact that tourists now want to view the Victoria Falls from the back as opposed to the front. Increasing or charging the VAT of 15% will ensure that they go en-mass through Livingstone as opposed to coming through the Victoria Falls. It is therefore my humble plea that we should not increase. Instead, we should explore other sources of revenue collection to enhance our economy within the tourism sector oriented spheres like Great
Zimbabwe, Matopos, Mtarazi Falls and other areas.
Mr. Speaker Sir, on corruption, if we leave anything to chance, we will continue to have corruption. Assuming we have inconsistencies in terms of harmonisation of charges in Livingstone and in Victoria Falls, we will have the likes of ‘change money people’ taking advantage of lack of harmony between two tourism sectors that are sharing the majestic Victoria Falls.
Mr. Speaker Sir, speaking of corruption, it makes sad reading that sometimes our journalists do not cover the God-given resources that we have got optimally because they are not being financed. We need to nip corruption in the bud, especially in the journalist industry. This will ensure that we have a corrupt free media because our media speaks volumes of what our nation is like. They sell us outside there. I speak about corruption of the media in this House because this is the fertile ground for breeding corruption amongst legislators by the journalist fraternity. They will get anything from you in order to write bad about you and this should stop and then we can trust them to write good about the nation and the tourism sector.
As I wind up, I also want to talk about what we have done in terms of the Agrarian Reform Programme. We want to empower the formally marginalised black majority, let us do it as an affirmative action in the hunting concessions Mr. Speaker Sir. As the tourists come here, some of them are hunters, let us make sure that the formally marginalised majority also enjoy the cake in terms of the hunting concessions.
Mr. Speaker Sir, we hosted the Zambian tourists in Bulawayo. Yes, they are our neighbours but to us they were tourists. The way we handled them - the wing that we hosted them in was second to none, if that can be emulated in the future for all other delegates that come to us. I also want to add my voice as Hon. Tshuma said, that Mr. Speaker Sir, with your indulgence, where you watched, it was a football match that was second to none against the Zambian legislators. Because of your presence Mr. Speaker Sir, the Parliamentarians were really pushed to the limit, including the women Parliamentarians who were losing by 13 – 0. They then lost by 13 – 12. They lost by one because you were there and your presence was only present and you were motivational in terms of regional sport tourism, hence we walloped our tourists.
However, I want to applaud the team - the Parliamentary Warriors both the women and the men including myself - where I mesmerised the opponents with my sublime dribbling skills. I thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: Thank you Mr.
Speaker Sir. I just stood to thank the Portfolio Committee for I think this is one of the best reports that we have had in the House in terms of its clarity on what it is requesting the Executive to do but also in setting a proper context in terms of why we are where we are. So, I just thought that I needed to thank them for that.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I will just raise perhaps two or three issues and I think that one of them has been alluded to. It is the issue around the effects of VAT on corruption. Let us be specific so that people know what we mean by how VAT is encouraging corruption. What is happening is that, because the tourists know that they have to pay 15%, when they get in the country, they ask the local people to go and do the booking for them. So, because you as a domestic person are not asked to pay the 15%, you will pay the accommodation for that particular individual. So, there is actually a thriving business of people who wait for tourists at hotel destinations to basically say to them, you are going to pay 15%. So, I can pay for you and at the end of the day you give me a certain amount of money because you are no longer paying the 15%.
So, that in itself is corruption and it has become a real major business. We now have barons who have their own runners who are at those hotels. So, when we talk about corruption, it is real and not the usual thing that people talk about.
The second issue that I wanted to raise is, I think that what we have not been able to deal with as Zimbabweans is to understand the contexts in which our economy is operating in. Therefore, we are operating on the old model as if we are an ideal economy or as if things are normal. We are not in an ideal economy. In an ideal economy, you are basically saying where am I going to get my resources from? I will get my resources from pay as you earn, from the tax that I will get when people are coming in and from the imports. Unfortunately, if you do an analysis of where our economy is, all those three are basically upside down. So, you cannot continue to try and do things as if those things are normal like in other economies.
I think that the issue of VAT as it relates to tourism, it is an analysis of can VAT operate in the context of the economy in which we are right now given the kind of challenges that we are working in. Are we not better off in encouraging the volumes to come in so that we have more money that is circulating in the economy other than hoping that when we charge those that are coming in, then we will be able to get it? It is the same argument on why we still insist that we want to charge VAT on my favourite subject – sanitary wear. Because, in our minds, we are refusing to deal with the fact that bringing in a product is going to create the necessary economic activity that we need. Unfortunately, I think that our minds are still set on a model of yesteryear when things were normal. The only thing that I find unfortunate about the report is I think it is barking on the wrong tree because I do not think that the
Ministry that you should be directing these issues is the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry. It is actually the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.
I think the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development needs to understand that it cannot continue to do business as usual but that it needs to begin to change their way of doing business, even if it is only for a transitional period. The good thing about what the report did was to say, we are not asking you to scrap VAT forever. All we are asking you is to say, given the challenges that we do have right now, what is it that can encourage the coming in of tourists at a reasonable price? It is unfortunate Mr. Speaker that resources are a problem. What would have been really wonderful for this Committee is not only to do a desk research in finding out what is happening in other places. I think it would have been good if they had actually visited certain areas and see what it is that happens for you to get in.
I have a fantastic example Hon. Speaker. When I was not well, I spent about eight weeks in India. The amazing thing about the hotel industry there is that everything is negotiable, including your hotel accommodation. This is the Taj Mahaj, Seven Star Hotel. What they do is, if a tourist is coming and you say you are going to spend a day in that particular hotel, your charge is a little bit higher but the moment you begin to say you are going to spend five, ten or fifteen days, by the time I left, I was now paying something like $65 in a Seven Star Hotel, which is something that does not happen here. The cost is the same. A tourist walks in here but the reason why they are unable to do those kinds of negotiations is that they know that even if they were to negotiate, they will still be hit by the 15% VAT. So, at the end of the day, they get nothing from the negotiation that they would have done with a tourist.
So, I am totally in agreement with the Committee’s report around us giving it a trial.
I think that if the Minister of Finance, when he comes in with his
Mid-Term Fiscal Review, is willing to take the risk, he should do so. I know that we have a lot of other areas to which we have arguments around VAT but I think that because this is a low hanging fruit and we have always said, tourism is a low hanging fruit, I think let the Minister for the first time try and take the risk of removing the 15%, do the kind of things that we were doing to encourage the tourist to come in and see whether he is unlikely to make more money by tourists coming or not. If our argument here of removing 15% does not work, he is still in a position to say you convinced me but it is not working. But, I think that it could be one area where we really could pilot it and see whether our model of trying to think that we can only make money by taxation is the way to go instead of a model of trying to ensure that there is money that is circulating in the economy because when it then circulates, it creates jobs. When you are looking for your PAYE, you have people that are employed. As it is right now, I can speak because I had a niece who was attached to the Ambassador Hotel. Hotels are surviving on people who come in for internship because they cannot employ people that have degrees and are properly trained for what they are supposed to do because for an internship, you do not define it as a salary but as an allowance. Even when you talk about service provision, it means you are losing out on people that could provide the service because they have been trained to do so.
We need to understand this whole process and understand that the more we create volumes of people to come in, the more we create employment, the more we are creating people to buy the things that are out there. We used to be a country that was renowned for our sculptor. If you went to the United Kingdom and you found a sculpture that was coming from Zimbabwe, it was costing thousands of dollars, whether they are these madoilies that used to be sold by that company in
Masvingo, they were the best. Binga baskets – you would go into Denmark and find in these shops these baskets. They were costing a lot of money and they would be written this is done in Zimbabwe, in Binga a marginalised community. They would literally describe Binga. The baskets would not only be bought because they are beautiful but also because of the historical things that would come with it.
The more tourists you are bringing in, the more you are creating – you know it is sad when you see these people sitting here and you see these sculptors and baskets and yet there is no one who is coming to buy because you do not have tourists. Let us try and see whether this is the right thing. It may not be the cure, we are not saying it is the cure but we are merely saying since we are trying everything else - when you have somebody who is sick, you go around and try everything else until you say I have tried this. I think let us try this VAT route and persuade the Minister in his Mid-Term Review Statement to try to scrap it and let us see whether it will not bring the kind of things that it can bring. Like I said, I just want to thank the Committee. It is something that both sides of the House would really want to support and see whether it will make a difference. I thank you.
- MARIDADI: Mine will be very short. I wish to thank the
Committee for this report and also thank all the other speakers who have debated. I want to talk from experience having spent about two years working in the tourism industry after college. I worked for African Sun and I worked in all their hotels except Harare Holiday Inn. So I know exactly what I am talking about.
Tourism does not exist in isolation. Hotels do not exist in isolation, so you cannot just come and impose a tax on hotel accommodation without looking at the whole picture. For me, you must look at the whole picture like what Hon Nduna has said although he ended up talking about soccer which has nothing to do with hotels. I want to look at what
VAT is? What I have it says “a tax on the amount by which the value of an article has been measured at each stage of its production and/or distribution”. I am saying here is a hotel room, somebody slept in that hotel room last night. It costs less than $20 to service a hotel room because all you put in that hotel is a tablet of soap, towels that have been cleaned, sheets that have been cleaned and a satchet of shampoo. It costs about $10 if you want to do a costing of a hotel room that has been cleaned and it is ready for sale because it costs about 20c to clean a bed sheet and it costs 20c to clean a towel. You charge $100 for that standard room with two single beds and then you charge 15% VAT which is a lot of money.
If you go to South Africa, O.R Tambo Airport today, Courtyard Hotel at O.R Tambo Airport costs about R600 bed and breakfast. R600 is about $58 at today’s rate. You go to Rainbow Hotel in Bulawayo, a deluxe room at that hotel costs you about $160 but if you look at the ambience of Rainbow Hotel in Bulawayo and Courtyard Hotel at O.R Tambo Airport, Courtyard Hotel at OR Tambo Airport is constructed right at the airport and aeroplanes that are landing or taking off are flying right above the hotel but you do not hear a single sound because the hotel is sound proof. It means the way that hotel was constructed is expensive.
I actually worked at Rainbow Hotel during my internship. Rainbow Hotel always had a problem with water going up the hotel because I do not know what they have done with their plumbing. What they have done lately is that they have increased the pressure of water and when you use the toilet and flush, I think you drain Bulawayo of maybe 1000 litres of water. Anyone who has slept in that hotel, if you flush the toilet, the amount of water that goes through to just clean your mess is just too much. It is probably five times the amount of water that you would use in an average home in Bulawayo. Those that have been at Rainbow Hotel will have seen it.
I am glad Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga spoke about a business model. A business competitiveness is a function of its business model. If you have a business model, it does not really matter how much you do. The business will not function. Let me give you an example of South African Airways. The most lucrative route for South African Airways is the route between Harare and Johannesburg. That is the second most lucrative route for South African Airways. South African Airways goes to 112 destinations in the world but the second most lucrative is Harare to Johannesburg. They have 84 flights a months because they have 3 flights a day, which makes them 21 flights a week and 84 a month.
If you look at the average passengers that South African Airways carries on its flight, it is about 100 passengers. You multiply that by $400 for each passenger on return ticket, you get about $336m. That is the amount of money that South African Airways is making on the Harare/Johannesburg route and yet Air Zimbabwe is failing to make a profit. Air Zimbabwe is reported to have carried a single passenger from Victoria Falls to Johannesburg. Air Zimbabwe leaves Johannesburg at about 1900 hours and South African Airways will leave Johannesburg at 1940 hours. South African Airways will put an A380Airbus which carries about 120 passengers. That aeroplane will be full to the brim. Air Zimbabwe which is faster by the way because it takes about 1:25mins from Harare to Johannesburg and it takes South African Airways about 1:35mins. Air Zimbabwe which is faster will be carrying 50 passengers, one third of its capacity because it is a 150 carrier. South African Airways A380 Airbus which carries about 150 passengers will be full to the brim. I flew South African Airways about three weeks ago. An aeroplane that carries 150 passengers, I was on stand-by until the last minute, yet Air Zimbabwe was half empty.
The reason why I did not fly Air Zimbabwe is not because I am not patriotic but because if you fly Air Zimbabwe, you do not know when it is going to leave, whether it is going to leave at all, whether it is going to arrive or whether it is going to arrive at all. You cannot place yourself into Air Zimbabwe because you are not in control of whatever you are going to do after you have flown Air Zimbabwe because, probably you will not get to the destination or you do not get on time.
Mr. Speaker, tourism in Zimbabwe is naturally a low-hanging fruit, everything else being normal. Zimbabwe last year attracted 1, 2 million tourists. We have Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Khami Ruins, the hot springs and so on. Botswana has nothing. If you go to Botswana, it actually has more donkeys and goats than the people they have in the country and yet, Botswana attracted 3 million people. What were they going to see? They were not going to see anything. They were going to see a desert where when you walk in, you will see sand and that is it. Yet Zimbabwe boasts of one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
Today I can challenge anyone in this House to go out of this House, try and look for a t-shirt which has a picture of the Victoria Falls and you will not get it in Harare. There is none. If you go to Paris, everything they do in France, it centres on the Eiffel Tower. Currency, memorabilia, hotel and street names, they all centre around the Eiffel
Tower because it is their tourist attraction but in Zimbabwe, nothing. In this House Mr. Speaker, there is more of British memorabilia than there is of Zimbabwe because there is not a picture of the Victoria Falls – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.].
Mr. Speaker, those that have been to the Niagara Falls in Canada, if you see the Niagara Falls and you come and look at the Victoria Falls, looking at the Niagara Falls is like you are looking at a chicken. When you are looking at the Victoria Falls, you are looking at a lion or an elephant. If you have not seen the Victoria Falls, you have not seen the Victoria Falls. For you to be able to see the Victoria Falls, you must just come to Zimbabwe, but look at the number of people who get flown by British Airways from South Africa to Victoria Falls. They simply walk in, look at the Victoria Falls, go back to British Airways and fly back to and sleep in South Africa.
Those are thousands of people, every week that fly to Victoria Falls but do not spend a single cent in Zimbabwe. They walk on our tarmac and get into those shuttle buses which have been organised by the way beforehand as the committee says that tourist packages are negotiated a year in advance. They have negotiated that so when South Africa is advertising tourism, they say come to South Africa and see the Victoria Falls. Go on DStv that is what they say.
You fly from Holland into Johannesburg, spend a night in Johannesburg, fly in the morning to Victoria Falls, get a shuttle bus that takes you to Victoria Falls Hotel, buy sandwich for $5, look at the Victoria Falls and get photos taken, do bungee jumping, get into your shuttle bus go back to the airport and back to South Africa, and spend another three nights in South Africa and fly back to Holland.
Zimbabwe in the process has lost about $500 from each single tourist. There are a lot of things that have to be done around the issue of tourism before we can even start contemplating of charging 15% VAT. As the Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga said, we are stuck in the business model of the past. We must stop thinking outside the box. Let us think outside the box and look at ways of raising money which is not necessarily Value Added Tax or Pay As You Earn. I worked at Hwange Safari Lodge. There is an airport by the way at Hwange Safari Lodge which is able to accommodate a Boeing 747 – MR. SPEAKER: Why did I not see you there?
- MARIDADI: Because I was busy with tourists. There is an airport which has the capacity to accommodate a Boeing 737. That airport Mr. Speaker, if you go there now, there is more grass than there is tarmac. It is not being used and there are more elephants and hyenas on the tarmac than there is tarmac because there are no tourists flying into Hwange Safari Lodge.
I remember working at Hwange Safari Lodge one day when those tour guys spotted an animal like the wild dog which was the most sought after wild animal, they would call the general manager who would go around telling tourists. We would get a convoy of vehicles just going to look at a wild dog. A convoy of seven Land Rover Discovery trucks each carrying nine tourists just going to look at a wild dog, take pictures and come and sleep at Hwange Safari Lodge hoping that tomorrow there would be another call to go and look at another pack of wild dogs, and come back and sleep. They would spend $1 000 just to look at one wild dog, take pictures and fly back to Holland. That is the kind of thing that we must promote.
How should this be done? This is not done by punishing people that sleep in our hotels charging them 15%. That is not how it is done. The tourism sector is a low hanging fruit but only if everything else is equal. I will come to other ancillary factors that promote tourism like transport or the Beitbridge Border Post.
Those who have been to Beitbridge Border Post Mr. Speaker, God help me. You get to Beitbridge Border Post, my wife is a Pastor but I nearly punched someone in my wife’s presence. The level of inefficiency is unbelievable. Then I asked myself, in 2011 there was a deal that was signed to rehabilitate and refurbish Beitbridge Border Post to make it a modern port of entry. What has happened? I do not know what has happened. It is still the same Beitbridge Border Post that was constructed by Garfield Todd or his predecessor years ago. It is still the same border post and what are we doing? We want to charge 15% Value Added Tax when we have not improved our infrastructure. Let us improve the bloody infrastructure and then get people to come into the country – [MS. ANASTANCIA NDHLOVU: No swearing.] – It is not a swear word –
- SPEAKER: Did you say bloody?
- MARIDADI: A-ah, I wanted to say damn, bloody damn –
[HON. MEMBERS: Laughter.] –.
- SPEAKER: Even damn is a bit unparliamentarily –
[Laughter].
- MARIDADI: Then there is the ICASA Conference that is coming up. Are you telling me that people that are coming for this conference will be charged 15% Value Added Tax on their accommodation? If that is what I am hearing, then God forbid – [MS.
ANASTANCIA NDHLOVU: Amen!] – God forbid – [MS. ANASTANCIA NDHLOVU: Hallelua!] – You do not invite people to come and punish them. You are simply saying people come to
Zimbabwe so that we can punish you. No one will come to Zimbabwe.
Mr. Speaker, let me also talk about the issue of Air Zimbabwe and say that airline should be run by people who know how to run business. Incarcerating a former chief executive and company secretary is not enough. Let us get people that can run a business. When I say people that can run a business, I am not saying people that give us a curriculum vitae full of qualifications, MBAs and what not, no we want people with capacity to run business – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.].
If I were the one interviewing people for these jobs Mr. Speaker, I will tell you what I would do. Your qualifications, what you have gone to school to do, give us that just in two lines. I did a BA, MBA or whatever, that is enough and then tell us the outputs. What are you able to do or how are you able to turn around this aircraft. Zimbabwean CVs Mr. Speaker, it will tell you my name is so and so, the next three pages it is talking about his qualifications. I did an LLB, BA in this and those qualifications mean nothing when it comes to running a business.
Also, when you interview people to run these parastatals, you must also look at how that person is running his own family. You cannot get a man who has divorced six times to run Air Zimbabwe – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –. If he was not able to manage one woman that he takes to bed, how do you expect him to manage a whole enterprise with 600 employees? I will dare say the same thing about appointing ministers. When you are interviewing a minister, bring the wife. Interview the husband and when he goes out, interview the wife so that we will cross check what the husband is saying and what the wife is saying. Here is the man who wants to run an enterprise, his first born child from a love relationship fifteen years ago is not going to school and we expect him to run Air Zimbabwe. His first born child of 25 years never went to school.
So Mr. Speaker, we must change a lot of things. Let us change the way we write our curriculum vitae, interview our people, interview a man and if he wants to run Air Zimbabwe, interview his wife. If he is not married and he is 48 years, ask why? How many times has he divorced and how many times does he change women – ask those questions. You cannot have a man running Air Zimbabwe who changes women like he is changing pairs of socks, you cannot do that. I will set that aside.
I will go to the issue of policy inconsistencies. When we are in serious debate Mr. Speaker – [Laughter] –
- SPEAKER: Order!
- MARIDADI: Let us take debates seriously. Mr. Speaker, policy inconsistencies are manufactured by people that want to take advantage of the system and get corrupt. It is that simple; if there is order and consistency, there is no corruption. What it means is that, if you are coming into Zimbabwe to do some form of business, all you do is you walk into an office and you say I want to do this kind of business, what do I need? A receptionist sitting at the reception will simply hand you a document. You do not have to see the Permanent Secretary or the Minister. You run through the document and you realise this is what is required of me. If you are happy, you go and engage and do business. If there are policy inconsistencies, you are told - no, this is left at the discretion of the Permanent Secretary and this is at the discretion of the Minister and so on. What it means is that you must then see the Minister, you see him and say Minister, I have a group of 150 people that want to come for this conference and the Minister will say - okay, ordinarily if you want to stay in a five star hotel, you pay US$160 and we will make you pay 15% VAT but if you know how to talk to me, I can then negotiate and you pay US$90 and then I mop off 15% VAT.
So, the person who is negotiating will pocket US$50 000 that was meant to go to Treasury and the country stands to lose but here is one person who sacrifices the whole country because of greedy. Mr.
Speaker, policy inconsistencies wherever they exist must be dealt with.
If we do not deal with policy inconsistencies, we are in trouble.
To wind up my discussion, I would want to congratulate the Committee and say when the Minister comes here on Thursday, to present his Mid Term Fiscal Policy, I think we must speak with one voice and tell the Minister, please hands off 15% value added tax on accommodation in hotels until all the other ancillary issues have been sorted and until we have started receiving tourists. To the Tourism Minister, let us advertise the Victoria Falls. It is one of the only 7 wonders of the world and I have heard that, because we are at the borders with Zambia, if you look at the Victoria Falls from Zambia and you look the Victoria Falls from Zimbabwe, if you look at it from the Zambian side, it is like you are admiring a woman from the back. If you look at it from the Zimbabwean side it is like you are admiring a woman from the front. Which one do you prefer? Do you prefer to take a woman from the front or from the back – [Laughter] –
- SPEAKER: Order, order! I would request the hon. member
to withdraw the issues of behind and front.
- MARIDADI: I withdraw the issue of behind and front Mr.
Speaker Sir.
- C. C. SIBANDA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I would also
like to add my voice from the ancillary report of the Portfolio
Committee on Tourism and Environment. Mr. Speaker Sir, especially if you are going to speak after such gifted speakers like those who have gone before me, it is very difficult. I would like to look at the issue of a tax man and think from the lens of a tax man. A tax man is one person, when he sees the multitudes; he would want to be part of them so that he can collect as much as possible.
I am tempted to bring the issue of the shortest tax collector who was in the Bible by the name of Zacchaeus, who after seeing Jesus with the multitudes, he even went to see how he was going to come and had to climb a tree so that when he would see him and befriend him - the motive was when he became friends with Jesus he was going to attract more people. They would pay because they listened to Jesus, so they were going to pay their taxes. He heard the messages that Jesus had said, ‘you should give unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar’ so he wanted to befriend Jesus and in order to collect as much taxes as possible.
Mr. Speaker Sir, the collection of taxes where you see multitudes, the temptation is that you want to rush there and collect much, notwithstanding what the Committee now sees that it could actually be affecting the cost structures of our tourist destinations and hotels. I think what was in the mind of the tax collector was that there were so much volumes of US$1.2m. If then you move in there, there will be much to collect so that you service Parliament as well as all the other institutes of Government. I think we should really understand where they are coming from.
Hon. members have actually alluded to most of the things. I would not want a repetition on that but when you look at the tourist industry, there is also the 2% levy that goes to ZTA; the other 5% levy if you are in the hunting industry goes to National Parks. If you add up this 2% plus 15%, that gives you more than 15%. You get about 19% from the same person who visited Zimbabwe. So it actually makes our destination to be more expensive than other destinations within the region if we are to add the 15%. So, we should actually look at the foreign direct cash in terms of tourism as opposed to the taxation of a 15%. We should actually look at the fact that Zimbabwe is now using the US$ and it becomes the most expensive destination in Southern African because we are using the US$. Most countries that would be coming to Zimbabwe would be trading at almost US$5 to reach US$1.
So because of that, it will make us to be the most expensive people in the region.
Fewer people would come because some of the people are not rich, they budget over a long period of time for their holidays. I lived in Europe and I saw people budgeting to come to Africa. They would forgo some of the luxuries just for a holiday in Africa because Africa is so exciting to them. If you get there, the first thing that they ask you is - you are coming from Africa, do you know Victoria Falls? That is the first question. Have you ever been to Victoria Falls, but if you are coming from Matabeleland North and you have never been to Victoria Falls, you have problems when you go outside the country because they would expect you to tell them more about Victoria Falls. So, we need to know that it is not only the rich that come. Some are ordinary families that are working more than two shifts per day so that they get money to come and spend time here. If we are going to charge them at US$160 per night single bed, that is too much in fact, even when we look at the cost of bread at US$1, I have never seen bread that cost that much anywhere. The costing in Zimbabwe is like we are still in the
Zimbabwe/US dollar era. We are not realising that we are now using the green buck. We need to change our thinking around cash.
Also the other think that should actually be encouraged, Mr. Speaker in Zimbabwe, is the plastic money issue. People are always carrying cash everywhere. In some of the dispensations, you are not even allowed to have US$1000 in cash form. So, we need to look at all these things and then we will be able, in addition to reducing our prices, attract more foreigners into Zimbabwe. There are some places you go to that if you have no cash there is nothing you can buy, but in other countries, whether you want coke or just a drink which costs less than a dollar, you can swipe and be able to buy. So, we need to bring that and it will go a long way in reducing the cash shortages which are being experienced in Zimbabwe.
Also, Zimbabwe is a country that is coming from some polarisation, demonisation and so forth. Some people are still scared to come to Zimbabwe. If we add more charges and it becomes so expensive for someone to visit a place where they were once told by the international media that it is dangerous to go to and warnings have been put by states in Europe that there is a warning ban or warning caution to go to Zimbabwe and today, we are giving our own caution that Zimbabwe is a destination that is too expensive. We need to reduce from where we are so that we are able to attract more people coming in to Zimbabwe.
Looking at Air Zimbabwe – I was talking to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development that when I went to Ethiopia, I was going to Tokyo via Ethiopia and I had time to ask people there why there were so many new hotels coming up because I saw it was a growing economy. So much is happening in Ethiopia and I could not believe that shacks were being destroyed to build hotels. New roads and the underground train into Addis Ababa is being constructed. I was surprised because what I had known about
Ethiopia was thin people and thin children that were dying during the
80s. When I got there, I was shocked to see that there are still remnants of the past. There are still donkeys in Addis Ababa unattended. I realised that it was the fast change that had come and donkies were still there and they had not realised the changes that were taking place.
I wanted to know the economic enablers that were pushing the economy of Ethiopia. There was only, Ethiopian Airways. I was shocked; an airliner alone. Did they have diamonds or coal? No, just an airliner, Ethiopian Airways because if you are to travel with Ethiopian Airways, you are most likely to put up in Addis Ababa. It is so designed and they have 25 planes that are actually carrying people all over the world and all of them will put up in Addis Ababa and you are going to spend a night there. In the morning, you will be in a hotel. I did not see the hospitality side of things in Addis Ababa because when I wanted to take another drink after a coke, I wanted a bottle of water, I was insulted for trying to do that and I said to myself what kind of hospitality was this, yet there is no need for hospitality or goodness. You will put up there because of the airline, whether you like it or not.
We need to craft policies that will make people to be here whether they want to or not and leave money without us being nice. To be nice is an added advantage. In Ethiopia, this is how things are happening. I was saying to the Permanent Secretary why are we failing as Air Zimbabwe because the flag ship of an international airline is going to show that in this country you can go there. Now, Air Zimbabwe is not flying any international route. How will they know that there is
Zimbabwe? No one will know that there is a country called Zimbabwe. When we used to have the Victoria Falls airline, the 746, which was plying the route to Europe people would actually see that Victoria Falls is actually attached to this airline and if we board it, we will get to Victoria Falls.
Mr. Speaker, going to the issue of also branding our tourist resorts, when we recently went to Peru in Lima, I had never heard of Machu Picchu, but what led me to ask was because all the people that were at that conference were putting on t-shirts written Machu Picchu. They told me it was a place like Great Zimbabwe or Zimbabwe ruins. They were pushing that if you get to Lima you must got to Machu Picchu and it takes about two hours for you to get there. When the conference was over, we were told please, do not leave without going to see Machu Picchu. So, we need to know and brand our Victoria Falls in such a way that anyone who comes into the country, at all the airports and everywhere, there should at least be a pamphlet or something written about the great Victoria Falls. From the Zambian side and the
Zimbabwean side, as other speakers have said, Mr. Speaker, that is what they are doing.
There are those who say if you look at the Victoria Falls from the Zambian side, it is like you are looking from the back, but what they are doing now, they are actually providing helicopters from the Zambian side, which was started by Zimbabwe. Helicopters will fly you above the Victoria Falls and then you will be able to at least see the Victoria Falls, the front end of Victoria Falls. So, they seem to be planning faster than us. They seem to be doing business in a very different manner than we do. What is it that we are not doing right? Victoria Falls is well known. Even David Livingstone, although he was a preacher in Zambia, his statue is facing the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. He was coming from London missionary society together with Robert Moffat, but
Robert Moffat was for Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa. David
Livingstone was for Zambia going up, but his statue was right in the Zimbabwean side and the name Livingstone Town is in Zambia. So, they could not put him that side, he was supposed to be this side which is Zimbabwe. So, we are not taking advantage of the Victoria Falls and also, we are not doing any justice by actually coming to tax and make it even more expensive, coupled with issues of bad publicity about us, demonization, whatever you call it, and then we add another demonization which is taxation. Mr. Speaker Sir, we are not doing justice to ourselves. Tourism will employ a lot of people. It can actually meet some of the targets that are in the ZIM ASSET if we are to look into these issues seriously with a view of correcting it, not just looking at it with the view of Zaccheus who wanted just to see Jesus so that he collects more. I thank you.
- MANGAMI: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, for affording me this opportunity to add my voice to the Report by the Committee. Mr. Speaker Sir, we understand the dilemma in which our Ministry of Finance and Economic Development is in but then, there are other means that can be used to collect revenue. It is unfortunate that some of us participated during the COPAC proceedings. People were asked ways that can be used to finance Government and most of us were suggesting taxes but not knowing the effects thereof. I think the effects are now being felt, everyone said taxes nothing else, a few would say from other sources like diamonds and so on but the majority were saying taxes. We thought that maybe they were going to be creative enough not to impose such taxes that are discouraging the growth of our economy.
When I was listening to the Report of the Committee, I was actually embarrassed by the departure tax. I had more questions to ask but did not have any answers. I think when the Committee will be rounding off their report, they will be able to answer my questions. If they made such investigations that what happens to those who fail to get the departure fee, are they detained and when they remain under whose cost? Is it allowed anyway through our Constitution that we detain tourists for the sake of a departure tax which they would have not known when they came to our country? So, it is actually discouraging, it is better that we have a high turnover of people coming with very little to pay for as long as they come in their number. What we should be looking at is the cost recovery and a bit of profit which is encouraging because when those tourists come to our country, they do not just visit but also see other business opportunities and promise to come back some other time for business ventures. We should encourage them to come with very little profit and then we can add on our returns since they might decide to come back again.
Maybe, the Committee should also furnish us with the number of people who have been detained because they failed to pay a departure tax. I am looking at a situation where a Zimbabwean is out of the country and fails to pay a departure tax and my relative is out there intending to come back home, so you might be made to have that task of sending something so that they come back home. I think the departing issue should not be included in any way because it is prohibiting visitors. They might overstay and it will be an expense to the country in terms of accommodation and other things. So, the departure tax is not conducive to our tourists.
I have got a suggestion, Mr. Speaker Sir, on other ways which the
Ministry of Finance can raise their monies. I had an opportunity to visit France, old Paris. I discovered that public transport is Government owned; all the buses belong to the State. Imagine our Chawasarira buses being manned by the State; it will just be clean money because everybody will board a bus, it is necessary. So, the commuter trains and the buses belong to the Government. Individuals only own taxes – our kombis here are taxis in France. So, imagine they only ferry one person because if they just carry one or two people, it will be enough to feed a family. But for a State, we need a lot of money. So public transport should be owned by the Government and it should be so that people will ferried to places of their interest. In other countries, there are buses to ferry tourists to various areas, just as a compliment. When you visit there, you would have gone for business and you will be taken to various places. It is also encouraging for business people to come and invest in our country.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I am also of the view that charging exorbitant prices by our hotels is discouraging because right now, they do not have enough business. They have turned their hotels to something like restaurants. They are even selling sadza at US$2 to $3; these are the five star hotels. So they are actually competing with restaurants in town. if they are doing that, will they still remain as five star hotels – one wonders. If they could have fair prices in terms of hotel charges, maybe they could get enough business and also improve on the economy of the country.
Lastly, Mr. Speaker Sir, allow me to thank the members of this Committee for this excellent job and that when they round off their report, it be adopted. I thank you.
- CHIKWAMA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
- ANASTANCIA NDHLOVU: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 29th July 2015.
On the motion of MS. CHIKWAMA, seconded by MS. ANASTANCIA NDHLOVU, the House adjourned at Quarter to Six
o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Thursday, 23rd July, 2015
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
INVITATION TO A DIALOGUE SESSION
THE ACTING SPEAKER: I wish to remind the House that the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Advocate J. F. Mudenda is inviting all Portfolio Committee Chairpersons, members of the
Parliamentary Legal Committee and the Portfolio Committee on Justice,
Legal and Parliamentary Affairs to a dialogue session on the General
Laws Amendment Bill and the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Amendment Bill. The overall objective of the dialogue session is to strengthen the capacity of Members of Parliament in legislative analysis and understanding the key provisions and the constitutionality of the two Bills. Representatives of Civic Society organisations will also attend the dialogue session. The dialogue session will be held in the Jacaranda Room, Harare International Conference Centre, starting from 0815 hours on Friday 24th July, 2015. All Committee Chairpersons, members of the Parliamentary Legal Committee (PLC) and members of the Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Portfolio Committee are expected to be punctual.
ERROR ON THE ORDER PAPER
THE ACTING SPEAKER: I also wish to draw the attention of the House to an error on today’s Order Paper whereby two items on the Second Reading of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Amendment Bill (H. B. 2, 2015) and the Joint Ventures Bill (H. B. 4, 2015) were inadvertently omitted on today’s Order Paper and are therefore inserted as Orders of the Day Numbers 1 and 2 respectively, with the rest of the Orders of the Day, being renumbered accordingly.
- MUNENGAMI: On a point of order Madam Speaker.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: What is your point of order Hon. Munengami?
- MUNENGAMI: Thank you Madam Speaker. As I stand
here, more than a thousand workers have been dismissed in the past three days. I rise to encourage other Members of Parliament, especially through you Madam Speaker, if it is possible to kindly ask His Excellency, the President to invoke his presidential powers in order to stop this madness, and as Parliament, make a statement in order for these companies to stop this.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: Order Hon. Munengami. I wish to
advise the Member of Parliament that there are procedures that you follow if you want to draw such issues to the House, and these are in the form of motions. You can bring up a motion in order to raise such issues and then Parliament will also refer the responsible Ministry. So, there is no point of order. I also want to advise Members of Parliament not to abuse the privilege of point of orders in this House. Thank you.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT (MR. CHINAMASA): Madam Speaker, I move
that Order of the Day Number 1 be stood over until the rest of the Orders of the Day have been disposed of.
Motion put and agreed to.
SECOND READING
JOINT VENTURES BILL [H. B. 4, 2015]
Second Order read: Second Reading: Joint Ventures Bill [H. B. 4, 2015].
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT (MR. CHINAMASA): Madam Speaker, I stand to
move the Second Reading of the Joint Ventures Bill. The provision of public infrastructure services is one of the prime mandates of Government and a prerequisite for sustainable long term economic growth and development.
The Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-economic Transformation (ZIM ASSET) identifies priority infrastructure projects that need to be implemented over the Plan period (2013-2018) for us to achieve sustainable economic growth, create jobs and uplift the standard of living for our people.
Success of the Plan, however, hinges on the mobilisation of financial resources for the implementation of targeted programmes and projects.
In this regard, and recognising the limitations of mobilising public sector funding in support of planned projects, the Plan proposes other investment vehicles such as joint ventures to finance infrastructure, leveraging on project cash flows.
Rationale of Joint Ventures in Zimbabwe
The world over, the traditional role of Government, as the primary infrastructure and public service provider, is gradually being supplemented and replaced by private sector expertise and financing.
Madam Speaker, as our previous experiences testify, reliance on fiscal resources to finance our huge infrastructure needs has been problematic, given the limited fiscal revenues and space on the budget.
Financing infrastructure by leveraging private sector finances through joint ventures provides the following benefits:
- Use of private finance enables the public to have access to improved services now, rather than years away when fiscal resources permit;
- Project costs are spread over the long term, allowing Government to focus on the limited resources in other areas of high priority such as education and health care services;
- Enhancement of value for money through superior private sector financing, operational efficiencies, superior risk management, greater implementing capacity and enhanced service quality;
- Evidence elsewhere suggests that there will be better quality design and construction compared to traditional procurement methods;
- Projects are usually completed to plan and within budget as the private party will only receive payment when the facility is available for use; and,
- Fostering the development and strengthening of domestic financial capital markets.
Madam Speaker, it is also clear that private investment only goes where there is confidence, policy certainty and policy clarity. It is therefore, critical that Government undertakes policy and legal reforms, provide incentives and institutional support that attract private sector participation in the provision of infrastructure services.
The 2004 Public Private Partnerships Policy and Guidelines provided the initial framework for a better organised implementation of joint venture arrangements between Government and the private sector.
The Joint Venture Bill, if enacted, will provide the legal framework to this arrangement, reflecting Government’s commitment to open key public services to competition where such mode of delivery provides greater value for money.
- The Bill outlines key aspects relating to Joint Ventures with primary focus being on the following:
- Institutional framework for joint ventures with specific roles and
Responsibilities of the Contracting Authority, Joint Venture Unit,
Cabinet and Joint Venture Committee;
- Procedures and processes for identifying and submitting Joint
Venture proposals;
- Project preparation including engaging of consultants to assist with feasibility studies;
- Procedures for procurement of projects by contracting authorities;
- Evaluating and selecting the preferred bidders;
- Negotiation and awarding of contracts with the concurrence of the
State Procurement Board; and
- Implementing and managing Joint Venture projects with the Assistance of the Joint Venture Unit.
JOINT VENTURE UNIT
- The Bill provides for the establishment of a Joint Venture Unit which shall be a department within the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development under the control and supervision of the Secretary for Finance and Economic Development.
- Its main functions shall be as follows:
- To consider project proposals submitted and assess the viability of projects and conformity to approved technical specifications.
- To recommend approval of projects to the Joint Venture
Committee.
- To advise Government on implementation of Joint Venture
- The Bill compels the Unit to submit an annual report to the
Minister on progress with regards to the implementation of Joint Ventures. Other reports may be submitted when necessary.
- The Unit will be resourced with experts in the fields of engineering, finance and legal. Additional skills can be contracted out where necessary.
JOINT VENTURE COMMITTEE
- To assist in the implementation and coordination of Joint
Ventures, the Bill makes provision for the establishment of the Joint
Venture Committee consisting of 9 members drawn from key
Government institutions involved in Joint Ventures and chaired by the Secretary for Finance and Economic Development. Other experts can also be co-opted where necessary.
- The Committee will assist the Minister on policy matters related to Joint Ventures, ensure conformity of projects to national priorities and recommend for Cabinet approval or rejection of project proposals submitted by the Joint Venture Unit.
PROCEDURES FOR CONCLUSION OF JOINT VENTURE
AGREEMENTS
- The Bill outlines the procedure for the conclusion of Joint Venture Agreements as follows:
- Contracting authority identifies projects for implementation under Joint ventures and invites Expressions of Interest.
- Contracting authority undertakes feasibility studies and submit to the Unit for approval.
- Unit approves feasibility study and prepares project proposal and model agreement.
- Unit refers the project proposal to Committee which will make recommendations to Cabinet.
- Cabinet approves the proposal paving way for procurement to
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
- Speaker Sir, it is a requirement that contracting authorities undertake feasibility studies for projects to be considered under joint ventures. The feasibility study is prepared to determine the viability of projects and identify key technical aspects of the project, appropriate financing model and issues of affordability and value for money.
TREATMENT OF UNSOLICITED BIDS
- Under Joint Ventures contracting authorities are normally responsible for the actual identification of projects and invitation of private parties through the expressions of interest.
- In some instances, the private party may prepare a project proposal without invitation and solicitation by contracting authority.
These proposals are called unsolicited bids.
- According to the Bill, the contracting authority may refer the unsolicited bid to the Unit for consideration if project is viable and is in line with Government priorities.
- If the Unit approves the proposal, it is then submitted to the Joint Venture Committee for approval to conduct feasibility study.
AWARD OF PROJECT AND SIGNATURE OF AGREEMENT
- The Bill compels contracting authorities to only sign joint venture agreements after the joint venture agreement has been approved by Cabinet. Any agreement signed without Cabinet approval shall be deemed null and void.
REGULATIONS
- The Bill makes provision for the Minister of Finance and Economic Development after consulting the Committee, to make regulations that will give effect to the Act.
- These regulations will encompass issues to do with the following among others:
- Charging of levies on Joint Venture Projects;
- Fees or charges levied by the Unit;
- Timelines within which the Unit and Committee must complete and conclude key tasks; and
- Penalties that may be chargeable for various offences.
Madam Speaker, I now move that the Bill be read a second time.
- MUKANDURI: I am presenting a report on the Joint
Ventures Bill on behalf of my Chairperson and the Portfolio Committee on Finance and Economic Development.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The Joint Ventures Bill, which seeks to provide for the implementation of joint venture agreements between contracting authorities and counter parties, creates a legal framework for investments in the country, given the low foreign direct investment levels, absence of lines of credit and balance of payments support.
1.1 The Bill is in line with the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (ZIM ASSET), which spells out its vision as follows:
“To provide an enabling environment for sustainable economic empowerment and social transformation to the people of Zimbabwe”.
This vision is emphasized by the deliberate choice of Infrastructure and Utilities as one of the clusters anchoring the ZIM ASSET Policy. Given the substantial financial resource requirements to undertake the projects relating to water and sanitation, energy and power supply and transport services among others, one of the sources of financing is pursuing joint venture projects with the private sector.
2.0 METHODOLOGY
2.1 This report is the product of extensive consultations by your Committee through public hearings conducted from 15 to 20 June
2015 in Kariba, Chinhoyi, Harare, Bindura, Marondera, Mutare,
Gweru, Masvingo, Beitbridge, Gwanda, Bulawayo, Lupane and
Victoria Falls. These consultations were incompliance with Section 141(2) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, which requires that Parliament ensures that interested parties are consulted about Bills being considered by Parliament.
2.2 Preceding the public consultations were sessions by your Committee on the analysis of the Bill using the Research
Department’s Bills Digest as a basis for the analysis. Another session was held with officials from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, where the Committee sought clarification on some of the provisions of the Bill.
2.3 Your Committee is grateful to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and all those who attended and made valuable contributions at the consultative meetings.
3.0 THE COMMITTEE’S FINDINGS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
3.1 Your Committee wishes to highlight from the outset that members of the public were unanimous in their support for the promulgation of the Joint Ventures Bill and even expressed the view that it was
long overdue. They also expressed optimism that the implementation of joint venture projects would benefit all citizens in general, in terms of provision of infrastructure, utilities and employment opportunities.
3.2 However, having considered the views of the public, the Committee critically looked at the Joint Ventures Bill and agreed that the Bill should be amended before adoption. The Committee has observed key areas which must be addressed and is asking the Hon. Minister of Finance and Economic Development to consider the following issues of concern;
3.2.1 JOINT VENTURE UNIT (JVU)
Your Committee welcomes the establishment of the Joint Venture Unit. The Committee, however, notes with concern that the Bill is not clear on the role of the Zimbabwe Investment Authority (ZIA) given the creation of this Unit. Section 7 (d) of ZIA Act stipulates that the Authority shall: “…respond to proposals from any domestic or foreign investor for joint ventures with the State,”
Therefore, need has risen for the Hon. Minister of Finance and Economic Development to harmonise the two Acts.
3.2.2 JOINT VENTURE COMMITTEE
On Section 4(1), your Committee recommends the incorporation of five eminent persons representing different sectors or interest groups to the Joint Venture Committee with one of them being Vice-Chairperson of the Committee.
3.2.3 INVITATION OF EXPERTS TO ATTEND MEETINGS
Your Committee observed under Section 4 (2) (a), that the Minister may invite a person with the relevant expertise to attend a Joint Venture Committee meeting, where necessary. It is the
Committee’s view that the Minister should ensure that the persons so invited will assist matters under deliberations to be dealt with in an expeditious manner resulting in the successful conclusion of the project under consideration.
3.2.4 APPROVAL PROCESS OF JOINT VENTURE
AGREEMENTS
Your Committee notes with reservations Section 8 of the Bill which deals with Responsibilities of Contracting Authorities and
Approval of Projects by Cabinet. Your Committee’s concern relates to the absence of set timelines on the approval process from the initial stage to the final stage. There is, therefore, need to specify the amount of time within which each responsible authority should take in processing a joint venture application. Your committee also strongly discourages the contemplation that some joint venture projects be allowed implementation without Cabinet approval as doing otherwise may open floodgates for the flouting of the same law which it seeks to establish.
3.2.5 DECENTRALISATION OF THE APPROVAL PROCESS OF
JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENTS
Whilst Section 8 (2) provides that Cabinet makes a determination of a joint venture project proposal, there was a general observation
that not all projects should be subjected to Cabinet approval. The Committee therefore, proposes that the Minister comes up with thresholds to determine the levels at which these joint venture agreements are approved given that the Constitution recognises devolution of governmental powers to provincial and local governments, provided that a report on any decisions arrived at is submitted to the responsible Minister within a reasonable time determined by the Minister. For example, the joint venture agreements of a certain value should be approved at a local level while the joint ventures agreements of very high value and strategic in nature are approved at cabinet level in order to promote development and reduce bureaucracy and corruption.
3.2.6 FEASIBILITY STUDY
It is your Committee's view that a feasibility study should be bankable. The Committee, therefore recommends that under
Section 9, the term “bankable' be added to read as “Bankable
Feasibility Study”, in line with international practice.
3.2.7 LOCAL INDIGENOUS PARTICIPATION
Your Committee notes that section 10 (3) states that “Every joint venture agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Zimbabwe.” In line with this provision, it is your Committee’s view that the Bill should be explicit on how the indigenisation and empowerment policy will apply to joint venture agreements. As intimated above, there were strong and clear representations on the need for joint venture agreements to benefit the local and indigenous communities including women and youths
3.2.8 POWERS OF THE UNIT
Section 11 (1) (a) of the Bill provides that the Unit may;
“…retain consultants to assist it on an ad hoc, part time or full time basis,”
The Bill contemplates the possibility of expert consultancy being hired for their inputs in the vetting of joint venture projects. As stated above such consultants should ensure an expeditious and successful conclusion of the project under consideration.
It is your Committee's view that Section 11 (2) of the Bill be reviewed because there is a potential violation of the Constitution.
3.2.9 PROTECTION OF UNSOLICITED BIDS
Whilst essential elements of unsolicited bids or expression of interest are provided for in Section 12, it is your Committee’s view that the initiator of unsolicited bids which are in the national interest, who are not awarded the project should benefit to the extent as prescribed by the Minister.
3.2.10 ENFORCEMENT OF THE ACT
Your Committee observed with concern the provision under
Section 19 of the Bill, which states that,
“This Act shall not apply where a contracting authority has, before commencement of this Act, either identified a counter party or concluded any joint venture agreement.”
It is your Committee's view that the term “identified” must be deleted because it is open ended. The Bill should only provide for cases where joint venture agreements have been concluded or are at an advanced stage.
3.2.11 MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF JVAs
Your Committee notes that the Bill does not provide for monitoring and evaluation mechanisms which are critical for purposes of promoting accountability and transparency. It is recommended that a framework for monitoring and evaluation be included.
4.0 CONCLUSION
4.1 In conclusion, Your Committee on Finance and Economic Development lends its full support for the enactment of the Joint Ventures Bill, as it seeks to create a conducive environment for the promotion of infrastructural development in Zimbabwe. Your
Committee requests the Hon. Minister of Finance and Economic
Development to take on Board the Committee’s recommendations.
I thank you.
- KEREKE: Thank you Madam Speaker. I rise to add
comments on the proposed piece of legislation. On a material point in terms of due process, I want it noted that the report as presented makes omissions that are serious in nature, which we had agreed as a Committee to be incorporated. I think the hon. member who presented can attest to this point. Moving to the ad-merits of the issues in the Bill, at the Committee, we did deliberated and identified seven key areas that needed to be looked at with a view to enhancing the Bill.
Generally, we are of the view that the joint venture process requires explicit legislation but the draft as it is, will require a lot of adjustments Madam Speaker. The first area is in respect of the large risk which looms that this Bill risks creating bottlenecks, which will undermine efficiencies. On projects which are supposed to come through, we fear that it will take elaborate time periods because a department in the Ministry, in our view, it will have serious limitations in terms of processing all joint ventures in the country. With all the goodwill, we do not believe all joint ventures can be processed and approved by a department. We need to ensure that we do not create bottle necks.
The second area which we felt needed adjustments is that of national security. Madam Speaker, the Committee debated extensively and we saw explicit risk whereupon the Bill contemplates invitation of expert consultants. In the Committee, we agreed that such experts should not be coming from hostile countries or institutions; institutions that are hostile to the interest of Zimbabwe. Specifically as a country we should not be comfortable with …
- CHIBAYA: On a point of order Madam Speaker.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: What is your point of order hon. member?
- CHIBAYA: Thank you very much Madam Speaker. Whilst Hon. Kereke is debating giving very good points, the Minister is busy talking to Hon. Jonathan Moyo. I think it is necessary for the Minister to actually pay attention to the debate – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – I thank you.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: There is no point of order. The hon. Minister is taking notes. I can see him with a pen and a book, meaning that he is jotting something.
- KEREKE: Madam Speaker, as a country, we must not institute laws that tie ourselves deliberately. We should not have experts or consultants that are coming from institutions that are hostile to the Government. We now know that we have mega loans and joint ventures coming from China, Russia, Belarus, Brazil and several other friendly countries. It will be an error of monumental proportions to then hire consultants from IMF and World Bank to come and peruse such loans from China and Russia. We know where these institutions come from – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear] – We want this legislation to specifically outlaw or exclude individuals or experts coming from hostile governments and institutions hostile to Zimbabwe.
The next area which we would want looked at in the draft legislation is that we exclude completely from the Bill ‘allowance for unsolicited bids’ The contemplation is that we put this law, meanwhile if some unsolicited JVs come, they can be approved within 14 days without due process of the Committee. We want to say this proposed clause is not necessary; it is fertile ground for corruption. Why would we want unsolicited bids that come in? So, our recommendation is that all JVs as would have been benchmarked and stipulated in the proposed law, which law is necessary, are to follow due process without allowance for unsolicited bids.
The fourth issue Madam Speaker, is the composition of the mooted Committee. We are of the view that the contemplation that the members of the Committee be Permanent Secretaries of ministries is in itself selfdefeating. First, the scope of work will be so voluminous that they are approving all the joint ventures in the country to then see heads of ministries who are themselves full time superintendants of whole ministries to then oversee such a delicate and intense process. It necessarily means that the work of that committee will be very much constricted in terms of progress.
So, our view is that Permanent Secretaries be invited ex-officio to any such creature that would have been put in place, whether it is a board or department. If it is a joint venture to do with telecommunications, the Permanent Secretary in charge of the ministry to do with telecommunications then is invited to review that project. If it is a joint venture to do with roads, the Permanent Secretary in charge of roads is then invited ex-officio as opposed to congregating all Permanent Secretaries as contemplated to be the committee. Doing so would be self-defeating as no work will be completed in that committee.
Madam Speaker, we looked at the issue of the construction of the unit whether we go the committee route as proposed or we create a joint venture board. I think there is need to seriously consider the benefits of instituting an independent board which yes, it can then apply through the hon. Minister of Finance and Economic Development but to create a sub-unit within the ministry tends to divert the critical role that this
entity is supposed to be charged with. We strongly recommend that there be a joint venture board headed by a proficient and professional chairperson with selected board members who would then deliberate and look through the joint ventures as contemplated in the piece of legislation.
Madam Speaker, there is another area which we felt perhaps in the draft legislation may not resonate well with covenants in our
Constitution. There is contemplation in the draft law that if a consultant is hired and it goes to a ministry/department, the consultant asks for information. If you do not give that consultant information, you can be jailed for I think it says up to two or three years.
The issue is, there may be times when it is the view of a ministry official that the organisation is hostile to the interests of the country either you then cooperate or you do not provide certain information. So, I think, we need to put the law in a manner that they comply with information requests from the board or the Committee not necessarily to say, consultants can then come and cause the arrest and imprisonment of our citizens.
Madam Speaker, I want to end by urging that perhaps the report as submitted be referred back to the Committee so that the agreed substantive points are captured in that formal record. It is a matter that I intend to raise with Hon. Chapfika, who is the Chairperson of the Committee that in future, points that we have agreed on as a Committee must be sustained through to the National Assembly. Thank you.
- MARIDADI: On a point of order Madam Speaker. It is on a matter of procedure, we heard Dr. Mukanduri presenting a committee report and Dr. Kereke stands up and says that there are issues that they discussed and agreed on as a committee that Dr. Mukanduri’s report deliberately omits. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] -
Now I am at a loss as to which committee report we should adopt because Dr. Kereke was speaking on behalf of the committee and Dr. Mukanduri was speaking on behalf of the same committee. So, which committee report should we consider? The one presented by Dr.
Mukanduri or the one presented by Dr. Kereke? - [HON. MEMBERS:
Inaudible interjections] – I hear what hon. members are saying but Dr.
Kereke says there were omissions in Dr. Mukanduri’s report which he raised with the committee that the committee did not take note of.
Madam Speaker, I seek your judgment on that one. – [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] -
THE ACTING SPEAKER: Order, order Hon. Maridadi you
raised a point of order and I wish to respond to that, may I be heard in silence.
Hon. Dr. Mukanduri presented the report from the Finance Committee and Dr. Kereke is merely adding information that has been omitted from the report which is acceptable in Parliament – [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] –
- MARIDADI: Madam Speaker, we do not want to mislead this House. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – Madam
Speaker, we are misleading the House … - [HON. MEMBERS:
Inaudible interjections] –
THE ACTING SPEAKER: Order, order I have acknowledged your point of order Hon. Maridadi with the view that Hon. Dr.
Mukanduri presented the report as directed by Hon. Chapfika from the Committee of Finance. Dr. Kereke also sits on the same committee, he was debating and adding information that had been omitted in the report
… - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] –
- MARIDADI: I wish to clarify because I do not think that you were listening … - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – Come on, this is not right.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: Order, order, I do not think that there is need for further clarification. - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] –
- MASHAKADA: Madam Speaker, I have two contributions that I would want to make. - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – The first contribution requires clarification from the
Minister… - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – vaChinamasa ndinodawo clarification …- [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible
interjections] –
THE ACTING SPEAKER: Order, order hon. members. May
Dr. Mashakada be heard in silence please?
- MASHAKADA: The first contribution is seeking direct clarification from the Minister regarding the Joint Ventures Bill. The Minister should make it very clear and make a distinction between joint ventures where natural resources are concerned that is joint ventures pertaining to the agriculture, farming or the mining sector and distinguish that from joint ventures based on private equity where a foreign investor partners Government with counterpart farms. Surely, the Bill must make a distinction between these two types of joint ventures.
The danger is that where natural resources are concerned, for example, in agriculture; how does one evaluate or put value to
Government’s contribution? Where a mine is concerned, how does one evaluate the contribution of Government by way of the deposits that are in the sub soil? So, I think that issue needs to be clarified. We must learn from past mistakes and I am talking about the Green Fuel venture which is one form of joint venture that went terribly wrong between Government and a private entity.
In the Green Fuel case, Government surrendered vast tracks of land to a private partner and we do not know what kind of shareholding that translates to because the private investor is operating his business on State land. We do not know what dividends are accruing to the State since it is a joint venture agreement. So it is very important to make a distinction between ventures which are based on natural resources and those based on monetary transactions, that is via private equity. We need the Minister to clarify.
The second clarification I am seeking is the threshold of equity between Government and a private player. We know we have the
Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act which stipulates that Government shall retain 51% and the investor will retain 49%. What is the intention of the Minister regarding joint ventures? Are you going to follow the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act or there will be some variations in order to incentivise high capital projects? We need your clarification on that.
The other clarification is on tendering. We want to know whether investors who come via the joint venture route will be subjected to the tendering process, that is the State Procurement Board system or they will have their own tendering dispensation in order to expedite investments into the country? The other contribution which is not merely seeking clarification has to do with the location of the Joint Venture Unit. I think speakers who have spoken before me have expressed concern about the location of the Joint Venture Unit. We have the Zimbabwe Investment Authority and the One Stop Shop
Investment Centre. For me, that would be the proper place to locate the Joint Venture Unit because we do not have to re-invent the wheel and we need to expedite your investment location. So, ZIA’s one stop
Investment Centre could play such a facilitative role.
The last contribution hon. Minister, is that what is good for the goose is good for the gander. We need to improve the general doing business environment in order for joint ventures to succeed because joint ventures cannot succeed where private investment has failed. Investment is investment, whether it is for joint ventures or it is on private equity. So, we need to improve the doing business environment and address such bottle necks regarding work permits for the employees that will be recruited by the investor; the question of licencing, the bureaucratic licencing and red tape, the visa regime that investors are complaining of and of course, the repatriation of capital or dividends. All these things affect the doing business environment and so these have to be globally addressed in order to make joint ventures succeed. I thank you.
- MUKUPE: Thank you Madam Speaker. I just wanted to give my points concerning the Joint Venture Bill that we deliberated on and I want to re-emphasise on what Hon. Kereke pointed out. There were certain points that we deliberated on in the Committee that have not made their way into the report that was presented.
The first one that I want to bring to the attention of the House concerns the feasibility studies and by the very nature of the Joint Venture Unit, it is a technical committee and it being a technical committee, I think all the technical issues have to be really brought out today. One of the issues that we pointed out is that all the feasibility studies have to be bankable and I think that is a key point that has to be brought to bear.
The second issue relates to the composition of the board. The necessary skills that are needed when you are dealing with joint ventures are basically mergers and acquisition skills. Being skills that are needed it is important that you have the necessary laws involved in any of the joint venture transactions that you are working on.
The other point that I wanted to also bring to light is when you are talking about a joint venture, it does not matter which sector or which area you are dealing with. A joint venture is a joint venture. What is important are really matters that are around the valuations of the contributions of each and every party and that is an issue that whoever is considering a joint venture has to bring to bear. The last point that I also want to bring to your attention is that over and above valuation issues, there are also the issues that are related to roles and responsibilities, issues that have to be taken to bear. I thank you.
- NDUNA: Thank you Madam Speaker. What I need to enforce and emphasise is the issue of the alignment of the Joint Venture Bill with the coming on board of the special economic zones. From what I know and what I proposed on the special economic zones, is that a lot of issues are going to be addressed, in particular the issue of One Stop Shop, the ease of doing business, if all the points that I alluded to are taken on board and the issue of exploration. It is also key that we align our Joint Venture Bill with the exploration of our mineral resources so that we quantify our mineral resources, those that are embedded in the soil and on the land, also together with the harmonisation of our laws, in particular the Mines and Minerals Act and the Land Act, so that we are not duplicating efforts. I think in all honesty, if we put all these three motions that I brought in and align them with the Joint Ventures Bill, we will not duplicate Bills. Thank you.
- MARIDADI: Thank you Madam Speaker. The issue of joint ventures is very important because I think it enhances the
Government’s attempt on effective debt management. I would support that, but I think the report presented by Dr. Mukanduri here, they suggest that a member of our Committee should sit on the Committee of the Joint Ventures. In the interest of separation of powers, you cannot have a Member of Parliament sitting on a Joint Venture Committee because basically, our role is that of oversight and you cannot sit on a Joint Ventures Committee that is discussing Government business and then want to come to Parliament and do oversight on the Executive.
I think the issue of joint ventures should be left to the Executive and Parliament’s role should be that of oversight. Thank you.
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT (MR. CHINAMASA): Thank you Madam Speaker,
I want to thank all the hon. members who have made contributions to this debate. They have made suggestions to improve the text of the Bill. I would want time to go through these recommendations so that I consider in my reply, which recommendations to take on board and which ones will not be accepted.
Therefore, I move that the debate be now adjourned.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Tuesday, 28th July 2015.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT (MR. CHINAMASA): I move that we revert to Order of the Day, Number 1.
Motion put and agreed.
SECOND READING
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE AND EVIDENCE AMENDMENT BILL
(H.B. 2015)
First Order read: Second Reading: Criminal Procedure and Evidence Amendment Bill (H.B. 2015).
THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (MR.
MNANGAGWA): Madam Speaker, I rise to present the Second
Reading of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Amendment Bill (HB. 2015) to the House. The Government remains committed to its constitutional duty to uphold and respect fundamental human rights and freedoms. As you may be aware, the coming into force of the new Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Number 20, Act of 2013, certainly brought about significant and progressive changes to the rights of accused persons in criminal matters and proceedings. This has necessitated amendments to the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act in order to bring the Act in harmony with the new Constitution.
The Criminal Procedure and Evidence Amendment Bill will seek to update the Principal Act in many respects. This Act basically regulates the procedure that must be followed in criminal investigations and subsequent prosecutions thereof and nature of evidence that maybe adduced in the court of law.
Madam Speaker, the salient amendments is premised on the following objectives:-
- To ensure that suspects who have been arrested are accorded the rights which the Constitution guarantees them such as the right to remain silent, the right to contact their friends, relatives and their legal and medical advisors; and the right to be brought to court within 48 hours;
- To define the compelling reasons justifying the continued detention of the suspects as required by Section 50 of the Constitution.
- To ensure that accused persons receive fair trials as required by
Section 69 of the Constitution;
- To substantially improve the provisions connecting with the seizure, custody and disposal of articles for the purpose of criminal proceedings;
- To provide for judicial conferences to formulate sentencing guidelines; and
- To repeal unconstitutional provisions relating to the death penalty.
Madam Speaker, this now brings me to the contents of the Bill before the hon. members Clause 1 of the Bill sets out the Bill’s Short Title which is the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Amendment Bill, 2015. Clause 2, will amend Section 2 of the Principal Act by the insertion of a number of definitions. For instance, the definition of Statutory Capital Offence is now restricted to murder committed in aggravating circumstances. Similarly, the definition of an accused will now be confined to persons who have entered the criminal justice system as suspects.
Section 50 (1) (d) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe does not define compelling reasons justifying the continued detention of an arrested person. The definition of compelling reasons is clearly defined in this clause. There are other definitions of new phrases and words in this clause such as the definition of bodily sample, buccal sample, DNA, forensic DNA analysis and intimate sample. Madam Speaker, Clause 3 will amend part II of the Principal Act which deals with persecution at the public instance so as to align these provisions with Sections 258-263 of the Constitution.
Madam Speaker, hon. members might be aware that before the enactment of the new Constitution, the office of the Attorney General had two primary functions, that of undertaking criminal prosecutions and that of acting as principal advisor to Government. While there were provisions that the AG should not be subject to direction or control of anyone, there were other sections of our community that felt that the independence of the AG was severely compromised because of the two pronged functions. Against this backdrop, the new Constitution created a stand-alone National Prosecution Authority to undertake criminal prosecution and retained the AG in terms of Sections 114 and 115 for the sole purpose of acting as principal advisor to Government.
Madam Speaker, the new Section 5 makes the National
Prosecuting Authority and its officers, acting under the direction of the
Prosecutor General, responsible for public prosecutions. If the National Prosecuting Authority officers are not available, the Prosecutor General is permitted to authorize other people to prosecute. The new Section 7 is a re-enactment of Section 11(2) of the Principal Act and allows the taking over of a case instituted by one prosecutor to be continued by another prosecutor. Similarly, the new Section 8 will re-enact Section 9 of the Principal Act which deals with withdrawal of charges.
The important new section under this clause is Section 11A which will require the Prosecutor General to consult the Judicial Service Commission, the Law Society and other interested persons and bodies when in terms of Section 260(1) of the Constitution, he or she formulates the principles on which he or she decides whether and how to institute and conduct criminal proceedings. This statement of principles will have to be reviewed at least once every two years and published as widely as is practicable.
Madam Speaker, Clauses 5, 6 and 7 will deal with institution of private prosecutions. The clauses set out who are entitled to institute private prosecution and that such prosecution can only be conducted after the Prosecutor General has declined to prosecute and having issued a certificate to that effect. Further to that, a person instituting private prosecution in the High Court must deposit a sum of money as well as provide sureties to pay further amounts as a guarantee that he or she will institute such prosecution without delay. Another security is required for payment of costs to the person being prosecuted in the event of the prosecution being unsuccessful.
Clause 9 amends Section 22 so as to bring it in conformity with
Section 50 (2) of the Constitution which prohibits any extension of the 48 hours detention period for suspects who would have been arrested without a warrant.
Clause 10 will amend Section 35 which deals with issuance of warrants of arrests. The warrant of arrest will now be issued by any judge, magistrate or justice of peace other than a serving police officer.
Madam Speaker, Clause 11 inserts a new Section 36 which allows a person to be arrested on the authority of a warrant which has been transmitted by electronic means such as emails.
Clause 12 inserts three new sections that is Sections 39 (a), (b) and (c). By virtue of this Clause, a person who voluntarily appears at a police station for the purposes of assisting the police with investigations shall not be kept at the police station against his will unless he or she is lawfully placed under arrest. By virtue of this Clause again, the police in certain circumstances acting in pursuance of their socially protective function are empowered to detain persons for not more than 24 hours without necessarily intending to charge that person with a criminal offence. Persons who are not in their sound and somber senses in public place are examples of such circumstances where a person can be detained.
Madam Speaker, Clause 13 introduces a new area in our law which had not previously been provided for. The Clause will provide for the taking of a bodily or partial sample by a trained person for the purposes of forensic DNA analysis.
Section 50 of the Constitution proves for expanded rights of arrested persons which are not provided for in the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act. Clause 14 thus seeks to insert a new Section 41 (a) which specifically provides for these rights.
Of equal importance is the fact that this clause also seeks to insert a new Section 41B which provides for the taking of a bodily or buccal sample by an authorized person, issuance of a warrant of arrest where the person who is required to submit to the taking of a sample resists and the admissibility of sworn affidavit deposed to by an authorised person upon its mere production as prima-facie evidence of the facts deposed therein.
The new Section 41C re-enacts the current Section 41 (2) to (5) of the Act without change save to provide for the taking of saliva and tissue samples since at present, only blood samples may be taken. The police are also required to keep proper record of arrested and detained persons.
Madam Speaker, Clause 15 repeals and substitutes Section 42 of the Principal Act. Section 42 of the Principal Act permits the killing of persons who resist arrest of attempt to escape arrest. However, by virtue of Section 86 (3) of the Constitution, the right to life cannot be limited except to the extent specified in Section 48 of the Constitution.
The new section permits person a authorised or required to arrest or assist in arresting another person to use such force as may be reasonably justified and proportionate in the circumstances if the attempt to arrest is resisted.
Madam Speaker, Clause 16 to 27 amend Part vi of the Act which relates to the seizure of articles used to commit offences or which may be used in courts of law as exhibits. These provisions have not been substantially revised since 1975 and there is need for improvement in order to protect both the police and the persons from whom the police seize the articles. For instance Clause 17 will now require a police officer to give a full receipt for any article being seized, whether or not the seizure was done under a warrant unless the article in question is one whose possession is intrinsically unlawful, for example, possession of dangerous drugs or substances.
Warrant of seizure or search if sought from a justice of peace other than a magistrate, that justice of peace must not himself or herself be a police officer. Further to that, when carrying out a search under a search warrant, a copy of the warrant must be furnished to the person whose rights have been affected by the search.
Madam Speaker, Clause 29 seeks to insert Section 115 C which will preface the provision dealing with the admission of an accused to bail pending trial by clarifying what are “compelling reasons” as provided in the Constitution and grounds for denying a detained person bail. It also provides for the burden of proof in bail proceedings. Currently, section 116, 117 and 117A of the Principal Act deal respectively with the granting of bail to an accused person but
“compelling reasons” are not defined.
Clause 30 merely seeks to amend section 127 so as to provide that the arrested person must be told at the time of his or her arrest and why he or she is being arrested in compliance of Section 50 (1) (a) of the Constitution and must be brought to a court of law within 48 hours as required by Section 50 (2) of the Constitution.
Section 127 of the Principal Act merely empowers peace officers to arrest persons who have been released on bail if they reasonably suspect the persons are likely to abscond or interfere with evidence and does provide for the need for an arresting officer to comply with the
Constitutional provisions referred to above
Madam Speaker, Clause 31 will categorically provide that the Prosecutor General or his or her Deputy or the person acting in the office of the Prosecutor General shall personally sign indictment papers for murder.
Madam Speaker, crimes of murder and culpable homicide are now statutory offences as defined in Sections 47 and 49 of the Criminal Law
Code respectively. Section 154 of the Principal Act sets out the wording on the charges of murder and culpable homicide. The wording is absolute since these offences were formally common law crimes.
Clause 32 will thus repeal Section 154 so that the charges of murder and culpable homicide will have to follow the words used to describe these offences in the Criminal Law Code. Similarly, Clause 33 will update references in Section 157 of the Act to the common law crimes of uttering forged documents and theft by false pretences as these crimes are now part of the statutory crime of fraud as provided for by the Criminal Law Code.
Madam Speaker, Clause 34 will insert a new Section 163A into the Principal Act which obliges magistrates to inform accused persons of their right under Section 70(1) (d) of the Constitution and Section 191 of the Act to be represented by a legal practitioner.
Clause 35 will insert a new Section 167A which will oblige the courts to investigate undue delays in criminal proceedings and effect remedial orders.
Madam Speaker, Section 180 of the Principal Act sets out pleas namely those of ‘guilty’ and ‘not guilty’ which an accused can tender upon being arraigned. Clause 36 will however, add some new pleas namely plea of immunity from prosecution and plea of having been granted permanent stay of prosecution.
Clause 37 will seek to oblige a magistrate when requesting an accused to outline his or her defence, to inform the accused of the right to remain silent and the consequences of exercising that right.
Madam Speaker, Clause 39 seeks to insert a new Section 258A which provides for the admissibility of illegally obtained evidence. It will thus guide the court during the exercise of its discretion for the need to strike a proper balance between the rights of the individual and the abuse of the law by the police, the victim and the public interest in compliance with Section 86 of the Constitution.
Clause 40 also seeks to insert a new Section 264, which provides for the admissibility of evidence of bodily appearance, health and prints of an accused and further empowers the court to order the taking of fingerprints, palm prints or footprints, blood, saliva or tissue samples from an accused, including examination of the accused.
Madam Speaker, Clause 41 will insert a new Section 334A which will give the Judicial Service Commission powers to convene Judicial Conferences for the purposes of formulating sentencing guidelines in order to bring about uniformity of sentencing by criminal courts in Zimbabwe. This is a new and progressive development in our jurisdiction.
Clauses 42 and 43 are also of paramount importance. As you may be aware, Sections 336 to 342 of the Principal Act provide for the imposition of death penalty. The imposition of death penalty is now unconstitutional to the extent of it not being consistent with the provisions of Section 48 of the Constitution.
Madam Speaker, Clause 45 will amend Section 389 of the Act in order to empower the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary
Affairs to make regulations prescribing;
- The translation into the constitutionally recognised non-English languages of the form of any warning or information that must be given to arrested and detained persons that is contained in the new Tenth Schedule to be added to the Act.
- The extent to which police officers and other peace officers may question suspects – equivalent of what used to be called “Judge
Rules.”
Madam Speaker, Clause 47 will seek to insert the Tenth Schedule which provides for the wording of the warning of rights that a police officer has to give to an accused person upon arrest. This can also be translated into the 16 official languages so that every arrested person is informed of his or her rights in a language which he or she understands as required by Section 50 of the Constitution.
The clause will further add an Eleventh Schedule providing for the form of notice issued by the police to owners of seized articles before such articles are destroyed or disposed of by the police.
Madam Speaker, Clause 48 will make minor and consequential amendments which are set out in the Schedule to the Bill. Lastly, Clause 49 will amend the National Prosecuting Authority Act to provide for the post of Deputy Prosecutor General and affect minor and consequential amendments to the Act.
Madam Speaker, hon. members, you will note that this Bill has addressed quite substantial issues calling for the alignment of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act to the New Constitution and those requiring general updates.
It is of paramount significance to note that the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act [Chapter 9:07] was mostly affected by the enactment of the new Constitution in-so-far as the individuals’ rights and freedoms as enunciated in the Bill of Rights are concerned. It is against this background that I have seen it proper and prudent to prioritise the alignment of this Act with the new Constitution.
I, thus recommend the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Amendment Bill (2015) to the House and move that the Bill be read a second time. I thank you.
- MASHAKADA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I want to
congratulate the Vice President and the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs for introducing these far reaching reforms and amendments to the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act. In particular, the outlawing of capital punishment is a revolution in the country since it is patently very unconstitutional.
However, I would like to ask the Vice President on his attitude towards torture. I did not quite get the section on torture. I thought one of the key amendments which should be included is that of doing away with torture on suspects who would have been arrested. This is so because it infringes the constitutional rights of suspects. I am just asking whether you can consider including torture in that list of amendments, that was very good. Thank you.
THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE,
LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (MR.
MNANGAGWA): Thank you Madam Speaker. I wish to thank Hon.
Mashakada for being able to follow this intricate legal presentation. It is true that I did not find it prudent to include torture because the current legislation outlaws torture. Unless there are areas that you think we can improve on, but on my study of that section, I think it covers the review that we should outlaw torture in our jurisdiction. It is quite adequate but, we are willing to look at any new suggestions that you may have beyond what is being provided for. It is for that reason that we have not included it but we had a long debate with lawyers on the content of that provision. I thank you.
- J.M. GUMBO: I move that the debate do now adjourn to give time to the Committee to look at the Bill.
- ANASTANCIA NDHLOVU: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Tuesday, 28th July, 2015.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
- J.M. GUMBO: I move that Orders of the Day Numbers 3 to 12 be stood over until Order of the Day Number 13 has been disposed
- ANASTANCIA NDHLOVU: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
PEOPLE-CENTRED DEVELOPMENTAL POLICIES AND
MEASURES ON IMPROVING DOMESTIC PRODUCTION
AND FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT
Thirteenth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the deteriorating social and economic conditions in the country.
Question again proposed.
*MR. CHINOTIMBA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I rose as I was about to debate and made a request that when I make my presentation, there be a video presentation or the clip that is part to my debate. I am unaware on whether the ICT people are ready or not. We wanted to look at the crux of the matter to find out what the causative reasons were. I am in agreement with everything that Dr. Mashakada did proffer in his debate but I wanted to look at the causatives or causative factors. I do not know if the video is now ready.
*THE ACTING SPEAKER: Hon. Chinotimba, may you please
resume your seat.
*MR. CHINOTIMBA: Before I resume my seat, I have heard rumours that a lot of people would not want the video to be shown. They would want to close this motion before we have had our chance to debate on it. It is my considered view that before they round up this motion, the whole country should know who started these things that have caused the decay of this country.
*THE ACTING SPEAKER: I have heard what you have said Hon. Chinotimba and we are requesting the ICT people to look into that so that the video can be played. That is what we are waiting for.
Video of Mr. Morgan Richard Tsvangirai talking on BBC was played.
-[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-
THE ACTING SPEAKER: Order, order! Hon. Chibaya and
Hon. Bunjira please behave yourselves.
- CHAMISA: Thank you Madam Speaker. Just a point of order in terms of our rules and our own statues that, a person who is not a Member of Parliament, who does not have a right to reply, may not be brought to the discourse. -[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]- Yes, you know that it is consistent with our principles of natural justice that any person is supposed to be given the right to be heard. So, this is actually in violation of our own principles. He is not in a position to defend himself on this matter.
Madam Speaker, we do not know the context of what was said, we do not know the basis of what was said. So, we cannot just come and parachute something whose opinion is not going to be sought. You know that it is in violation of our own rules of Parliament. Thank you very much.
ZANU PF Chief Whip, MDC-T Deputy Chief Whip and Mr.
Chamisa approached the Chair for consultations.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: According to our national
Constitution, Section 148 of the Privileges and Immunities of Parliament (2) (c) provides for a right of reply through the Speaker or the President of the Senate as the case may be, for persons who are unjustly injured by what is said in Parliament. In accordance with this, we will allow this video to continue and if there are any points of clarification, we will allow the member concerned, who is the President of the opposition party, MDC-T to come and respond to the allegations through the
Speaker.
- CHAMISA: Thank you for your kindness Madam Speaker. This very Constitution you are referring to is not supposed to be read in isolation. You know that it accords rights and obligations. There is also the obligation of Parliament to have first advised Mr. Tsvangirai that we are – [HON MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – as a citizen of this country.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: Order hon. members! Can everyone
sit down? I, as the Speaker of Parliament on duty today, I have given a ruling that the Constitution provides for the opposition Leader to come and respond to the allegations in due course. Can you please continue with the video?
MDC-T hon. members began singing into oyenzayo siyayizonda. THE ACTING SPEAKER: Order! I will not hesitate to take action against the Deputy Chief Whip of MDC-T. Can you please be quiet so that this video can be heard in silence? May you continue with the video?
THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE,
LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (MR.
MNANGAGWA): On a point of order Madam Speaker. It is accepted that Members of Parliament can make constructive objections or interjections in Parliament but it is not accepted to be disruptive and unconstructive here. It is not proper for members of the opposition to sing in order that the ruling you have made – members felt here what is being said – I think Madam Speaker, you have the right to make sure there is order in the House. Every hon. member knows their rights and limitations to their rights in the House. May I plead with you that we bring order in the House?
THE ACTING SPEAKER: Thank you very much Hon. Vice
President for the insight. We stand guided by your experience as a former Speaker of Parliament.
- D. SIBANDA: On a point of order. My point of order is that I want to point out that I do not think BBC had given Hon. Chinotimba the authority or this recording – [HON MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – We cannot use a pirated video clip in this august House.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: According to what you are saying
Hon. Sibanda, there is no point of order. I will not hesitate to dismiss any points of order of disruption of debate. You will debate after Hon. Chinotimba. I will advise Hon. Chinotimba that this video that is playing is also part of your debating time as well. Can you please continue with the video? Please sit down; I will not take any point of order.
Serjeant-At-Arms escorted Mr. Chibaya out of the Chamber. MDC-T hon. members walked out in protest.
*MR. CHINOTIMBA: On a point of order Madam Speaker,
when the video was being played, the members of the Opposition Party were making a lot of noise. I ask that it be replayed because the members in here need to understand from the very beginning including the media.
*THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Chinotimba,
I need to remind you that when the video is being played, it is also part of your debating time.
Video of Mr. Tsvangirai talking to BBC was replayed in the House.
*MR. CHINOTIMBA: Thank you Madam Speaker, my
colleagues, hon. members from the Opposition party, ran away from owning up from what they started. For this country to be in this sorry state is because of Mr. Tsvangirai and Hon. Dr. Mashakada. Hon. Dr. Mashakada, as a former Minister in the Government of National Unity, I would not have expected him to stand up and say that the ruling party, President Mugabe and myself included are destroying the economy. Hon. members, you saw it from the video the person who caused all these problems. He is the one who brought vendors into town. He has even said, shut out Zimbabwe, there should be no inflows in the form of transport or anything for Zimbabwe.
Madam Speaker, that is what caused sanctions. The British and Americans had nothing to do with us, they did not want to impose sanctions on us. They had to do it at the instigation of the MDC, that is why they placed Chinotimba on sanctions. Madam Speaker, sanctions for reclaiming my father’s land. We used to live in Devure Range, we were forced out there.
Mr. Chinotimba having vacillated from one language to the other language.
*THE ACTING SPEAKER: Order, order, Hon. Chinotimba, you
cannot vacillate from one language to the other.
*MR. CHINOTIMBA: I wanted the whites to also hear what I am saying – [Laughter] - Such issues are painful to us. Well Vice President Mnangagwa is here, we have heard that he has been on the long track begging. It is not possible for Mr. Tsvangirai to then now ask that sanctions be uplifted or removed because people have died.
Madam Speaker, may I go back and say, yesterday you heard them saying that the workers are suffering because of the law. They have 25 workers who have been suffering since 2010, they have not been paid. Such hypocrisy cannot be allowed. They have no love. The workers have taken the MDC-T to Court. Madam Speaker, I am a trade unionist. There is no one who can talk about removing a speckle in your eye when they themselves have a log in their own eyes.
[Time Limit]
- MUKWANGWARIWA. On a point of order Madam
Speaker, I move that the hon. member’s time be extended by five more minutes.
- HOLDER: I second.
MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: I object.
- HOLDER: On a point of order Madam Speaker. This is an august House, we have to respect the institution. In our Standing Rules and Orders, it tells us about the dress code. Madam Speaker, I need to stand guided, if Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga is dressed properly – [Laughter] -.
*THE ACTING SPEAKER: There is a point of Order raised by
Hon. Mukwangwariwa considering an extension to Honourable
Chinotimba’s time which has been seconded but since there has been an objection, Hon. Chinotimba cannot be given more time to debate on the motion.
*DR GUMBO: Madam Speaker, I wanted to say that we had to speak because of the video. Hon. Misihairambwi-Mushonga is trying to throw some spanners into the works. Her colleagues have gone out, she has just come here to disturb the debate, if we were to just have a peaceful coexistence, she should desist from such behaviour. She is an old Member of Parliament, we do not know what purposes your point of orders want to serve. This is not good.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: What is your point of order Hon.
Misiharabwi?
MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: My point of order is
that what is good for the goose is good for the gander. The reason why I have stood up is until people can give dignity to other people as they want that dignity given to them, we will. But, in the interest of what Hon. Gumbo has said and to be a better person, I will withdraw my point of order. But, I surely will not sit in this House and continuously go through this sexual abuse particularly when the Leader of the House is here. Otherwise, I will stick to my point of order. If you are going to
treat me properly then we will, it is as simple as that. It is going to be a negotiation you stand up and ask him to withdraw his statement and I will do exactly the same. –[ HON MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-
*THE ACTING SPEAKER: Order, we accept the withdrawal by the Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga and that we allow Hon. Chinotimba ten more minutes to speak. But, we urge male Members of Parliament who are in here not to talk too much about the manner of dressing and deportment by female hon. Members of Parliament. We do not take kindly to that. It is our view that you will be looking down upon us. We want to be respected in this august House. I ask Hon. Holder to withdraw his words as regards to the dressing of Hon. Misihairabwi- Mushonga. – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.]- Hon. Chinotimba, you have been granted the permission to debate.
*MR. CHINOTIMBA: Thank you Madam Speaker, I agree with Hon. Mashakada, on the issue of corruption. True, if we are not going to talk about issues of corruption, our country will not develop. But, it is not a preserve of the ruling party. Even in the GNU, when Mr.
Mangoma was the Minister of Energy, he removed board members and what was called Mobile and then came up with Petrotrade. He removed the people who were working in Mobile and then he replaced them with his own people. This idea of any Minister who comes into Government bringing his own people is corruption. What that means is that when your ally goes into a parastatals, they will be stealing and they will be serving your interest. Mr. Mangoma exhibited the type of corruption in removing the boards of the Ministry of Energy and replaced them with people from nowhere. I am saying that it is not the ruling party that is corrupt, all opposition parties have corruption even with ruling party members. Board members should not behave like the permanent secretary. We should not have permanent board members who are members for life and that kills our economy even in the councils.
At the moment you saw people crying, mourning that their houses are being demolished to the ground because they are members of the other party that is in Government. You go and destroy houses built by members of ZANU PF and you leave those from MDC and when you say you are now going to regularise after leaving the members of the opposition and you allocate stands to members of the opposition party, that is total corruption.
I am in agreement with his assertion that there is corruption. Corruption can be eradicated by these parties that there should not be favouritism in dealing with offenders. As they have the majority of city councils, they should lead by example by giving ZANU PF members the jobs so that in a way, the ruling party will then be ashamed of its behaviour and copy from this good behaviour, good corporate governance. In fact, what they are doing is a situation of bad to worse, from the proverbial pan into the fire. We now have vendors because of the MDC. The entire country has been destroyed. You have heard even the journalists that are in here, maybe it is because I do not understand English but my own understanding is he was saying the truth that this country should suffer. He was not even worried that the same people that he wanted to suffer are his voters. He wanted electricity to be withdrawn and the people then suffer. This is an issue of pretending to be good in broad daylight, then at night Nicodemously and say punish them. I want to give an example, of my video, because if you see that video although I may not have time, you saw how it started. People now know and they should not blame President Mugabe. We should not turn a blind eye.
Can you now go to part two of the video?
*THE ACTING SPEAKER: May you please show Part 2 of the video as requested by Mr. Chinotimba as he resumes his seat.
A video was shown in which Mr. Tsvangirai was talking relative to what Mr. Chinotimba alluded to.
*MR. CHINOTIMBA: Madam Speaker, we have not seen the picture but we have heard the audio. Tomorrow when this country falls down or when there is violence, this is a Christian country and belongs it belongs to the people. We also have our own tradition. Violence can start from this man. He can be the causative agent, not that they will be involved in feast fights. It is very dangerous for a man in this country to then say that the gay should fall in love. When you talk about it, they refuse. This is corruption and such corruption should be stopped in this country.
I thank Hon. Misihairabwi and she is the only member of the opposition because she is no longer MDC-T or MDC Ncube, she is now just a person –[Laughter]-
THE ACTING SPEAKER: Order, Order.
MRS. MISIHARABWI-MUSHONGA: On a point of order Madam Speaker.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: Order, what is your point of order Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga?
MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: Madam Speaker, I say
this very seriously. If we are going to turn this country into a country of abuse in the manner that we are doing, I do not think that we are moving forward. I genuinely would ask Hon. Chinotimba to again withdraw that. I have a right to sit in this Parliament, participate, hear the debate that is going on, but there is no right for anybody to abuse me. I refuse to be abused. So can he withdraw that?
THE ACTING SPEAKER: I appeal to Hon. Chinotimba that
what you have said against the hon. member not belonging to a political party that she belongs to, as well as any abuse that you have used, to please withdraw your statement.
*MR. CHINOTIMBA: Thank you Madam Speaker. Firstly, I
would want to withdraw the word that she is now an ordinary person. Hon. Misihairabwi is an hon. member. I withdraw my statement. But, I am very happy Madam Speaker and I will end up my discussion on who is responsible for sponsoring the sanctions, who is pro-gay and lesbians, who is not for the welfare of the workers when they are failing to look after their workers. We have heard here that Tsvangirai …
[Time limit]
THE ACTING SPEAKER: Hon. Chinotimba, your time has ended. –[HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear]-
*MR. MUPFUMI: Hon. Speaker, I will now give my maiden
speech in reply to a motion by Hon. Mashakada. Firstly, I would want to thank our President for having won resoundingly. At the time, I was not yet a Member of Parliament. I would want to thank the Speaker in absentia on his appointment because when he assumed his position, I was not yet a member of this august House. I would also want to thank Dangamvura/Chikanga and all my supporters for having elected me to represent them in this august House.
The bad image that was painted by Hon. Mashakada on the Zimbabwean economy, all these problems are caused by the MDC. We are all aware in this country that the MDC went for the stay-aways, encouraging all workers not to come to work. They were a problem to the majority of the companies. A lot of companies closed shop and a lot of people lost their jobs because of the MDC that was calling for stay- aways. The MDC went further and approached the Americans and the British and called for sanctions against Zimbabwe. The Americans came up with ZIDERA that bars us from trading with the Americans.
The IMF was also told to impose sanctions on Zimbabwe. All countries that are linked with the Americans that are good for our economy were also ordered to impose sanctions upon us by the MDC. That had an effect on our balance of payment and we then started looking East. We went to China and to date, there is now development in Zimbabwe. We observe that recently, Vice President Mnangagwa undertook a trip outside the country with a view to ensuring that Zimbabwe develops. A round of applause for him for the job well done during the past week. –[HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear]-
The MDC clandestinely go about to ensure that Zimbabwe should be given these sanctions and that nothing good should come to
Zimbabwe. They have nothing constructive to say about this country. All they do is to say a lot of negative issues and they sing their masters’ tune. Whenever they observe that the economy has gone down, they blame the Government. They then come with a motion in this Parliament and say Government has failed. What has the Government done wrong?
What has President Mugabe done wrong?
We know that for the MDC to be there, their awareness came because it was President Mugabe who brought education, of which they are now able to discern what is good, right and wrong. The MDC is arching to a once blind person, and the sight was restored on that person by President Mugabe. Then the former blind person bites the hand that feeds him. That is the nature of MDC. They go worldwide and what they are busy promoting is the imposition of sanctions on Zimbabwe and we observe things being run down.
The roads in Chikanga/Dangamvura have been run down. They are in a sorry state. They have a water bowser in Chikanga. We know that there is a lot of water in Manicaland. Water is drawn from the reservoirs at the Christmas Pass. We know that water can further be reticulated in Chikanga. It is not because the Government failed but it is because the local council is made up of the MDC. Government gave a portion to the city council so as to ensure that pipes would be purchased for
Dangamvura/Chikanga. The tender was given to a bogus company without carrying out due diligence. The $300 000 was lost and the last pipes were never delivered to Dangamvura.
This is the corruption that Hon. Chinotimba was making reference to. We are busy delivering water to Dangamvura using water bowsers. All this was caused by MDC that has failed to have good corporate governance in councils. The motion that Hon. Mashakada has brought is a result of the problem to the problems that they brought upon us. This motion is senseless because what Hon. Mashakada is saying is nonsensical. It is like a thief who has stolen and they say let me tell you who has stolen - it is me. It is meaningless.
The World Bank constructed a water tank in
Dangamvura/Chikanga. They poured a lot of money into that project. Hon. Vice President came and supported such good work, but to date, no water has been drawn into that water reservoir. The reason is that the MDC led council in Mutare is not able to look after its own people as a local government. They have no operations that enable water to be drawn to Dangamvura/Chikanga. It means that the MDC is still in that mode of making sure that they please their masters, the Americans and the British at the detriment of our own local people. There is nothing meaningful benefitting residents of Dangamvura and Chikanga.
All hon. members who are here are aware of the fact that in order for the country to continue moving well, we should have good relations the world-over. We should be able to export to them and they will be exporting to us in turn. How are we able to have foreign direct investment when our own Opposition is not home-grown? Our Opposition is being used by the whites who are also our former colonisers.
Madam Speaker, we are aware of the fact that this country attained its independence after the shedding of a lot of blood. A protracted struggle ensued for a long time before we had a cease fire when we had a peace agreement after sitting down with the whites. Once we assumed power as the black people, we had a willing buyer/willing seller situation in as far as land was concerned. At the appointed hour, we demanded for the return of our land which was the major reason why we had to take to the bush and proceed to an armed struggle.
At that time there was Margaret Thatcher, later there was Tony Blair and the other time there was George Bush. They reneged on the previous promise saying they were still in school at the time when the promise was made. We are aware of the fact that the war veterans who fought for the freedom of this country went and occupied the land and as a result, there was a new Act to do with the new dispensation. The whites then came up with their petty project that was meant for the removal of President Mugabe which is the MDC.
The mandate of the MDC is to ensure that every rosy thing in this country is turned into ashes and not move well. The MDC is after ensuring that the economy of this country is destroyed. It is not bringing anything to enhance the socio-economic aspects of our people’s lives who are peace-loving, God-fearing and love their leader. They have a mandate for regime change.
They come to Parliament and whenever they are in this august
House, nothing constructive is done. During the Question and Answer Session, they will be busy heckling Ministers who are responsible for the development of this country. The objective of this House is to ensure that there is a people-centered development in this country. It is incumbent upon Parliament as an august House to ensure that the people who are represented appreciate the representation but alas the MDC is busy taking us back by throwing spanners into the works. They bring motions to say, Zimbabwe has gone down the drain; the economy has gone down the drain; hospital delivery services and road services have gone done the drain; there is a total collapse of the economy and people no longer have money yet all this was caused by the MDC.
The motion by Hon. Dr. Mashakada is not meaningful as it does not further our cause. One cannot come here to give us answers to questions that they have set. They should call for the removal of sanctions so that we can move forward.
Madam Speaker, two to three weeks ago, the MDC leader was on television saying that he had the key to this country’s economy. He is now talking about the economic meltdown. We urge his leader to give us the key. I urge Parliament to ask Mr. Tsvangirai to give us the key so that we can open the economy of this country. They do not want to proffer solutions to ensure that our country moves forward but merely saying that the country has gone down the drain and that ZANU PF has failed to run this country. His reasons are frivolous and are of no use to us.
Madam Speaker, this is my first time to speak in this august House.
I observed that when we sit in this august House, hon. Members of Parliament move to the front in order to make their contributions. The majority of the time, we do not hear what will be transpiring as we sit at the back. We request that more microphones be installed so that we are able to follow debates.
I also observed during the Question and Answer Session that there are announcements to the effect that a certain vehicle is wrongly parked.
Our constituents will be listening and they query as to why our cars are always wrongly parked at the expense of business time. Let us do things that show that we are hon. members. There are a lot of old cars in the car park, may they be removed so as to create adequate parking space?
Madam Speaker, Dangamvura-Chikanga Constituency was an
MDC led constituency for a long time and there are no adequate schools and clinics. At the time when the constituency was under the MDC leadership, I observed that a lot of stands were allocated to members of the MDC. There were double or thrice allocations in an area called
Federation that was given to Mr. Biti’s wife who then allocated stands to some Americans. She returned and allocated the same stands to a lot of people. As we speak, there are two people on each of the stands. The same applies to Gimboki South, the main Gimboki and Chikanga.
Looking at the issue of bridges, the bridge leading to Dangamvura Hobb House, there are no schools in Hobb House. The schools are actually in Dangamvura and children have to cross through a sewerage pipe. There is a danger that children are going to be injured as they cross. We kindly request for a bridge to be constructed immediately as there is no road infrastructure to Chikanga. We request that urgent road infrastructure be put in place.
The clinics are not working 24/7 and there are no clinics on Saturdays. The clinic in Fenn Valley operates from Monday morning until 1600 hrs. We request that it operates for 24 hrs a day.
As we move towards the edge of the town, as Government, we advocated for ‘Housing for All by 2020’. We should walk the talk and ensure that we allocate houses or stands so that our people can have their own houses. Dangamvura has houses that are being managed by the City Council and two families share a room which they divide with a curtain.
If a husband has to go to work at night leaving his wife behind with a boy sleeping in that same room, he would not be able to concentrate on his work because he would be afraid for his wife. We urge that these houses be allocated to single people and that they should have title deeds to those houses. The second person who is sharing should be given an alternative stand and build their own accommodation. The same applies in Sakubva.
Gonese, as a member of the MDC has no time to see the lives of people in his constituency. All he does is talk and support Hon.
Mashakada…
THE ACTING SPEAKER: Order Hon. Mupfumi. He is called
Hon. Gonese in this august House.
- MUPFUMI: I am sorry. It is difficult to respect a traitor -
(Laughter). Hon. Gonese, he should see that three people that live in Sakubva share the same house, still have communal toilets and communal baths. You practically bath while you are biting your soap. Should you put it on the ground, it will be stolen. We urge Hon. Gonese to look into the issue of Sakubva. I thank you Madam Speaker.
- ANASTANCIA NDHLOVU: Thank you Madam Speaker.
I would like to thank you for affording me this opportunity to add my voice to this motion moved by Hon. Dr. Mashakada where he speaks to the fact that there is an economic meltdown in our country according to his motion which is a direct consequence of lack of market confidence, corruption and poor revenue inflows.
Madam Speaker, I do agree with him that our economy is not doing as well as it must, but I differ with him very strongly on the reasons why our economy has suffered. I would like to state it very clearly and categorically in this House and in the process, congratulate and applaud His Excellency for the good job that he did for this county from 1980 to 2000. Madam Speaker, we saw President Mugabe’s Government with his lieutenants being able to change the lives of our people for the better through the pro poor approach that he took since 1980.
It is very sad that when His Excellency decided to fulfill the reason why Zimbabweans had gone to war with the British, that of giving the land back to its rightful owners, it did not go down well with our former colonisers and they found, amongst ourselves, some puppets and sellouts that they could use, in the name and person of Morgan Tsvangirai who then was a leader of the workers in the country through the ZCTU as its Secretary General.
Madam Speaker, the same Morgan Tsvangirai became the president of the opposition party, Movement for Democratic Change
(MDC) and was used to incite violent demonstrations in 1998 to 2000. After the formation of his party, when the President gave land to the people of Zimbabwe, the whites saw it fit to impose illegal sanctions upon the people of this country and that has contributed greatly to the challenges that our people are facing and the fact that our economy is not doing well.
Sanctions are a form of war. They are a form of terrorism and anyone who invites sanctions upon the people of this country is indeed an enemy of the people. I want to state that the major effect of sanctions has been felt greatly and mainly by the young people and women. The young people, Madam Speaker, as you may be aware, have been denied their right to employment due to the sanctions. The young people have been denied their right to a quality and affordable education, especially those in tertiary education, due to these illegal sanctions, but we thank God for giving us President Mugabe who, due to his wisdom and visionary leadership, managed to lead this nation to this day.
I do not even understand how we have come this far and how we could have done so if we did not have President Mugabe as our leader because, as you are aware, the sanctions have really affected our people and our economy. All the same, let me take this opportunity to also thank and salute the people of Zimbabwe for resolutely standing behind
President Mugabe’s leadership and the ZANU PF Government through thick and thin.
Madam Speaker, I would also like to say that at the peak of the economic meltdown in 2008, this country witnessed the biggest health pandemic that the country has ever witnessed in the name of the cholera epidemic. Because of the effects of the sanctions, our health sector has been affected, but we still need to thank President Mugabe’s leadership for managing to curb this cholera outbreak which in my view, was not even an ordinary or natural outbreak. I strongly believe that the detractors of this country had actually planted cholera into our society, but once again we thank God that we managed to pull through and we have come this far.
Madam Speaker, the women of this country have suffered greatly as a result of the sanctions. We saw an increase in maternal mortality, we saw pregnant women being unable to deliver safely due to the deterioration of the health sector as a result of the illegal sanctions which were called upon this country by the leader of the opposition, Morgan Tsvangirai. All the same, the women refused to sell out. They still refused to dance to the tune of the detractors and they once again voted for President Mugabe to be President of this country and buried, once and for all, the retrogressive Inclusive Government. So, I also would like to take this opportunity to salute the women of this country for remaining resolute despite the challenges that they face. We know how much the women take the social responsibility forward
Due to the same sanctions that I spoke of, there was an increase in child mortality, but I must applaud Government, labour, President Mugabe and his loyal lieutenants because as I stand now, despite the challenges that the economy is facing due to the sanctions, we have seen tremendous progress. For example, in the reduction of the HIV prevalence rate. We are one of the countries in the region that have managed to achieve that despite the challenges that we face.
I would also like to thank President Mugabe for the ‘Look East Policy’ which addressed the issue which Hon. Mashakada raised. He says there is need to start dialogue with all national stakeholders and the international community as if nothing is happening. We saw four or five years back, President Mugabe assigning his ministers to go and reengage the EU and as Hon. Mupfumi said, just last week, we witnessed the Hon. Vice President, Hon. Mnangagwa engaging on a trip to China to further the interest of our country to strengthen the already strong ties that we have with the Chinese from the time of the liberation struggle and the diplomatic ties established in 1980. So, I am not sure if Hon. Mashakada is deaf or probably blind because the media wrote about these reengagement trips and even the radio has been speaking about these things and he still has the audacity to allege that nothing is happening and that it must start. So what needs to happen instead is to applaud Government for progress made this far. We also saw President Mugabe in August last year, engaging on a trip to the Far East, particularly to China, to meet with his counterparts. That resulted in a number of deals and Memorandum of Understandings signed between our Government and the Chinese Government, which engagements the Vice President has also gone to consolidate. So, all this Madam Speaker is progress.
I would like to end Madam Speaker, by saying that Hon. Mashakada is not correct to say that Government needs to foster inclusive economic growth, coming up with economic blue print et cetera because this country already has an economic blue print in the name of ZIM ASSET which has people at heart which is pro-poor and it is indeed inclusive. We have seen all these efforts being made by our senior leadership all in an effort to make sure that ZIM ASSET gets the funding that it needs in order to improve the livelihood of our people.
Not only people have been affected by these illegal sanctions, even animals, the wildlife sector, Madam Speaker. It is so sad; you know the issue of the ballooning elephant head in Hwange National Park, the challenges with regards to conservation efforts owing to the fact that the National Parks and Ministry of Environment do not have adequate resources. Animals do not vote, they do not know anything about politics but they are also suffering from the effects of these illegal sanctions. Morgan Tsvangirai says he wants to lead this country – over our dead bodies Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker, I would want to thank you once again for affording me the opportunity to add my voice to this motion and as I do that, I would like to call on all Zimbabweans to take heed of the words of our leader, President Mugabe when he opened this august House, that we should remain united and be able to celebrate our differences in a progressive manner. I would also like to call on all young people of this country to also remain resolutely behind the leadership of President
Mugabe and his Government. The youths must also know that the MDC has nothing to offer to the young people, women or anyone in this country and that there is only one party in this country led by President Mugabe, which is able to fulfill the wishes and aspirations of the people of Zimbabwe. Thank you.
- MANDIPAKA: Thank you Madam Speaker. Mine is not a
debate on this motion, I have just stood up as a follow up to the Ruling by the Speaker two days ago on the point of order that I had raised in connection with what Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga who has just gone out said in this debate.
So, I have just stood up to put the record straight that this afternoon, Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga came to me and my colleagues who are here, can confirm to that. She has apologised for having made some malicious utterances that I was employed by the Smith Regime.
So, I have accepted her apology and we forge ahead. Thank you.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: I have heard you Hon. Mandipaka
but we will allow Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga when she is back, to make a formal withdrawal to that statement.
- MUKWANGWARIWA: I move that the debate do now
adjourn.
- ANASTANCIA NDHLOVU: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Tuesday, 28th July, 2015
On the motion of MR. MUKWANGWARIWA, seconded by MS
ANASTANCIA NDHLOVU, the House adjourned at Five o’clock p.m
until Tuesday, 28th July, 2015.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Wednesday, 22nd July, 2015
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE DEPUTY SPEAKER
INVITATION TO A DIALOGUE SESSION
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: The Speaker of the National
Assembly, Advocate J. F. Mudenda is inviting all Portfolio Committee
Chairpersons, members of the Parliamentary Legal Committee and the Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs to a dialogue session on the General Laws Amendment Bill and the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Amendment Bill. The overall objective of the dialogue session is to strengthen the capacity of Members of Parliament in legislative analysis and understanding the key provisions and the constitutionality of the two Bills. Representatives of Civic Society organisations will also attend the dialogue session. The dialogue session will be held in the Jacaranda Room, Harare International Conference
Centre, starting from 0815 hours on Friday, 24th July, 2015. All
Committee Chairpersons, members of the Parliamentary Legal Committee (PLC) and members of the Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Portfolio Committee are expected to be punctual.
SUBMISSION OF E-MAIL ADDRESSES
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: I have to inform the House that all hon. members are urgently requested to submit their e-mail addresses to their respective committee clerks. This is meant to facilitate communication with all Members of Parliament on any issues which may arise from time to time.
CHANGES TO PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: I also have to inform the House that
Hon. D. S. Sibanda has been nominated to serve on the Portfolio
Committee on Foreign Affairs, in addition to the Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services and the Finance and Economic Planning.
MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: On a point of order
Madam Speaker.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: What is your point of order Hon. Misihairabwi?
MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: On a point of order
Madam Speaker. Having been so privileged that I am a niece to the President of this country, I know that he arrived at 2.00 a.m. yesterday, and the ministers are only going to have Cabinet on Thursday. We are wondering that we still do not have ministers when we know that the President is back in the country.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
- MUNENGAMI: I will preface my question and direct that question to the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Hon.
Mzembi. Hon. Minister, today it is a sad chapter in Zimbabwe in terms of sport tourism and my heart bleeds actually together with other fellow Zimbabweans who love soccer in our country, for Zimbabwe was booted out of the World Cup yesterday because of its failure to pay a mere
$67 000 to a Brazilian Coach Valinhos. What is the effect of that expulsion in terms of sport tourism in our country? Are there any chances whatsoever for Zimbabwe to be readmitted again in future competitions?
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: I think that question is for the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture.
- MUNENGAMI: Sorry, on a point of order Madam Speaker.
My question is actually on sport tourism. That is what I want the Minister to explain, not in terms of the failure by ZIFA to pay Valinhos but in terms of sports tourism because soccer attracts tourists from other countries.
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY
INDUSTRY (ENG. MZEMBI): The hon. member asked a question on
sport tourism. The technical side of it is the disqualification of
Zimbabwe which I think can be dealt with judiciously by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture. However, on sport tourism, I want to inform hon. members here that on the 30th July, 2015, I have been asked to appear before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture to give a very elaborate briefing on sport tourism. I wish not to pre-empt my presentation to the Portfolio Committee on the day.
I would invite the hon. member and other Members of Parliament who may have an interest on this subject matter to attend this hearing because I shall be very elaborate in my response, not just to this question, but to sport tourism in general. Notwithstanding that, let me assure him that the future is very bright in the area of sport tourism and I will be unveiling a few secrets in the subject that you have asked on the day. I thank you.
- MUNENGAMI: Hon. Minister, indeed you rightly said that you will appear before the committee on a later date which you actually said, but coming back to the issue of soccer and sport tourism, yes you are going to explain later but something has already happened as we speak whereby Zimbabwe has been expelled from the World Cup. What effect is that going to have in as far as sport tourism is concerned?
ENG. MZEMBI: Because the hon. member is asking and persisting on hearing the policy position on sport tourism, may I share Madam Speaker, with the hon. Member of Parliament that just the previous week, we have had a very excellent repositioning of Zimbabwe within the sport tourism global mindset when Zimbabwe repeatedly played cricket against India in matches that were watched by over two billion in audiences. This Minister actually had an opportunity to join in the commentator’s box to reposition brand Zimbabwe. So, there are a lot of positive things happening in that rehab.
With regards to sport, the hon. member will be the first to know that just last year, the Minister was accused of being a dreamer when he positioned Zimbabwe’s ambition to host World Cup 2034. I did that in the background of my own understanding that we could do it but from this side of the House, I was accused of being a dreamer. Let me restate that, that dream is achievable within the context of the now Lazarus moment of the Member of Parliament that we can do it in sport tourism. So, I will just plead with the hon. member to be patient until the 30th July, 2015 so that I do not pre-empt some of the surprises that I want to share with him.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. members, a Ford Ranger ADL
0696 is blocking other vehicles.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. L. Sibanda lost a khaki envelope with some bank cards and coupons. Would hon. members please hand over the envelope back to her?
- MARIDADI: On a point of order Madam Speaker, the flow
of debate in this House is continuously disturbed by your announcements of cars that are not parked properly in the car park. Can the Administration do something because there are so many cars that are parked there which have been parked for as long as I came to
Parliament? Those vehicles do not move, can the Administration of
Parliament ensure that the parking space is available and it is for Members of Parliament who are coming to do business? This idea of you continuing to announce cars that have been blocked is so irritating.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. member, you are out of order,
because if it is your vehicle which is blocked, you want an announcement to be made but now you are criticizing as though I am inviting those announcements. Those vehicles are yours hon. members.
- MARIDADI: I understand Madam Speaker, but the fact of
the matter is that those announcements are disrupting the debate in the House, whether it is my car or whosoever it is.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
- BEREMAURO: I would like to find out from the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education what Government policy is on regularizing the establishment of ECDs under church organisations? Despite meeting the required conditions, your ministry is denying such an establishment.
THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY
EDUCATION (DR. DOKORA): I think that the broader question is to ask: what are the conditions that must be met in order for any responsible authority to have a registered ECD centre?
Any responsible authority and that includes churches, local authorities, companies or individuals should meet the requisite requirements which include an establishment which is safe for small children. Furthermore, the conveniences for those young children should be of appropriate dimensions. By this, we refer to small size toilet seats and children should have access to safe and secure water and proof that the person in charge of that centre, on the management side and not the proprietor, should have the requisite professional educational qualifications. For further details on these requirements, they can consult any one of our district education officers. There is no prejudice as to the status of a responsible authority. What may be objected to by our line managers across the country may be to use a church facility as an ECD centre where the conveniences are not tailor-made to make it safe for children to use.
- MUZONDIWA: My question is directed to the Minister of
Public Service, Labour and Social Services. May I know the Government policy regarding the welfare of the vulnerable especially the elderly and people living with disability?
THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND
SOCIAL SERVICES (MRS. MUPFUMIRA): We have a department
of Social Welfare which is responsible for ensuring that the vulnerable are looked after. These include the elderly, orphans and people living with disabilities. Due to financial constraints, Government is unable to disburse public assistance as they would normally do but we have Provincial and District Social Welfare officers who have the responsibility of identifying the needy in the various constituencies. We assist with food and finances when available, clothing and other things including assistance with hospital fees, also subject to availability. We are all aware that Government is not able to do what it would really want to do, but we care about them and our people interface with them.
- SARUWAKA: My supplementary question is; what is your
Ministry doing to ensure that the support you are giving out goes to the right beneficiaries without being politicized. I will use an example where the rice that you spoke about, maize and bales of clothes have not been going to the intended beneficiaries. What are you doing to ensure that everyone benefits including those from the other political parties?
MRS. MUPFUMIRA: As alluded to earlier on, we have
Provincial and District Social Welfare officers whose responsibility is to look after the vulnerable regardless of political affiliation. I want to state that the Government of Zimbabwe has never purchased rice but it was a party to party donation, which has nothing to do with Government.
- CHIBAYA: Are you aware that it is actually a breach of the
Constitution not to look after the maintenance of elderly persons.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order hon. members! If you
make a lot of noise, the Minister will not understand what she is being questioned. Please, lower your whispers down – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – Hon. Munengami, this is the first time, the next time I will send you out.
- CHIBAYA: Thank you very much Madam Speaker. Hon.
Minister, are you aware that it is actually a breach of the Constitution not to look after the maintenance of the elderly persons?
MRS. MUPFUMIRA: Thank you. I am aware and I have said it
in two previous questions that my Ministry does its best under the circumstances to look after the needs of the vulnerable, including the elderly.
- MANGAMI: Thank you Madam Speaker. My question is
directed to the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education. What is the Government policy regarding the withholding of results and certificates for students who have not paid their fees?
THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY
EDUCATION (DR. DOKORA): Thank you hon. Speaker and I thank
the hon. member for raising this question. I would like all hon. members to be aware of the fact that the vicissitudes of the economy also are current in the education system. We have agreed in the sector that parents can have part payment arrangements with the school heads and their SDCs to ensure that from the first term to the end of the year, the obligations of the parent towards their children are discharged. I therefore find the question implying that we go through the year without discharging our obligations to the school, at the same time expecting the school to perform at its optimum level. It is not policy to withhold results but it is not policy not to pay and settle the levies for our children. Thank you.
- S. CHIDHAKWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. My
supplementary question hon. Minister is, the mushrooming of colleges in churches and houses everywhere is an indication that the schools are not enough. What is the Government doing to make sure schools are everywhere and children are accessing proper facilities in schools?
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: It is not a supplementary question
but I have just recognised it.
THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY
EDUCATION (DR. DOKORA): Thank you Madam Speaker for
pointing out that words have meaning so that I can deal with the question as a substantive one. The Ministry in 2013 undertook an infrastructure conference where we marked out the exact needs of our nation in terms of school infrastructure and sites for new schools. It is common knowledge and I have spoken on the floor of this House to the effect that the cumulative total that we have as a deficit or debt to our people to this country amounts to 2 056 schools.
After we received a Cabinet Authority to proceed, we have since February this year, started to look for the joint venture partnerships so that we can use private capital, Government participation to approximate the delivery of these school institutions. To that extent, I am happy to indicate to the National Assembly that I am expecting within the next few weeks to be able to begin conclusive contractual arrangements with the private entities that have indicated their willingness to begin the journey of delivery on this school delivery programme. Thank you.
*MS. MAHIYA: Thank you Madam President. My question is directed to the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry. I would want to know what the Government has put in place in considering areas that were once populated by wild animals but they are no longer there, for example Gokwe Gumunyu Area 2 in Gokwe North. What plans do you have as a Government?
*THE MINISTER OF TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY
INDUSTRY (ENG. MZEMBI): Thank you. The question that was asked is a pertinent question because the areas that were once infested by animals are now inhabited by people. The way our country is set up is that it has five natural regions; region one to five. When you get to natural regions three, four and five, those are areas that do not have arable land for farming. There are lots of forests and mountains. So, those areas can only do well with wild animals. Our plans are that we reclaim this land and give our animals a right to resettlement because people are resettled and the animals also have a right to resettlement.
Our plan is that conservancies should be created. Those conservancies are not there naturally but they were created. So, we want those areas to be supported and have conservancies where wild animals can be kept. Where there are so many animals, we can actually take them to the areas that you mentioned. We also need a model whereby the animals and the people can live together harmoniously, so 10% of the area in Zimbabwe can actually be created into conservancies. We want to create these conservancies; we should not fight for those that are available but we should increase them so that we can share and have full ownership.
*MR. MURAI: Thank you Madam Speaker. My supplementary question is on the issue of wild animals. I do not know what the law says concerning animals that will have moved from their area of inhabitance. As we speak, we have lions in areas such as Bambazonke, Masase and Bikita. As it is Madam Speaker, a person was attacked and eaten by lions in Zaka. I do not know what policy says such animals should leave their territories to affect the lives of the humans. Thank you.
*ENG. MZEMBI: Madam Speaker, the supplementary question is good but I think it requires the presence of Minister Muchinguri
Kashiri, she is the one who will be able to clarify issues on this matter. In my Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, we market the country in terms of tourism of those wild animals.
My suggestion is that you put your question in writing so that I can give it to her in Cabinet tomorrow since I sit next to her. I will advise her that the question should be addressed next week. Thank you.
- KEREKE: My question is directed to the Minister of Finance and Economic Development but I would like to seek the indulgence of the House to prefix it.
It is a fact that there are critical areas in Government that do not have funding, examples of which are Parliament that has quite extensive arrears and the National Prosecuting Authority is literally grinding to a halt. My question is - firstly, what is Government policy with regards to the in duplum rule when repaying loans?
Secondly, what is the policy reason why Meikles, as a creditor, was paid over US$50 million even before the law had been passed on the RBZ debt take-over?
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT (MR. CHINAMASA): Thank you Madam
Speaker, the hon. member asked two questions. The first question has to do with the in duplum rule and my answer is that Government … -
[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] –
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order hon. members, you are
making a lot of noise.
- CHINAMASA: With respect to the in duplum rule, my
answer is, Government respects the law of the land as interpreted by the courts. Therefore, we will ensure that it complies with the in duplum rule to the extent that it applies.
With respect to the Meikles issue, I wish the hon. member could put his question in writing so that I can investigate the circumstances and be able to give him a more detailed answer. I thank you.
*MR. CHAMISA: My question is directed to Hon. Mupfumira,
the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Services but before I ask that question I want to thank Parliament of Zimbabwe, especially you Madam Speaker, for the Bibles that you allowed to come into this institution because there are some who believe that it is only traditionalism that work. The Bible is the only asset that is adequate here. So, I want to thank you for the Bibles.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order hon. member, may you
please get to the point because a lot of hon. members would also like to pose their questions.
- CHAMISA: My question is directed to Hon. Mupfumira, our Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Services. Hon. Mupfumira, we have just seen the recent pronouncements of our Supreme Court of the country as regards the law relating to Labour
Relations. – [AN HON. MEMBER: Inaudible interjections] –
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order hon. members, who is that one? – [HON. MEMBERS: Ndi Zhou! ndi Zhou!] –
- CHAMISA: My question to the hon. Minister is that, in light of the recently pronounced position that Section 12(4) allows employers to terminate a contract on notice of three months. Is
Government considering to make any amendments concerning …
- HOLDER: On a point of order Madam Speaker. I think it is unfair if we start interfering in court processes here, he was representing that case and now he is bringing it to Parliament yet it was just in the Constitutional Court.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order the hon. member is a Member of Parliament even though he is a lawyer, he is allowed to ask questions. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] –
- CHAMISA: Minister Mupfumira, is Government
considering to make any policy changes to cushion the workers, particularly in light of that position vis-a-vis the common law in our country?
THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND SOCIAL SERVICES (MRS. MUPFUMIRA): I want to thank the hon. member for the question. Yes, Government as a concerned and responsible authority and part of the tripartite negotiating forum, has noted with concern the judgment passed by the Supreme Court.
We have started consultations with the tripartite members to actually understand the ruling and the way forward. As it is, it gives the employers almost a master/servant relationship whereby the worker can be summarily given notice.
At the moment, we are looking at the Labour laws and certain aspects were left out in the current Labour Act, some regulations in 1985. We are looking at those with a view to ensuring that the rights of the worker and the employers are protected. We want a win/win situation when we are talking about tripartism, it is equality not that one is master of the other one. The judgment is being reviewed by the Attorney-General and other legal departments within Government and we will come up with a position shortly.
- CHIBAYA: I want to thank the Minister for the response and also the hon. member, Hon. Chamisa. Hon. Minister, we already have over 700 employees whose employment has actually been terminated because of the ruling. So, what are you going to do as a Ministry to those employees who were affected by that ruling?
MRS. MUPFUMIRA: I want to thank the hon. member. As I said, we called for an urgent TNF meeting yesterday. All the issues were presented, we are consulting and remedial action of fairness will be taken. These issues are being attended to. We are consulting – [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] -.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order hon. members. If we
continue taking supplementary questions I do not think we will get anywhere. We will continue going round and round with one person.
- D. SIBANDA: Thank you very much Madam Speaker. Hon. Minister, if plans are there, why is it taking long for the Ministry to bring the amendments to this august House?
MRS. MUPFUMIRA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I want to thank the hon. member. Labour revolves around social dialogue and tripartism. We have already started the process of reforming the labour law. The draft is being considered by the tripartite members. Whilst we were reviewing it, that is when this judgment came, so obviously in our reforms we are going to look at all the implications of the judgments as well as any other amendments to the law. I thank you.
- MUNENGAMI: On a point of order Madam Speaker. I
think this issue is a serious issue. In actual fact, I think if we had time this is the issue which we really need to be thorough with because as we speak right now, workers have been affected. If the Minister can try to make sure that at least we thoroughly discuss this issue so that at the end of the day we are seen out there as doing something. Thank you Madam
Speaker – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] -.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Are you saying all these other questions are not serious? – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] –.
- MUNENGAMI: Some of the workers have been dismissed and as we speak right now, Pelhams has dismissed workers and TN Holdings has actually fired people – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible
interjections] -.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order. Hon. member we
cannot solve things here.
*HON. MATANGIRA: My question is directed to the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation development. Hon. Zhanda is in the House. We are saying the country is insecure in terms of food security. I want to find out where we are right now in terms of preparation for the 2015-2016 summer farming season. What has been done so far? I thank you.
*THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE
(LIVESTOCK) (MR. ZHANDA): Thank you Madam Speaker. I thank Hon. Matangira for that question concerning Government measures concerning the farming agricultural season that is approaching. We all know that we are facing financial challenges, so what the Government has done is that it has realised that it is important for the farmers themselves - Hon. Speaker, if I may go back to speaking in English. When people applied for land one of the conditions was that one would attach…
- MATANGIRA: On a point of order Madam Speaker – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] -. The questions that we ask here in Parliament are not meant for us Parliamentarians, they are meant for the constituencies, meaning the people who elected us. The reason why ZBC is in this House today is for the people to hear – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] -. My response is that he responds to the question using vernacular so that the people out there can understand and hear for themselves.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: The Hon. Minister asked for permission to speak in English and I think we have been speaking in English nearly every day, so if he is prepared to answer in English please, leave him to answer the question.
- ZHANDA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I was saying when people applied for land allocation, one of the conditions which was attached to that application, especially A2 farmers, was that they must attach and exhibit the financial resources to carry all the activities on the farm and most of them did that to prove that they had the financial muscle and resources to carry out activities at the farm when they are allocated land and I want to believe that Hon. Matangira is one of them. Except in A1 and A2 farms where it is recognised that those farmers will continue to want Government support, hence the Presidential Input Scheme which has always been availed every year.
Government expects A2 farmers to borrow from their banks, also to enter into contractual obligations with contractors who contract A2 farmers for the growing of various crops. Therefore, it is unfair for A2 farmers to continue to look at Government for support especially with the fiscal space limited as it is. I thank you.
*MR. MATANGIRA: My supplementary question is, we are not saying that a person should go in his own personal capacity, what I want to know is as a Government, what are we saying about the farmers in the rural areas. It is not about borrowing money because we have title deeds but we are saying the whites who are farming in Zambia are farming on land that is owned by the Zambians who have the title deeds. Why can we not do the same? We are saying if a person has cattle, why not use that as collateral for that person to engage in farming with the bank?
Thank you
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE
(LIVESTOCK) (MR. ZHANDA): I want to thank the hon. member for
his question but it does not follow that if he insures his livestock that will guarantee him access to finance. I would also like to give advice to the farmers that at the moment, the cost of borrowing as well, at the end of the day does not render the issue of viability, if one borrows a 23% and 25%. Therefore, if Hon. Matangira and other farmers who feel have the livestock, my advice is that they should unlock value in their livestock by selling them and buy fertilizers.
One of the issues that Government is also looking at is the issue of capitalization for Agri-bank. I am sure the Minister of Finance and Economic Development will concur with me that it is very high on the agenda on how to capitalize Agri-bank in order for farmers to access borrowing from the bank. I thank you.
*MR. ZWIZWAI: Thank you Madam Speaker for the opportunity
that you have given me to pose a question. My question is directed to the Deputy Minister of Energy and Power Development, Hon. T. Muzenda. The issue of load shedding is on the increase and it is mostly affecting the wheat farmers because they cannot draw water from the dams for irrigation. So, I would like to know what the Ministry is doing to ensure that the winter wheat farmers as well as most of the industries that require electricity are not disturbed in order for us to improve on our economy. There are power stations in Hwange and Kariba, what are they doing to ensure that electricity is available, especially considering the issue of winter wheat ploughing? Thank you.
*THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF ENERGY AND POWER
DEVELOPMENT (MS. MUZENDA): I want to thank the hon.
member who has posed that question on the issue of the shortage of electricity here and there. However, there are some areas where the service is good, we are trying by all means as a Ministry and Government to improve on that.
He has asked about the power stations in Hwange and Kariba in terms of their production. I would want to advise him that in the last period, everyday the situation is improving. In reference to the paper that I have here, I have realised that the power station in Hwange is doing well but here and there, there are shortages. The megawatts which have currently been produced by Hwange is 589. Above that, we expect 750 megawatts, so we have a deficit of 161megawatts as of today.
In Kariba, currently, we are getting 709 megawatts, available capacity is 750 megawatts and the deficit is only -41 because we are trying to restructure new units. We are also looking forward to the power in Bulawayo, Munyati and Harare, they need to be restructured as well. In Harare, the funding is already available whilst in Bulawayo negotiations are still underway between the Government of India and Zimbabwe but we are expecting that in the next 2 months, before year end, all will be in place – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear] –
*MS. R. MPOFU: Thank you Madam Speaker. I will speak in
Shona for my Minister to get a clear understanding of what I want to ask
– [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-
*MR. CHAMISA: Madam Speaker, my point of order concerns
the words of intimidation that are unparliamentary that were used by Minister Nyoni. They were intimidating the hon. member who was about to debate. She should be allowed to debate in a language that she is comfortable with. Thank you.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order, order! Hon.
Misihairabwi-Mushonga, I will name you and you will go out because you have been talking on top of everyone. You have to behave like a Member of Parliament. – [HON. MEMBERs: Inaudible interjections.] -
Order, order hon. members let us have order here. Order! Hon, R.
Mpofu, you are free to ask in any language you feel like using.
+MRS. R. MPOFU: My question is directed to the Minister of Lands or his Deputy can answer me. What is the Government policy……
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: The Minister is not in.
+MRS. R. MPOFU: Can Hon. Minister Zhanda help me?
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Minister Zhanda does not
allocate land, he only looks at issues about the farmers.
- MATANGIRA: On a point of order. This House is not supposed to be tribal. I am born and bred in Mozambique, if I want to speak in Ndebele, I will speak in Ndebele and if I want to speak in
Shona I will do so. The people that harass this girl here, it is not right. –
[HON. MEMBERs: Inaudible interjections.] –
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order! Order! Hon. Zwizwai, I
will be forced to throw you out.
MRS. KWARAMBA: Thank you Madam Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of War Veterans, Hon. Mutsvangwa. You came here and you gave a Ministerial Statement concerning the welfare of the war veterans. You mentioned that you were allocated very little money. My question is, the little money that you were given, when will this money be deposited in our accounts because people in our constituencies want to know. I thank you.
THE MINISTER OF WELFARE SERVICES FOR WAR
VETERANS, WAR COLLABORATORS, FORMER POLITICAL DETAINEES AND RESTRICTEES (MR. MUTSWANGWA):
Thank you Madam Speaker. I thank the hon. member for the question.
Yes indeed, we received US$3 million from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and as I mentioned, this money was given but we needed about US$19 million. We were only given US$3 million.
We were supposed to have been given US$19 million since 2013 when the war veterans last got money to pay school fees for their children. This US$3 million is paltry. We have already started issuing this money to the banks. If there are others who have not received this money, it is because the money has run out. We have distributed it to the banks. I will continue to engage the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development to ensure that they keep on allocating more money so that the war veterans’ children can access school fees because it is not adequate. I thank you.
- NDEBELE: Thank you for recognising me Madam Speaker. I remember when I was growing up that the first black person that bought the largest shoe company in Matebeleland had a letter of guarantee from this very Government. We celebrated that in our naivety but a day later, that gentleman was asset striping. He was selling machinery from that company. My belief is, if he had a Government letter of guarantee, there is no way he could have acted outside his agreement with the Government. In that respect Madam Speaker, this Government is pursuing a policy of frustrating development in
Matebeleland….
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: What is your question hon. member?
- NDEBELE: I am getting there; everyone was allowed to prefix their questions.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, hon. member, this is
question and answer session and I want you to ask the question to the Minister that you want.
- NDEBELE: I am prefixing the question.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: No, get straight to your
question, what is your question?
- NDEBELE: Madam Speaker, pursuant to that, Government remains adamant in the face of calls to revamp indigenisation laws that are still frustrating foreign direct investment into Matebeleland. Madam
Speaker, this very Government sent the former Minister of Home Affairs to negotiate with his South African counterpart that the children of
Zimbabwe mainly from Matebeleland…
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order Hon. Ndebele.
- CHINOTIMBA: On a point of order! My point of order Madam Speaker is that the hon. member is not posing his question, he is debating. He should be direct and pose his question. We are not debating, he should ask the question.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: I have accepted Hon.
Chinotimba’s point of order and I am going to remind the Member of Parliament that if you are want to ask the Minister a policy question, please do so.
- NDEBELE: Madam Speaker, my question is directed to the
Minister of Finance and Economic Development. When is this Government going to stop pursuing separatist policies when it comes to the treatment of Matebeleland?
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT (MR. CHINAMASA): Thank you hon. Speaker. I
did not get the question well.
- NDEBELE: Madam Speaker. At the distribution of
resources in any country are the pertinent questions - why, how, what when and where. When is our Government going to stop pursuing separatist policies in the distribution of resources, particularly with reference to Matebeleland?
- CHINAMASA: Madam Speaker, I still do not understand the import of the question. I do not know whether the hon. member wants us to discriminate against Matebeleland. His use of the word separatism, I do not know what its import is. The point is that,
Government treats all parts of Zimbabwe equally – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – when we deploy resources as Government, we do not discriminate against any part of the country.
If anything, we may seek to favour those regions which have been marginalized in the past as part of affirmative action. However, I want to assure this House that we do not discriminate against any part of the country in terms of deployment of resources. I thank you.
*MR. ZWIZWAI: My supplementary question Madam Speaker is that, in giving his response, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development mentioned that in terms of allocation of resources, he allocates to areas that were marginalised. We want to know who had marginalised these areas because we have one Government since 1980.
- CHINAMASA: VaZwizwai, you are aware that during the colonial Government, there were areas that were marginalised and now they have roads. There were areas which did not have schools and now have schools. There were also areas where there were no clinics, but now they are there. You know that it was the colonial Government that did not care about the ordinary black person.
- D. SIBANDA: Madam Speaker, I think it is unparliamentary for the Minister to address the hon. member as VaZwizwai, can we be addressed as honourable.
*MR. CHINAMASA: Madam Speaker, the word honourable is English. In terms of respecting Hon. Zwizwai using the Shona language, I call him VaZwizwai. Therefore, it is respectable in our Shona language. Thank you.
- J. MHLANGA: Thank you Madam Speaker Maâm. My
question is directed to the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education. Hon. Minister, is it Government Policy that School Heads should have a teaching class, especially in rural areas, given that he also has to do some administrative work? If so, is this not a disadvantage to these particular classes? Thank you.
THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY
EDUCATION (DR. DOKORA): Thank you Madam Speaker. I thank
the hon. member for raising this question to assist us all to clarify the eventuality in which we might find a school head with a teaching load.
The allocation of teachers to a school is based on a ratio – [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections].
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order hon. members. You
have asked a question and the Minister wants to be heard in silence.
- DOKORA: The allocation of teachers to a school is based on a ratio and the ratio proceeds as follows; at the infant school level, that is the Early Childhood Development (ECD) to Grade – [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. members what is your
problem? The hon. Minister is responding and you are busy making noise in the House. May he be heard in silence!
- DOKORA: I was illustrating the fact that the allocation of teachers to a school is based on a teacher- pupil ratio. At the infant school level, we start off with the Early Childhood Development
Module; it is one teacher to 20 pupils. From Grade 3 all the way to Grade 7, it is one teacher to 40 pupils. It is in a lower secondary level as well as Form 1 to Form 4, that similar proportion is pursued in the allocation of teachers.
At Form 5 to 6 levels, that ratio drops to 1 teacher to 25 students, to allow for the greater detail and attention to individual needs at that level. What then happens is that when a school has a total enrolment of say 130 pupils, you then see as a primary school, say how many are in the ECD, how many are in the junior school segment of that school and then teachers are allocated to us by the Public Service Commission. It may very well be that some of the small schools do not command a sufficient enrolment; therefore, it will lead to the head of that station to also assume some teaching function in order to close that gap. I thank you.
- CHIKWAMA: Madam Speaker Ma’am, I move that time
for Questions Without Notice be extended by ten minutes.
- ZWIZWAI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
MRS. MNANGAGWA: Madam Speaker, My question is
directed to the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation
Development. The Brazilian equipment that came was allocated to the intended A1 farmers. Now, when is the equipment going to be dispatched so that they get prepared for this agricultural season that we are now facing?
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE
(LIVESTOCK) (MR. ZHANDA): Thank you Madam Speaker. I want
to thank the hon. member for the question. I am aware that the distribution has already started. What I cannot give the member is the exact figures as to what has already been distributed and what is outstanding. As a Ministry, we are aware that the equipment must be at the farms as quickly as possible. Probably, the delays might be caused by certain logistical issues but I know that the distribution is in progress.
I thank you.
+MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: Thank you Madam
Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Finance and
Economic Development, Mr. Chinamasa. ….
- WADYAJENA: On a point of order Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker, you are giving too much time to the opposition -[HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, order Hon. Zwizwai.
What is your point of order Hon. Wadyajena? -[HON. MEMBERS:
Inaudible interjections]- Hon. Wadyajena, address the Chair.
- WADYAJENA: We raised this concern last week. If you look at it Madam Speaker, the revolutionary party must have at least ….
-[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, order hon. members!
Order, order hon. members on my left side! -[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]- Order hon. members! May I take this opportunity to advise the House that, according to the Standing Rules and Orders of this Parliament, they have not yet brought the amendment in our regulation book. So, we will be waiting for the statistics that they will give us on this matter. So on this session, we will remain at the judgment of the Speaker.
So, Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga, continue with your question. [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]- Order hon. members! Order Hon. Matangira. Can we allow Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga to ask her question?
MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: Ndichakurova ….. no,
no, no, I think you have gone too far.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Misihairabwi-
Mushonga, I will not allow you to continue with the question if you conduct in that behaviour. Order, order hon. members.
Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga I have given you the opportunity to speak to me as the Chair and ask the Minister a question.
+MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: I am directing my
question to the Minister of Finance and Economic Development. What is Government saying on its policy of allowing second hand underwear into the country, particularly for females? I have brought the exhibits with me here. How is Government going to rectify this matter because this underwear can infect you with diseases if you put them on? I thank you.
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT (MR. CHINAMASA): Madam Speaker, I want to
thank the hon. member for her question. She could have made the same point without having to give exhibits. I understand her concern which is that, we are allowing used clothes which have unhealthy implications on our population. I agree with her and I will see whether in the Mid-Term Review Statement next week, I can make an intervention to ban such material. I thank you.
After Minister Chinamasa’s answer, Mrs. Misihairabwi-Mushonga
placed a small plastic packet of the ladies underwear on the table in front of Minister Chinamasa. She straight away proceeded to where Mr.
Wadyajena was sitting (in the front row where Ministers sit)
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Misihairabwi-
Mushonga; Sergeant-At-Arms, can you escort her out of the House? [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]- Order, order hon. members!
Mrs. Misihairabwi-Mushonga was escorted out of the House by the
Serjeant-At-Arms. -[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, order! I will not
hesitate to throw people out of this House if you continue with this behaviour. Order, I have recognised Hon. Sibanda. -[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]- Order hon. members. Can you please take your seats?
- MAONDERA: My point of order is that we have extended
Questions Without Notice and the time is up. – [HON MEMBERS:
Inaudible interjections] –
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: I will not allow anyone to
direct my job here. The hon. member in question crossed the floor to the right from the left which was a breach of Parliament’s Standing Rules and Orders. That is why I booted her out. Order! Order! I will not entertain any point of orders at this juncture.
Questions Without Notice were interrupted by THE
TEMPORARY SPEAKER in terms of Standing Order Number 34.
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER
NON-ADVERSE REPORT RECEIVED FROM THE
PARLIAMENTARY LEGAL COMMITTEE
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: I have received Non-Adverse
Reports from the Parliamentary Legal Committee on the following:
- Criminal Procedure and Evidence Bill [H. B. 2, 2015].
- Joint Ventures Bill 2015 [H.B. 4, 2015]
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE
AVAILABILITY OF LOCAL BROADCASTING SERVICES IN
AREAS FROM MWENEZI RIVER, LIMPOPO RIVER INCLUDING
SENGWE COMMUNAL LANDS
- MR GWANETSA asked the Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services to inform the House when local broadcasting services will be made available to the population living in the southern part of Zimbabwe, particularly the area from Mwenezi River
(Chikombedzi) down to the Limpopo River, including Sengwe Communal Lands near the Mozambican boarder since these areas continue to have no radio reception 35 years after independence?
THE ACTING MINISTER OF INFORMATION, MEDIA
AND BROADCASTING SERVICES (SENATOR MUPFUMIRA):
Madam Speaker, my Ministry would like to assure this august House and Hon. Gwanetsa’s constituency in particular, that all things being equal, many disadvantaged areas without broadcasting services will begin to enjoy these services by the end of the year at the earliest, and by March 2016 at the latest. The timeframe is informed by the progress we are making in the process of migrating from analogue television broadcasting to digital television broadcasting. I am sure, that most, if not all hon. members of the House, recall my Ministry’s submissions to the House regarding the country’s digitalisation programme presented by my predecessors.
The Zimbabwe Digital Broadcasting Migration Project commenced in February this year following the signing of a contract between the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) and Huawei
Technologies of China and this was pursuant to the Memorandum of
Understanding signed between the Honourable Minister of Finance, Mr.
Patrick Chinamasa and Huawei Technologies during the historic visit to
China by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde R. G. Mugabe, in August last year. Apart from addressing the issue of digital television broadcasting migration, the Zimbabwe Digital Broadcasting Migration Project is also providing a solution to the challenges that the broadcasting sector in Zimbabwe has faced over the years due to lack of capital re-investment in the country’s broadcasting infrastructure. In this regard and through this Project, the country’s FM radio transmission network is also being revamped in order to improve the reception of radio services in all parts of the country. Assuming there are no inordinate interruptions in the implementation matrix of this Project, the digitalisation project must be completed within the timeframe I have indicated in my opening remarks.
Madam Speaker, hon. members may be pleased to note the progress we have registered to date as follows:
- Identification of the required additional 24 transmitter sites has been completed; ii.Civil works on 11 out of 17 new transmitter sites has been completed; iii.Tower foundation works on six new transmitter sites has commenced; iv. Seven out of the eight required transmitter equipment room expansion have been completed;
- Five out of the six transmitter site de-installation has been completed; vi.Thirty eight out of the 44 transmitter site power installation and upgrade have been completed; vii.Civil works for the Satellite uplink have been completed; viii.Head-end equipment is being installed as I speak; and ix. Digital equipment worth US$7.2m has been received in the country.
There is considerable progress taking place on the ground. When the project is completed, it will provide Zimbabwe with a state of the art platform for the delivery of broadcasting services in the country, increased capacity for the provision of more television services to the Zimbabwean public, improved access to radio and television services across the country in support of ZIM ASSET and an opportunity for the growth of the local arts industry.
To make sure that universal access will be achieved, our engineers have used technology software planning tools to identify the specific location of transmitter sites for maximum coverage of the whole country. They were also able to pinpoint coverage gaps arising from the nature of the country’s geographical terrain and the solution will be to deploy transmitters in those areas to fill the gaps.
Indeed coverage gaps were identified in Chikombedzi and
Chipinge along the border areas. Two transmitter sites at Bakasa and
Matopo were found to be redundant and have been relocated to Chikombedzi and Chipinge as gap fillers. The point I am making is that the national digital broadcasting migration project is being implemented with the principle of universal access of broadcasting services to all Zimbabweans wherever they reside in mind. The contractor is obligated to put in place a transmission network with coverage such as would ensure universal access of broadcasting services to Zimbabwean by the completion date.
Madam Speaker, the problem of poor or lack of broadcasting services in Hon. Gwanetsa’s constituency is being addressed, if not by the end of this year as I have said, then certainly by the first quarter of 2016. I, therefore, plead with hon. members to bear with us in this interim as we work flat out to complete the digital migration project.
With your permission, may I also tender the same response to address a similar question raised by Hon. Nleya. The hon. member is concerned about the poor broadcasting services in parts of southwest Zimbabwe, particularly Bulilima West Constituency. May the hon.
member rest assured that the primary digital transmission infrastructure for broadcasting services we are carrying out will resolve the problems currently being experienced in his Constituency within the same timeframe as with the Project completion date, if not earlier, since the roll-out transmitter infrastructure programme starts from the periphery along the country’s border areas and moving inwards. My Ministry has promised the House regular updates on the Digital Migration Project and we shall be coming back from time to time with status reports. I thank you.
UPDATE ON PROGRESS MADE TOWARDS ACHIEVEMENT OF
SET TARGETS IN THE ZIM ASSET
- MS. CHIRISA asked the Minister of Finance and Economic Development to give an update on the progress made towards the achievement of targets set in the ZIM ASSET Blue Print?
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT (MR. CHINAMASA):
Honourable members, as you may all be aware, the ZIMASSET framework covers a number of issues across well defined clusters.
We need reliable infrastructure and a strong production base in order to achieve sustainable development.
Further, confidence in the financial services sector is central to the achievement of the ZIM ASSET goals. The financial system plays an important intermediary role that involves mobilizing domestic resources and efficiently channeling them into productive activities. Further, financial sector confidence is enhanced when the Central Bank is empowered to play its proper role.
With this background, I will highlight the major developments.
Infrastructure and Utilities
We have seen some interests in the areas of renewable energy, thermal power generation plants, rehabilitation of railway infrastructure and construction of dams and water reservoirs. Some of the projects currently on our radar include:
Kariba South Hydro Extension and repowering of Harare Thermal Power Station that have been completed.
Increasing power generation capacity at Hwange. The power generation capacity has since been increased to 690MW from 450MW.
Four mini hydro schemes have been initiated although only Pungwe B is currently generating electricity.
Various road rehabilitation projects have since been undertaken country wide.
NetOne has since secured funding for the expansion of its network.
Food Security and Nutrition
We continue to explore ways of enhancing productivity in the agricultural sector. Government is currently rolling out a mechanisation programme targeting the small scale farmers with a view to raising productivity under the “More Food International Programme” with the assistance of the Federal Republic of Brazil.
We have also been promoting investment in irrigation and water supply infrastructure in order to raise productivity in the local communities. Investing in irrigation infrastructure will go a long way in addressing the adverse effects of the climate change and also enhance productivity in the agricultural sector.
Value Addition and Beneficiation
We see huge value addition and beneficiation opportunities in agroprocessing and mining industries in the country.
Reasonable progress has been made in the mining sector to promote value addition in platinum in particular. Some platinum producers are in the process of submitting to Government their plans for the establishment of refineries.
A lot of work has gone into the area of diamond cutting and polishing where various models are being explored.
Social Services and Poverty Eradication
Our budget remains very sensitive to the social services sectors such as health, education and agriculture among others. We are also working with the Development Partners to ensure that these sectors are “fully funded”.
Servicing of high and medium density suburb stands in Bulawayo and Harare has also been done.
Restoring confidence in the Financial Sector
We have also taken action to restore confidence in the financial sector through recapitalizing the Reserve Bank, establishing the Zimbabwe Asset Management Company (ZAMCO), demonetising the local currency and resuscitating the interbank market activities.
Recapitalising the Reserve Bank will enhance its ability to supervise the banking sector and assume its central banking functions which are crucial for the financial sector stability.
ZAMCO will help free the banking system from the burden of high non-performing loans that limit the bank’s ability to extend credit to the private sector and keep the cost of credit high.
The demonetisation process that started on the 15th of June will run up to the 30th of September 2015. A total of US$20m has been mobilized for this exercise. This is an important step in our pursuit to restore market confidence.
International Re-engagement
Addressing the country’s external debt is a key focus area. We are stepping up our efforts to build consensus among all development partners on ways to address our arrears that continue to limit our ability to participate on the international financial markets. The arrears have had a negative effect on Zimbabwe’s ability to raise cheap international debt and also access concessional funding from the Development Financial Institutions.
Government established a Debt Management Office in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development that is responsible for coordinating all the public debt related issues. The office has so far created a database, is in the process of reconciling the debt figures and has developed a Debt Resolution Strategy that we have since shared with the creditors.
We have also been running a Staff Monitored Programme (SMP) with the assistance of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). We met all quantitative targets and structural benchmarks for the reviews done to date since the first programme.
Efforts to enhance credibility
Exports, inward foreign investment, diaspora remittances, loans and grants or aid are among the main sources of liquidity.
A number of initiatives have been implemented in order to promote liquidity, for instance, restoring banking sector confidence, promoting exports – Cabinet on the 4th of June 2015 approved the temporary lifting of the ban on the export of chrome ore and chrome fines, centralisation of gold buying by Fidelity Printers and Refineries among others. Gold deliveries have improved significantly.
Ease of doing business
Currentl, efforts are underway to address both the cost and ease of doing business in the country. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce is championing our efforts to enhance the country’s competitiveness.
According to the World Economic Forum (2015), Zimbabwe’s Global Competitiveness Index improved from 131 to 124.
We are working on the legislation to establish Special Economic Zones (SEZ). This is a vital step towards implementing the SEZ.
The Joint Ventures Bill is now before Parliament. This will help reduce pressure on Government as it will allow for Joint Venture
Partnerships and opportunities to leverage on private sector financing.
IMPLEMENTATION OF MEGA DEALS SIGNED BETWEEN THE
ZIMBABWE GOVERNMENT, CHINA AND RUSSIA
- MR. D. TSHUMA asked the Minister of Finance and Economic Development to explain whether in view of the recently signed deals between the Zimbabwe Government, China and Russia, the Ministry has come up with short to medium term strategies to facilitate implementation of the mega deals and resuscitate the economy?
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT (MR. CHINAMASA): Madam Speaker,
Government of Zimbabwe is in the process of implementing the signed mega deals with China and Russia.
However, background work is required prior to the implementation of any project. A snapshot of the stages that have to be followed is as follows;
- Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.
- Conducting pre-feasibility and feasibility study.
- Conducting Environmental Impact Assessment Studies (EIAS).
- Appraisal of feasibility reports.
- Carry out due diligence exercises by both parties.
- Signing of loan agreements.
- Release of funds.
- Project implementation.
Madam Speaker, allow me now to turn to the economic cooperation between Government of Zimbabwe and the Peoples Republic of China. A number of projects are at various stages of implementation. I will highlight some of the major projects.
Kariba South Hydro Power Station Extension Project
Madam Speaker, in the energy sector, Government and China
Exim Bank signed a US$319.5 million Preferential Buyer’s Credit Loan Agreement for Kariba Sought Hydro Power Station Extension Project on 11th November, 2013.
Two generating units of 150 megawatts each, giving a total of 300 megawatts, will be added at Kariba South Hydro Power Station. The target project completion date is 2017. This project is currently implemented by Sinohydro Corporation. To date, a total of US$100.4 million has been disbursed.
Hwange Thermal Power Station Expansion
Madam Speaker, the Government of Zimbabwe is currently negotiating with China Export and Credit Insurance Corporation for US$1.3 billion financing of Hwange 7 and 8. The project will add an additional 600 megawatts to the national grid.
Net One Network Expansion Phase 11 Project
Government and China Exim Bank signed a Concessional Loan Agreement to provide funding of up to US$218.9 million for the implementation of NetOne network expansion Phase 11 project on 25th August, 2014. To date, a total of US$65 million has been disbursed.
Upgrading of the Victoria Falls International Airport Project
A facility amounting to RMBI (Chinese currency) 1.025 billion which translates to approximately US$150 was secured for the purposes of developing the Victoria Falls International Airport. Cumulative disbursements to date are US$79.9 million.
Other projects
The development and rehabilitation of the City of Harare Municipal Water and Sewage Treatment Works of US$140.2 and the medical equipment supplies, US$89.9 million are progressing well. Cumulative disbursements to date are US$68.6 million and US$71.9 million respectively.
Economic cooperation between Government of Zimbabwe and
Russian Federation
The Government of Zimbabwe and Russia signed an agreement on cooperation in the implementation of the Darwendale Platinum Group Metals Deposit on 16th September, 2014. Subsequent to that, His Excellency, the President launched the Darwendale Platinum Project and Brook Metal Deposit Project on the same day.
The project is in three phases and is as follows;
- Phase 1: 2014 – 2017
- Phase 2: 2018 – 2021
- Phase 3: 2022 – 2024
Phase 1
With respect to the first phase Madam Speaker. The first phase involves exploration and designs among the preliminary works. The initial annual platinum group of metals concentrate production is estimated at 265 000 ounces with an estimated capital outlay of US$550 million.
The project is currently underway with over, 40 000 metres of exploration having been covered to date.
Phase 2
The production and capital investment targets for the second phase are 500 000 ounces and it will cost US$770 million dollars respectively.
Phase 3
Production is expected to increase to at least 790 000 ounce. An additional investment of US$460 million will be made during this phase.
I thank you Madam Speaker.
- D. TSHUMA: While I agree to what the Minister is saying, I think those are mega deals which are long term in nature. I am very much interested in the short term measures that will reboot and kick start the economy. What is the Government doing to resuscitate the economy as of now?
- CHINAMASA: The hon. member asked progress on ZIMASSET, I have given them. The ZIMASSET projects are primarily addressing issues of infrastructure. We have to close the infrastructure gap. In this respect, the priority infrastructure is power generation seconded of course by road construction, dualisation, water and sanitation, ICT infrastructure and so forth. With respect to other aspects to do with support to the productive sector, currently we are engaging various multilateral and bilateral financial institutions in order to secure lines of credit to the productive sectors. But Zimbabwe, for the reasons that we all know, the sanctions and so forth, we are unable to have access to the capital markets. We are encouraging the commercial banks to secure lines of credits for their clients.
- GABBUZA: May I know from the Minister how Government is ensuring that our very capable local companies are benefiting or are going to benefit from some of the scope of works of these projects.
- CHINAMASA: Madam Speaker, I can speak more
authoritatively about the Kariba South Extension. There have been a lot of local contractors, contracted to supply materials for the construction of that project, in particular, river sand, it is supplied by local companies. Anything that can be locally produced has to be sourced locally but of course equipment is manufactured in the Peoples Republic of China but everything else that can be sourced locally, is being procured locally to the benefit of local suppliers.
- CHIMANIKIRE: Madam Speaker, from the Auditor
General’s Report, Grain Marketing Board failed to raise a deposit in order to secure US$51 million loan. Can you appraise the House as to what percentage does the Government of Zimbabwe has to raise as a deposit to any loan agreement before they can secure it? Thank you.
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT MR. CHINAMASA): I think it is very clear that we are digressing from the question. The question was on mega deals, now the supplementary question is talking about GMB. Madam Speaker, at the moment you need to be more specific. For instance, if you are talking about the mega deals that I have talked about Kariba South, Victoria Falls International Airport is 100% a loan, no equity, no contribution from our part apart from the fact that we are under obligation to repay the loan plus interest.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. member, I will advise
you to put your question in writing so that his Ministry can also get into the details of the GMB issue.
DOUBLE TAXATION FOR DIESEL GENERATORS AT MINING
COMPANIES BY ZERA AND EMA
- MR. MUDARIKWA asked the Minister of Finance and Economic Development to explain to the House why there is double taxation on carbon tax for diesel used in generators at mining companies by both Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority and the Environmental Management Agency, S.1. 72/2009.
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT (MR. CHINAMASA): Thank you Madam
Speaker and I thank the hon. member for his question. As hon.
members may recall, in 2001 Government introduced carbon tax with a view to supporting budget expenditures on environmental issues.
Notwithstanding the fact that taxation issues are under my purview, the question raised by the hon. member should have been directed to the responsible Ministries of Energy and Power Development or Environment, Water and Climate.
The Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate is responsible for
Air Pollution Control Regulations promulgated as Statutory Instrument
72 of 2009. This Statutory Instrument mandates the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) to issue licences to polluters of the environment, including the mining houses that use generators and other industrial machines in order to prevent, control and abate pollution.
The fees and charges levied by EMA are on the issue of a licence to operate machines which emit dangerous substances to the atmosphere and not on diesel.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Energy and Power Development is responsible for the mode of payment of carbon tax, which is currently based on fuel consumption in line with Petroleum (Fuels Pricing) Regulation 2013 and Statutory Instrument 80 of 2014, which require that carbon tax rate of US$0.013 per litre be embodied in the price of diesel, irrespective of the end use of the product.
Hon. members, it is clear that there is no double taxation on diesel used in generators at mining companies. Double taxation arises when income taxes are paid twice on the same source of earned income, for example, income tax levied on corporate income and then on profits when distributed as dividends to shareholders. I thank you.
ELECTRIFICATION OF COMMMUNITIES IN GOKWE
CONSTITUENCY
- MS. MANGAMI asked the Minister of Energy and Power
Development to state plans in place to electrify communities in the Gokwe Constituency in view of the fact that they paid for connection fees in January 2015.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF ENERGY AND POWER DEVELOPMENT (MS. MUZENDA): Thank you Madam Speaker. I
would like to thank the member for the question. There are currently fifty eight customers under ZETDC Gokwe Client Service Centre who paid connection fees but have not been connected due to non availability of prepaid meters. The customers are distributed as follows:- Gokwe Centre has 33, Manoti has 9 and Nembudziya has 16. These will be connected as meters become available.
TRANSFORMER REPLACEMENT AT METETA ONE BUSINESS CENTRE IN GOKWE CONSTITUENCY
- MS. MANGAMI asked the Minister of Energy and Power
Development to inform the House when the Ministry will replace the transformer at Mateta One Business Centre in Gokwe Constituency which was damaged in March 2015.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF ENERGY AND POWER
DEVELOPMENT (MS. MUZENDA): Thank you again Madam Speaker. The 100KVA, 33/0.4KV Transformer at Mateta One in Gokwe Manoti was struck and damaged by lightning on the 3rd of March, 2015. ZETDC Kwekwe District under which Gokwe Manoti falls did not have any spare replacement transformer. A procurement order for a replacement transformer was placed with suppliers and the transformer is still being awaited for. ZETDC does not currently have spare transformers in place due to high demand for transformers to replace vandalized transformers, general fault maintenance requirements, and new reticulation requirements.
PRIORITISATION OF ETHANOL FOR BLENDING FROM
CHISUMBANJE
- MR. CHIWA asked the Minister of Energy and Power
Development why Government is prioritizing supplies of ethanol for blending from Chisumbanje when the commodity is selling above 95 cents per litre and from Triangle where it is selling at 60 cents per litre, and can the Minister further explain the reasons for not allowing the two suppliers to compete for the production of ethanol.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF ENERGY AND POWER
DEVELOPMENT (MS. MUZENDA): Thank you Madam Speaker.
According to Statutory Instrument 17 of 2013, ethanol purchased for the purposes of mandatory blending shall be obtained from licensed ethanol producer who is in a joint venture partnership with the Government of Zimbabwe. Green Fuel is the only licensed ethanol producer that meets the above mentioned requirement. The
Government of Zimbabwe through ARDA, has a 10% shareholding in the company and is working to acquire 51% shareholding in line with the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Policy. Therefore, purchase of ethanol for mandatory blending from Chisumbanje is in accordance with the legislation, regardless of the availability of a cheaper commodity elsewhere.
Mr. Speaker Sir, allow me to inform the hon. member that the correct prices for ethanol are from Triangle, US$0.78 cents per litre as mill gate prices because Triangle does not deliver the product while that of Green Fuel is US$0.88 cents per litre mill gate price and US$0.95 cents per litre delivered to Feruka or Msasa depots. These prices exclude US$0.05 cents duty.
In the past, when Green Fuel faced production challenges at the Chisumbanje plant, the Ministry had to intervene and allowed the supply of ethanol from Triangle in these particular exceptional circumstances so as to avert a potential supply crisis. Even then, in order to facilitate the purchase of the ethanol, Triangle was issued with a temporary licence to allow for the supply of ethanol for the mandatory blending market. Triangle has been asked to comply with the shareholding requirement of being in partnership with Government and is yet to oblige. Government would therefore like more players in this area so as to boost competition.
- GABBUZA: I think in terms of the Statutory Instrument clearly explained by the Deputy Minister, that company must be licenced to supply ethanol and it certainly must be in partnership with Government. That is what the Statutory Instrument says. So, in the event that Triangle was supplying and yet it was not in partnership with Government, what remedies were done because we were in breach of the law at that time?
- MUZENDA: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon.
member for the question, but I think it is a bit technical and may I ask that question to be submitted in written form? Thank you.
POLICY ON ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION BY HIPPO
VALLEY AND TRIANGLE LIMITED
- MR. CHIWA asked the Minister of Energy and Power
Development to explain whether the Ministry’s policy provides for the production of electricity by Hippo Valley and Triangle Limited for their own use without supplying it to surrounding communities.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF ENERGY AND POWER
DEVELOPMENT (MS. MUZENDA): Thank you again Madam
Speaker. I would like to thank the hon. member for raising such an important question. As the hon. member may be aware, Government introduced reforms in the power sector to bring in more players in the electricity supply industry which had been characterised by a sole supplier, ZESA. This allowed for competition in the generation and distribution of electricity. According to Section 40 of the Electricity Act (Chapter 13:19), anyone operating an electricity undertaking which generates, transmits, distributes or supplies electricity in excess of 100
KW should have a licence from the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory
Authority (ZERA). Licences come in three categories, namely
Generation, Transmission and Bulk Supply and Distribution and Retail.
Although Government’s intention is to introduce more players into the distribution of electricity, currently direct competition is mainly in generation as most investors have opted for generating power especially for use in their operations. Where they generate in excess of their requirements, they then sell the excess to ZETDC which has the sole responsibility of distributing electricity to all consumers. In this case, they enter into a Power Purchase Agreement with ZETDC after acquiring a generation licence which restricts them to generating as opposed to distributing power.
Madam Speaker, Government policy provides for Independent Power Producers to produce power for their own use and, where possible, sell the excess to the grid. The two companies - Triangle and Hippo Valley which the hon. member is referring to, have capacity to generate 45 MW and 33 MW respectively using residue from their sugar cane plantations. These companies generate for their own consumption and have a banking arrangement with ZETDC in which they let ZETDC use the excess power they produce on the understanding that they will get equivalent power from ZETDC when they need it. This is so because their production of power is seasonal and during their off-season, they do not generate power.
In short, Government policy provides for IPPs to generate power for their own consumption and restricts holders of generation licences only to generating power. However, the excess power available after consumption is fed into the ZETDC grid. The power eventually benefits all consumers including the communities that are in close proximity to the Independent Power Producers, through ZETDC’s distribution system. I thank you.
CLARIFICATION ON ROADS THAT FALL UNDER THE
PURVIEW OF THE MINISTRY OR LOCAL AUTHORITIES
- MR. M. S. NDLOVU asked the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development to clarify whether the following roads fall under the purview of the Ministry or Local authorities –
- Plumtree-Tsholotsho;
- Masendu-Khami and (c) Matjinge-Ndolwane.
THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND
INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. MPOFU): Thank
you Madam Speaker. I want to thank the hon. member for raising that question. The Plumtree-Tsholotsho road falls under the jurisdiction of my Department of Roads. The road requires regravelling, but this repair work requires a substantial amount of funding and this has not been availed as yet. Due to the limited funding availed, the province was only able to carry out maintenance grading around the end of 2014.
Regravelling will be carried out when the required funding is availed. We also have request from the Tsholotsho community to have that road tolled, but that is a complicated request which we are consulting on. However, we would like to thank the Tsholotsho community for being proactive and quite progressive in their request.
On the Masendu-Khami and Matjinge-Ndolwane roads which fall under the purview of local authorities (RDCs) in Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South respectively, both roads would ideally require regravelling as the method of repair. However, the unavailability of adequate funding is hampering the repair of the roads. Thank you.
- GABBUZA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I appreciate the
Minister’s concern that it is quite expensive and there are no resources
for regrading, but how about putting the road synergies which the…
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Chinotimba and Hon.
Ndlovu, can you please listen to the hon. member who has the floor?
- GABBUZA: The road synergies which the Minister said they are trying to coordinate with SADC, this should not be expensive. When are we likely to see these road signs on these roads?
- MPOFU: Thank you Madam Speaker. I want to thank my colleague Hon. Gabbuza for raising that question which he raised last time. I am going to give the same answer as I gave last time, that we are actually in the process of implementing those requirements. It is a process, if any funds come in, we move a bit forward and when they are not there, we wait until we get interventions.
That will be done and I want to thank you for your persistence and concern hon. member.
CONSTRUCTION OF PLUMTREE VIA DOMBODEMA TO
MAITENGWE BORDER POST ROAD
- MR. NLEYA asked the Minister of Transport and
Infrastructural Development when the construction of the road from Plumtree via Dombodema to Maitengwe Border Post will resume.
THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND
INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. O. MPOFU):
Thank you very much Madam Speaker. I want to thank the hon.
member again for raising that question, Hon. Nleya. The Plumtree via Dombodema road to Maitengwe Border Post road is 114.5 km long with only 1.5km surfaced from Plumtree.
The first 85km is gravel road to Madlambuzi and was last graded in May, 2015. The last 28km to Maitengwe Border Post is an earth road which was last graded in October 2014. While it is my Ministry’s wish for this and other strategic roads to be tarred, I regret to advise that due to financial constraints we cannot give a date when this will be done. Our priority now is on the rehabilitation of the main state highways then we will attend to other national roads like the one in question. I thank you. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] –
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, order hon. members,
the Hon. Minister is responding to your questions so may he please be heard in silence.
REHABILITATION OF DAMAGED ROADS IN GOKWE-
GUMUNYU AND GOKWE NORTH
- 30. MAHIYA asked the Minister of Transport and
Infrastructural Development to state plans in place to rehabilitate the bridges and roads that were damaged in December 2013, in Gokwe Gumunyu and Gokwe North. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible
interjections] –
*MR. CHINOTIMBA: On a point of order Madam Speaker,
what the hon. member said is true. I actually came in contact with the under-garments that Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga brought in so now I have a terrible cough.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, order hon. members, I
expect you to be well behaved in Parliament and should not joke and take the business of this august House lightly.
THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND
INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. O. MPOFU):
Thank you Madam Speaker. I want to thank Hon. Mahiya for raising that very important question but I also want to take this opportunity to sympathise and empathise with Hon. Chinotimba for his ailment.
Madam Speaker, my Department of Roads is aware of the numerous washaways that have occurred in the Midlands Province, including the Gokwe-Gumunyu and Gokwe North constituencies. They have compiled the information on all the washaways and requested for funding to carry out the repairs. The total budget for repairing washaways in the Midlands Province which includes the mentioned constituencies is $2.3 million. This funding has not been availed as yet. The repairs will be implemented in a prioritised manner when the funding is availed.
DUALISATION OF HARARE-NYAMAPANDA ROAD
- 31. MUDARIKWA asked the Minister of Transport and
Infrastructural Development to explain to the House the progress made on the dualisation of Harare-Nyamapanda road in Mashonaland East Province.
THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND
INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. O. MPOFU):
Thank you Madam Speaker. Again, I would like to thank my colleague and friend Hon. Mudarikwa for raising that question.
Madam Speaker, the Harare-Nyamapanda road is one of the major highways that serve the country. It is also part of the North-South corridor which is vital for trade in the region as it connects to neighbouring countries.
My Ministry intends to dualise all the major highways in order to improve connectivity. To that end, we have prioritised the highways in preparation for dualisation and the Harare-Nyamapanda road is part of the first phase that is going to be put to tender. The intention is to get an investor who will carry out the rehabilitation of the existing road as well as dualise the route. The tendering is going to be done in the near future and it is our intention to implement the project soon afterwards.
AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS TO FIX STREET LIGHTS BY THE
BULAWAYO CITY COUNCIL
- 32. MASUKU asked the Minister of Transport and
Infrastructural Development whether ZINARA has availed any funds to Bulawayo City Council to attend to street lights.
THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND
INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. O. MPOFU):
Thank you Madam Speaker. I would like to thank Hon. Masuku for his question. ZINARA availed, especially on Bulawayo, that is very important Hon. Masuku because there have been some misguided comments on what has been availed to Bulawayo.
The official position is that ZINARA has availed US$224 809.00 funding to Bulawayo City Council this year for the first quarter for routine maintenance of its roads. There is a lot of activity taking place in Bulawayo in terms of road rehabilitation and it is quite commendable.
The city is doing a wonderful job with these interventions.
The prioritization of the activities carried out which include pothole patching and street lighting repair rests with the road authority, which in this case is the Bulawayo City Council. It is my hope that they will attend to some of their street lighting before the end of the year as they receive more funding for routine maintenance of their roads for the second, third and fourth quarters.
This is really the intervention from the licensing fees. When we introduced the Urban Tolling, they will be getting more and more of our roads will be rehabilitated in urban cities.
RESURFACING OF ST. MARTIN ROAD CONNECTING
EMGANWINI IN NKETA AND RANGEMORE IN MGUZA
CONSTITUENCIES
- MR. MASUKU asked the Minister of Transport and
Infrastructural Development to state when the Ministry is going to resurface St. Martin road which connects Emganwini in Nketa Constituency and Rangemore in Mguza Constituency.
THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND
INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. O. MPOFU): I
want to thank Hon. Masuku for that question.
Madam Speaker, St. Martin road and Rangemore road belong partially to Bulawayo City Council and to Mguza Rural District Council. The sections under Bulawayo City Council are in a fair Condition but those under Mguza Rural District, whose Member of Parliament is the one talking, are in poor condition and would ideally require rehabilitation which includes resurfacing. The responsibility of rehabilitating the two roads falls with the respective road authority which is Mguza.
Should the respective road authority set aside funding for the rehabilitation and resurfacing but find that they do not have the capacity to do the work themselves, then they are free to engage my Department of Roads, any other road authority with the desired capacity or a private contractor to outsource the work on their behalf will be appreciated.
WRITTEN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE
RESTRICTION ON MOVEMENT OF CATTLE FROM
DISTRICT TO DISTRICT IN MASVINGO PROVINCE
- MR. GWANONGODZA asked the Minister of Agriculture,
Mechanisation and Irrigation Development to explain the policy regarding the restriction of movement of cattle from one district to another in view of the fact that in Masvingo Province there are reported cases of outbreak of disease in the district.
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, MECHANISATION AND IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT (MR. ZHANDA): Hon.
Member, Foot and Mouth Disease has been reported in Mwenezi, Chiredzi, Chivi and Masvingo Districts in Masvingo Province. The disease is one of the notifiable diseases which when detected, movement of animals from the affected areas is restricted through quarantine as prescribed in the Animal Health Act. However, following the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in 2014, there is partial restriction of animal movement in Zaka, Bikita and Gutu Districts in the same province.
Once the disease has been controlled, animal movement restrictions will be lifted and movement may commence to districts of choice. Movement of animals requires a Veterinary Movement Permit which is issued by the district veterinary officer even when there is no disease outbreak.
Questions With Notice were interrupted by THE ACTING
SPEAKER in terms of Standing Order Number 34.
MOTION
FIRST REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE,
HOME AFFAIRS AND SECURITY SERVICES ON THE
IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AT THE FORBES BORDER POST.
- C.C. SIBANDA: I move the motion standing in my name that this House takes note of the First Report of the Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services on the Immigration Department at the Forbes Border Post.
- CHIMANIKIRE: I second.
- C. C. SIBANDA:
1.0 Introduction
1.1. The Ministry of Home Affairs’ mandate is to make the country a safe and secure place to live in through the maintenance of public order security, control entry and exit of people across Zimbabwe’ borders, issuance of personal documents and preservation of cultural heritage.
1.2 As part of its terms of reference, your Committee paid a fact finding visit to the Forbes Border Post which falls under the Immigration Department of the Ministry. The purpose of the fact finding visit was to enquire into the operational challenges bedeviling the Forbes Border Post.
1.3 Your Committee would like to express its appreciation at the candid manner with which officials from the Immigration Department cooperated and responded to issues raised during the visit.
2.0 Forbes Border Post
2.1This is a Border post in Mutare, Manicaland where Zimbabwe’s boundary with Mozambique is. Your Committee was informed that the Border Post handles an average of 65 000 travelers who enter and exit the country monthly. Such a volume of traffic translates to an average of
780 000 people passing through the Border in a year. Most of the travelers are Zimbabweans and Mozambicans who conduct trading business between the two countries.
2.2 Your Committee was further informed that Zimbabwe being a transit country, truck drivers also ply through the same border on a daily basis, ferrying imported goods from the Port of Beira. Others go through on their way to South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, D.R.C and Malawi. Evidence before your Committee given by the Acting Regional
Immigration Officer in Charge of the Eastern Region Mr. Roy Tambandini, was that long queues were seldom experienced. This was attributed to the Immigration staff being able to serve their clients within three minutes as stipulated in their Clients Charter. However, such service was contingent upon presentation by travelers to Immigration Officers of relevant travelling documents.
2.3 The Border Post was also used by other stakeholders such as
Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), the President’s Office, Military Intelligence, and the Zimbabwe Republic Police in uniform and in civilian clothing, Environmental Management Agency, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Agriculture,
Mechanisation and Irrigation Development, and Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (ZINARA). Each of the stakeholders have their own terms of reference.
3.0 Operational Challenges
3.1 In terms of its operations, the Immigration Control is mandated to efficiently and effectively ensure the smooth passage of bona fide travelers as well as the maintenance of security and peace in the border area. However, your Committee was informed that the staff at the Immigration Department at the Border Post were confronted with a myriad of challenges. Chief among them were incidents involving taxi drivers and touts who frequently sneaked into the border area to tout for travelers who would be coming into and traversing across Zimbabwe.
This had the effect of congesting the Border Post for no apparent reason. Travelers coming into the country often found themselves being hassled and harassed by touts as they tussled to get clients. Suffice to say that any port of entry in a country is a reflection of the image of that nation.
Forbes Border Post is no exception. It is the face of Zimbabwe.
3.2 It was therefore disturbing to your Committee to learn that such incidents of harassment were rampant at the Forbes Border Post. The touts were conducting their activities with such impunity as if the law did not exist to curb such activities. An ideal situation would be the one where travelers have to choose their own mode of transport to whatever destination in Zimbabwe without being harassed. When they arrive, they expect a peaceful environment. However such actions by taxi drivers and touts portrayed a bad image of the country.
3.3 Your Committee was further concerned to hear that the challenges posed by touts and taxi drivers were exacerbated by lack of cooperation from the police. They allowed a free flow of taxis into the border area. As a result, some officials had to leave their office duties to man the outside gate as a way of keeping out such taxi drivers and touts.
However the situation was compounded by the fact that each time the
Immigration Officers approached the taxi drivers, they quickly sneaked out and only to come back in numbers to continue their business. A number of them had been arrested on several occasions and each time they got away with payment of twenty dollars admission of guilt fines. These fines were not deterrent enough as evidenced by their resurfacing in the border area after such payments. Each time they came back, they would be having their twenty dollars to pay again.
3.4 The Acting Principal Regional Officer bemoaned the provisions of Section 50 (3) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe which provides limited detentions of accused persons to forty-eight hours only before appearing in court. Such provisions impacted negatively on the operations of the
Immigration’s Control at the Border. It has also clipped the powers derived from Section 8 (1) of the Immigration Act Chap 4: 02 which used to provide powers to detained accused persons for 14 days pending investigations. Such a period was adequate time for the verification of nationalities for the illegal immigrants caught without documents yet claiming to be citizens from a certain country. Evidence led before your Committee was that this period would have enabled the Immigration Control to gather enough evidence to present their case before the courts.
3.5 Your Committee was further informed that other challenges faced were in the form of tracks used by the military outside the Forbes Border
Post. The Forbes Border Post is fenced and it’s only accessible through the gates. The outside track is only used for security personnel by the Police and the Army. The Immigration Control has no control over the people using these tracks outside the Border area.
3.6 Mozambicans also come to the no man’s land to trade and change money and mill around all day in the presence of security personnel from both countries. Generally, the boundary between Zimbabwe and Mozambique, while infested with landmines has proved quite porous as evidenced by revelations that on several occasions, trucks carrying contraband and busses breached undesignated crossing points along the border where the locals had provided safe passages. Suffice to say illegal activities such as importation of goods were rampant and some unscrupulous individuals benefited from such entry and exit points along the border.
3.7 Your Committee received evidence to the effect that on a number of occasions, informal traders transported bales of cotton and other goods, presumably for resale in Zimbabwe. The informal crossing points along the border were said to be too many and the Immigration Department find it extremely difficult to control the movements of such people. Inevitably, this is very disturbing news to your Committee in view of the realisation that millions of dollars’ worth of revenue which should be accruing to the country are lost. Further to that unlimited entry and exit from the country provided other challenges such as those associated with Human Trafficking.
3.8 The Immigration Department had to deal with Cases of students from neighboring countries who, from time to time, attended Institutions of Higher learning in the country? A case in point was the Africa University which is closer to neighbouring Mozambique. Your
Committee is of the opinion that the authorities at Immigration should formalise the entry into Zimbabwe of school children from neighboring countries into Zimbabwe.
4.0 Findings
4.1Your Committee found the Border area with Mozambique extremely porous. A lot of illegal entry points along the Border were being abused by locals, traders and even criminals to enter into and to exit from the country. In its deliberations on its fact finding tour of the Forbes Border Post, your Committee also found that touts and taxi drivers were an extreme nuisance at the Border. The situation was further exacerbated by the fact that some of the taxis that were posing challenges were in fact owned by some Government Officials who were employed at the Border Post within the various sister Departments. Your Committee heard that other than the official route that passed through the Immigration Post, there was another track that was for use by Security Personnel. It was the unauthorised use of the said track which resulted in evasion and unlawful entry and exit by travelers. The Immigration Department at the Border Post found it difficult to contain exit and entry into the country
by such people. Further to that, your Committee observed that there was no coordination of activities among the various Departments at the Border, a situation which gave rise to security breaches of the Border Post.
5.0 Recommendations
5.1 Accordingly, your Committee came up with the following recommendations:-
- That the taxis that are normally found at the Border Post should be moved from the gate to a service station which is some distance away from the Border Post. Such a move would deter taxi drivers from coming back to the Border area to tout for passengers. This would also assist travelers to walk up to taxis of their choice without any jostling and harassment by touts and taxi drivers.
- That deterrent fines be imposed on offenders where such fines have to be reviewed upwards from twenty dollars to a hundred dollars.
- There is need to engage other stakeholders at the Border Post so that illegal activities are contained by the security personnel particularly the police. This could be in the form of periodic meetings where various departments would have to upraise each other on the security situation and what needs to be done at the border post.
d)That Military personnel and the Police should control movement of any travelers and touts who are in the habit of using their track. In addition, they were also expected to clear the no man’s land possibly for any people loitering and trading.
- That the Immigration Department needs to come up with measures to curb illegal movement across the border through regular patrols with the assistance of the Zimbabwean Republic Police.
- That stringent laws should be put in place before the end of the year to bring to an end challenges bedeviling the management of our borders which have seen a lot of revenue being lost.
- That there is need for an inter-ministerial Committee to deal with issues of coordinating activities at the Border Posts and the AntiCorruption Commission has to be visible to handle any nefarious activities that take place around the border posts in the country. Generally, there has been a public outcry about corrupt practices at the border posts countrywide. It is your Committee’s considered view that there is need to move staff at Border Posts on rotational basis as a way of curbing rampant corruption by officials who overstay at Border Posts.
6.0 Conclusion
Your Committee found the operational challenges at the Forbes Border Post a cause for concern and therefore urges the parent Ministry to consider this report seriously with a view to taking remedial measures as a matter of urgency.
- CHIMANIRE: Thank you Madam Speaker. First and
foremost, I would like to thank the Chairperson of the Committee most probably because he is a retired soldier, he was very much in control of our travel. It took us five days to reach Forbes Border Post having traversed through the land mine area of Crooks Border, coming from Beitbridge and from there, we went to Burma Valley. After that, we went to Chikwalakwala on the Zimbabwean side and finally, to Forbes Border Post. It was a gruelling journey.
You can imagine tall men like me sitting in that small bus with legs actually fitting into one corner. Each time we had to be standing passengers for more than ten kilometres because it was so uncomfortable. The contextual First Lady was also with us, Hon. Mnangagwa and it was her first trip with the Committee but she kept us smiling all the way telling us a lot of jokes as we went around.
Getting to Forbes Border Post Madam Speaker, it is very worrying what is happening at our borders. The border post is supposed to be the face of Zimbabwe in terms of services, hospitality and the general environment. The sight of touts itself actually demeans the whole status of the country into which one is entering into because that is what people see. They think we are disorganised, forcing people, almost snatching their bags from them in order to control them in terms of entry into our country, which is actually a very shameful thing to happen at a border post.
Observations as a Committee member, we cannot run away from
the impression that there is lot of revenue loss that is being encountered at our Forbes border post. Again, when you listen to the briefing coming from the officials, it is evident that human trafficking is happening at that border post. No record is being kept and nobody cares whether it is young girls or boys being taken across the border never to return, maybe sold in other foreign countries. What we actually observed generally is that there is no control of any sort that is effective. It is like everybody is saying, I mind my business, I do not care what the other department is doing. That is not conducive for a border crossing. I am sure that most of our colleagues here who have crossed borders into other countries, have seen that effective controls are in place. From the Zimbabwean side, it does not seem like that. There is smuggling of goods, especially mabhero embatya. That is the entry area where they are coming through into our country.
There is uncoordinated administration as earlier on reported.
There is no rapport between the Army, Police, Immigration and ZIMRA.
Each department is on its own and they are not coordinated at all. I think the recommendation that the Chairperson has actually read is good, where we should have an inter-ministerial set up which shares information and is able to effectively ensure that the Anti-Corruption Commission sets up a sub-office at each and every border post.
We had other submissions from other members who are resident in Harare who have joined the Committee recently, that in Mbare there is a block of flats where mabhero embatya are stored. These belong to immigration officials and officials that are at the border. This has to be investigated. It is unsubstantiated but coming from other Members of Parliament, it is information that we cannot afford to just ignore. As a result of the smuggling goods, we must also indicate that the Mutare border post which is at Forbes Border Post is very important because from that area, there is mining of diamonds. From my experience in the Ministry of Mines, I remember that when I visited there in the past, evidence coming from women miners was indicating that there was smuggling of diamonds and that they used the method of bribing the police using what they call ngoda to be able to cross with the other loot that they would be having. As a result, you find that on the Mozambican side, although we did not get there as intended as we did not have time, I have information that it is more developed on the other side because they have to resell our diamonds and have more earnings than what we sell them for.
The route that was referred to in our report, it is a route which is accessible to the army and is under their observation. They allow people that have been turned away by immigration to pass through that route, go to no man’s land and conduct illegal trading. This is under the watchful eye of the police and the army. The police who are at the entry gate, when we passed through even as a delegation from Parliament, did not notice that we were passing through. They were looking at the other side. You can imagine what happens when it comes to those who are crossing illegally at the border. This is an issue of great concern and it is also detrimental to legal controls that are supposed to be at a border post if the police are not as active as they are supposed to be.
The most disturbing thing was that the Senior Immigration Officer, Mr. Tambandini admitted that he does not report to senior police officers or senior Central Intelligence Officers (CIOs); he reports to juniors that actually collaborate with him at the border post. Whilst he is aware that there is a Joint Operations Committee where senior officers sit, he has never bothered to report there, but he was complaining that the police are not cooperating. So, it shows how he is collaborating with juniors and is afraid of reporting to seniors simply because the seniors will take action when there are such negative reports. Although he is senior, he chooses to speak to juniors at that particular border post.
The issue of Africa University, it is not only that, even primary school children come and attend school until graduation stage, that is when the immigration officials noticed that there are visitors coming in for a graduation for a student that has never been registered at the border that they cross from Mozambique to come into Zimbabwe. So, this is an issue. We will have illegal immigrants who come here and study, use some of the resources that the Government is struggling to amass in order to be able to fund Zimbabwean students. It is only noticeable when visitors come in to attend graduation ceremonies that someone has been in this country for six to seven years and has been studying, coming in and out across a border post which is manned. This is very disappointing Madam Speaker to us as a Committee when we observed that particular issue.
The other issue is a lot of illegal crossing areas which are very common on the Mozambican border. Most of us who know that when the guerrillas used to cross from Mozambique, despite the landmines, they still could make it into Zimbabwe. It is these crossing areas that are being used by smugglers to cross into Zimbabwe. As the report has mentioned, even buses are driving across through unregistered crossing points carrying a lot of loot which is then traded in Zimbabwe. Sometimes they carry passengers who will be trading on illicit goods in Zimbabwe. This is a cost to Government.
We observed as a Committee, that our border posts like Forbes
Border Post could be a high revenue-generating area. However, this is not the case, the volume of people who cross to and fro do not match the amount of revenue that is generated at that border post. As such, some of the recommendations that we have proffered can also be reinforced by regular audits by internal auditors to ensure that there is accountability on the part of funds that are collected. Remember as a Committee, we observed a box that was almost full of fines which were paid by people who break the law, but paid US$20 fines as has been pointed out. It is too low and people continue to break the law deliberately knowing that the fees that they pay will be nothing compared to what they will have earned illegally.
Therefore, frequent internal audits must be carried out at various border posts and the rotation of staff is a very important issue. Once you allow an officer to stay – the indications were that, the officer we were talking to has been there for seven years. In seven years, you become a professional smuggler and endorser of various illegal activities because you feel you are the chief operator there and you end up becoming a chief culprit.
Madam Speaker, what is applying at Forbes Border Post, we suspect that it is applying at various other border posts and sometimes at a large scale in places like Chirundu and Beitbridge. I stand by the recommendation that the Committee has made. We hope that we will be able to visit other border posts, in particular Beitbridge and Chirundu, and present a report that is more detailed. I thank you Madam Speaker.
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (MR. CHINAMASA): Madam Speaker, I move
that the debate do now adjourn. Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 23rd July, 2015.
On the motion of THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (MR. CHINAMASA), the House
adjourned at Twenty Minutes past Five o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 21st July, 2015
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE DEPUTY SPEAKER
NON-ADVERSE REPORTS RECEIVED FROM THE
PARLIAMENTARY LEGAL COMMITTEE
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: I wish to inform the House that I have received Non-Adverse Reports from the Parliamentary Legal Committee on the following:
- Statutory Instruments gazetted during the month of May, 2015;
- General Notices gazetted during the month of May, 2015.
INVITATION TO A WOMEN’S PARLIAMENTARY
CAUCUS HALF-DAY WORKSHOP
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: I also wish to inform all members of the Zimbabwe Women’s Parliamentary Caucus that they are invited to a half day workshop on the proposed National Peace and Reconciliation Commission hosted by the organ for National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration at Harare Holiday Inn on Wednesday, 22nd July, 2015 at 0900 hours.
COLLECTION OF BIBLES
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: I have to remind hon. members to
collect Bibles that will be distributed by the Christ Embassy Ministry in the Courtyard on Wednesday, 22nd July, 2015 from 12.00 o’clock to 1600 hours.
INVITATION TO A LECTURE ON DIABETICS
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. members are also reminded
that the Zimbabwe Diabetic Association (ZDA) will be giving a lecture on the silent killer diabetics on 22nd July, 2015. The lecture will be conducted by Dr. Mangwiro in the National Assembly from 0830 hours to 1000 hours.
REPORT STAGE
PUBLIC DEBT MANAGEMENT BILL (H.B. 1A. 2015)
First Order read: Consideration: Public Debt Management Bill, 2015 (H.B. 1A, 2015) as amended.
Amendments to Clauses 2,5,7,8,11,13,20,22,23,29,31,37 and 38 put and agreed to.
Bill, as amended, adopted.
Third Reading: With leave, forthwith.
THIRD READING
PUBLIC DEBT MANAGEMENT BILL (H. B. 1, 2015)
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT (MR. CHINAMASA): I move that the Public Debt Management Bill (H.B. 1A, 2015) be now read the third time.
Motion put and agreed to.
Bill read the third time.
MOTION
PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH: DEBATE ON ADDRESS
Second Order read: Adjourned debate on motion in reply to the
Presidential Speech.
Question again proposed.
- J. M. GUMBO: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
- MUKWANGWARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 22nd July, 2015.
MOTION
RESTORATION OF THE MOTION ON CHILD RIGHTS ON
THE ORDER PAPER
- D. S. SIBANDA: I move the motion standing in my name that the Motion on Child Rights which was superseded by the end of the First Session of the Eighth Parliament be restored on the Order Paper in terms of Standing Order No. 73.
- GONESE: I second.
- D. S. SIBANDA: Madam Speaker, on the 24th September, 2014, I gave notice to move a motion and it was not debated since we had come to the end of the First Session. I therefore, seek the indulgence of this House to have the same notice of motion restored on the Order Paper for tomorrow. Thank you.
Question again proposed.
- GONESE: Thank you very much Madam Speaker, this is just a procedural issue and I second. I also beg the indulgence of the House to have the motion restored to the Order Paper so that we can do
justice to it.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
MRS. CHIKWAMA: Madam Speaker, I move that Orders of the
Day Numbers 4, 5 and 6 on today’s Order Paper, be stood over until we
have disposed of Order of the Day Number 7.
MRS. MAHOKA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE DELEGATION ON THE HIV/AIDS
LEARNING AND EXPOSURE STUDY VISIT TO
KARNATAKA STATE, INDIA
Seventh Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the report of the delegation of the HIV/AIDS Learning and Exposure Study Visit to Karnataka State, India.
Question again proposed.
- MANDIPAKA: On a Point of Order Madam Speaker. I
stand to be guided by the Chair, I take note from the proceedings on Thursday when Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga alleged that I was employed during the Smith regime.
For the record, Madam Speaker, I was only 15 years old at the time that she is talking about. I got employed – [HON. MEMBERS:
Inaudible interjections] – I got employed in the Zimbabwe Republic Police on 18th March, 1988 when this country had already attained its independence. I stand to be guided about what was recorded in the
Hansard - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] –
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, Order. Hon. Mandipaka, the
remarks were made during a debate of a certain motion. I think you should raise your concerns when we get to that motion.
- MANDIPAKA: On a point of order Madam Speaker, this
Hansard is a booklet of public record. I was never employed by Ian
Smith. I was employed by the Zimbabwe Republic Police on 18th March. 1988.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Member, order. Order hon. members. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] - Order, order in the House. Can I have order in the House? The ruling of the Chair is that when we get to that motion, you will have all the time to debate and express whatever you wish.
- CHINOTIMBA: Madam …- [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible
interjections] -
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. members, everyone has a right to express his or her thoughts. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] - Order, hon. members at the back there, you cannot continue being emotional otherwise at the end of the day, I will send someone out. –[ HON. MISIHAIRABWI – MUSHONGA: Inaudible
interjection] - Hon. Misihairabwi, I am talking to hon. members as a Presiding Officer and no one should respond to whatever I am saying here. You cannot help me because I know what I am doing.
- CHINOTIMBA: On a point of order Madam Speaker, Hon.
Sibanda from Binga continues to incite anger by calling the hon.
member mudzakutsaku and that is what that hon. Member is refuting.
So who is mudzakutsaku? We want people to answer whether Mandipaka is mudzakutsaku right now.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. member, go and take your seat.
We want to proceed with the business of this House.
MR HOLDER: On a point of order Madam Speaker, I believe
this is an august House and we should learn to have facts and tell the truth, because if we begin to entertain lies, malicious injury to a person’s reputation, politically that person will have a problem in future. He will not be allowed to debate because he has already debated on that debate. So she needs to recant what she said in the Hansard.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Member, can you please leave
me to do my duty. There is no point of order, sit down.
- GUMBO: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
- GONESE: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 22nd July, 2015.
MOTION
HARMONISATION OF THE MINES AND MINERALS ACT
AND THE LAND ACQUISITION ACT
Eighth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the need to harmonise the Mines and Minerals Act and the Land Acquisition Act.
Question again proposed.
MR GONESE: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
- D. SIBANDA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 22nd July, 2015.
MOTION
PEOPLE-CENTRED DEVELOPMENTAL POLICIES AND
MEASURES ON IMPROVING DOMESTIC PRODUCTION AND
FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT
Ninth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the deteriorating social and economic conditions in the country.
Question again proposed.
*MR. CHINOTIMBA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I would
want to thank Hon. Mashakada for the motion that he raised in this august House, a motion that looks at the interests of the population of Zimbabwe. Mr. Speaker, if you recall, in my Maiden Speech in this august House, I did say that hon. members on both sides of the House should behave in a mature manner as is befitting of a people’s representative. However, the problem that we have in this country is that we are self-centred in terms of party affiliation, either as ZANU PF and MDC and I did refer to that as corruption. If someone has come up with a grand idea and we look down upon it, that is corruption.
Mr. Speaker Sir, let me thank Hon. Mashakada for the motion. What I am going to say on this motion pertaining to the state of the economy of Zimbabwe is how it all started. There is always a warning that the rain is coming because you first see a cloud and several clouds will then gather. Once dark clouds have gathered, there will be rainfall.
I heard the reason why we have vendors and why other problems arose. This is what I am going to address. I gave you my video so that it can be played; it has Part One and Two. The reasons why Zimbabwe finds itself in this state are on the video. May the video be played, then I will give a commentary and if you increase the sound. Once it has been played, I will speak on it –[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]–
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, order, order hon.
members! I am told that there is no volume, so you can proceed with your debate.
*MR. CHINOTIMBA: The respective submission that I
submitted is the basis of my debate. I have freedom to do whatever I should be doing. Hon. Khupe had her video played in this august House. If there is no volume, I request that the ICT officers be called and attend to that technical fault. Thereafter, I will be in a position to debate – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] -
*THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Chinotimba, if you
require the sound, you can adjourn the debate today and once that has been resolved, you can continue with your debate.
*MR. CHINOTIMBA: I will wait for that to be done. Thank
you.
- KEREKE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I rise to contribute on a very important motion, which is very relevant as presented by Dr. Mashakada. The motion situates the debate in the context of the
Government programme, ZIM ASSET and how we need to improve the policy framework in order to improve the situation in our economy. Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to first add to the debate by giving the definition of capital flight.
Capital flight refers to the outflow of wealth from a country over a defined time-period. Such wealth can be in cash or commodities/nonmonetary assets.
The reasons for capital flight vary from country to country, and even in the same country, the reasons may vary overtime. Most causes of capital flight are:
- Holders of wealth fearing that the aggregate value of their wealth is likely to fall due to drastic adverse exchange rate movements.
- Fear that changes in tax policies may erode investment returns.
- Fear that general macro-economic and financial instabilities may worsen overall economic performance which would undermine the net-worth of investments.
- Corruption and general rent-seeking behaviour leading to embezzlement transfers of wealth out of a country.
- Routine disinvestments following autonomous decisions of investors offshore as investors may simply be taking out their money in line with their original investment decisions.
LEGITIMATE VERSUS ILLEGAL CAPITAL FLIGHT
Illegal capital flight occurs when the wealth outflows are being
done in ways that flout a country’s regulatory framework. Legitimate capital flight is when the wealth outflows are not breaking the law, but are carried out in the normal course of doing business.
GENERAL EFFECTS OF CAPITAL FLIGHT
Well established facts confirm that the phenomenon of capital flight creates socio-economic and political hardships for the affected economy. The wealth that flies out creates financial vacuums in the domestic economy which depresses markets for producers, reduces savings, erodes investment and job opportunities, erode household incomes, reduces productive assets, erodes Government revenues through reduced taxes, as well as undermine financial stability through the resultant cash-flow shortages arising from the capital flight.
CAPITAL FLIGHT IN ZIMBABWE
Zimbabwe’s macro-economic policies need to be re-aligned to decisively plug-off the high incidence of capital flight characterizing the economy. Estimates as at June 2015, based on a combination of balance of payments analysis against Zimbabwe’s potential equilibrium performance (macro-economic steady state growth path) indicate that annually, Zimbabwe lost an average of US$1.5 billion annually through capital flight between 2012 and June 2015 (US$5.25 billion cumulative over the three and half years). -
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, vehicle ADL 0668 is
blocking other vehicles. Thank you.
- KEREKE: This drain from the economy has been and
continues to be at the instance of both illegal and legitimate channels. Of the estimated cumulative US$5.25 billion lost between January, 2012 and June 2015, about US$3.15 billion (60%) is estimated to have arisen from illegitimate (embezzlement) wealth transfers from the country by individuals and companies, whilst the balance of around US$2.1 billion (40%) is estimated to have been on account of the following marketrelated factors:
- Zimbabwe is a dollarised economy. This effectively sterilizes monetary policy autonomy, limiting and directly undercutting the ability of the central bank to re-balance financial asset prices through interest rates and exchange rates.
- The subdued performance of the Zimbabwean economy, aggravated by dated technology; regressing agro-production due to droughts, funneled supply chain for agricultural inputs, weak oversight and farm tillage constraints; the illegal sanctions imposed on the country by the West; brazen daylight robbery by the banking sector which charges parasitic borrowing interest rates of between 15-35% in an environment of negative annual inflation; dissipation of institutional effectiveness due to rampant corruption particularly in the public sector; all triggered a self propelling momentum driving out capital.
- Under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) policy advice, Zimbabwe has been and continues to religiously implement austerity measures which have had the unfortunate effect of further driving the economy into a painful recession, marketed by negative inflation (-2.65% in April, 2015) and underperformance in key productive sectors. In Greece, capital flight during the period 2012 to June 2015 is estimated to have averaged Euro 4 billion per week, whilst in the case of Spain, that country lost Euro 100 billion in a mere 3 months in the first quarter of 2012.
In Zimbabwe, illegitimate exit corridors for capital flight which need to be closed are many. Examples are:
- Smuggling of diamonds and opaque marketing practices.
- Undervaluation of Zimbabwe’s diamonds due to exportation in raw form.
- Platinum group of metals (PGMs) being exported in crudely semiprocessed forms, with limited certainty on true values and range of minerals refined.
- Gold being smuggled as well as at some point being sold out of Fidelity Refinery to a Saudi Arabian private jeweler at an incomprehensible discount of 34% yet gold is as good as cash.
- Corrupt overpricing of imported equipment and consumables, driven by kickbacks.
- Overvalued expatriate management contracts that siphon exorbitant management fees.
- Shipment of commodities, for example sugar without proper valuation systems at points of exit of financial bulk quantities.
- Shipment of raw chrome without proper valuation.
- Pre-payments by tourists on special packages, with the funds being kept offshore outside Zimbabwe’s financial system
- Splitting of loans where cashflows/commodities especially oil, are siphoned to offshore accounts before reaching Zimbabwe. Under this scenario, capital flight is sealed when the whole loan facility is repaid from within the country yet the original loan facility would not have fully reached the country.
- Actual cash and precious minerals being flown out in private jets and other light aircrafts.
Further evidence of acute capital flight in Zimbabwe can be easily traced by analysis of the significant reduction in total deposits from the banking sector. Between 30 June, 2014 and end of April, 2015
Zimbabwe’s bank deposits fell from US$5.96 billion to US$4.4 billion, a cumulative fall of US$56 million in 10 months.
BAD ECONOMICS AND CAPITAL FLIGHT: TRAGEDY OF
IMF POLICIES
It is a sad reality that Zimbabwe will not receive any meaningful
(if at all) funding from the IMF and the World Bank as long as the
USA’s Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZIDERA) of 2001 remains in place. Paradoxically, and tragically however, the IMF remains a constant confluence seemingly with enigmatic powers over the country’s Treasury in shaping the flow of Zimbabwe’s macroeconomic policies and statutory revisions in the areas of fiscal and financial management.
The IMF’s policy prescriptions in Zimbabwe have been tragic in the sense that their stance has been to perennially insist that Government of Zimbabwe exercises austerity even when both common sense and tangible macroeconomic realities impel that stimulus (expansionary) policies be implemented to propel economic recovery and growth.
In medicine, a patient who is acutely underweight and ill cannot recover fast if the doctor’s perennial prescription is blind belt-tightening and sustained weight loss programmes.
Historically, the IMF has been and continues to be steadfast in prescribing austerity as the all-weather, all terrain mantra for macroeconomic stability yet contemporary economics suggests that for countries such as Zimbabwe where there is negative inflation and depressed production in the real sectors of the economy, the right policies should be expansionary fiscal and monetary regimes to give impetus to the real sectors.
The IMF’s orthodox neo-liberal stance seems to be driven by a virtual-cult-chorus closely resembling Joseph Goebell’s “big lie” strategy. Joseph Goebell who was the Nazi propaganda Minister fathered “the big lie strategy” which he defined as “when one lies one should lie big and stick to it … if you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it”.
The IMF’s big lie which is throwing developing countries such as
Zimbabwe into protracted recessions is that “the state spends too much on such things as infrastructure, education, defence, healthcare, and social welfare, among others, and is over borrowed creating unsustainable fiscal deficits and high national debt, and that the only way out is for Government to cut spending (austerity)”.
This approach by the IMF is pathologically self-defeating and dangerous for developing economies, especially when such economies have idle capacity, negative inflation and subdued real economic activity as is the case in Zimbabwe. Cutting too deep especially if done too fast, brings pronounced harm to the economy as aggregate demand in both public and private sectors shrinks under the ill-conceived austerity measures, at a time when the reason for the recession in the first place was lack of internal markets for domestic producers.
Instead of swallowing the impotent IMF bitter pill of even suggesting job lay-offs in the civil service and non-payment of bonuses, the Government of Zimbabwe should work to spend more money as opposed to cutting back. Government of Zimbabwe should optimize usage of internal revenue flows by centralizing all revenue collection at the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) as opposed to the current wasteful splintered approach (where ministries are at each other’s throat competing to collect revenue themselves so as to smell the proverbial rose). The Government should also identify willing regional and global partners who can deploy resources in job creating infrastructure projects such as roads, dams, irrigation schemes, power generation, sugarcane plantations, mining, agro-processing and many more. At current levels of GDP, Zimbabwe can borrow US$3.5 to US$5 billion without upsetting medium to long-term debt sustainability, contrary to the IMF prognosis.
Examples on why IMF policies must be taken with caution:
- The IMF says developing countries must cut their wage bill and other expenses to balance fiscal books and reduce debt. The reality however, is that doing so leads to cutting essential areas like health, education, security and social welfare to foist weak statehood on the developing countries.
- The IMF says developing countries should reduce debt to GDP ratios through AUSTERITY to low levels, yet in the case of developed countries, the same IMF is silent on the very high gross government debt to GDP ratios. The table below demonstrates this duplicity by the IMF:
IMF Duplicity on Government Debt to GDP ratios
Country | Gross Government Debt to GDP ratio (2012) |
Japan | 237.9% |
Italy | 126.9% |
USA | 106.5% |
UK | 90.3% |
France | 90.3% |
Spain | 84.1% |
Germany | 81.9% |
Zimbabwe | 60.5% |
China | 40.9% |
Source: IMF data base.
The meaning from the above data is very clear: whilst the IMF ties the hands of developing country governments by discouraging them from gainfully borrowing in blind pursuit of AUSTERITY, the same IMF pays a blind eye as the developed world goes on the rampage printing US dollars, Euros and Yuen to fund their budgets through money market bills. The common sense point here is that it is alright for Government of Zimbabwe to borrow, even from domestic markets and increase job-creating spending and infrastructure as opposed to being blinkered by the IMF into suicidal austerity. Government of Zimbabwe is therefore, strongly advised to set aside the IMF’s policy direction of civil service retrenchments and expenditure cuts, but instead work to grow the economy to create more fiscal revenue through a comprehensive fiscal stimulus. This pragmatic approach will create more jobs, growing internal markets, and rising savings and investment which would stimulate overall economic performance and in turn plug off capital flight.
To increase internal revenue collection, Government of Zimbabwe should also adopt the following mix of strategies:
- Stop the “mini-battles of cash” currently characterising ministries where each ministry seems to now want to levy and collect their own revenues, independent of the main budget. ZIMRA must be the sole collector of Government revenues. This includes the land tax and all other levies. Such funds must be centralised at ZIMRA which in turn should transfer the money to the central bank in
Government’s account. Such centralisation brings greater transparency and more fiscal space than is the case as of July 2015.
- Improvement in the revenue collection methods to minimise tax evasions.
- The idea of the National Social Security (NSSA) forming a bank should be set aside. Instead, NSSA funds should be pooled for long-term infrastructure development. Treasury should create a suitable financial instrument which NSSA should subscribe to each month to the tune of US$10.15 million monthly as of June 2015 premium and claims levels.
A thriving economy typically self-cures the fiscal revenue and public debt nexus through positive multiplier effects and reinforcing hysteresis, supported by rational optimism.
WHY CORRUPTION AND EMBEZZLEMENT CAPITAL FLIGHT HAVE BECOME IMPRINTED IN ZIMBABWE: A
CLEAR CASE OF FISCAL NEGLECT OF THE PROSECUTION
ARM OF GOVERNMENT
In China, corruption is fought through stiff penalties on those caught doing it. This is the trend in most economies the world over.
In Zimbabwe, whilst there is a comprehensive legal framework and multiple institutions to deal with corruption, the corruption menace is fast engulfing the entire country because of the shocking neglect by the country’s Treasury to fund the National Prosecution Authority (NPA). As a result, corruption cases take ages to be completed at the courts, whilst the resultant cashless state of the NPA becomes fertile ground for prosecutors to become corrupt.
The table below summarises the shocking reality in Zimbabwe where the National Prosecution Authority is on the verge of grinding to a halt due to acute under provisioning of funding by the Treasury.
THE IMPOSSIBLE MISSION: HOW ZIMBABWE
TREASURY HAS SYSTEMATICALLY WEAKENED THE
PROSECUTION ARM OF GOVERNMENT LEADING TO THE
SCOURGES OF CORRUPTION AND EMBEZZLEMENT
CAPITAL FLIGHT, AMONG OTHER CRIMINAL VICES
The Table below shows the very disturbing reality of a crippling financial position obtaining at the National Prosecution Authority (NPA), the pivotal institution that must prosecute and deter embezzlement, capital flight and corruption among other vices undercutting socio-economic progression in the country.
BID BY NPA
FOR 2015 FISCAL YEAR (JAN- DEC 2015)$ |
AWARD BY
TREASURY (BUDGET ALLOCATION/ APPROPRIATION JAN-DEC 2015) $ |
ACTUAL
DISBURSEME NTS JAN- JUNE 2015 $ |
COMMENT |
36 950 863 | 750 000 | 274 234 | This situation is clear deliberate neglect, with far reaching adverse implications of
Zimbabwe’s fight against crime, more so corruption and capital flight |
For the whole of 2015, Zimbabwe as a country set aside a mere US$ 750 000 (under US$1 million) to sustain the whole machinery of prosecution country-wide. This was after the National Prosecuting
Authority (NPA)’s US$36.9 million bid for 2015 was cut to three quarters of a million dollars for the whole year. On the minuscule
US$750 000 for 2015, an analysis for the NPA’s receipts from Treasury shows that only US$274 234 (US$45.7 thousand per month) was allocated for the whole of Zimbabwe’s prosecution operations countrywide from Zambezi to Limpopo.
The message is clear. It should be no wonder that corruption and embezzlement are ills that have taken root in Zimbabwe. The Prosecuting arm of Government is completely paralysed.
RECOMMENDATIONS
There is a National Crisis of acute underfunding at NPA. Without delays, Government needs to create financial room for the NPA. As a start, the NPA could get its full entitlement from the court retention fund under which it should be allocated 30%.
The NPA Act CAP 7:20 Section 32 (9) requires that the NPA receives 30% of total collection under the court retention fund.
ROLE OF THE CENTRAL BANK
The Central Bank plays a critical role in plugging off capital flight in the economy. The following areas are critical:
- Tighter administration and enforcement of the country’s exchange control regulations.
- Expansion of the Financial Intelligence Unit.
- Increase on-sight supervision and surveillance of the banking sector.
- Direct participation in gold buying.
- Implementation of policies that maintain a stable financial system. Credible monetary policies and a stable financial system minimising capital flight.
- Close collaboration with the Securities Commission and the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange to plug off illegal trading.
- Policy advocacy.
- Implementing a deliberate strategy to build Zimbabwe’s gross foreign exchange reserves. This would build confidence to investors land other holders of wealth.
- Closely monitor the activities of mobile networks and money transfer agents in respect of funds transferred to prevent capital flight risks.
ROLE OF GOVERNMENT, POLITICAL PARTIES AND
THE MEDIA
The Government, political parties and the media also have important roles to play through a combination of the following factors:
- The Government should create and maintain a stable socioeconomic and political environment so that wealth holders are not jittery about future money and capital market developments.
Policies should be predictable over investors’ planning horizons.
- Political parties must move away from the current stupor of perpetual power tussles and infighting and focus on the economy and other focal areas directly relating to people’s livelihoods.
- The media must be fair, balanced and objective when reporting on matters of the economy. Reckless, non-factual reporting scares
away investment and leads to capital flight. In the world of business and finance, perceptions are reality through the phenomena of rational expectations and self fulfilling prophecies.
- All stakeholders must declare total war against corruption in all its forms.
- Government must build and maintain credibility through implementation of set policies. I thank you
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
- GUMBO: Mr. Speaker Sir, I move that we temporarily adjourn the debate to allow the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Services to make a response on a motion on the Order Paper, motion number 27 because she has an appointment at 3.30 p.m. I thank you.
- MUKWANGWARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
FIRST REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC
SERVICE, LABOUR AND SOCIAL SERVICES ON THE
OPERATIONS OF THE NATIONAL SOCIAL SECURITY
AUTHORITY
Twenty Seventh Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the
First Report of the Portfolio Committee on Public Services, Labour and
Social Services on the operations of the National Social Security Authority.
Question again proposed.
THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND
SOCIAL SERVICES (MRS. MUPFUMIRA): Thank you Mr.
Speaker. I want to start by thanking the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service, Labour and Social Services for the objective report on the operations of National Social Security Authority
(NSSA).
In my response I will deal with the Committee’s recommendations and issues one by one.
The Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social welfare should review the NSSA Act to provide for increment of members of the NSSA Board to ensure that both employers and employees are fairly represented. Further, decentralization of services and reimbursement of beneficiaries for expenses incurred in efforts to access services such as travelling and related costs.
The recommendation to increase NSSA board members to ensure that both employers and employees are fairly represented, is already embraced in the provisions of the NSSA Act. NSSA is governed on a tripartite arrangement and this is enshrined in Section 6, of the National Social Security Act, which provides that three members of the board will be from the employer organisations, three members from employee organisations and the last three members will be appointed by the Minister for their ability and experience in administration of finance or their professional qualifications. Hence all the social partners have
equal representation on the NSSA Board. Further, decentralization of NSSA services in order to minimize travelling on costs is being achieved through decentralization of both functions and offices throughout the country.
On the matter of decentralization of NSSA operations, let me inform this House that NSSA is fairly represented in all the 10 provinces in the country with the following offices, it has regional offices in the following cities: -
City | Province | Office Status |
Harare | Harare | Head Office |
Harare | Harare | Regional Office |
Bulawayo | Bulawayo | Regional Office |
Gweru | Midlands | Regional Office |
Mutare | Manicaland | Regional Office |
Masvingo | Masvingo | Regional Office |
Chinhoyi | Mashonaland West | Regional Office |
NSSA also has sub regional offices in the following centres
TOWN | PROVINCE | OFFICE STATUS |
Marondera | Mashonaland East | Sub Regional Office |
Bindura | Mashonaland Central | Sub Regional Office |
Hwange | Matabeleland North | Sub Regional Office |
Victoria Falls | Matabeleland North | Sub Regional Office |
Gwanda | Matabeleland South | Sub Regional Office |
Beitbridge | Matabeleland South | Sub Regional Office |
Kwekwe | Midlands | Sub Regional Office |
Rusape | Manicaland | Sub Regional Office |
Chipinge | Manicaland | Sub Regional Office |
Chiredzi | Masvingo | Sub Regional Office |
Kadoma | Mashonaland West | Sub Regional Office |
Kariba | Mashonaland West | Sub Regional Office |
These service centres provide services to NSSA pensioners, employers and employees. There is no need for one to travel to Harare anymore as these centres provide all the needed services.
The second recommendation is a limit of five year, two terms tenure in office for the chief Executive Officer, only renewed subject to performance and the job position should be awarded on the basis of character and achievements. Term limit for the Chief Executive Officer will be discussed with the newly appointed NSSA Board and also with reference to the National Board on Corporate Governance in Zimbabwe. The Government of Zimbabwe is currently looking at contract terms for all parastatal heads.
The third recommendation is that NSSA should make deliberate efforts towards increasing worker participation in decision making and updating beneficiaries of developments since it is a publicly financed entity. The recommendation is noted and in addition to the publicity, media cited on page 8 of the report, I have already discussed with NSSA management to prioritise rural outreach programmes. They went out to rural areas starting 2014 but we had agreed that they should increase rural outreach programmes such as participation at provincial and district agricultural shows, including ward and councillor gatherings, schools and commanders cheer fund.
On the basis of the widespread multi-million dollar projects, NSSA is currently engaged, in the entity has adequate capital to increase monthly pension benefits from $60 to $150 an amount which should be payable to survivors in the event of the death of the actual member so that meaningful impact is made on their lives. My response is on increasing minimum monthly pensions from the current $60 to $150. I want to say this is desirable but we have to consult actuaries on the impact this would have to the fund and due diligence will have to be done on the impact these monthly contributions would have on the future payments of benefits. Multi-million dollar projects referred in the report are meant to preserve value for future payment of pensions. Below are the figures showing the minimum monthly pension increases from 2010 to date:
Benefits Type | 2013 with effect from 1/8/13 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 |
Retirement pension | $60.00 | $40.00 | $40.00 | $25.00 |
Survivors pension | $30.00 | $20.00 | $20.00 | $10.00 |
Invalidity pension | $30.00 | $20.00 | $20.00 | $10.00 |
Children’s allowance | $30.00 | $20.00 | $20.00 | $10.00 |
Funeral grant (per death of a member | $300.00 | $20.00 | $20.00 | $20.00 |
The fifth recommendation is that NSSA should decentralize its operations to the districts and increase publicity campaigns of its operations. I have already alluded to this question and preparations are underway to increase rural and high density outreach programmes. NSSA has 18 offices countrywide in order to be close to the stakeholders. Adoption of a defined pension scheme is clear on the amount a member will receive after retirement rather than a contributory scheme under which benefits are unknown.
The National Pension Scheme is a defined benefit scheme and not a defined contribution scheme. The formula for calculating one’s pension is known well before retirement. This formula is contained in Statutory Instrument 393 of 1993 and has been publicized in newspaper and NSSA pamphlets. The pension formula for benefits under National Pension Scheme is calculated at accrual rate times, insurable earnings at retirement by number of years contributed. The level of the ceiling affects the level of pensions and lengths of contributory period affect level of pension e.g.
1.33% X $200.00 x 19.5 years = $52.00
1.33% X $700.00 x 19.5 years = $182.00
Yet minimum monthly pension is pegged at $60.00 per month
NSSA should build its own referral hospitals and clinics around the country in consultation with beneficiaries. The NSSA Board will discuss the issue of building hospitals country wide. At the moment, NSSA has invested in Ekhusileni Medical Centre in Bulawayo and Chitungwiza South Medical Centre. The priority at the moment is to construct a hospital and lease it out to professionals in the health field.
The other recommendation is of the downwards review of the retirement age from 55 years to 45 and 50 years which will benefit the disabled since they are already a vulnerable group. Therefore, members should start receiving benefits as soon as they retire, even before reaching the age of 60. Statistics show that people now live longer than before and longevity is now a threat to most social security schemes worldwide. Therefore, consultations are necessary and we involve actuaries on the impact of reducing the retirement age on the fund.
NSSA should be thorough and conscious when venturing into projects using public resources. The recommendation on thoroughness on investment projects is noted. I have discussed on investment policy with NSSA and we are working out some changes to the policy with an intention to tighten some of the processes in investment decisions and prioritization. Actually, one of the key mandates of the newly appointed board is to review the NSSA Investment Policy so that it is aligned to
the expectations of the ZIM ASSET in terms of development issues. Hence, the need to have an investment mix which takes into account the welfare of pensioners. It is necessary for NSSA Investment Policy to address issues relating to infrastructural development, agricultural production, processing and marketing, small and medium enterprises and housing, especially low income earners. We want the Investment Policy to also focus on issues of job creation rather than simply concentrating on Money Market Investment.
RECOMMENDATION 6.11 – NSSA SHOULD PROVIDE
CHEAP, BASIC HOUSING SCHEMES FOR LOWLY PAID EMPLOYEES WHO FORM THE BULK OF ITS FINANCIAL BASE.
The NSSA Housing Policy is biased towards low cost housing which targets lowly paid employees. The Rusike Housing Project in Marondera was for lowly paid employees and the current housing project in Masvingo is also targeting lowly paid employees. There will be development in Bulawayo also for lowly paid employees. This is a deliberate policy by NSSA in order to provide affordable housing to lowly paid employees in our country. There is a roll out plan to cover all the provinces and hopefully, even moving into districts depending on availability of resources.
You may be aware that in fulfillment of the housing delivery programme under ZIM ASSET, NSSA is in the process of registering a building society which will concentrate on low cost housing. A board for the Social Security Building Society (SSBZ) is already in place and the top management is being recruited in fulfillment of Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe licencing requirements. This arrangement should go a long way in ensuring that housing is accessible to most low income earners.
RECOMMENDATION 6.12 – MEMBERS OF NSSA
SCHEMES SHOULD BE ENABLED TO USE THEIR
MEMBERSHIP AS COLLATERAL TO ACCESS LOANS.
The desire of the Committee to enable scheme members to use their membership as collateral in order to access loans is noted.
However, this may be in contravention of Section 45 of the National Social Security Act (Chapter 17: 04) whose heading reads, “Benefits cannot be pledged or ceded nor to form part of insolvent estate”. The SSBZ will however, be able to provide desired loans to members at low interest provided that all requirements are met.
CONCLUSION
Let me assure the Committee that as Minister now in charge of NSSA, I will ensure that there is good corporate governance at the parastatal. All business will be conducted subject to thorough scrutiny by the Board. It is no longer business as usual because the working ethics have changed. I will keep the Portfolio Committee updated on progress regarding the above and other recommendations to make NSSA a reputable parastatal. I thank you.
- CHIBAYA: Firstly, I want to thank the Hon. Minister for responding to the report of the Portfolio Committee. I am also a member of this Committee. I just want to say the reason why we are proposing a review of the retirement of pension from US$60 to US$150, we took into consideration pensioner travelling for example, Gokwe to Gweru and back, it is about US$20 and one remains only with US$40. We kindly request you good office if you could assist on the review of this retirement pension. I thank you.
- NDUNA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the hon. Minister for her broad response to the report. However, what I need clarification on is the issue of the two five year terms that we requested to know, where she says the board is going meet and talk about it. I need to know with what intention they are going to meet on especially regarding the present Chief Executive Officer who as we believe as a Committee, has out lived his welcome.
- BUNJIRA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I need clarity from the hon. Minister. Hon. Minister, I heard you talking of Ekusileni and Southmed hospitals. What I want to understand is, is Ekusileni hospital owned by NSSA or other members? Is it providing medical treatment to people right now? Thank you.
MRS. MUFUMIRA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I want to thank
Hon. Chibaya for his question. The US$60 to US$150 proposal is noted.
In my report, I also referred to the fact that we will discuss with the actuaries and find out the implications on the fund as well as the contributions of the members. It is something which will be considered
I want to also thank Hon. Nduna for his question on the tenure of the Chief Executive Officer. We are all aware that the Minister is new in the Ministry. There was no board and the Minister just appointed a board two weeks ago. I said in my response that the board will be mandated to review the contracts, tenure and so on of the chief executive officers and other executives. It is up to the newly appointed board to look into those issues. The tenure of the Chief Executive Officer is one of those issues which the board is mandated to review. I will inform the House when appropriate.
I want the thank Hon. Bunjira for the question about the hospitals.
Southmed Hospital in Chitungwiza, NSSA is a shareholder. Ekhusileni Hospital was an idea from the late Vice President, Cde. Joshua Nkomo as a Family and Child Health Care Trust and NSSA. NSSA was requested to be a core-member of the project.
However, the other people who were supposed to be shareholders failed to contribute to the building of the hospital. NSSA funded the building of the hospital 100%, therefore the hospital building belongs to
NSSA. However, NSSA is not in the business of running hospitals. The Health Care Trust and the Ministry of Health and Child Care are responsible for the actual running of the hospital. NSSA handed over the buildings to the Health Care Trust and the Ministry of Health and Child Care. So, the rest of the story will be attended to by the Ministry of Health and Child Care because NSSA is only the owner of the building, they are not into the business of running hospitals. I thank you.
Hon. members having stood up to ask more questions.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: I had only allowed 3 questions
for clarification, so, we need to resume our debate.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
- J. GUMBO: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 22 July, 2015.
- J. GUMBO: I move that we revert to Order No. 9.
- MPARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
*MS. MPARIWA: Thank you Hon. Speaker. I thank you for the opportunity that you have given me to contribute to the motion that was raised by Hon. Mashakada. Hon. Speaker, I know that this motion has been debated by members from both sides of the House from the time it was brought into the House.
I want to say that I am going to focus my debate on issues that have not been debated, especially those pertaining to women which looks at socio-economic problems and that which hinges on workers- [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – Hon. Speaker, can you protect me, there is too much noise in the House].
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order hon. members, can the
hon. member be heard in silence.
*MS. MPARIWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Hon. Speaker, if you are to look closely, you will realize that there are so many challenges in the country. This was highlighted by the first speaker. I want to look at the challenges that I highlighted before, those which focus on the women in general. If the country is not economically stable – considering what Hon. Kereke said, if there is no food security, people are found languishing in poverty because they spend most of their time trying to source financial income to sustain their families.
If you look at the issue of health, women are troubled in their homes because there is no medication and children cannot get medication from the hospitals. Hon. Speaker, if you look at the diseases that surround us like HIV/AIDS and the plight of those who are physically challenged and look after in our homes, if there is no medication and adequate salaries for the nurses, it means that even those in hospitals can be unable to assist the sick because they are not being remunerated in a satisfactory manner.
On the issue of education, if the country is facing economic problems like it is now, children cannot go to school. A girl child is deprived of going to school, unlike the boy child. The girl child is looked upon as the head in a family; she would have been denied a chance to go to school because of financial challenges in the home. If you look at what I am talking about, hon. Speaker, it reflects that in a family, if children cannot access education and there is no food, violence prevails, what we call gender based violence.
Such situations have caused the boy child to go to the diaspora, to such countries as South Africa and Botswana, including other neighbouring countries. In the past, we used to be a country that employed people from other parts of the region because we had food security and good education and health systems. During the same period, people were able to earn a descent living. The farmers were able to get inputs and implements to engage in meaningful farming and people were able to sustain themselves. The reports which come into this House hon. Speaker, raise so many concerns in respect of what is happening in the various ministries and the way in which people are being treated.
Let me go back and look at what is happening in the streets. There are children, I am sure most of you have witnessed this; you have come across street kids who come and knock on your window during school hours and the question is; what is that child doing when others are in school? Sometimes you realize that there will be an elderly woman behind the kid also trying to find a way of living. If you go to restaurants such as Chicken Inn, you also find children coming to grab your food because they are hungry. What I am saying is that these are all challenges that face women because they focus on the family.
When we talk of a family, there is a father in that home, but it is the woman who bears the burden. The workers who are in the employment sector are not being remunerated. Some spend six months without a salary. Some people are not even getting cash, if you work in a shoe factory, you are given shoes at the end of the month and if you work at a factory that supplies electricity, you are given electricity. This has led to people going out of the country to Mozambique or Zambia to look for jobs.
If you see a woman with a dish selling vegetables, it means that is what is available for them to do because there are no jobs anymore and they need to sustain their families. Then when we look at the issue of housing, if you look at Mbare, you will find that the homes there are inhabitable. Look at the hostels, they do not have windows and doors and there are no taps for them to access water. This is an urban centre and surprisingly, there are more boreholes than those that are found in the rural areas.
If you move around, you will find a school child or someone with a scotch-cart selling firewood. The inadequacy of housing and financial backing are all challenges that are being faced by the woman. I think that poverty has a woman’s face here in Zimbabwe. If there is no electricity, it is the woman who faces challenges in providing food for the family. Mr. Speaker Sir, as women, we also want to live happy lives and be able to sustain our families. If you look at those in Botswana, they are doing well. Industries should be resuscitated and jobs should be made available. These jobs should pay reasonable wages for people to survive because if a person is not getting adequate wages, those people would be found crossing the borders going to other areas.
I also want to talk about transport. If you look at the commuter omnibuses, they normally ferry women because the people who are travelling the most are women. They go and order their vegetables in the morning and if you look at the way that these commuter omnibuses operate and the routes that they take, they actually move where farming has taken place and that is dangerous. As a woman, one’s dignity is affected. Mr. Speaker, these are all challenges that affect the woman folk.
Lastly, I want to talk about the way that people are living, from the farmer to the informal traders. You will realise that they only get their daily wages and as for tomorrow, they do not know what the future holds. My plea Mr. Speaker is, if only the Government could do something about the employment of such people to ensure that people sustain their families. The 2 500 jobs should be taken seriously. The 52% of the population in this country is women and the next fraction of people are the youths and then the other fraction is comprised of 2 million people who are disabled and you will see that these are in Zimbabwe.
Mr. Speaker, if the economy is not financially stable, everyone lives in poverty. So, Mr. Speaker, I support the motion that was raised by Hon. Mashakada and it is not a joke but a serious issue. If we do not do something about it, it means that the economy will continue sinking. We are in this situation because the economy is in trouble. So, I want to thank Hon. Mashakada for the motion and these are such issues that as a full House, we should support. I want to acknowledge what Hon. Kereke said, that if we want to talk about some of these issues, we should not look at our political parties because some of these issues are very important and pertinent. We come from constituencies where there are people without any jobs who survive by getting money through Ecocash. Why, it is impossible for a father to go and see his family because of the hardships. So, I want to thank you Mr. Speaker for this motion that was raised and I also want to thank those who contributed. My request is that, we adopt this motion and that the Government should ensure that jobs are made available and work on the conditions of employment for the Civil Service. I thank you Mr. Speaker.
- NDUNA: Thank you Mr. Speaker for recognising me. I want to add my voice to the noble motion by Hon. Mashakada and I need to preface it by the previous speaker who spoke eloquently about women bearing the brunt of the economic hardships. I want to continue by saying, last time I said, ‘what men can do, women can do it better’ but I did not say where this was coming from.
One time I was in the army and whilst I was still there, my wife also came into the army. So, after I finished training, she also went into training. She sent me a picture and she was holding an FN rifle in a unique way. Those days it was letter writing because there were no cell phones and I wrote a letter to her saying, how do you hold your rifle, the way you are holding it? She said to me, what you could do, I am doing it better and what men can do, women can do better. So Mr. Speaker, this is where my statement comes from.
I need to touch on the issue of stopping corruption. What I have said to the electorate in Chegutu is that, as I am here like all the other hon. members; I have a three in one role – the representative, the legislative, the oversight role and the lawmaking. I have said to my constituency members that if we continue to ask for money from Members of Parliament, we are only doing them and their selves disservice because as a constituency member or representative, I preside over 50 000 electorate. So, if all of them wanted a dollar each from me each day because of the economic hardships, I will have to pump out
$50 000 per day. I have said to them, if we calculate that monthly times 30, I will have to pump out $1 500 per month and that I would not be able to do.
I urge hon. members in this House to speak against corruption and to speak for the enhancement of economic development that speaks to constituency members working for themselves whilst the hon, representative of the constituencies that are here in this House open avenues for the development of this economy. One such avenue is to advocate strongly against corruption.
Mr. Speaker Sir, you might have seen me one day in the press - close to a lot of bills of US dollars and this comes out as somebody who wants to speak against the brown envelope in the journalism fraternity.
This is where corruption should stop. If one says today, as a legislature, I will put my foot down and I will not pay to have my name cleaned up to the journalism fraternity, it is going to stop corruption. I want corruption in that sector to stop today and I want to be an example of somebody who is not going to pay to have his name exonerated on something that they have not done. So, I speak to hon. members here today not to promote corruption, especially in the journalism fraternity.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I also want to talk of increased production in the domestic sector. The issue of Special Economic Zones has gone far and wide. Recently, we saw Hon. Vice President Mnangagwa traversing the length and breadth of China to seek for the establishment of the Special Economic Zones. Where China is buying cotton at 10c/kg, what we need to do is to incentivise those companies in the manufacturing sector that are buying cotton at 10c/kg to come and establish their companies here in Zimbabwe in the Special Economic Zones. We need to incentivise these companies by 100% capital repatriation and profit amongst other things for a certain period. This is the way we can increase domestic production. We are crying that our cotton is being bought for 30c/kg where we want it to go to 80c/kg. We need to bring in those companies that are buying at 10c/kg to come in and get incentivised and engage in agricultural operation that is going to bring out that cotton in bulk where our price is then going to go at 80c/kg.
Based on that, I also need to ask this august House to support this motion in terms of bringing in companies that are going to beneficiate our mineral resources. We have more than 46 mineral resources on the Great Dyke and as I was moving the motion on exploration, I spoke volumes about how we can beneficiate besides conducting exploration on our mineral resources. We need to establish refineries Mr. Speaker Sir and backward and forward linkages, downward and upward industries that are going to tap in from the wealth of our mineral resources.
The issue of improvement in our domestic and foreign direct investment besides Special Economic Zones that are supposed to be established now for the good of the economy, will also need to make sure that our policies speak to the establishment of FDI. We need to speak to issues to do with the ease of doing business and the establishment of One-Stop-Shop so that we have no duplication of offices and services for one industry. I need to ask this House to make sure that issues to do with health, education and housing as enunciated by the previous speaker need to be dealt with now.
In Chegutu, we had a cholera epidemic in 2008/09. Why did we have this cholera epidemic, it is because we as Chegutu are treating 12 mega litres of water per month where we are supposed to be consuming 22 mega litres of water. What this means is that we have a deficiency where we are supposed to be treating our water. In Chegutu, we have got the safest water in the country where we are using two chemicals to treat our water as opposed to what is being utilised here in Harare. What we need to do is to enhance efficiency at local authority level so that we do not have reoccurrence of the cholera epidemic.
The issues where we need to enhance our housing delivery, the people that came to Chegutu were following the mines and David Whitehead Industry. They were housed in barrack-like accommodation which only accommodated a single member of the family or a single solider so to speak. These houses had become inadequate and what we see now is the father, mother, children, and nephews in the same house. This is not sustainable. If we are going to talk of economic growth, we need to address the housing challenges. The reason why councillors and chief executives in the councils are sworn into office is because they are supposed to deliver on their mandate that they have been given by the people. If they do not deliver, they have to shape up or ship out. It is the issue of local authorities on issues to do with health.
Recently, the Minister of Health and Child Care was talking on how the distribution of the Chinese $100m facility was being conducted. We also need to make sure that as we sort out our economy, we are sprucing up our health institutions where people have gone. Our people have gone from urban to rural migration ever since the agrarian reform programme of 2000. Let us make sure that those places that used to be resided by neo colonialists, the former commercial farmers now get turned into health institutions among other things to enhance both our health and our education system.
I conclude my debate Mr. Speaker Sir and I urge hon. members in this House to totally support this motion and to speak with one voice in order to rejuvenate, rehabilitate and strengthen our economy. I thank you.
- MUDEREDZWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir for giving me the opportunity to make my contribution to this very important motion. I would like to respect Hon. Dr. Mashakada for coming up with this motion as seconded by Hon. Chimanikire and the issues that they raised in the motion. I share the prayer of the motion in that each and every one of us would like to see our economy improving or performing better. That is the desire of each and every Zimbabwean but let us look at it from this point of view. Most of the issues, some of them economic and some of them political, have been raised by previous speakers but I would like to say that we have got a journey that we travelled from 1980 to date in what I would regard as our developmental epoch.
From 1980, as we were moving coming this direction, our economy was growing. We were performing very well as a nation as resources were put to use almost 70%. Around 1998/99, that is where problems arose and of course there was ESAP. ESAP contributed a lot towards some of our companies not performing. I think we were responding to the challenges of ESAP as a region, continent and internationally. I would like to say it is reasonable for all of us to accept that sanctions contributed to the downward performance of our economy. Why do I say so? When sanctions were introduced to Zimbabwe – remember most of our industries have got Western orientation, machinery is from Europe especially Britain. When the sanctions were introduced, most of those machineries could not get spares and there was no new technology coming from that direction. This is the reason why most of these companies are no longer functional because the technology was from the European Union. We are trying to reorganise ourselves so that we can put new machinery into those factories. In a way, sanctions contributed to the downfall of our economy.
I want to talk about the issue of patriotism which is part and parcel of what has been discussed by others. For one to talk about patriotism, we need consistency and persistence over issues. I think the hon. member who introduced this motion, as a former Minister in a Government whose performance was mediocrity, repenting to say what they did in the past was wrong and we need to redirect ourselves towards building our economy. I appreciate that, the hon. member is looking back and say let us correct what happened in the past. It was to do with sanctions and all these other things.
Mr. Speaker Sir, the issues that are being raised by the hon. member, he has been describing very well the way our economy is performing, what I regard as normative economics. He was describing without proffering solutions. This economy is calling for doers not mourners. This is why our President, in his wisdom, realised that the Western countries are not supporting us in building our economy and he introduced the ‘Look East Policy’. When this happened, people did not know that the whole world is going to look east. Out of that, we see now the eastern economies performing better than the western economies and we are saying let us support our Government in the Look East Policy direction because we have seen that Russia, China and
Indonesia are growing. We would want to appreciate that in the event of Government coming into agreement with those countries, let us support
that.
I would like to say that the issue that was raised in this House about protectionism is not good practice in economics, it can help in the short term but in the long term, it is dangerous. As we have realised, our producers are not performing. They want to make huge profits and if we protect our products without exposing them to continental and international competition, we will end up having high prices in this country. We should also realise that the US dollar in Zimbabwe is undervalued. The US dollar is a very strong currency, if you go to South Africa or elsewhere, you spend a day but in Zimbabwe US$50 is almost nothing. So, we are saying there should be efforts towards ensuring that we manage the pricing mechanism in Zimbabwe.
Something must be done. We appreciate what has been done by the Reserve Bank Governor Dr. Mangudya, he introduced small denominations so that we solve the problem of change. Mr. Speaker, because of limitations of Monetary Policy, he cannot do more. As you are aware, we are using the US dollar, we are not using the Zimbabwean dollar and the money control mechanism does not obtain in this country. What they have to do is to think of controlling interest rates and so forth but we cannot regulate our economy through the supply of money.
These are some of the challenges that I would like to urge Hon. Dr.
Mashakada to come up with solution. We need something that can help us to take our economy in the right direction.
In my view Mr. Speaker Sir, we have two important economic drivers. One of them is agriculture and the other one is mining. I want to touch a little bit on agriculture. Without supporting AgriBank in this country, our agricultural economy is not going to grow. Previously, our farmers were supported by the AgriBank. The AgriBank do follow ups to areas where they invest and out of that, we were in a position to be monitored as farmers and we get results. What happened, when AgriBank collapsed, everything collapsed. These other commercial banks are not interested in agriculture. They do not support small scale farmers – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear] -. They do not support indigenous farmers. They support those farmers whom they have been working with for a long time.
So, my appeal to Government is that let us support AgriBank and see what will happen. Mr. Speaker Sir, in terms of Government policy, we need the Government to provide equipment to farmers. The Brazil deal should be done transparently. We should see that equipment is moving into areas where farming activities are taking place. Right now, we do not have enough information of what is happening as far as that programme is concerned. We need the minister to come and tell us that we have distributed 60 tractors to such a province and the tractors are used for such purposes. Transparency is very important to see us succeed in running our economy.
Mr. Speaker Sir, let me talk about the issues that others do not want to talk about. It is an issue to do with policy moderation. Our investment policies are not conducive to attract investors. We are competing with other countries for foreign direct investment; we are not operating in isolation. If you move around Africa, you see the Chinese everywhere, if you move around Asia you see the Chinese everywhere. Let us moderate our policies so that we are in a position to attract investment. Of course, we have come up with ZIM ASSET and ZIM ASSET is a driver that I feel can drive our economy provided we have good policies. Right now, we are aware of the fact that the BRICS countries have come up with a new bank, the New Development Bank and the Asian countries have come up with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. These banks are going to operate very soon and we should also be looking in that direction to make sure that we get something. But, remember we are competing with other countries and this is where the issue of policy and the issue of how we do business come into play.
Mr. Speaker Sir, ZIM ASSET is a driver of our economy but if I look at how it is crafted, my feeling is that it should not be a plan that looks around five years only. It should be visionary just like the Millennium Development Goals. It should look beyond the horizon and we should then say we have got short term programmes, mid-term programmes and very long term programmes. That way we are going to be moving in the right direction lest we say after five years ZIM ASSET has failed. ZIM ASSET will not have failed because we have correctly identified the key result areas and key result areas do not change. What changes then, is how you point at your milestone.
So, we are saying in terms of implementing ZIM ASSET, let us look beyond five years, let us look beyond 2018. If we do that we will be having hopes that once money is available, we implement our programmes in the areas that would have been identified by ZIM ASSET. So, these are some of the issues that I thought I need to contribute Mr. Speaker Sir, and most of the other issues have been highlighted.
The issue that is on the table is that our economy should improve and each and every one of us is of that opinion but we need to remove the obstacles that cause our economy not to perform. With those contributions Mr. Speaker Sir, I share the prayer of the motion that has been advanced by Hon. Mashakada and hope that he was sincere. He is also just like anyone else of us going to make a contribution towards proffering suggestions for solutions. I thank you. –[HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear.]-
*MS. MAHOKA: Than you Mr. Speaker Sir. I would want to thank Hon. Mashakada, for bringing such a good motion which is important in terms of nation building. It gives us a chance to be constructive so that Zimbabwe can be developed. Mr. Speaker, I am sorry that this motion touches on a lot of issues. But, what hurts me most is that Hon. Mashakada was in Government yet he brings this motion. I am happy that he now appreciates that for the country to be devastated, he is aware of the reasons. I would want to believe that as hon. members if we become united, our country will be developed. I am quite grateful that as far as this motion is concerned, that for Zimbabwe as a country to develop, charity should start in this particular Chamber going onwards.
Since 1980, I heard the previous hon. members speaking that in the past things used to go well. I am in agreement with those sentiments. Things were going on well because the ruling party ZANU PF which is as sweet as honey knew what it was doing. Then came the spoiler called MDC. It started destroying things and I am happy that the hon. Members from the MDC have realised that the country has now been devastated economically and things are not looking good. I am happy if hon. members of Parliament now see and appreciate that in the past things used to work well and that when there was the Unity Government, things started crumbling. They were destroying and they have observed that people lost their work but job recreation is coming back because the party and the Government of the day, that was elected by the majority of the people, people out there know and they see. They have seen that there is no joy in supporting the MDC and you now see that things are now moving quite well because they have dumped the MDC.
You will observe that at the time when there was Unity
Government in this august House, if you look at the suits of members of staff at Parliament, they are now faded because of the problems that came with the MDC. Our teachers, nurses started suffering and people in the communal lands were hurt. They realised that they should not follow the MDC and they dumped it. Farmers were hurt by the Government of National Unity because the GMB could not raise money. They were not disbursing funds and as a result, the farmers observed that they should dump the MDC because it had no future.
Let me go further and say that I believe that money that was wasted and or not put to good use. This is a good motion and if it were possible, Tsvangirai should be arrested because the sanctions that he brought to this country destroyed the economy of the country.
Government workers started struggling. In the communal lands we used to know that if your child was employed by the Government whenever they pay you a visit it really meant something and it was a special day. But, all that was lost in the advent of the MDC. They are selfish Tsvangirai came and married several women, about 20 or so. He was showing off with Government funds; he wasted Government money. People in the communal lands observed that this creature called MDC would not get them anywhere hence you see they are now few in this august House.
There is economic recovery in this country. Jobs are now there in the Government but job creation is a process and not an event. Industries have now been revived and our children are gradually being employed. I am happy about it because it shows the recovery of the economy. If you go into the industrial sites, you will see that people have gone back to work. Even funding that was not readily available cannot be found because the MDC destroyed the country. Tsvangirai turned against the country called Zimbabwe and destroyed everything and so we are starting from the beginning in order to lay the ground work.
At the moment, the topical issue is of vendors. We are happy about the issue of vendors but the reason why we have so many vendors more than any other period is because we have not had a proliferation of these vendors. Vendors are in the cities because they are trying to eke out a living. Tsvangirai and his MDC destroyed this country
At the moment, I believe that things are going to work well because we are seeing that things are looking up. There was mention of an issue concerning women and health. It is true that in the 1980s, when we attained our independence, women became equal partners and they were issued with national registration cards. They were made to be on an equal footing by President Mugabe, a visionary and forthright leader who has the people’s interests at heart. He is not a leader who goes to
the Americans and sells this country and invites sanctions upon this nation as the case with Tsvangirai. We can never compare Tsvangirai with the President. This is another nonentity.
I would want to go further and say that the issue concerning Agribank which has been mentioned, should be treated in a serious manner so that other financial houses that disburse loans to farmers or to farmers that do horticulture or vending, should access loans. They should access loans without security. It will be quite helpful. Agribank should be funded so that farmers, vendors and small traders can be able to access funding from this bank. Other banks require collateral in the form of title deeds. Banks like CBZ require collateral security in the form of title deeds. Very few people in the communal lands have such title deeds. The sanctions that have been posed on the President and the first family, Mr. Speaker, I urge this House that since ZANU PF has now united with the MDC and they now want good policies, yes, they brought this motion. We should unite and advocate for the uplifting of such sanctions against the First Family, so that they can freely travel around the globe. We ask that those sanctions be removed and that they be as free to every one of us.
On corruption, I am happy to say that the President does not countenance corruption at all. Corruption is now a cancer and I would want to believe that there is need for measures to stamp out corruption. We need some treatment as was the case with the HIV/AIDS endemic. Mr. Speaker, our civil servants are suffering. They no longer enjoy tea, the nurses, teachers, police officers and even our Parliament staff. You will see that they go with lips that are cracked and chapped because they have no funding, but the ladies cover theirs with lipstick. This corruption should cease forthwith because the President has always been talking against corruption. Even at the party, he says it is a cancerous issue that we should do away with as a nation.
Corruption should be eradicated so that people can work well. Every time when one is into ploughing, one intends to harvest. Once you fail to harvest, you will not be happy. On behalf of our children, we are unhappy because they are not receiving what is due to them in terms of benefits because of corruption. It must be timeously nipped out so that things would work out well for us.
Mr. Speaker Sir, the issue of the Americans and the British, I do not believe they are sincere in that they would want to help Zimbabwe.
Why should they be doing that? These are wolves in sheep’s clothes. I believe that we should not have anything to do with them because ZIM ASSET does not speak of the Americans or the British. It says charity begins at home. It should never be started by the British or the
Americans. I do not believe that this will augur well for us. These people are killers, murderers and they always want to fight against this country. This is why you see Tsvangirai running at each and every turn to the Americans. Look at what he has done now. His party has collapsed, battered, tattered and it is now in rugs because of his thieving habits.
I am happy that this motion which has been brought by Hon. Mashakada is a good motion. It puts the country before self and it is actually a reflection by the MDC to now re-examine themselves and see that what they have done is not good. Thank you Mr. Speaker.
- CHIKWAMA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
- KHANYE: I second.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 22nd July, 2015.
On the motion of MS. CHIKWAMA seconded by MS.
MAHOKA, the House adjourned at Twenty-Eight Minutes to Five o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Thursday, 16th July, 2015
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE DEPUTY SPEAKER
NON-ADVERSE REPORT RECEIVED FROM THE
PARLIAMENTARY LEGAL COMMITTEE
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: I have received Non-Adverse Reports
from the Parliamentary Legal Committee on the following:
- Debt Management Bill, (H.B. 1A, 2015);
- All Statutory Instruments gazetted during the month of May 2015.
INVITATION TO A BREAKFAST MEETING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: I have to inform the House that the
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has invited the Portfolio
Committee on Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services and the Parliamentary Legal Committee to a breakfast meeting on Friday, 17th July, 2015 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel from 0700 hours to 1000 hours. The purpose of the breakfast meeting would be to assist in strengthening the
Committees’ oversight role and issues of statelessness and citizenship in Zimbabwe.
COMMITTEE STAGE
ZIMBABWE GENDER COMMISSION BILL [H.B.8, 2014]
First Order read: Committee Stage: Zimbabwe Gender Commission Bill, (H.B.8, 2014).
House in Committee.
A t215225 16-07-15
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Thursday, 16th July, 2015
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE DEPUTY SPEAKER
NON-ADVERSE REPORT RECEIVED FROM THE
PARLIAMENTARY LEGAL COMMITTEE
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: I have received Non-Adverse Reports
from the Parliamentary Legal Committee on the following:
- Debt Management Bill, (H.B. 1A, 2015);
- All Statutory Instruments gazetted during the month of May 2015.
INVITATION TO A BREAKFAST MEETING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: I have to inform the House that the
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has invited the Portfolio
Committee on Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services and the
Parliamentary Legal Committee to a breakfast meeting on Friday, 17th July, 2015 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel from 0700 hours to 1000 hours. The purpose of the breakfast meeting would be to assist in strengthening the
Committees’ oversight role and issues of statelessness and citizenship in Zimbabwe.
COMMITTEE STAGE
ZIMBABWE GENDER COMMISSION BILL [H.B.8, 2014]
First Order read: Committee Stage: Zimbabwe Gender Commission Bill, (H.B.8, 2014).
House in Committee.
Clause 1 put and agreed to.
On Clause 2:
THE MINISTER OF WOMEN’S AFFAIRS, GENDER AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (MS. CHIKWINYA): I move the
amendments standing in my name that;
On page 4 of the Bill, in subclause (1), insert the following definitions after the definition of “Chief Executive Officer”:
“gender” means the roles, duties and responsibilities which are culturally or socially ascribed to women, men, girls and boys;
“gender equality” means the equal enjoyment of rights and access to opportunities and outcomes, including resources, by women, men, girls and boys;
“gender equity” means the just and fair distribution of benefits, rewards and opportunities between women, men, girls and boys;
“gender mainstreaming” means the process of identifying and resolving gender gaps, and making the concerns and experiences of women, men, girls and boys integral to the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes in all spheres so that they benefit equally”.
On page 4 of the Bill in subclause (2) of Clause 2 delete in lines 44 and 45 the words “In this Act, “systemic barrier prejudicial to gender equality” means any barrier, practice, custom, law or other impediment prejudicial to the achievement of gender equality, including equality of opportunities and outcomes in the following spheres of activity or sectors of the society or economy” and substitute “In this Act, “systemic barrier prejudicial to gender equality, gender equity or gender mainstreaming” means any barrier, practice, custom, law or other impediment prejudicial to the achievement of gender equality, gender equality, gender equity or gender mainstreaming including equality of opportunities and outcomes in the following spheres of activity or sectors of the society or economy (whose itemization here is not to be taken as exhaustive or as limiting the generality of the foregoing)”
On page 5 of the Bill, delete paragraph (f) on lines 13 and 14 and substitute the following paragraphs –
“(f) in the sphere of family law (including marriage, divorce, custody and guardianship), children’s rights, succession and inheritance;
(g) any other sphere or activity specified by the Commission in pursuance of its constitutional mandate”.
Amendment to Clause 2 put and agreed to.
Clause 2, as amended, put and agreed to.
Clauses 3 and 4 put and agreed to.
On Clause 5:
THE MINISTER OF WOMEN’S AFFAIRS, GENDER AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (MS. CHIKWINYA): I move the
amendment standing in my name that;
On page 6 of the Bill, delete in line 11 the phrase “system barrier prejudicial to the gender equality” and substitute “systemic barrier prejudicial to gender equality, gender equity or gender mainstreaming”.
Amendment to Clause 5 put and agreed to.
Clause 5, as amended, put and agreed to.
On Clause 6:
THE MINISTER OF WOMEN’S AFFAIRS, GENDER AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (MS. CHIKWINYA): I move the
amendment standing in my name that:
On page 6 of the Bill, insert in line 7 after subsection (6) the following sub-clause and renumber the subsequent paragraphs accordingly –
“(6) an aggrieved person, may in accordance with the Administrative Justice Act [Chapter 10:28] (No. 24 of 20040, appeal against such certificate, and the court hearing the appeal shall treat any evidence or documentation subject to the certificate in the manner specified in section 8 (“Discretion to refuse or to restrict supply of reasons”) of the
Administrative Justice Act [Chapter 10:28] (No 24 of 2004)”
Amendment to Clause 6 put and agreed to.
Clause 6, as amended, put and agreed to.
On Clause 7:
THE MINISTER OF WOMEN’S AFFAIRS, GENDER AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (MS. CHIKWINYA): I move the
amendments standing in my name that:
On page 7 of the Bill, delete the introductory words, “If, after conducting an investigation, the Commission is of the opinion that the investigation has revealed any systemic barrier prejudicial to gender equality, it shall report in writing to the Minister – “ and substitute “If, after conducting an investigation, the Commission is of the opinion that the investigation has revealed any systemic barrier prejudicial to gender equality, it shall, after having informed the Minister in writing, report to
Parliament on –“
On page 7 of the Bill, delete in line 35 the phrase “systemic barrier prejudicial to gender equality” and substitute “systemic barrier prejudicial to gender equality, gender equity or gender mainstreaming”.
On page 7 of the Bill, in paragraph (c), delete in line 35 the phrase
“gender equality” and substitute “gender equality, gender equity or gender mainstreaming”.
Amendments to Clause 7 put and agreed to.
Clause 7, as amended, put and agreed to.
On Clause 8:
THE MINISTER OF WOMEN’S AFFAIRS, GENDER AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (MS. CHIKWINYA):
On page 8 of the Bill, insert the following proviso to subclause (1):
“Provided that the venue of the Gender Forum shall rotate annually through every provincial centre of Zimbabwe in such order as the
Commission shall determine”.
On page 8 of the Bill, in subclause (3), insert the following paragraph after paragraph (c):
“(d) receive reports from the subcommittees (if any) constituted in terms of subsection (4).”
On page 8 of the Bill, insert the following proviso to subclause (3), the subsequent clauses being renumbered accordingly:
“(4) To assist the Pre-Forum Committee in discharging its terms of reference the Commission may constitute a subcommittee in every provincial centre of Zimbabwe chaired by a member of the Pre-Forum Committee.
On page 8 of the Bill, delete in lines 34 and 35 subclause (4) (now subclause (5)) and substitute the following subclause:
“(5) Paragraph 7 of the First Schedule applies to the appointment and meetings of the Pre-Forum Committee, and to any subcommittee constituted in terms of subsection as if the Pre-Forum Committee and subcommittee were committees of the Commission” Amendment to Clause 8 put and agreed to.
Clause 8, as amended, put and agreed to.
Clause 9 put and agreed to.
On Clause 10:
THE MINISTER OF WOMEN’S AFFAIRS, GENDER AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (MS. CHIKWINYA): I move the
amendments standing in my name that;
On page 9 of the Bill, delete in line 18 the phrase “in consultation with the Minster” and substitute, “after consultation with the Minister”.
On page 9 of the Bill, delete the proviso to subclause (1) from lines
22 to 24.
On page 9 of the Bill, delete in line 25 the phrase “Except with written authority of the Minister”.
Amendment to Clause 10 put and agreed to.
Clause 10, as amended, put and agreed to.
Clauses 11 to 19 put and agreed to.
On First Schedule:
THE MINISTER OF WOMEN’S AFFAIRS, GENDER AND
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (MS. CHIKWINYA): I move the
amendments standing in my name that;
On page 13 of the Bill, delete paragraph 3 from lines 16 to 23 and renumber the subsequent paragraphs accordingly.
On page 13 of the Bill, in paragraph 4 (now paragraph 3) from lines
27 to 29 delete the phrase “one month after the date he or she gives notice in writing to the Minister of his or her intention to resign his office or after the expiry of such other period of notice as he or she and the Minister may agree” and substitute “one month after the date he or she gives notice in writing to the President or in the case of the CEO to the Chairperson, of his or her intention to resign his office or after the expiry of such other period of notice as he or she and the President or Chairperson, as the case maybe, agree.
On page 13 of the Bill, in paragraph 4 (now paragraph 3), delete subparagraph (2) from lines 39 to 44 and renumber subparagraph (3) as subparagraph (2).
On page 13 of the Bill, in paragraph 4 (now paragraph 3), delete in line 45 the word “Minister” and substitute “President”.
On page 14 of the Bill, in paragraph 5 (now paragraph 4), delete in line 5 the word “Minister” and substitute “President”.
Amendments to First Schedule put and agreed to.
First Schedule, as amended, put and agreed to.
House resumed.
Bill reported with amendments.
Bill referred to the Parliamentary Legal Committee.
MOTION
PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH: DEBATE ON ADDRESS
Second Order read: Adjourned debate on motion in reply to the Presidential Speech.
Question again proposed.
- E. GUMBO: Thank you Madam Speaker for giving me the
opportunity to contribute to the Presidential Speech. In his speech, His Excellency, the President touched on the need for us to focus on our economic blueprint, ZIM ASSET. It is on this respect that I would like to contribute on the issues which have been brought up; the pillars of our economic development plan.
On the pillar of health, I would like to point out that Government has taken a lot of measures; clinics have been opened but we still feel a lot needs to be done. We are also looking at community initiatives that need support, where communities can build clinics. We realise that there are bureaucratic delays from the Ministry of Health and Child Care to allocate land and approve facilities where communities are now taking a chance and a challenge to provide health facilities in the local communities.
ZIM ASSET also points to communication as a good requirement for any development of the economy. It is in this respect that I must congratulate POTRAZ for putting a lot of boosters in the country and for the Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services for bringing the law that requires all the operators to share facilities.
However, I would like to point out that in areas where POTRAZ has put boosters, some over a year, we realise reluctance of the main mobile operators - Econet and Net One to provide facilities. In my constituency, Gwanda Central, we have two boosters, one at Hale put a little bit over 18 months, which up to now has not been taken by Econet or Net One to provide essential services to the community for mobile telecommunication, internet and other services that are required – [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] –
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order! Can the hon. member be
heard in silence? If you feel like not listening to the speech, just keep quiet.
- E. GUMBO: Thank you Madam Speaker Maám. It is also pointed out in the ZIM ASSET, that the need to getting our political power is paramount to the development of the country and its economy. Power is a key driver of the economic development. To this end, I must thank our Chinese friends; our all time; all whether friends for coming up and sponsoring us in the Kariba Extension Power Station and the Hwange Power Station Units 7 and 8. This is something that we commend.
However, we realise that lack of capital to construct power stations will always be a problem. It will delay development of the power industry. However, I appeal to Zimbabweans to also take initiatives that will help the power supply of the country. For example, in the South
Western areas of this country, solar geysers could be a problem to release a lot of power that can be used elsewhere in industry. This country spends around 300 megawatts in heating water only. We can imagine if that was substituted with solar power, power givers, that energy could be used elsewhere, where it is needed. However, above all, the 300 megawatts of a power we use to heat water is the equivalent of a power station. We talk about constructing solar power stations, some of it is within my constituency of Gwanda.
I think it is a noble idea if as Zimbabweans or this august House, we care and pass a law that allows ZESA to force each and every household in the areas that are prone to solar energy to install these solar heaters and save energy. In short, if 300 megawatts was put into geysers in the southern or western parts of this country, Zimbabwe could have easily funded a 300 megawatt power station without the outside world. I believe that this is a noble idea as it is a win-win situation.
We could empower the power authority, ZESA, to install geysers and the owners of the houses could pay a nominal sum of money to the company deductable on their bills on a monthly basis, let us say US$10 to
US$15. This in turn is not an expense even to the user; he is liable to save more than $15 per month for heating his water. So, we say that is an advantage. Let everybody be a winner. The money we would have paid for ZESA would have saved power; we are now using solar energy. The solar energy comes to you on noble easy to pay terms, you only saved electricity. What you saved on electricity is what you pay for the geyser.
We are also looking for infrastructure and utilities on the ZIMASSET, we appreciate what Government has done in collaboration with the private sector in constructing the Plumtree to Mutare highway, it is a very noble idea. We need to thank the ministers and authorities who handled that so well – [HON. WADYAJENA: Inaudible interjections]
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order Hon. Wadyajena, I do not expect that to come from an hon. member.
- E. GUMBO: On infrastructure utilities, we realize that ZIMASSET called for local communities to contribute towards the infrastructure development of the areas. To this end, we realize that local communities initiatives face significant challenges of lack of technical support from Government Departments and Ministries. There are a lot of small donors who put up cement to construct local bridges in some areas.
However, when we call on Government Departments to come and give technical expertise, this has always not been forthcoming as early as we would have liked, to the extent that local communities at times feel disheartened and discouraged. We therefore call for Government to look into this and the relevant ministries to go and support initiatives by local communities.
It is also in the same vein of infrastructural development that we look at very viable national projects that can be almost self-funding that are being delayed through bureaucratic regulations and also some illegal local companies that are taking Government to court. For example, the Beitbridge-Masvingo – Harare-Chirundu Road, we have heard that the road is viable, it is self funding. Why is it not being constructed? This is a key to ZIM ASSET. Local infrastructure and transport is obviously quite necessary and we believe speeding up this road construction would be a big game changer in our economic performance.
ZIM ASSET has touched on value addition as well. Value addition on its own takes a long time because we must develop industries and get them there. However, there is another synergy to value addition, which is import substitution. We must learn to substitute what we are importing. There are industries in this country; alluminium industry is in Harare here, a subsidiary capable of producing all the aluminium requirements for this country, that has been allowed to close and we are flooding our country with cheap alluminium from elsewhere.
I think if we focus on our import substitution, support our local industry like the alluminium industry, which is a Government subsidy, we will go a long way to access the money. We are also calling for positive measures to support re-pooling of our industries to produce goods competitively. I think if we go back to our old industries, try to produce in the old ways, we might be able to compete. Therefore, we are calling for Government to look at relaxing laws, especially on importing capital goods for re-pooling our industry for us to be competitive.
We are also calling for punitive measures to restrict unnecessary imports. We have got a lot of produce that come into this country, consuming huge amounts of money where we can easily produce. As Zimbabweans, we are farmers at heart, everybody here is a good farmer, whether it is in your yard, plot or own piece of land. Zimbabweans have got a passion for farming. I think our farming industry need to be protected with matching terms from Government. Thank you Madam Speaker for giving me the opportunity give my views.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Vehicle Nos. ADE or AOE1022 White
and ADI9025, ADL0749 are blocking others. Can the owners of these vehicles go outside and remove them.
- CHIKWAMA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
- MPARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Tuesday, 21st July, 2015.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
- GONESE: I move that Order of the Day, Numbers 3 and 4 be
stood over until the rest of the Orders of the Day have been disposed of.
- MPARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE DELEGATION ON THE HIV/AIDS LEARNING
AND EXPOSURE STUDY VISIT TO KARNATAKA STATE, INDIA
Fifth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the report of the delegation of the HIV/AIDS Learning and Exposure Study Visit to Karnataka State, India, 10th – 14th November, 2014.
Question again proposed.
- CHIKWAMA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
- KWARAMBA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Tuesday, 21st July, 2015.
MOTION
HARMONISATION OF THE MINES AND MINERALS ACT AND
THE LANDS ACQUISITION ACT
Sixth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the need to harmonise the Mines and Minerals Act and the Lands Acquisition Act.
Question again proposed.
- CHIKWAMA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
- ANASTANCIA NDHLOVU: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Tuesday, 21st July, 2015.
MOTION
PEOPLE-CENTRED DEVELOPMENTAL POLICIES AND
MEASURES ON IMPROVING DOMESTIC PRODUCTION AND
FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT
Seventh Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the deteriorating social and economic conditions in the country.
Question again proposed.
- MARIDADI: Madam Speaker, I want to thank you for recognising me. Time has come Madam Speaker, to ask ourselves very difficult questions that require a lot of soul searching for us to get answers. We must be able to acknowledge our shortcomings as a people and also
say what our strengths are and be able to leverage on those strengths for the greater good of all of us.
I want to point out from the outset that no one has a monopoly to patriotism and there is no Zimbabwean who is more important than the other. We are all equal. Our approach to this unprecedented economic tailspin in the history of this world requires that we do not approach it as business as usual. The mover of this motion prays that Government must then start to dialogue with all stakeholders and the international community and come up with people centred developmental policies and measures. Among other things, the mover of the motion prays that we must stop corruption, increase domestic production, improve on domestic and foreign direct investment and that we must prepare a sustainable debt management strategy.
Mr. Speaker Sir, a country’s economic growth is usually indicated by an increase in that country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Basically, the model that is used to measure gross domestic product is that, you look at the aggregate of the country’s output and then you come up with the gross domestic product. Hence, there is economic development which looks at the quality of life and the human development index. At the beginning of this year, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development focused at a growth of 6% with 4% inflation. Since then, we have seen the country’s leap into deflation and prices declining by the day.
I want to just look at some historical factors that are of interest to debating this motion. In 1980 at independence on the 18th of April, our highest denomination was a ten dollar note and that ten dollar note, its value in relation to the US dollar was about 9.80 Zimbabwe cents. It means that the Zimbabwe dollar then was stronger than the US dollar. Twenty eight years later, our highest denomination was a quintillion with a face value of less than one US dollar. Two years after that, our currency ceased to exist and today, we use the US dollar – talk about sovereignty.
I want to give you the trends in the manufacturing sector since 1930 to this year so that you will get to understand the background before I get into the meat of my discussion. The GDP in 1992 picked at 26.9%. Manufacturing as a contribution to GDP was 26.9% but when the country started collapsing, in 2002 it declined to only 7.2% of GDP. That is the percentage of manufacturing to GDP. Various Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries manufacturing sector survey suggested that the industrial capacity utilisation declined sharply from 35.8% in 2005 to 18.9% in 2007 and today it is below 10%. So, capacity and utilisation in industry and commerce is below 10%. We must also acknowledge that during the
Inclusive Government between 2009 and 2013, the country picked a bit. Capacity utilisation in industry and commerce was at about 40% and it picked at 44% in 2012 and now it has started declining. In 2004, 80% of jobs in Zimbabwe were in the informal sector and in 2011, 86% of the economy has been informalised.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I also want to take you back to 1985 so that you see what we have done to this country. Between 1985 and 1986, the manufacturing sector was responsible for just over 25% of GDP with net output valued at $2.5bn. Z$2.5bn was equivalent to US$1.5bn. What it means is that the Z$ in relation to the US$, with US$1, you got just about Z$1.75. The Z$ was very powerful. In 1985, export of manufactured products totalled Z$726m which was equivalent to US$450m and contributing to about 50% of domestic exports. Over the two year period 1983 to 1984, 18% of total gross fixed investment originated in the manufacturing sector valued at $215m for each year. In 1987, Zimbabwean exports were 33% of GDP. In 2008, exports only contributed to 9.9% of GDP. There was a decline of more than 22%. The country recorded a low of $156.41m in March 2014. In January of 2015, Zimbabwe exported just $231m worth of goods. In March of this year, exports declined by 27.6% to only $180.88m.
When you talk of FDI in 2014, South Africa attracted $5.7bn, Zambia attracted $2.5bn, Mozambique attracted $4.8bn and Zimbabwe attracted $560m. Not only that, but $73m of that $560m took flight. What it means is that Zimbabwe in 2014 attracted less than $460m in FDI. There are a number of indications which talk about the stress of our economy – bank failures, declines and sales of primary consumer goods and reports of company failures. I think people in formal employment are about 500 000 and half of those are employed by the Civil Service. What it means is that industry and commerce in Zimbabwe employs less than 250 000. A country of 13m people has less than 250 000 people employed in formal employment. Everyone is either a vendor or doing some other things. I want to talk about industry by industry and different sectors of the economy starting with industry going to agriculture, industry and commerce and then talk about tourism. The Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry was here talking about how the country would be revived through tourism. Botswana with a population of 2m people attracted 1.2m visitors and Zimbabwe attracted only a quarter of those people. Remember, Zimbabwe boasts of having one of the only seven natural wonders of the world, the Victoria Falls. Zimbabwe has been favoured by even creation because the Victoria Falls is situated between Zimbabwe and Zambia, but if you want to see the Victoria Falls you must come to Zimbabwe and yet there are more people visiting Zambia to look at the Victoria Falls than people who are coming to Zimbabwe to look at the Victoria Falls. When you look at the Victoria Falls from the Zambian border, it is like looking at a person from behind and yet people do not want to come to Zimbabwe to look at the Victoria Falls from the front. When you talk about FDI, you talk about companies like Essar. Essar signed an agreement with this Government in 2009 and Essar has put $900m into this economy but up to this day, Essar has not been able to operate because of bureaucratic bungling. Whenever a company is coming to invest in Zimbabwe, the first question they ask is - how far have you gone with the Essar deal? The answer is that Essar is not able to operate because of bureaucratic bungling.
Mr. Speaker Sir, the indigenisation policy has not done anything to attract investment, if anything the indigenisation policy has caused investment flight. According to the World Bank’s recent “Doing Business
Indicators”, Zimbabwe slipped from position 157 out of 185 countries to position 173. One of the few countries which Zimbabwe is better than in Africa is South Sudan. What it means is that when you come to Zimbabwe, it takes you more than 6 months for you to be able to do an investment and yet when you go to countries like Rwanda, it is known that 800 000 of those people killed each other in 1994. When you go to Rwanda and you want to invest, it takes you 48 hours for you to be able to do an investment in Rwanda and yet in Zimbabwe it takes you more than 6 months.
The President of this country went to China to attract investment and when the Chinese were coming to Zimbabwe to follow up on those investments, they were deported at the airport. What it means is that the country’s policies are not talking to each other. Government is broke and the Minister of Finance and Economic Development talked about Treasury
Bills, no one will touch Zimbabwe’s TBs because Government is broke and it is not able to fund them. What we know is that when those TBs mature, Government will advocate for their rolling over because it does not have money to fund the Treasury Bills when they mature. Government cannot do anything about it because it is broke. The financial sector which is meant to be the bedrock of economic recovery, because it is the conduit through which economic transactions take place, the financial sector has been in a perpetual state of collapse ever since 2004 and the latest banks to collapse were AfrAsia Kingdom. What it means is that the financial sector is not able to lend money to the productive sector because it is sneezing. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe is still not the banker of last resort because of their balance sheet. The Reserve Bank Debt Assumption Bill which is soon to become an Act is actually crafted in a way that it must clean the RBZ balance sheet. What it means is that the RBZ cannot use monetary policy to stamp our economy because we are not able to print our own currency. We cannot use the monetary policy to improve our fiscal space because the money that we are using is not ours and we are not able to print it.
I spoke about FDI and the money that has taken flight out of Zimbabwe. We are experiencing capital flight. A huge international conglomerate like Rio Tinto divested out of Murowa Diamonds and Rio Zim. When you talk about the Look East Policy, Zimbabwe has a tendency to cut and paste but what we know is that when China were improving their economy, they adopted what they called “Socialism with Chinese
Characteristics”. What it means is that, even when you look at the Chinese or the Tigers of Asia, you must look at peculiar characteristics that are prevailing in Zimbabwe and use those peculiar characteristics and that is how you can craft our own economic policy going forward. You cannot cut and paste the Chinese scenario and hope that it will bear fruit for Zimbabwe. It will not. Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to talk about the way Government is run. Ever since 2013, we have numerous Cabinet reshuffles, numerous ministers have been fired and numerous ministers have been reappointed. What it means is that there is no continuity in Government and firing of ministers and reappointing others almost on a daily basis is becoming a circus. I was waiting in this House for Hon. Matiza to come so that I congratulate him for being appointed the Minister of State in Mashonaland East Province, before I could congratulate him, he has been fired and yet he had been appointed barely three months ago. Mr. Speaker, we cannot have a country where at the stroke of a pen or every morning you wake up, there is a Cabinet reshuffle, it does not work like
that.
Mr. Speaker Sir, our country has the biggest Cabinet, 75 in all. Our Cabinet is so huge, a country of 13 million people has a Cabinet of 75 people and yet when you look at South Africa, a country with five times our population, a country with 52 million people has a Cabinet of 28. Even if you look at the United States, a country with 320 million people, it has a Cabinet of 15 people. What it means Mr. Speaker is that when
Cabinet is appointed and reappointed, it makes it very difficult for the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development to plan. When Ministers are appointed, each Minister must get an executive vehicle a Mercedes Benz E300 which at ZIMOCO is valued at US$120 000. Again, our Ministers are now getting Range Rover Vogue, the ones our Ministers are driving is worth 296 000. Not even the British Prime Minister David Cameron drives a vehicle of that expense and yet these vehicles are manufactured in the United Kingdom. Where do you get that kind of money to buy that kind of a vehicle in a country with a Budget of less than US$4 billion? I am giving Britain as an example, it has a GDP of 3.5 trillion and our GDP is 8 million and yet our ministers drive Range Rovers, each one valued at US$296 000, that is a luxury that we cannot afford.
Having said all this, I want to talk about ZIM ASSET. When ZIM Asset was announced; we were told ZIM ASSET was the economic blue print that will deliver the economy of this country. I want to point out that ZIM ASSET needs US$35 billion for it to realise its full potential. ZIM
ASSET does not have a finance mechanism of its own, it is said that ZIM
ASSET must get money from the national Budget and then the national Budget gets money from ZIM ASSET, so which is which? It is a chicken and egg situation. So, ZIM ASSET as a blueprint for the economic recovery of this country is dead in the water, we cannot talk about it.
Mr. Speaker, whenever members stand up to debate in this country, they talk about beneficiation, value addition and it sounds like a record stuck in a groove. Those countries that have benefitted from beneficiation like South Africa, have a beneficiation policy. Zimbabwe does not have a beneficiation policy. How do you even start to beneficiate when you do not have a policy? Zambia which beneficiates its minerals has a beneficiation policy, Malawi is in the process of coming up with a beneficiation policy. You talk about beneficiation and yet we do not have a policy.
Mr. Speaker, one of the issues that is raised in this motion is the issue of corruption. I want to say if we deal with corruption as once said by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe that if we deal with corruption, we have dealt with 75% of the country’s problems. Here is what I mean Mr. Speaker - Government gives service delivery via state enterprises and state enterprises are Government companies that are formed to partake in business and they must declare a dividend to Government. There is no single parastatal that has declared a dividend to Government since 1985. All parastatals make a loss and they go back to Treasury for bail. I will give you an example of just four parastatals, the National Railways of Zimbabwe. It is supposed to be the prime mover of local as well as exported bulk goods; it has a net current liability of US$131 million as of 31 December, 2014.
Mr. Speaker Sir, the parastatals made a cumulative loss of US$236 million and the Auditor General said the National Railways of Zimbabwe cannot be regarded as going concern. What it means is that the National Railways of Zimbabwe is technically insolvent. If it was owned by an individual, the National Railways of Zimbabwe should be under curatorship or judicial management. The National Railways of Zimbabwe has not been able to pay salaries in the past two years. What it means is that the employees of the National Railways are owed salaries going back to two years.
Let me talk about the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe. Mr. Speaker, CAAZ duty is to promote safety, regular and efficient use and development of the aviation industry and also advising Government on all matters relating to domestic and international civil aviation, it is also in the red. CAAZ current liabilities exceed current assets by US$155 million and this was end of 2013. In addition, the authority also incurred a net loss amounting to US$14 million for the year ended 31 December, 2013. The accumulated losses rose to US$97 million in 2012 to US$112 million in 2013 representing, a 15% increases in loses in the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe.
Moving on to the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation
(ZMDC), ZMDC is an arm of Government that participates in mining on behalf of Government. We are told that mining is what will deliver this country. I do not know how this is going to happen when ZMDC, which is wholly owned by Government has a working capital deficit of US$128 million as of 31 December. This was despite revenue coming from diamonds, and again when Hon. Chinamasa presented a statement this year, he did not make provisions of inflows coming from the diamond sector. What that basically means is that alluvial diamonds are exhausted.
ZMDC’s financial statements did not include the corporate subsidiaries which are struggling, subsidiaries like Shabani and Mashava
Mine, where it holds 17% shareholding, Todal Mine 40% and J’nan 50%.
Mr. Speaker, just yesterday, a Government Minister was talking about
‘Government wants to participate in Telecel Zimbabwe using Zarnet, a company which is on the brink of collapse and the Minister said it is one way of making Zarnet profitable. Mr. Speaker, Telecel is a profit making company.
If you look at Government history in business, it is in shambles, ZMDC has collapsed. All mines in which Government has shareholding have collapsed for example Shabane Mashava Mine, Murowa Mine, Global Platinum Resources and Rash Chrome Mine, and Government has a shareholding in that. Mr. Speaker Sir, ZMDC incurred a total loss before tax of US$26 million last year and its liabilities exceed assets by US$127 million. Mbada Diamonds which sponsored soccer in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 and it is owned 50% by this Government, posted a loss last year of US$49 million. That was last year whereas in 2012, the same Mbada diamonds is said to have made a profit of US$56 million, very interesting. Current liabilities of Mbada exceed current assets by US$89 million and Marange Resources which is 100% owned by Government is technically insolvent and it has a staggering US$74 million in debt.
Mr. Speaker, the picture I paint here is very gloomy. We talk of land, Zimbabwe’s land is of no value, because no bank can give you money on the basis of land. 99 Year Leases are not bankable, you cannot go to the bank, looking for money and tell them that you have a 99 Year Lease, they will tell you to go away. What it means is that we have the wrong policies. It will take the stroke of a pen, just one afternoon, the
President makes a statement that people must get title deeds and
Zimbabwe’s economic value will shoot through the window, because what that would mean is that every farm will become bankable. A person with a title deed will be able to walk into a bank and access capital and go back to the farm. How do you expect Zimbabwe to be of value when everybody who is sitting on a piece of land has no security of tenure? It is of no use to get a piece of land which you cannot work on or a piece of land which you have no security of tenure for. It is the same land that we have invaded that was used by white commercial farmers to make Zimbabwe the bread basket of Southern Africa. It is the same climatic conditions and yet Zimbabwe is a basket case.
All that I have said points to one thing, which is leadership. We can talk about corruption, a collapsing economy and vendors on the streets of Harare but all these things point to lack of leadership in this country. This country is operating on auto pilot. There is no leadership. True leaders would stand up and say, why is it that in Zimbabwe we have more people on the streets of Harare selling wares than we have people employed in the formal market? That is what leadership would say, but there is no one asking that question. Time has come for us to ask ourselves difficult questions. The issue of vendors cannot be solved because the problem of vendors was created from the highest office. We have people that are not in Government who make irresponsible statements that are an albatross on the necks of Zimbabweans. If somebody wakes up one morning and goes out there and says everyone can become a vendor without even consulting those in Government, we have a problem and those that are responsible for running this country must stand up and say this is not the way things are done.
The only way to solve the issue of vendors is, if somebody stands up and say, you 200 people, leave this road and go and get employment in that company. If that does not happen you cannot solve the problem of vendors. Vendors were created by this Government and the problems we have were created by this Government, therefore, this Government cannot offer a solution. So, this nation is saying that Government must call upon stakeholders to come together and craft a policy that will get this country out of this mess. Government on its own cannot do it. Mr. Speaker, the Hon. Minister of Local Government who is now Minister of Home Affairs was here. He made a statement going into the elections of 2013 for all money owed to local authorities to be scrapped. That decision alone, without consulting the Ministry of Finance, took local councils 15 years back and what this means is that a person who was paying his rentals on a monthly basis now does not pay for fear of losing out in 2018, because the Minister influenced by politics will make another statement for all outstanding amounts to be cancelled.
This Government must start to be responsible and corruption must be dealt with from the highest office. The President must make a statement and the only way he can do that is to get one of his ministers involved in corruption arrested. We know the ministers involved in corruption. In conclusion Mr. Speaker Sir, the point is, this country needs new leadership and we must get that new leadership now. I thank you.
- SHAMU: I want to start by thanking Hon. Mashakada for moving this motion that we are debating. The call that was made with regards to the issue of patriotism is indeed noble and I do agree with him. However, patriotism means love for our ancestry. Patriotism calls for that culture where one has to have unmitigated love for their homeland. We must be prepared to offer the highest sacrifice in life in order for one to defend the interests of their own country. In other words, what Hon. Mashakada said as he was presenting his paper was agreeing with the fact that, let us all be reminded that Zimbabwe was born out of an arduous protracted struggle that saw many gallant sons and daughters of Zimbabwe perishing in order for us to be liberated, so we can speak as we do in this House today.
I would like to thank His Excellency, Cde. R. G. Mugabe for the leadership that he gave to this country in order for us to be free. I would also want to thank his brother, in the struggle, Cde. J. M. N. Nkomo for their revolutionary leadership that gave birth to Zimbabwe, a country we are proud of. I am underscoring this point because I have listened to a number of speakers here, getting to the extent of denigrating the very revolutionary leadership that made it possible for them to be able to stand in this House and speak as they do. They forget where we came from and therefore, let us always be reminded that patriotism is a non negotiable principle.
I now want to come to the issue of economic growth. I believe that economic growth should never be discussed simplistically. Our views on economic growth in Africa and in Zimbabwe in particular, should always be informed by the revolutionary theories of such great revolutionaries as the late Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana. He did say that “we must find an
African solution to our African problems and this can only be possible if there is African unity, for divided we are weak but united we could become one of the greatest forces for good in the world”. If we take what he said and superimpose it on what is happening in Zimbabwe today and ask ourselves, are we holding onto that spirit which brought about virtually the independence of Africa today, we find ourselves asking questions because some amongst us, do not believe in that principle and therefore, they need to be educated in order to understand where we came from and where we are and where we want to go.
Mr. Speaker Sir, that then of course, is what should really guide us as Zimbabweans. When we speak or seek resolutions to our problems, those solutions must always be based on the realities of our own countries, our own societies, and the aspirations of our own people. Now, if you look at Zimbabwe today, it has truly come of age. We have in our hands our freedom. We are indeed masters of our political destiny. –[HON.
MEMBERS: Hear, hear]-
We now have a reputation as Zimbabwe of resilience, survival and being able to deliver the desires, the aspirations of our people against unprecedented odds. Zimbabwe is one country that everybody agrees today that we are the most indigenised and empowered country in the developing world. –[HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear]- Here, I must underscore our appreciation to the policies of ZANU PF –[HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear]- Why do I say so? I say so basing myself on empirical evidence.
Let us look back, from the year 2000 to 2013 when we embarked on the land reform programme. In that decade we saw 12 117 000 hectares of land being liberated. That land was in the hands of 3 500 beneficiaries, of colonialism and the illegal racist regime of Rhodesia. The 12 117 000 hectares were resettled by 276 000 households. Statistics show that process created 1 million jobs. Thanks to ZANU PF, thanks to the leadership of His Excellency, Cde. R. G. Mugabe.
Here, we are talking of positive policies which we should honestly and genuinely embrace. We talk of the look east policy enunciated by His Excellency, Cde. R. G. Mugabe and what do we see today? We see testimony of how correct he was, not only in terms of Zimbabwe, not only in terms of Africa, but in terms of the world. Last week Mr. Speaker the BRICS countries, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, were attending a meeting in AFA in Russia, strategising on the establishment on a BRICS Development Bank as an alternative to the existing United States dominated International Monetary fund and the World Bank. Now, where was this happening? In AFA and where is AFA? In Russia and where is
Russia, in the East. Who says look east, it is President Robert Mugabe.
Who is in the East, the BRICS countries are in the East. – [HON.
MEMBERS: Hear, hear]-
Mr. Speaker Sir, where is the headquarters of the BRICS
Development Bank? In Shanghai, and where is Shanghai, in China. Where is China? In the East and not in the West, $100 billion was put into the bank. That money will finance infrastructure projects. This is but only the beginning of a new world economic order. Historically, President R. G. Mugabe propounded this policy for over 15 years. Today we are seeing reality, not only in terms of Zimbabwe, but in terms of the world at large through the BRICS countries.
I want to go back to Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and what he said in 1961 in his I freedom speech. He said “Although most Africans are poor, our continent is potentially extremely rich. Our mineral resources which are being exploited with foreign capital only to enrich foreign investors range from gold, diamonds, uranium and petroleum. Our forests contain some of the finest woods to be grown anywhere. Our cash crops include cocoa, coffee, rubber, tobacco and cotton.
As for power which is an important factor in any economic development. Africa contains over 40% of the potential water power of the world, as compared with about 10% in Europe and 3% in North America yet so far, less than 1% has been developed. This is one of the reasons why we have in Africa the paradox of poverty in the midst of plenty, and scarcity in the midst of abundance.” That is Kwame Nkrumah Mr.
Speaker, speaking in 1961.
Hence in his wisdom, His Excellency, President R.G. Mugabe said, we need to go back to the principles of the founding fathers of the
Organisation of African Unity (OAU) now the African Union (AU). In Zimbabwe, we need to embrace that thinking in order to genuinely move our country towards completing the road that we started that will assure us of total freedom, which means political freedom enhanced by economic freedom.
Mr. Speaker, I am sure there are some amongst us who have studied the theories of people like W. W. Rostow, his five stages model of development. We must be aware that if we follow what the West is saying to us about how to develop our country, it will take us three hundred and five years to get to where the capitalist developed countries are now. Three hundred and five years, if you calculate, following the steps that they went through and you want to pretend to be ‘a know it all’ in order to please them, it will take us three hundred and five years to reach the stage that they are at now. Will they be waiting for us to catch up? No! Therefore, we need home-grown solutions in order for us to be able to develop our economy as we wish.
Some have spoken within this House challenging the current dispensation. They spoke of how Ian Smith was able to survive the so called sanctions. Mr. Speaker, we forget that the Ian Smith regime was basing its survival on exploiting the people of Zimbabwe. We forget that those who worked in the factories were being paid pittance; those who were working on the farms were mere farm labourers whose remuneration was next to nothing; mine workers would sweat for pittance and domestic workers lived from hand to mouth.
Mr. Speaker, if you were to go into a butchery to buy meat you would be advised to buy ‘boys meat’. Boys poor quality meat was what was earmarked for the indigenous people of this country. At that time, multi-nationals continued to support the Ian Smith regime breaking the United Nations sanctions …
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, order. Hon. member,
you are left with five minutes in which to conclude your debate.
- SHAMU: Thank you Mr. Speaker. The Western capitalist countries supported the regime here and yet we, the people of Zimbabwe who liberated our country, find the same western countries refusing to support us. – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – Fighting us day in and day out and imposing illegal sanctions that are not recognised by the
United Nations. – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –
So, the road to take for our economic recovery can only be realised if we are united; united and bound by principles of a revolution as espoused by revolutionaries and not reactionaries, espoused by those who believe in themselves and not those who believe in being told what to do by the western capitalist countries, who are told to jump and they ask, how high?
We say, no, when they say jump, I ask why should you ask me to jump?
I was speaking to Hon. Chapfika with regards to a gentleman I met last week, Mr. Caleb Fundanga, the President of the Institute for Finance and Economics and current Executive Director of the Micro-Economic and Financial Management Institute of Eastern and Southern Africa who is now based in Zimbabwe. I was very impressed when I listened to his views on how Africa should manage its debts. Hon. Chapfika, Chairman of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Finance, has to meet him on Monday so that they can discuss African solutions to our African problems.
I am mentioning Mr. Fundanga’s name, Mr. Speaker because I also came across a publication reporting on a visit to Norway where he went with a delegation that included the Permanent Secretary for Finance and Economic Development Cde. Willard Manungo and the ZIMRA Commissioner General, Cde. Gershom Pasi to see how the Norwegians managed their natural resources. That is the positive position that we need to take instead of refusing to accept that our former colonisers will never be our friends today – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –
Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to conclude by underscoring what Dr. Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah said and what His Excellency the President, who is a disciple of Kwame Nkrumah has often reminded us that our political independence without economic independence is meaningless. This can only be achieved by people who are united and I hope that the definition of the patriotism that Hon. Mashakada spoke about will be defined correctly. I thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: I would want to remind hon.
members that in terms of the new Standing Orders, members are now expected to debate for 20 minutes instead of 30 minutes. That means that you have lost 10 minutes of your debating time in terms of the new Standing Orders, so be guided.
- MANDIPAKA: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir, I will
start my debate in this fashion. Let me congratulate Dr. Hon. Mashakada for bringing forth this very important motion that is speaking about bread and butter issues. I would want to congratulate him for thinking about this motion and bringing it to this august House.
Mr. Speaker Sir, allow me to say that if this august House was a court of law, I would safely tell Dr. Hon. Mashakada that he was approaching this motion with dirty hands. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] - Why do I say so?
The worst thing that we ever had in this country and the worst
Government that we have ever had in this country was the Government of
National Unity (GNU) … - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] - We wasted a lot of time entertaining proponents of regime change. I am uncomfortable Mr. Speaker Sir, at the height of double standards and hypocrisy by MDC. I am disturbed Mr. Speaker Sir that the same people who called for sanctions to destroy the Zimbabwean economy are the same people who pretend to want Zimbabweans – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – I am terribly disturbed. This is the worst opposition that we have ever had in this country – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] - It is the worst opposition that has colluded with an enemy and called upon sanctions for
Zimbabweans to suffer – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.]
I would call upon Zimbabweans not to be cheated by such an opposition. I would call upon Zimbabweans not to vote for such an opposition because this is the kind of opposition that has destroyed Zimbabwe and they continue to destroy the country by peddling falsehoods and by denigrating His Excellency, the President of this country.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I would like to call upon the international community to remove sanctions upon the President of this country; to remove sanctions on the First Family of this country so that the economy can move forward – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – Mr.
Speaker Sir, I have high respect for academic doctors in the mode of Hon. Mashakada. He managed to define patriotism but there is something that he left out because if you are a patriot, you love your country. You go further Mr. Speaker Sir, even to shed your blood for its sovereignty but the kind of opposition that we have is that kind of opposition in the mode of traitors and sell outs and they have done much damage to this country.
I want to challenge the leadership of MDC to come in the open and apologise to Zimbabweans for having destroyed this economy – [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – the number of vendors that we see is because of MDC. Mr. Speaker Sir, let me go back to 1999 when MDC- T was formed. Commercial farmers who were disappointed that we have taken our land congregated and – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – The suffering that we endure even here in Parliament is because of this opposition. Mr. Speaker Sir, I am really surprised that these people would want to come in this august House and talk about the economy of this country. Illegal economic sanctions, economists estimate that about $42 billion could have accrued to this country within the last 10 years if it were not for sanctions. It is treachery and treason Mr. Speaker Sir, for people who are indigenous Zimbabweans to collude with enemies so that the economy is destroyed.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I will stop at nothing but I would want to indicate in my debate that there is need for reform in the MDC. MDC needs to indigenize if it truly represents the interests of Zimbabweans. So, there is something wrong with our opposition politics in this country and it has contributed negatively to the economy. Mr. Speaker Sir, allow me to state that for colluding with our erstwhile colonizers, you have become enemies of the people; for colluding with the Westerners, opposition MDC has become the first enemy of the people of Zimbabwe. I will assure you Zimbabweans are not foolish and are well aware of the damage that you cause in this country – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – When the last speaker from the opposite side spoke, he spoke like a clean, clear and vigorous proponent of regime change agenda. We are alert to the fact that you will continue to propose change of leadership but I will tell you,
Zimbabweans are not foolish. They are fully behind the leadership of Cde. Robert, Gabriel Mugabe – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – because he was able to distribute land to the majority of the people to improve the well being of the people. That was a big score to the current Government.
- MPARIWA: On a point of order Mr. Speaker. I believe that we have had enough of the abuse from the hon. member. Can he revert back to the motion – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, order hon. members!
Hon. member, you may resume your debate.
- MANDIPAKA: Mr. Speaker Sir, there is no abuse
whatsoever. We are speaking facts as they are. If they call it abuse, what more abuse the hon. member from the opposite was denigrating our President in our presence in this august House. What more abuse would you want? This is no abuse at all, allow me to continue. Mr. Speaker Sir, Zimbabweans are peace loving people, they respect human rights, they are literate and aligns to the machinations of the enemy.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to thank Hon. Mashakada for making interesting revelations. In his own words, Dr. Mashakada said we cannot continue to groan on something, meaning sanctions that have already happened; he was very correct. This nation cannot continue to groan and that is why the Government in its wisdom has crafted the ZIM ASSET document. The ZIM ASSET document is not talking about $35 billion as earlier on alluded to. ZIM ASSET is talking about us using available resources and beneficiating on those resources so that we improve the lot of our people who were paralyzed by sanctions – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] - That is what ZIM ASSET is talking about. ZIM ASSET is not talking about British money, Foreign Direct Investment but is talking about using our own resources to enrich our own people.
Some people from the opposite side might suggest that we should not talk about sanctions. We will continue to talk about sanctions for as long as we live because they did quite a lot of damage. We might forget Mr. Speaker Sir, but we will always remember that there were people who called out for sanctions. Before the sanctions, our economy was stable, until Hon. Maridadi managed to enlighten us on the situation that was there in 1985 to the 1990s; things were stable. Our economy was alright, but with the emergence of the Western sponsored opposition politics, we started to get problems.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I would like to prescribe what this nation can do to improve on our economy. The economy that we are talking about is the wealth, resources of a country and production within industries. What I am going to propose is that for us to attract foreign direct investment, we need to build confidence with outsiders. We need to remove the perception, the dirty patch, the false patch that was given to this country –
HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear] –
If we remove that and market ourselves as a proper, fair and peaceful destination, then our foreign direct investment is going to come. But, for as long as we have long mouthed people amongst ourselves, who connive and act in cahoots with enemies, the economy is not going to improve. No investor is going to come. So, we need as a country to make sure that we make amends on that patch. I am not moved by the squabbling that is taking place on the opposite side.
The media should play a fundamental role to write developmental stories. Once the media does that; once the media portrays Zimbabwe in good likes, we are going to attract investors. So, I call upon the media this afternoon to play a fundamental role.
Corruption Mr. Speaker Sir, is cancer. We need, as a matter of urgency, to make sure that we tackle corruption head on. If we do not tackle corruption head on, we are adding salt to an existing injury. No matter what it takes, we need as a country to adopt good corporate governance so that we improve in our systems.
I would also want to challenge Parliamentary Portfolio Committees as we conduct our oversight roles, to at least be thorough and ensure that institutions and ministries perform to expectations. Let us commit ourselves to maintain close economic ties with countries in the BRICS. That is Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. These are countries that are friendly to Zimbabwe.
I would also want to urge our nation to make sure that we have an efficient and proper collection of taxes system that we employ in this country. In other words, as Zimbabweans, we should be able to pay our taxes. We also need to live within our means. We need to save money and keep debt levels low so that we do not go out of bounce. Mr. Speaker Sir, Zimbabweans are encouraged to ensure that they consume local products and make sure that the products that we grow in this country are competitive with the international market.
Lastly, those who assisted to nicodemously craft ZIDERA should stand warned, that what they have done is treacherous. What they have done is criminal and our people have suffered because of their machinations. I thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: Thank you Mr. Speaker.
Let me agree and also thank our colleague Dr. Mashakada for having moved this motion. Let me also agree with Hon. Mandipaka, that just as he speaks about people approaching this House with dirty hands, perhaps he also should pay back the money that he was being paid by the Smith regime when he was a policeman – HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear] –
He certainly did not go to the war. Let the true war veterans stand and talk about going to war. This is why we can let Hon. Shamu speak, but you cannot speak about going to war when you were being paid by the Smith Regime – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – Mr. Speaker, let me start with the issue of women. You must be surprised why women are not debating this motion. If anybody looked and listened at what is happening in this House, they would assume it is a House of males only and not necessarily females. I think we need to understand why it is difficult for females to engage in this debate.
We are tired of men that want to listen to their voices; men that give us no solution; men that have failed to be men because we have been reduced to women who are now buying second hand panties because these men have failed to be the men that we knew of; the men of yesterday. – HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – It is like this because we have allowed men to continuously lead us. They have all been a failure, whether it is in the household, in the nation or elsewhere. Perhaps it is time that women themselves should say it is enough.
- HLONGWANE: On a point of order. Mr. Speaker, I am such a good man. I do not know why she is blanketing me along with everybody else. She should not do that.
MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: With the exception of
Hon. Hlongwane – [Laughter] – I have four issues that I want to raise which I do not think I have heard are as part of this discussion. Mr.
Speaker, we make assumptions that the economy is just an economy. What we see with the economy is but a symptom of a lot of other problems that are underlining the kind of problems that we have. Today, I want to deal with those issues that are usually referred to as ‘the elephant in the living room’ because we are afraid of talking about it. We think we will be labeled in a certain way but I think until we begin to grapple with these issues because most of the countries have had to deal with these issues directly, we need to deal with it.
The first issue that I want to deal with is the issue around ethnicity, the politics of ethnicity. You can only push a country if everybody feels they are part of that nation. We have gotten to a point in this country where we do not feel bad about calling each other a minority group. There is no minority group but are marginalised communities. There are marginalised communities because we continue to refuse to put them at the centre of where things are happening Mr. Speaker. Unfortunately, each time you raise this issue, it is turned around to be a leash of tribalism. Mr. Speaker Sir, I brought a motion here that was speaking about the issue around representation in parastatals and the problem that arises with that representation. Before the week was over, what happened? In Lupane, when we were now appointing a Vice Chancellor, who do we pick? We pick somebody who is coming from Mashonaland to become the Vice
Chancellor of Matebeleland – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]
–
- MUDEREDZWA: On a point of order Mr. Speaker Sir. With due respect Mr. Speaker Sir, I thought the hon. member is being guided by the motion by Dr. Mashakada. The issues she is raising are very far away from the motion; let us discuss the economics of this country.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: You may continue hon. member.
MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: Mr. Speaker Sir, you will
have to begin to pick your people up. There is no economy that has ever succeeded when you have a people who do not feel to be part of that economy, it has never happened. This is why I started by raising the issue of the fact that, the silence of women in here should be a cause for concern. It means that they are completely out of this debate and feel that there is no point in raising it.
The issue of the politics of ethnicity is a reality in this country and if we do not deal with it, we will continue to have problems. It is not by accident and the President of this country has continued to speak about it. He has continued to speak about places like Bulawayo for example, being dead economically. Where he has not gone that far, is to begin to say, but why is it dead? It is dead because those people in that particular area do not believe they are part of this country, they do not believe they are part of Zimbabwe. It is not only in Bulawayo, it is places like Masvingo and Manicaland.
When we begin to have one particular class of people who think that they are the only dominating tribe or class in every sphere of everything that goes on, then we have a problem Mr. Speaker Sir. Until we deal with the issue around ethnicity, we have a problem. Our problem as Zimbabweans, and I look around all these people, when we are walking out - I have only called you hon. members because you love being called hon. members.
However, I have never heard President Mugabe call himself, His Excellency, he calls himself Robert Gabriel Mugabe, but people here are so desperate to be called honourable, so I will call you honourable. It is sad that you want to be called honourable in an economy we have right now – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear] – The hon. members that are sitting here when you go out there – if it is about challenging a particular person like we now have and removing him from a farm, they use none other than the issue of ethnicity. Even if you are here in Mashonaland, somebody has a farm in Mashonaland West, that person will be thrown out because they happen to be Karanga. If you have a farm…
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order hon. member. I had let the hon. member to continue debating out of the subject. May you please speak to the motion.
MRS. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: I will go to point 2. Mr.
Speaker Sir, the other elephant that is in the living room, which was raised by Hon. Mashakada in his motion, is when he calls upon the discussion and dialogue that is needed between stakeholders. We cannot ask stakeholders outside to begin to have a dialogue when we are failing to have a dialogue amongst ourselves here in this House. You cannot ask people to do that.
I know that my other colleague raised the issue about how much we failed as the Inclusive Government. It is his opinion and I will let him carry it. However, one thing that I can tell him is that, it was only during that time where you could tell that there was dialogue in Zimbabwe. You may have failed anywhere else, but we had dialogue. The unfortunate thing that has happened and which is why I keep going back is the fact that women are tired of speaking because they see no point in raising it.
I was fortunate enough to sit for about 41/2 years with this man that we call Cde. Robert Gabriel Mugabe. He would give as much as he got, he was not a man to run away from dialogue, you could disagree or agree or he would compromise to the point. What has happened right now is that we have a President in captivity, a small clique of people as if they own him. When President Mugabe is at Munhumutapa, he is a President of everybody else; he is not a President of ZANU PF. He becomes a
President of ZANU PF when he is sitting at the ‘Shake Shake Building.’
Until he is able to listen to the voices of those that do not say things he want to hear, he will not understand the kind of issues that we are talking about. I have no idea who is protecting the President from coming here so that he can hear the pain and hurt. I know that he has such capacity to answer for himself. If there are people who are denigrating the
President of this country, it is the people who are on the ZANU PF bench. You are refusing him to give the capacity that I know he has, let him come here and address the House. Let us raise the issues around the economy, let us have dialogue with him and let him be able to respond to the issues that are being raised in this House. These people that he enacts and they feel that they are able to do his job, they do not. They are busy gossiping, lying, playing politics – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – we want him to come here and be able to know what is happening in this country. We need to talk about it.
The reason why the economy is not happening, I can speak for myself. I have had investors come to this country and they have been shoved from one corner to another until I have had – I think you have probably noticed when I am sitting here, I am literally running back and forth onto that bench. The reason why I am running to that bench is that, I am trying to say, is it possible for you to come and see somebody who wants to open a cement firm, or to come and do this and that. This is because we have such blockages and people cannot go in. A secretary when you want an appointment with the Minister will ask for a phone,
‘please can you bring me a telephone next time when you come.’ They cannot get into the gate.
If I were to ask, I probably got one year, because I have been told about certain people who have been asking for money so that they can bring investment in this country and I can name them. I have been requesting for an appointment so that I can sit and say Cde. Robert Mugabe, bring so and so here and I sit here, so and so has been asking for US$10 million from this person, but the ‘gatekeepers’ are there.
During the Inclusive Government, it was easy because as he was going out, I would immediately follow him and I will sit there and say, do you know that Minister so and so was asked to facilitate investment by investor so and so and he did not. The good thing about him is, he would immediately pick up his phone and say please come to my office and it would be dealt with. But now, you have closed those that are able to speak and it is deliberate. It is a clique, a baron, a team and it is people who have decided that this is what they are going to do to their President. It is unfortunate that no one even gets him to read the Hansard so that he can know.
If you were to put a box outside there and say to the people of Zimbabwe, there is no policeman who will see you, please indicate how you feel about this Parliament, none of these people will stand up and have the pride of saying I represent Zimbabwe because the people are sick and tired. They think that we sit here because we want fuel coupons and cars because this is what they hear. Wednesday is a joke and I hope that Mr. Speaker, one day you would not come here and sit on that chair. You would go and look for a television set and watch what would be happening here. It is disgusting and sad to think that when you are walking there and people are saying to you honourable they mean it. They could clap all of us because we have done absolutely nothing on their behalf other than screaming, shouting and talking about how bad the other person is.
Mr. Speaker Sir, the last part that I want to deal with is, I am sick and tired of people who say that they do not kneel in front of white people, yet everyday their minds, brains and everything that exists in them is about kneeling in front of white people. Mr. Speaker Sir, I am glad that you are sitting there because you used to be my deputy in the Ministry of Regional Integration and International Trade. You know that one of the things that we used to talk about is that, we can pull Africa and we can pull Zimbabwe up just by trading amongst ourselves. Just by intra-trade between Africans themselves. We do not need to be trading with the United States of America. They can close us up if they want to and we can trade amongst ourselves. We have signed SADC protocols which basically say if you have grown something 100% in this country, you can take it and go across the border and sell it there. That is whether inyimo, ngamazambani or anything, you can go across the border and we can trade. We have not concentrated on our own Africanness and our own trade because we are busy thinking that the white person is going to come from somewhere and save us. There is no white person who wants to save us because he is busy doing EU business and the Arabs are busy doing
UAE business. Why should they be coming to Africa to save you if here
as Africans we have failed to do so? As we sit here right now,
Matabeleland South is supposed to have the internet thing that goes down because it is at the heart where as Zimbabweans, we have the power pool and the power exists here in Zimbabwe. The action to anything that is in the region is through Beitbridge.
Mr. Speaker Sir, tell me because you would know more than me – how much we fought to try and get Beitbridge done. Why is Beitbridge not done? It is because somebody has not got a cut out of the investors that want to come and do Beitbridge. I do not know for how long we have done that. If we were to do Beitbridge today, and do the one-stop border post, it would change the economy of this country. You and I went and did one-stop border post at Chirundu and it took us a maximum of three weeks and it became a one-stop border post. People have stopped going through anywhere else because they find that Chirundu is better. But, Beitbridge will never open because there is somebody who thinks that they need a $5 million cut for them to agree for somebody to come here.
Contracts are cancelled back and forth.
So Mr. Speaker Sir, until we are clear that we are Africans, the destiny is in our hands and this is about us and not about the white person coming to save us, we will continue to sit here and shout at each other. I am not white, I am black, I want to be fat and look good because fatness is a Zimbabwean culture and you look good as such. I want nothing of the whiteness of anybody. So, if somebody stands up and begins to insult me about my being white, it is your problem and not mine because I am clear that I am African. It is just that the sad thing is that I am being closed from the space where I can go and tell the man who is the President of this country kuti tatambura please. We are in trouble. Tatambura nevanhu venyu who pretend to be angrier than you because they do not want you to come so that I can tell you the truth. Let us open up his place for a week and tell him exactly what is happening and you will see what will happen to this economy. I thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: May I recognise Hon. Bunjira
because you have been doing a lot of talking.
*MS. BUNJIRA: Thank you Mr. Speaker for giving me the opportunity to make my contribution and especially being handpicked when I had not lifted up my hand. I would like to thank Hon. Mashakada for moving the motion and Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga who said something which really touched me.
We are debating the economic crisis in our country and this is a mega problem. Some people who were making contributions were dwelling on sanctions but we are saying as Zimbabweans, we are able to stand on our own. Our country is endowed with lots of natural riches which we were given by the Lord - the minerals, the water and whatever that we want. Therefore, sanctions are of no consequences. Hon. MisihairabwiMushonga stated a fact when she said; there are some people who are denying the President the chance of coming to respond to our queries and advice because he holds the key to the country’s success. Instead of us mourning about the sanctions, the American dollar or whatever, what we need to do is have an intra-Africa trade because of what we have.
We are also talking of hunger and starvation in the country but, there is no need for people in Zimbabwe to suffer from hunger, because we are a country which is endowed with lots of capabilities and we would be growing enough foods for feeding the people. That is why we are pleading with those people who were re-allocated land to utilise the land which was given to them. It should not be used for prestigious purposes. We should be consuming Zimbabwean products. We would be getting our own groundnuts, hence extracting our cooking oil from them. I keep on saying that people of Zimbabwe are a blessed lot. We are destroying our economy because we lack creativity and people should not be dying of hunger in Zimbabwe if we were creative and united. I thank you.
*MR. MAPIKI: I thank you for according me this opportunity to make my contribution on the motion raised Hon. Dr. Mashakada. I also wanted to jokingly ask whether he is Dr. Mashakada, the musician. This is a very good motion especially when I looked at the various aspects of it with particular emphasis on the financial problems in some countries in Africa and Europe. I can give an example of Greece which has been bailed out for the fourth time. This time, the EU countries are looking at ways of resuscitating the economy of Greece. In the same vein, Italy is also faced with the problem of illegal immigrants from Africa.
As a country, we have not failed as some people are suggesting. If a country is declared insolvent, that is when it is put on the agenda of United Nations so that donors can bail it out. We notice that having gone through that process, some countries are destroyed forever because of that. When we talk of patriotism we are talking about a person who is proud of himself and herself and is prepared to die for his or her country just like what happened during the liberation struggle. We can take a good lesson at the sacrifice rendered by the freedom fighters of this country when they went to war, no amount of money can match their contribution. They did not go to war to have a good life but they were fighting for their country. I remember, I used to work in a textile factory and I would observe that pregnancies which were conceived in June would begin to show in October. If a person is mistaken, he or she might think that these pregnancies were conceived in October but that is not the case. It is a gestation period. I am saying that the issue that we are grappling with today started long back. In 2005, this country was seized with numerous stayaways. These stayaways were conducted in such a manner that people stayed from work and stayed at home. Hon. Mashakada talked about deindustrialisation and I want to say that we have some machines in the industries which are not even supposed to stop for a short period. If that machine stops, it is destroyed forever. When people were asked to stayaway because of these sanctions, people stayed away and the machine was broken down. During that period, we also had people breaking into shops and stealing the machines for their own selfish ends. That is when de-industrialisation began to take place. In all the big industries like Hwange and Shamva Gold Mine, we noticed that nobody was going to work. When you talk of gold mining, if people do not go to work for a day, the mine is filled with water and that causes de-industrialisation. As the mover of this motion is a doctor, he should have been aware of the effects of stayaways. They were encouraging stayaways from industries and not staying away from home. Like I have stated, this led to the destruction of the equipment. We also had another phase in our lives where we were told of the final push. This was aimed at removing the elected President so that we install a President of some people’s choice. That process also led to the de-industrialisation.
We then came to the Government of National Unity (GNU) which was given a lot of names because nobody would tell whether it was coming or going. It was a two-headed monster. When we look at the board of directors who are corrupt, we will find that they were elected during this period. We go to organisations like ZESA which was superintended by
Mr. Mangoma and Mr. Biti was the Minister of Finance. We had lots of nepotism and cronyism in the board of ZESA. This has tended to haunt Mr. Mangoma up to this day because he is being called to come and testify against allegations of cronyism. We were also told that the then Prime Minister had his house constructed for $3m. If we were to take that money and get $1m to buy equipment for industrialisation and another $1m for capital and then take the other $1m and go to China and buy some computer hardware, we would really re-industrialise our country and resuscitate our industry but this kind of an amount was being used to build somebody’s house and that is really unfair. The problems which we are faced with as a country were caused by the people in the Government of National Unity.
We had a health fund which was put aside for health institutions, that money was not given to the ministry but it was put as a special fund somewhere to be for some other purposes. Unfortunately, nobody can give an account of the money which was put into that fund. Nobody is prepared to tell or give an account of what happened to that money.
We can also talk of the DDF. There was an amount of money which was taken from that fund and these monies were used for other purposes other than what they had been set for. When you look at who was responsible for the finances at that time, we know that it was Mr. Biti. Even in the allocation of funds, there was favouritism, cronyism and corruption because monies were given to undeserving cases. We are saying all the boards which were appointed at that time including the Anti Corruption Commission, even if it was removed, they were still getting benefits and yet they were no longer employed.
I saw Hon. Mashakada was very much worried about what was happening because he knows that all these problems began during the Inclusive Government. What really puzzled me was, was he not aware of the problems faced by the country? Was he not aware that he was part of the administration and that is where our problems emanated from? As of now, we are saying let us forget about the past, let us reconstitute these boards and we want the board of directors to be appointed into the boards according to their capabilities, professionalism and what they offer into the institution and not just appoint as a form of gratitude. When we are talking about employment, we are not talking about whether you are employed or whatever it is. We are talking of small to medium enterprises, referring to the vendors, SMEs, micro, small to medium enterprises, the micro, part of it is that we are talking of people like vendors who only want to go and trade whatever they find. Looking at small enterprises, we are talking of people who can employ two to ten and then big enterprises, we are talking of 10 to 70 people. Worldwide, the economy is now centred on small to medium enterprises but when our leaders or the doctors who are giving us these solutions from what they got from their education; they were told that the only person who is said to be employed should be employed by a big organisation or a big institution. If you are self employed, you are not regarded as employed. But when you look at countries like Ghana, India, you see computers being manufactured and repaired in villages. Every morning you come to the market place, you find that there are vehicles with loads, transporting goods from the villages to market places.
Now I will talk about how the employment structure came to be, especially looking at the informal trade. What happened was that we were told that whatever is done by an African is informal but what is done by a white person is formal. This institution made the study last year, looking at the SMEs taking into account the logistics, how many small enterprises, they were 8 million. They also realised that there is an amount of US$8 billion dollars which is circulating in the country but it is not going to the banks because the banks are looking down upon these small enterprises because they are saying they are informal.
Mr. Speaker, if you were to go to areas of SMEs like Siya So, in Mbare, Harare, they have a lot of monies. Let us look at these people and the jobs they are doing and the people I am talking about are those people who are doing carpentry and motor mechanics. If you go to mining, we have the artisanal miners; these are some of the people who can employ people about one or two. In my Constituency, we have got 3 000 small scale miners and they employ about five people each.
So, as ZANU PF, we said we are creating employment, how many people have we employed, in my Constituency, we have 3 910 small scale farmers. These miners have employed other people. Let us look at how these people are surviving and how many jobs they are creating. We look at the employers’ side for creating these small enterprises and the people have been employed. I may go further; in agriculture and talk about sugarcane and Tanganda where we have people working on tea plantations and sugarcane. As a result, we have not yet fully accepted that informal sector as a form of employment but that is creating employment. I can talk of a rural set up in my area, I have herdmen who look after my cattle and that is creating employment. Therefore, we need to look at that and say we need to create employment. That is why I was very much worried when Hon. Mashakada said we have not been able to create jobs, he was looking at it with a narrow view. He did not observe that these small to medium enterprises people are being employed, they may not be in thousands.
Therefore, we feel we are on target and these are signs that the economy of
Zimbabwe is doing well…
*THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, order, Hon. Mapiki,
please wind up your debate within the next three minutes.
*MR. MAPIKI: The most important aspect I want to mention is that we need to talk about the money. We have a lot of money in Zimbabwe. If we look at the type of houses which are being constructed in Zimbabwe, for example in Borrowdale, we have people who are building a US$300 000 house but we need to persuade these people to use that money and invest in business instead of just building a house. We have people who have a lot of monies but they think about these houses and posh cars which then does not create employment in the country.
They talked about title deeds - we saw that in Kenya, people were given title deeds and the machinations of the Western countries realised that they could reclaim that land since somebody had been given a title deed. They reclaimed the land by going to those people and buying it off or lending the money so that they could reclaim the land. He also talked about the sanctions, countries like Syria, Iraq, these countries had sanctions imposed on them. We had an office of asset foreign control, the main function of this board is to examine every investment which has to be done in a country under sanctions. They see if it is worth to invest, if it is not worth to invest, they stop the investment. They have meetings which are held in Brussels, we have countries like Britain and America, who want to come to Zimbabwe, a land of milk and honey. They want to create chaos so that they can come in terms of creating peace. We had a diplomat under the name of Dell who wanted the economy of Zimbabwe to be destroyed. We should be aware hon. members that we have some of us here, who want to destroy the economy of Zimbabwe so that we will get some relief in the form of the Americans coming in to resuscitate our economy and yet they are recolonising us.
- CHIKWAMA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
- NDUNA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Tuesday, 21st June, 2015.
On the motion of MS CHIKWAMA seconded by MR.
MUKWANGWARIWA, the House adjourned at Quarter to Five o’clock
p.m. until Tuesday, 21st July, 2015.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Wednesday, 15th July, 2015
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE DEPUTY SPEAKER
DISTRIBUTION OF BIBLES
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: I have to inform the House that Christ
Embassy Ministries will be distributing Bibles and Bible Study Guides to Members of Parliament on Tuesday, 21st July, 2015 at 0830 hours in the courtyard. All members are invited to attend this event.
INVITATION TO A LECTURE ON DIABETES
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: The Zimbabwe Diabetic Association
invites all Members of Parliament to a lecture on the silent killer diabetes, which will be given by Dr. Mangwiro in the National Assembly on 22nd
July, 2015 at 0830 hours.
- HOLDER: On a point of order Madam Speaker. I just need to stand guided by this House because on today’s paper, I saw that hon. members on your left hand side and on my right hand side – whether there is a new political party. I read in today’s paper that there is Muchandipa
Dzamara Chete, instead of Movement for Democratic Change – [Laughter.] - Can you clarify that?
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order! Hon. member, I do not
think there is a point of order because the party which participated in the elections and made Members of Parliament to come to this House is
Movement for Democratic Change and not Muchandipa Dzamara Chete.
- GONESE: On a point of order Madam Speaker. My point of
order is, today is Wednesday and in terms of our Standing Orders, that is a day specifically allocated for questions to Ministers. For the last two weeks, both sides of the House have made submissions that Ministers have continued to show disdain – [HON. MEMBERS: inaudible interjections.] –
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order! Hon. members.
- GONESE: I was saying, two weeks ago, a ruling was made by the Speaker of this honourable House that Ministers must take their obligations seriously because it is not only in terms of the Standing Orders but also in terms of the Constitution that Ministers are obliged to attend Parliament and it is not discretionary, is peremptory – [HON. MEMBERS: inaudible interjections.] –
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order! Hon. members, the
House would like to hear what the hon. member is saying. Would you please lower your voices? We do not want to hear what you are talking here.
- GONESE: Thank you very much Madam Speaker. I was
making a point that in terms of that ruling, it was made abundantly clear that it is not just in terms of our Standing Orders but also in terms of our Constitution that Ministers have an obligation and that, it is not discretionary, it is peremptory. They have to attend Parliament. It is regrettable that in spite of that ruling, last week again, a similar situation obtained, as a result of which questions without notice had to be stood over.
We believe that it is unacceptable. We cannot continue in that vein. We cannot have rulings which Ministers choose to ignore. We believe that the time has come for this august House to flex its muscles; to bare its teeth to ensure that Ministers perform their duties in accordance with the provisions of not just our Standing Orders but also the Constitution of Zimbabwe. I also believe that at this point in time Madam Speaker, all the members of this august House should speak with one voice. As the Presiding Officer, I believe that it is pointless for you to simply say that we will look into the matter. We cannot continue with a situation that we get policies that the Leader of the House, who is also not present today, is going to inform Ministers. We have got some Ministers who never attend Parliament at all.
It is important that we do not continue sounding like a broken record. We do not continue saying the same things over and over again and expect different results. It just shows that the Ministers do not want to abide by the Constitution of Zimbabwe and the Standing Orders of this august
House. I believe that justice has to be done.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order hon. member. I think your point of order has been noted. Can we please proceed with those Ministers who are here, while we are waiting for those who will be coming? At the momen, we have six Ministers. I think the others are still on their way. – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –
- C.C SIBANDA: Thank you Madam Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education – [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order hon. members.
- C.C. SIBANDA: What is Government policy in terms of the payment of school fees under the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM). As we are now witnessing that parents are being asked to pay because there is no disbursement, taking into account that most of those who benefit under the BEAM are orphans.
THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY
EDUCATION (DR. DOKORA): Thank you Madam Speaker. I would
like to thank the hon. member for asking that pertinent question. It is important that the nation appreciates the fact that we are known as an education power, precisely because we are inclusive when it comes to education. Whether we have indigent learners or learners with various affections, they are all welcome in our school institutions.
Government in the 1990s created the BEAM as a safety net to protect the indigent learners from falling off the radar of the education system. At the time, our nation had embraced the Economic Structural Adjustment Programme (ESAP) as espoused by the World Bank then. My Ministry remains the source ministry for the children who are assisted by that safety net. But in its wisdom, Government housed the BEAM in the Ministry responsible for looking after the young people the elderly and so on, which is the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Services. I would appreciate it if perhaps from your Chair, the question could be re-directed to the appropriate Minister?
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order! Owners of the following vehicles, would you please go out and park your vehicles where others can safely remove their vehicles? AD9346 Silver Ford Ranger, ACO1695
Blue Ford, ADL0749 Grey Ford, ADI9473 White Ford, ADE7428 Silver Nissan X-trail, ADK7906 Silver Fortuner, ADL0576 Black Jaguar, and ADL9362 Ford.
- NYANHONGO: Thank you Madam Speaker. My question is
directed to the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development, Hon. Dr. Made. Hon. Minister, can you highlight to this august House, we are continuing to see vegetables and fruits coming from South Africa, is it that our local farmers are failing to produce vegetables.
We also have a number of cases where a lot of fruits – [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections].
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. members, I think we should listen to these questions because it will help everyone in the House. Why are we making such noise? You can proceed hon. member.
MR.. NYANHONGO: Thank you Madam Speaker, we have a
number of cases where we are seeing a lot of avocado pears for example, rotting at Mbare Market. To my surprise, I do not know but we are seeing a lot of avocado pears coming from South Africa. There are also carrots and bananas coming from South Africa. What is the policy? Is there any policy that is in place to try and support or protect the local farmers?
Thank you Madam Speaker.
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, MECHANISATION
AND IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT, (DR. MADE): Madam
Speaker, I really want to thank the hon. member for raising this question. This question is very pertinent to be precise. Hon. member, it is very clear that the first area we deal with is the Zimbabwean farmer as the producer and to be direct, to the horticulture sector. The hon. member referred to both fruits and vegetables which are critical. I am fully aware of the fact that there are also imports into the country.
There are imports that we have allowed, but there is also a lot of smuggling into the country that is taking place. Therefore, from an importation point of view, we do not allow just any commodity to come into the country. However, this time we are going to tighten the position. What we need from our farmers is reliability, which means we must focus on the marketing aspect of assisting our farmers to deal with the issues of packaging and presentation of the produce.
Madam Speaker, it is also true that we are exporting and we even export the avocado pears. This is why I am saying we look at it with caution, not that we exchange exporting avocado pears for importing them, not necessarily. I want to give a very good example of where we have immediately denied any imports, in the area of sweet potatoes. I want to use this one as an excellent example.
Our farmers are producing excellent quality sweet potatoes. It does not matter which direction you get out of Harare, be it the Mt. Hampden Road, Mutoko Road or Masvingo Road, you will see the farmers on the roadside with excellent sweet potatoes, but it is very important that we also deal with the packaging.
However, I want the nation to know that we look at these commodities and see where we have enough. Certainly, the hon. member comes from an area where fruit is produced, avocado pears, apples and so on. I want to assure the House that on fruits and vegetables, we will protect our farmers to a possible extent, but we will also do it according to the tenets of SADC or even the AU in terms of the trade. We are allowed to look after our farmers but we must also know that we also trade with other countries. However, our farmers can be assured that we are going to look after them.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you hon. Minister, but I think
the mentioning of avocado pears was just an example. I think all in all, there is an outcry on the importation of a lot of Zimbabwean produce which are produced here.
*MR. MAWERE: Thank you Madam Speaker. My supplementary
question is on how these communities are getting into the country. We know this is contraband and most of these are GMOs, which has led to obesity of our children. Do you send your inspectors to go and check on these products as they land wherever they will be offloaded? Thank you Madam Speaker.
- MADE: I want to thank the hon. member and assure him that the nation must know that there are various authorities that deal with matters at the borders. It is not only the police per se, but there are various authorities that include even agricultural authorities that deal with sanitary issues. If a vehicle is already at Mbare, this is why I am saying, on matters that are relating to smuggling - yes, indeed, all the authorities are sensitive to all those matters.
In actual fact, in cases where there is no proper paper and where it is a threat from a phytosanitary point of view, those commodities will be seized and they will be destroyed according to the laws that protect commodities that are not brought in with phytosanitary certificates. Remember, the reason why we do this is exactly why I said when we export, if we do not follow the rules, we will be penalized for accepting commodities that have not come into the country according to the phytosanitary procedure.
- ZINDI: Thank you Madam Speaker. What is the policy of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development in terms of coordinating these producers for reliability of the horticulture which the Minister has assured the House that he will give protection to the local producers. What is the policy in terms of coordinating the production to ensure reliability?
- MADE: I want to thank the hon. member for the question.
Firstly, I did not talk of protection in general but, it is very structured… THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Minister, hon. members are
requesting that you raise your voice.
- MADE: I would want to thank the hon. member for raising that supplementary question. The protection is not just in general but it is according to the laws that look after farmers worldwide in terms of producing. I have already indicated that yes indeed, we also do import but the hon. member must know that there are different commodity associations and there is the Horticulture Association that also deals with horticulture in terms of recording and dealing with farmers. We also have the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) and this is why AMA must be further strengthened so that we know when and what commodities are available.
When I gave the example of sweet potatoes, it is because very deliberately, you can see even in the crop and livestock assessment; I gave figures of for example the tubers, the parsleys and the other crops. This is how we are getting the information, even from the extension workers and the Agronomy Department of the Ministry. So, I want to encourage particularly rural Members of Parliament to deal at the local level as well as at the provincial level in terms of the entities that I have referred to so that we strengthen the question of information and data knowing what commodities are being produced and in what quantities and quality. Members are also free to contribute to better ways on how we can strengthen this.
*MS. MPARIWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. My question is
directed to the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development. I would want him to inform this House when he is going to introduce the new Board of the Grain Marketing Board and when was the last time he appointed the Board?
*THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, MECHANISATION AND IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT (DR. MADE): I would like to
thank the hon. member for the question. There is no retracting because the board which is functioning is there.
*MS. MPARIWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. My question is,
does he still remember which year he announced the board which he is saying is still there? When was it put in place?
*DR. MADE: That is not a policy question and the hon. member can
put it in writing
- CHIBAYA: Thank you Madam Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development, Hon. Made. The price of cotton does not motivate our cotton producers and, I think that we are actually killing the cotton industry. We have people, especially from Midlands where I come from and they survive on the growing of cotton. What is your Ministry doing to review the price of cotton?
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, MECHANISATION AND IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT (DR. MADE): I want to thank
the hon. member for such a pertinent question. At the moment, cotton prices are being determined by the buyers. I know that it is very important…
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Can you please raise your voice?
*MR. MURAI: The Minister is complaining about his voice but we see that when there are at rallies, they will be shouting at the top of their voices.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order. Hon. member, there is
no point of order.
*DR. MADE: I want to thank the hon. member who asked about cotton prices. It is a very pertinent question. We know that at the moment, the buyers are the ones who determine the prices and they are complaining that the prices of cotton where they sell it are very low. What is important is that we should focus on beneficiation so that we use cotton here in making a lot of things, using our cotton which we grow; so that we can sell finished products rather than exporting the raw material. We can export clothes and blankets. That is what our Government desires to realise and that is what our President is encouraging us to do – to focus on beneficiation of raw materials.
Secondly, the Cotton Marketing Board which was in existence is the one which used to buy cotton. It would give a fair price to the farmers and when they sell that cotton, if they are able to sell it at a higher price, then they would give supplementary.
Thirdly, we should look at the inputs that farmers use; how expensive they are so that we know how to come in and help the farmers.
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce is looking into that to see that our equipment and inputs are low cost so that our farmers will realise a better margin/profit from their proceeds. I cannot articulate everything but his question is very pertinent. The Government is also seized with that issue. I also want to add that we do not only get fibre from cotton but also oil and cotton seed cake which feeds our cattle. As a result, we should also look at that because when these companies are selling, the proceeds from cotton should be retained by farmers as well so that they benefit from the growing of cotton. This is an industry that as Government we should not let it die.
Farmers are crying that many depots have been closed but I have talked to AMA to open those depots so that farmers do not travel long distances to sell their cotton. We are doing everything so that the farmers will benefit. I thank you.
*MRS. MNANGAGWA: My question is directed to the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education. We know that not all our children in primary schools are talented academically, how is your Ministry collaborating with the Ministry of State for Liaising on Psychomotor Activities in Education so that those who are not academically talented are imparted with necessary skills?
*THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY
EDUCATION (DR. DOKORA): I want to thank the hon. member for asking a question which is on our hearts especially when taking into consideration the research that was being done in October 2014. About 35 years ago, we were seized with this issue of education and we now know where we have done very well and where we have been handicapped. We also have results that those who are in the streets and out of education, we now know what skills they have been imparted with during their education days. When we were looking at the review of the curriculum which started in October, we also had in mind the question that was raised by the hon. member that psychomotor education should also be included in school curriculum and that there should be no discrimination between academic training and technical training.
We are of the firm belief that every child can develop when being educated academically and also technically because at the end of the day, the two go hand in hand. We are waiting for our Cabinet to approve the recommendations of our research so that we can go ahead and implement the findings.
ENG. MUDZURI: My question is directed to the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development. Can the Minister highlight to this House when Government is likely to review a policy on student grants. When students finish their higher education having borrowed a loan or a grant, they are supposed to work for three years and pay back the money. The situation prevailing now is that there are no jobs and these students cannot get work and cannot collect their certificates until the three years are over. They are actually made to suffer without doing anything for those three years, when is the Ministry going to review that policy and make sure that students are enhanced to work elsewhere and go to school elsewhere?
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY
EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
(DR. GANDAWA): I want to thank the hon. member for a very pertinent question. We are all aware that the economy is not performing very well but it is a case that is on our hearts that students should be afforded with grants or loans. We are actually seized with the matter and we are engaging various stakeholders including the banks to make sure that we mobilize resources for students in our institutions of higher learning to access the loans. Suffice to say that, it is true that the students that are on cadetship are bonded for three years before they can access their certificates. However, it does not stop the students from working anywhere else they want to work. We avail them with copies of the transcripts so that they can access employment from wherever they want to go. The Government will therefore liaise with the employers that will have employed the graduates so that at least they can recoup the money invested in their education. You will agree with me that all the students that have received funding from Government have not been paying, they have not paid for the money that was invested in them – [MR. CHAMISA: Havana mabasa] – We are aware of that situation and once that is corrected, it is upon everyone in Zimbabwe - in industry including Government to make sure that we revive the industry and create jobs. We have to create jobs for the people otherwise Government alone cannot resuscitate the industry. It calls for all of us as Zimbabweans to make sure that we revive and create new industries. So, it is upon institutions of higher learning which falls under my Ministry and the industry to collaborate and find ways to make sure that we create jobs. We have identified the gaps that we must fill.
ENG. MUDZURI: Thank you Madam Speaker, the Hon. Minister
has not answered my question. My question is, when are they likely to review this policy where students are not employed? They cannot pay the loans; they spend three years without having a job. Government should review the policy so that these students can be given certificates. When they have not managed to get a job, they are being asked to pay the full amount to access certificates. When is the Government likely to review that policy?
- GANDAWA: Thank you Madam Speaker and I want to thank
the hon. member for the question. I have indicated that the students will always access their results and a copy of their certificates is availed to them for the purposes of seeking employment. With regard to reviewing the situation of grants and loans, I indicated that we are seized with the matter. We are engaging various stakeholders to make sure that students get access to funding. We are looking at the possibilities of reviving the issuing of grants and loans. I thank you Madam Speaker.
- MURAI: Hon. Minister, the same graduates are said to be recruited so that they are deployed to other countries, with the Labour Exportation Bill already signed, what benefit we are going to enjoy as a country and is not brain drain?
- GANDAWA: I want to thank the hon. member for the question. The Human Capital Export Policy has not been signed. We are in the process of consulting stakeholders to come up with the export policy. Let me say, we are in the process of creating a database of our graduates so that at least we have the statistics from 1980 to date. The database could have been fragmented, so we want to know and trace where our graduates are and how they are performing. As to the case of the brain drain, human export policy does not encourage brain drain but it encourages brain circulation. People go out to work in other countries they tend to benefit from availing themselves for experience in terms of the use of advance technologies in those particular countries, when they come back to the country, they will bring in new skills. I thank you Madam Speaker.
- MUDARIKWA: Thank you Madam Speaker, My question is
directed to the Minister of Information Communication Technology,
Postal and Courier Services, Hon. Mandiwanzira. Honourable Minister Sir, good afternoon to you – [Laughter] – What is the national policy on availability of internet in the rural areas? Thank you.
THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY, POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES (MR.
MANDIWANZIRA). I want to thank Hon. Mudarikwa for that very important question. The policy of Government is that all schools, all institutions in the rural areas and even in the urban areas must have access to internet. This is not just a policy that the Zimbabwe Government is pursuing. Even within SADC it has already been agreed that all countries within the region, by 2018 - at least 80% of their populations must be able to have broadband access, which means internet. So Government is working towards that including connecting rural schools. Where broadband is not available through fibre, we are we are doing so through Vstar. Thank you.
- CHAMISA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I think the issue of access is very important. My question to the Minister of my former Ministry – [Laughter] - is in two parts. The first one is to do with enhancement of access of ICTs, particularly in the rural areas. The element of infrastructure sharing has to be sorted out and the element of global operators has to be sorted out. Is it true and can the Minister confirm that Government has given a deadline to various companies in terms of infrastructure sharing and also, is it true that Government has chosen to buy shares in Telecel?...
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order, hon. member is that a
supplementary question or it is a new question?
- CHAMISA: It is a loaded supplementary – [Laughter]- THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: No, no!
- MANDIWANZIRA: I want to thank Hon. Chamisa for the
question. It is correct and it is indeed true that the issue of access will be enhanced through infrastructure sharing where networks can share infrastructure. So, instead of duplicating investment or triplicating investment, they can then share areas where they can deploy investment to avoid doubled effort.
It is true that we have given operators in the sector to agree a framework for infrastructure sharing in the next 90 days because consultations have been taking place for more than a year. It appears there is resistance by the operators to agree, therefore we have had to give them a deadline so that there is a solution to serve the cost of telecommunication services and to ensure that we advance the deployment of telecommunication services to areas that are remote and service is not yet available through the entire concept of infrastructure sharing.
- CHAMISA: On a point of order Madam Speaker, the Minister did not answer the second question.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: It is an outstanding question on its
own and it is not a follow up question from the first one.
- CHAMISA: I thought I had already posed it.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Can you please ask that question on its own and not as a supplementary question?
- CHAMISA: Thank you very much Madam, I really appreciate. My question to the Minister is to do with Telecel, we have read and we are made to understand – can you confirm that it is indeed correct that Government intends or has already made a decision to acquire Telecel. If it is correct, is it also right for us to conclude that Government is now behaving like a leopard that starts accusing a goat of smelling in a particular way so that it can deal with it?
THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION
TECHNOLOGY, POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES (MR.
MANDIWANZIRA): Hon. Chamisa’s question will help us to clarify
what exactly is going on. You may all be aware that the majority shareholder in Telecel is a company called Vimpelcom with its headquarters in Netherlands and majority owned by a Russian investment group. Vimpelcom has been on the market since last year, selling its interest on the African continent including its 60% shareholding in Telecel Zimbabwe. This company had almost reached an agreement with a company outside Zimbabwe to buy this 60% and Government took a deliberate decision to stop this kind of transaction on the basis that since its establishment, foreign shareholding in Telecel Zimbabwe has exchanged hands more than twice without capital gains tax being paid in this jurisdiction. As a result, we made a decision that Zimbabwean assets cannot continue to be traded outside the country without the country benefitting from capital gains. So, since they were in the market, they also, following a strategy they used in Algeria where they sold 51% of their business to the Algerian Government, Vimpelcom offered the Government of Zimbabwe their 60%. At the same time, the other 40% shareholder in Telecel Zimbabwe which is Empowerment Corporation also wrote to Government offering to sell its 40% to Government.
As you are well aware, Government does not have enough resources to be financing that kind of transaction. Therefore Government has many companies that it owns 100% and it has given this interest to one of the companies that it owns 100% to pursue it in the commercial sense. That company is ZARNET and from what I know, it is in the process of negotiating with the shareholders for an acquisition.
*MR. CHINOTIMBA: On a point of order Madam Speaker. I think we have gone past the time for questions without notice.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, Order hon. Members. We
waste most of our time arguing amongst ourselves. Can I answer the hon. member? In the new Standing Rules we take the questions without notice up to quarter to four o’clock.
- MUTSEYAMI: My supplementary question to Hon.
Mandiwanzira is, with the presentation that he has done with regards to Government buying shares from Telecel, is it not much of a mouthful for
Government to take such a responsibility bearing the track record of our
Government which is in place with its whole lot of failure in Net One, NRZ, GMB, CSC, the list is endless. Do you not think that you have to look for other responsibilities to take over the company?
- MANDIWANZIRA: I will not respond on the performance of NRZ, GMB or CSC because I have no jurisdiction over them. I can only talk in the context of Net One and Telecel. Let me clarify what I just said. I did say that Government, recognizing that it does not have the immediate financial capacity to do this transaction, has chosen one of the entities that are 100% owned by it to pursue the transaction in a commercial way. This means it is a company within the context of a private company but owned by Government that can go and borrow from banks to do that kind of transaction. Therefore, Government is not directly looking at purchasing this business. The hon. member also makes an allegation that we have run down Net One. The reality of the situation is that - [HON. MUTSEYAMI:
Inaudible interjection] -
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Member, you are being
answered, if you have answers why did you ask the question?
- MANDIWANZIRA: Madam Speaker, the situation as far as Net One is concerned is that Net One is a viable going concern, which last year had the solid ground to attract US$218 million worth of investment. Nobody would lend such an amount of money to a company that is going down. All is being done to ensure that this business is viable and eventually pays dividends to Government. It is also important for me to highlight the importance of Government involvement in the telecommunications sector. All our lives are now dependent on telecommunications infrastructure. Our health, e-government, education etcetera, therefore it is so important that a neutral player like Government is at the centre of infrastructure in telecommunications to ensure that is not abused by individuals for whatever agenda they may have. I thank you.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order hon. Members. Vehicle Number AAH 0377 is blocking other vehicles. Can the owner please go and remove the vehicle.
- MARIDADI: My supplementary Madam Speaker, we hear what the Hon. Minister is saying ….
- MUDEREDZWA: On a point of order Madam Speaker.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: What is your point of order hon. member?
- MUDEREDZWA: Madam Speaker, I think the way business should be conducted in this House should ….-[HON. MEMBERS:
Inaudible interjections]-
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Member, please continue.
- MUDEREDZWA: I am suggesting that the way business should be conducted in this House…-[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible
interjections]-
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Can we hear what he wants to say?
- MUDEREDZWA: It should reflect the composition of this
Parliament. The composition of this Parliament is 2 is to 1. MDCs one … -
[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order hon. members! Hon. member, point taken. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]- hon. members, we were still on supplementary questions. Where is the hon.
member…
- WADYAJENA: On a point of order Madam Speaker.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: What is your point of order?
- WADYAJENA: Thank you Madam Speaker. The hon.
member made a mistake. It is actually 5 is to 1. –[HON. MEMBERS:
Inaudible interjections]-
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order hon. members. Let us have order in the House. Hon. members, do you realise that we are wasting time arguing and at the end of the day, order hon. members. I recognise the hon. member to pose his supplementary question then after that, I know how I am going around the House.
- MARIDADI: Thank you Madam Speaker. My supplementary question to the Hon. Minister –[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]- Madam Speaker, my supplementary question is that Hon.
Minister, the companies that you are talking about, we all know that it is on the brink of collapse …
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Why are you waiting, ask your
question.
- MARIDADI: Now I am proceeding, I have not forgotten, I was waiting for you to pay attention. My question is that the Hon. Minister of ICT says that ZARNET will partake in that transaction on behalf of Government, and we know Hon. Minister that ZARNET is on the brink of collapse. That is number one and number 2 is, you talk about Net One and you say because there are investors who want to put money into Net One, that does not say anything about Net One as going to maintain the status. Net One costed a lot. Did it declare dividend to Government? We know that Net One is not profitable. Hon. Minister, ZARNET is on the brink of collapse and Net One is not doing well. Thank you.
- MANDIWANZIRA: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you very much and thank Hon.Maridadi for the two questions. He makes this allegation that ZARNET is on the brink of collapse. Let us assume that we agree that it is on the brink of collapse. There are two things that you
do to collapse business. You either allow it to collapse or you do something that makes it grow. In this particular case, its efforts to buy a profitable enterprise are one way of saving a collapsed business.
On number two, what the hon. member has said relates to Net One and say that Net One is on the brink of collapse and it is not profitable. I actually need to remind him of what I said earlier that Net One is a recipient of $280 million loan that was obtained from the Exim Bank of China. When you invest, $280 million, you do not do it to make a loss, you do it to make a profit. What that $280 million is going to do that it is going to allow Net One to deploy as much base stations as it can across the country in almost everyone’s constituency which means, their constituency members will have access to that network. It is also going to allow Net One to deploy the very latest in mobile telephoning which is 4G or long term evolution which is LTE. It is now in the process of deploying 4G which is going to be the best network in terms of service in the country and we hope that it will be profitable. We are watching Net one very closely and we have the mandate from His Excellency, the President to almost supervise directly the enterprises that are State owned. That is what we are doing to ensure that the concern that it is not profitable is addressed. I want to thank you Madam Speaker.
- NKATAZO: Thank you Madam Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Environment, Water and Climate, but I can see that he is not here. I do not know where I can refer my question to. So may be …
*MR. MATANGIRA: Thank you Madam Speaker. My question is
directed to the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development. What is the Government policy regarding the irrigation schemes in rural areas that are now derelict because we do not have electric motors, we have pivots but they do not have wheels to make them mobile?
What are you doing to repair and maintain them so that we can have sufficient food for the country?
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, MECHANISATION
AND IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT (DR. MADE): Thank you Hon.
Matangira for such a pertinent question regarding irrigation programmes.
The Government’s policy is to revive as much of these irrigation schemes as possible because we know that they will lead to self food sufficiency in the country. In resolving the problems, we are working with farmers who are into these programmes so that we assist them according to their needs.
*MRS. CHITEMBWE: My question is directed to the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture. We have been given 10 days in which to pay up the money we owe to the former national soccer coach Valinhos, as a condition to participate in the World Cup. Minister, what plans have you put in place to pay off the former national coach in order for us to be able to participate in future world matches?
*THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF SPORT, ARTS AND
CULTURE (MS. KANENGONI): This is a very interesting question and we are seized with this case so that we pay up because we were banned. It is very bad for the country’s reputation.
Therefore, we asked the Sports and Recreation Committee to make investigations into ways in which we can undertake this Valinhos issue and return to the mainframe soccer.
*MRS. MAHOKA: My question is directed to the Minister of
Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development. What is Government policy regarding the money being owed to farmers who delivered grain to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) since 2009 and 2013? In 2015, we have farmers who delivered to GMB and have not yet been paid. Are these farmers now donors to the Government, if not when are they going to be paid?
*THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, MECHANISATION
AND IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT (DR. MADE): Thank you Hon.
Mahoka for this very important question regarding the payment by GMB to farmers who delivered their grain. - [AN HON. MEMBER: Inaudible interjections] - As a Government …
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order. Hon. member, we have
to learn to respect each other as hon. members in this House. Hon.
Minister, you may proceed.
*DR. MADE: We are in the process of paying farmers for the grain that they delivered to the GMB. We know that there are some farmers who are in arrears who delivered in 2009-2013 who have not yet been paid. We need to have a relook and examine the amounts we owe them because at times, the records are in shambles and we always ask them to bring documents related to the GMB so that we can make the payments.
At the same time, we have had some farmers who have come to the GMB and obtained loans. So, we need to verify whether the unpaid farmers are in the scheme of farmers who have taken loans and have not repaid them. After we go through that process, we will be able to make payments as soon as we have the money.
*MRS. CHIBAGU: Thank you Madam Speaker. My question is
directed to the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development, Dr Made. In Mushumbi Pools, the pivot for the ARDA is now missing; the pivot in Guruve is missing. You promised me that you would come to these ARDA irrigation schemes. When are you coming to examine these areas?
*THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. member, can you put your
question in writing.
Questions Without Notice were interrupted by THE DEPUTY
SPEAKER in terms of Standing Order Number 34.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE
ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE
- BUDHA asked the Minister of Health and Child Care to explain to the House whether the Ministry has the capacity and competence to establish and run a National Health Insurance.
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE (DR.
PARIRENYATWA): Thank you Madam Speaker. I would like to thank the hon. member for that question. The National Health Insurance has been on the cards for a long time.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order hon. members! Those
who are going out, can you do that quietly because business of the House is still in progress.
- PARIRENYATWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. National
Health Insurance has been on the cards for a long time. As a Ministry, we are awaiting that it comes to fruition because it provides more coverage to more health institutions. Currently, only about 10% of our population is covered by medical aid. The establishment of a National Health Insurance will mean more people will be covered and as a Ministry, we welcome that. However, the mandate of establishing a National Health Insurance
Scheme lies with the Ministry of Labour and Social Services, through
NSSA. We feel capacities can be built and created to run a robust
National Health Insurance Scheme under any ministry, including the Ministry of Health and Child Care. Thank you Madam Speaker.
*MR. CHAMISA: Thank you Madam Speaker for giving me the
chance to ask my question. My question is directed to the Minister of Health and Child Care, Hon. Parirenyatwa. The situation these days regarding medical aid societies is that they are bankrupt. They are no longer respected and are failing to offer the rightful service to the contributors of these medical aid societies.
- PARIRENYATWA: I want to thank the hon. member for that
question. We will come to it because it is also on the Order Paper. Thank you.
*MR. MURAI: I would want to ask the Minister of Health and Child Care on a rumour that major hospitals like Parirenyatwa have increased their fees and a few now can access the services. Is there anything that you are doing so that people will get assisted using low rates? Thank you.
*DR. PARIRENYATWA: Thank you for such a pertinent question
referring to Parirenyatwa Hospital. Parirenyatwa did not increase hospital fees but what it has done is that when you go to the hospital, you would pay a deposit for one day but these days, they said you have to pay deposit for three days. On that we are discussing with them; we have engaged them so that we will come up with a solution because some of our patients cannot access the services. Thank you.
*MR. CHAPFIKA: Hon. Minister, with this deposit of three days, would you know how long the patient would be staying. Is it fund raising? You know that we do not have money and our economy is not well. Why are you punishing people because people cannot afford?
*MR. WADYAJENA: On a point of order Madam Speaker. The
hon. member said there is no money in this country, is there no money for real?
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. member, would you please take
your seat. Hon. Minister, can you respond to the hon. member’s question? *DR. PARIRENYATWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I want to
thank Hon. Chapfika for his question. What I had said is that they have settled for three days but we have engaged them on the way forward so that we go back to where we were because things are difficult for people. I have heard what you said, we have engaged Parirenyatwa Hospital so that we come up with an amicable solution. Thank you.
- LABODE: Hon. Minister, I get worried about the National Health Insurance, especially in an economy where we have 90% of people not working. Who is going to contribute towards that National Health Insurance? I do not think we should plan on the 10% who are working to pay for the 90%. Actually, we are chasing the wind. It is about time we said maybe we stall this project and revive the economy.
- PARIRENYATWA: Thank you very much Madam Speaker. I
would like to thank Hon. Labode for that contribution. It is true that we need to look at who will contribute. As you know, the issue of the National Health Insurance Scheme has been on the cards since 1998 and each time, it has been stalled because of some of those reasons that are in the pipeline now. We are recognizing that only 10% of our population is covered by any medical insurance at all. What about the rest – it is out of pocket and that is very heavy on the people to pay as a demand. So, it is better to pay upfront and we are looking at, not only those who are working but we are also going to look at the informal sector. It is going to be a mammoth task. It is still in formation but clearly, I think the whole concept of a National Health Insurance Scheme is what we are pushing for so that it is acceptable, then we will be able to grade how people are going to pay depending on the economy at the time. Thank you.
CLINIC FOR SILEWU WARD IN HWANGE EAST
CONSTITUENCY
- SANSOLE asked the Minister of Health and Child Care when Silewu Ward in Hwange East Constituency will have a clinic, considering that residents walk long distances to Makwandara Clinic.
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE (DR.
PARIRENYATWA): Hwange Rural District (RDC) in its developmental plans, intends to construct a Rural Health Centre in Silewu Ward. Unfortunately, the limited fiscal space being experienced does not allow for that at the moment. Once resources become available, the construction of the Rural Health Centre in Silewu is top priority of the Hwange RDC.
Our Ministry will then supply medication and staff. Thank you Madam Speaker.
STEPS ON ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF SHORTAGE OF NURSES AT RURAL CLINICS
- MAVENYENGWA asked the Minister of Health and
Child Care to reveal the steps the Ministry has taken to address the issue of shortage of nurses at rural clinics to address the anomaly of patients queuing for 8 hours before being attended to.
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE (DR.
PARIRENYATWA): I would like to thank the hon. member for that very important question. The authorised establishment for most Ministry of Health and Child Care clinics is as indicated below:
- 1 Registered General Nurse
- 2 Primary Care Nurses
The establishment for Mission and Rural District Council run clinics is 2 Primary Care Nurses.
My Ministry is very much aware of the need to review the establishment at Rural Health Centres and clinics in view of the increased workload. Requests to review the establishments were submitted to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development who advised that for this financial year, they only have capacity to pay the salary costs for posts vacated as from October, 2014 to date.
Whilst the established posts might all be filled up, the nurses available at a health facility might be less due to the following factors:
- Nurses have to attend courses of varying duration resulting in less
numbers to attend to patients in any given day.
- In some instances, nurses are taken from one facility to provide services at a health centre built by the community whose establishment is not yet authorised.
- There are also instances where supportive supervision visits that are critical to improvement of quality health facilities divert the attention of the nurse in charge of the health centre from the patient.
A workload of Indicator on Staff Needs Study (WISN) using a World Health Organisation (WHO) tool will be conducted and the results will be used to determine the appropriate staffing for each level of facility of the health care delivery system. This information will be utilised in negotiating with Treasury on the need to increase the staff establishment for the health centres.
My Ministry will continue to engage Treasury for a review of the establishment in view of the following:
- Increase population;
- Increase disease burden; and
- The need to reduce walking distances to a health facility, which should be 8 to 10 kilometres. Thank you Madam Speaker.
+MRS. MISIHAIRABWI- MUSHONGA: Minister, what is
happening at Mpilo Hospital that when someone passes on and is put into a mortuary, they are eaten by rats? It happens on several occasions that people burry their relatives when they have already been eaten by rats. Is Government paying these people at the mortuary or could you please tell us what is happening?
- PARIRENYATWA: Mr. Speaker Sir, the hon. member is
alleging that bodies are eaten by rats in the mortuary at Mpilo, which is not true because Mpilo Hospital has a functioning mortuary at the right temperature. However, the problem we are finding is that, there are a lot of touts who stand outside the hospitals and divert corpses and keep them elsewhere and claim that they come from our hospitals. I can say with all certainty that, that is not happening at Mpilo or UBH, in Bulawayo.
DISTRIBUTION POLICY OF THE RECENTLY COMMISSIONED HEALTH EQUIPMENT
- MR. NDUNA asked the Minister of Health and Child Care to explain the distribution policy of the recently commissioned US$100 million worth of health equipment and further state how it will benefit Chegutu Rural Hospital, Brunswick Clinic in Ward 24 of Chegutu West, Welfare Centre Clinic and Chinengundu Clinic in Ward 10.
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE (DR.
PARIRENYATWA): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. This question is about
Chegutu Hospital and the US$100 million worth of health equipment
under the Chinese loan. The contract for medical equipment and supplies through the China Machinery and Main Corporation CIMEC covers medical equipment spare parts, consumables for major medical equipment surgical instruments, hospital equipment and disposable materials.
The requirements range from small pieces of equipment needed at clinic level to highly sophisticated medical equipment required at central hospital level. An all inclusive consultative process through the various levels of health care from primary, secondary to tertiary as well as across professional lines to determine the required types and quantities of equipment was done. The provinces and clinics would submit specific needs through the district structures to the Provincial Medical Directors (PMD). The list has been consolidated on delivery and allocations are then made on the basis of the requests with central hospitals receiving their share and the provinces delivering to the PMD for distribution to the specific facilities based on their needs.
For the health facilities in Mashonaland West, allocations are then made through the PMD’s office in Chinhoyi, in response to specific needs and requirements. Deliveries of the hospital equipment are on-going and to date, 13 consignments have been received so far. The latest tranche for Mashonaland West, among other provinces was received at the beginning of the year and this included beds, emergency trolleys and drug trolleys. Further deliveries of hospital equipment are expected in August 2015 for central hospitals and provinces.
Chegutu District Hospital also received some equipment from the US$100 million loan facility from China. Chegutu Hospital received 14 beds, 1 ultrasound scan, 1 incubator and 5 monitors….
*MR. CHINOTIMBA: On a point of order Mr. Speaker. Last week, we were promised that today, ZBC will not leave Parliament until we debate the motion which was moved by Hon. Mashakada. Now, they are leaving while the Minister is still responding and they are not covering the response. Indeed, the Minister is responding to questions which are supposed to reach to the people out there. My request is, since we asked for the time to be extended, ZBC should also extend its time of coverage to Six o’clock in the evening. Last week we were told that this question is not going to be responded to when ZBC is not here. What this means is that we are going to debate Hon. Mashakada’s motion and yet ZBC has gone.
- CHIMANIKIRE: Point of Order Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I debated that particular motion without ZBC, so, what is so special about this submission that it needs ZBC?
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Your point of order is overruled hon. member. Order in the House, can the owner of the following vehicle; ADI or is it ADL0668, go and remove this vehicle, it is blocking other vehicles. Thank you. Hon. Minister of Health can you resume your debate.
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE (DR.
PARIRENYATWA): Mr. Speaker Sir, I have completed responding to
question five.
PLANS ON IMPROVING PROXIMITY OF HEALTH SERVICES TO
PEOPLE IN MASHALA WARD, HWANGE EAST CONSTITUENCY
- MRS. MKANDLA asked the Minister of Health and Child Care to state the Ministry’s plans to improve the proximity of health services of people in Mashala Ward in Hwange East Constituency who are currently walking up to 15 km to receive health services.
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE (DR.
PARIRENYATWA): The Ministry in liaison with Hwange Rural
District Council has plans to construct a Rural Health Centre in Mashala
Ward and a site has been identified in Kasibo area. Hwamge Rural District Council is in the process of mobilising resources and if everything goes according to plan, work is expected to commence this year.
- NDUNA: On a point of order Mr. Speaker, I think the Hon. Minister had not finished on question No. 5, unless I did not pick it up, but whilst he was contributing, Hon. Chinotimba rose on a point of order and he was now starting to speak on Chegutu, which is relevant to my question number 5. So, if he can be allowed to continue.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Nduna, I had actually
given the Hon. Minister the opportunity to continue on that question and
he told me that he had actually concluded. He had finished, maybe you did not hear his conclusion.
CLINICS IN NEW RESETTLEMENT AREAS OF REDCLIFF
- MR. H. NCUBE asked the Minister of Health and Child Care what plans are in place to built clinics in new resettlement areas in Redcliff.
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE (DR.
PARIRENYATWA): The Ministry intends to expand the current
Satellite Clinic at Nkukuleko School to a fully fledged Rural Health Centre. The current limited fiscus space has hampered plans to construct new Health facilities and hence we encourage Communities to do their own initiatives and the Government will support in as far as staff, drug and recurrent expenditure is concerned.
PLANS TO ALLEVIATE THE DEMAND OF CO-PAYMENT BY
HEALTH SERVICE PROVIDERS
- MS. MANGWENDE asked the Minister of Health and Child Care whether the Ministry is aware that some health service providers are demanding co-payment from Medical Aid contributors, and, further to inform the House the Ministry’s plans to alleviate the problem as some patients may not have the required cash.
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE (DR.
PARIRENYATWA): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, question No. 10 and question No. 17 are very similar, so I will answer them together. The Ministry of Health has made it clear to all medical aid societies that, it is illegal to deny medical attention to their fully subscribed clients/members as also is outlined in the Medical Services Act. The matter was discussed during a joint forum which was composed of the service providers, funding organisations and the Ministry of Health and Child Care. The Ministry has also written to medical aid societies warning them to desist from bad practice.
To further strengthen the operations of medical aid societies and service providers, the Ministry of Health and Child Care is in the process of establishing an Authority that will oversee and manage medical aid societies. The Authority is being put in place with all relevant capacities to enable it to regulate the medical aid societies, which the current arrangement does not have.
Members of any medical aid society are encouraged and urged to report to the Ministry of Health and Child Care for denial of medical attention by their respective medical aids, when they are up to date with their subscriptions.
- MANGWENDE: Hon. Minister, the problem is still there. Where people are being denied medical services due to their type of medical aid plan, when you say people should report to the Ministry, which in particular, is the official place where people should go and report? Thank you.
- PARIRENYATWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Thank you
very much for that question, which will make it easier for the population to understand how it works. If you have got any grievance and you want to forward it to the Ministry, it goes through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Child Care at Kaguvi Building. We can also provide you with the appropriate phone numbers. I think it is important that you follow it up if you have got any such grievance and it will help us and the nation at large.
UPGRADING OF LADY STANLEY HOSPITAL
- MR. M.S NDLOVU asked the Minister of Health and Child Care to state when Lady Stanley Hospital in Ward 6, Bulilima will be upgraded into a district hospital as promised during the SADC Malaria Day Celebrations held at the hospital by the Minister of Health and Child Care in 2011.
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE (DR.
PARIRENYATWA): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir for giving me the time to respond to Hon. Ndlovu’s question. Bulilima is a newly created district after having been split with Mangwe and it is the Ministry’s policy that every district should have its own District Hospital and hence, my predecessor had indicated the upgrading of Lady Stanley into a District Hospital.
However, the Ministry has realised that Lady Stanley is not centrally located and a new site for a new district hospital has been identified in Masendu Ward. The new district hospital is on top priority on the
Ministry’s infrastructure development plans. However, due to limited fiscus space, it may take a bit long for the project to take off. We will continue to lobby funds through Treasury and other partners for the project to commence.
DISCONNECTION OF WATER AT GOKWE HOSPITAL DUE TO
NON-SETTLEMENT OF A BILL
- MS. MANGAMI asked the Minister of Health and Child Care whether the Ministry is aware that water at Gokwe Hospital was disconnected due to non-settlement of a water bill of US$110 000.00. If so, to state when the Ministry would settle the bill so that water can be reconnected.
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE (DR. PARIRENYATWA): Gokwe South District hospital ZINWA debt has accumulated US$210 000. The idea of a payment plan with ZINWA was not workable due to limited resources. The Provincial Medical Director is working on this issue. At the moment, the Gokwe South District Hospital is using boreholes to mitigate the problem. They have been paying the water bills with the little hospital fees ($500.00) that they have managed to raise. Releases made so far were mainly for drugs and food amounting to
$7 143.00 and their annual budget is $61 516.00.
We are in the process of putting together all ZINWA debts for submission to Ministry of Finance and Economic Development to offset against ZINWA’s ZIMRA debts. We also encourage the local leadership to assist with this particular problem. I thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
CONVERSION OF HOMESTEADS INTO CLINICS IN MWENEZI
WEST RESETTLEMENT
- MR. L. MOYO asked the Minister of Health and Child Care when the proposal to convert homesteads into clinics would be done in Mwenezi West resettlement: Barber Mateke, Hen and Guest House.
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE (DR.
PARIRENYATWA): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir and thank you Hon. L. Moyo for asking this very important question about converting homesteads into clinics.
It is the Ministry’s top priority for health services to be closer to the people. The Ministry is trying by all means to decentralise health services to the lowest level, hence a bid for US$5 million to Treasury was made to cater for improving health facilities of resettlement areas. However, due to limited fiscus space at the moment, our plans as a Ministry have been affected. As soon as funds are available, the named homesteads would be converted into clinics to cater for Mwenezi West resettlement.
AVAILABILITY OF LOCAL MOBILE NETWORK SERVICES TO
MATIBI II AND SENGWE COMMUNAL LANDS
- GWANETSA asked the Minister of Media, Information and Broadcasting Services to explain to the House when the local mobile network services will be made available to Matibi II and Sengwe Communal Lands in Chiredzi South which are currently getting their mobile network reception from South Africa.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF MEDIA, INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES (MRS. MUTSVANGWA): Mr.
Speaker Sir, on Question Number 20, as you can see, that does not come under the Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services. I have already indicated this and I think that the Minister of Information Communication Technology, Mr. Mandiwanzira is already seized with this one and he will be responding to the House.
INSTALLATION OF BROADCASTING SERVICES IN BULILIMA
WEST CONSTITUENCY
- NLEYA asked the Minister of Media, Information and Broadcasting Services to inform the House when local broadcasting services will be installed to cater for the population living in the southwest parts of Zimbabwe, particularly Bulilima West Constituency.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF MEDIA, INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES (MRS. MUTSVANGWA): Mr.
Speaker Sir, while my Ministry is not in a position to give a definitive date when broadcasting services will be accessible in the Bulilima West area. Let me assure this august House and hon. members that all things being equal, many disadvantaged areas without broadcasting services will begin to enjoy these services by the end of the year. This time frame is linked directly to the full implementation of the Zimbabwe Digital Broadcasting Migration Project which is underway.
Mr. Speaker Sir, to achieve universal access, our broadcasting engineers have used technology software planning tools to identify the specific location of transmitter sites for maximum coverage of the whole country. They were also able to pinpoint coverage gaps arising from the nature of the geographical terrain in certain areas and the solution will be to deploy new transmitters in those areas to make sure that we fill those gaps and Bulilima West Constituency is one of those areas.
Indeed, coverage gaps were identified in that area and certainly two transmitters will be installed to make sure that that whole area is covered.
The point that I am making is that the National Digital Broadcasting Migration Project is being implemented with universal access of broadcasting to Zimbabweans wherever they reside. We tend by latest, mid-2016 to be able to provide access to broadcasting services in the whole country.
Apart from also installing a nationwide digital television broadcasting transmission network; the project is including also installing a nationwide FM Radio transmission services. The contractor obligated to put in place a transmission network with coverage that would ensure universal access of broadcasting services to Zimbabweans by that date which is at the latest mid-2016. Mr. Speaker, the problem of poor and lack of broadcasting services in the area of Hon. Nleya, as well as in other areas experiencing similar problems, will certainly be addressed. I therefore, at this point, plead with hon. members to bear with the
Ministry in the interim as we work flat out to complete the digital migration project. I thank you Mr. Speaker.
STATUS OF DOGWE MINE IN TSHOLOTSHO
- MR. Z. SIBANDA asked the Minister of Mines and Mining
Development to appraise the House on the status of Dogwe Mine in Tsholotsho in view of the fact that the Chinese have left the site.
THE MINISTER OF MINES AND MINING DEVELOPMENT
(MR. CHIDHAKWA): Thank you Mr. Speaker and thank you hon.
member for that question. The question relates to Dogwe Mine which is in Matabeleland North Province. We gave instructions to our Acting Mining Director in Matabeleland North to look into this matter and information was brought to our offices which we felt was not sufficient. We realised that there were many more complexities to the matter than had originally appeared. We have asked them to do a much deeper investigation, including people that have been sent from Head Office here. I want to assure the hon. member that the matter will be fully investigated and we will then communicate the full answer to the hon. member.
The mine belongs to a company called Carnister Resources and that company has a number of claims in the area. It is registered at exploration stages but we do notice that there is much more that we will need to look at in order to give full answer to the hon. member. I thank you.
MINING OF TIN/RICH LITHIUM AT KAMATIVI MINE 24. MS. CHIRISA asked the Minister of Mines and Mining
Development to inform the House whether or not rich lithium is being mined at Kamativi Mine?
THE MINISTER OF MINES AND MINING DEVELOPMENT
(MR. CHIDHAKWA): Thank you Mr. Speaker and to the hon. member
for the question. I had not prepared a written response on this matter but in order not to delay the hon. member, if you allow me I will be able to give a full response right now, off-the-cuff.
The questions relates to rich lithium that is not just in Kamativi but in quite a number of locations in Zimbabwe including sitting on dumps across the country. Kamativi closed some years ago on the basis of the collapse of price of tin as it was competing with plastics and so forth. When we went back to look at the mine, we actually discovered that the mine is not just a tin mine, but it is probably less a tin mine than other minerals. We have listed seven minerals including tantalum, lithium beryllium and a few other minerals which makes seven.
What we have done is that some time ago, we asked ZMDC to describe exactly what we wanted to achieve as a Government in order to get Kamativi back on line. This we did in respect not just of Kamativi but in respect of the other mines that were owned by ZMDC that are today not operating. We asked them to flight an advert requesting private
Zimbabweans who may be interested in participating in the resuscitation of these companies to respond to our advert looking at the various things that we wanted to achieve from the exploitation of the minerals right up to the value addition refinery of the production. We received 5 applications in respect of Kamativi and we have gone now to a very advanced stage of looking at those to see whether they meet what we originally said we wanted to achieve. We are now at the final stages of deciding who we are going to work with on the resuscitation of Kamativi.
I want the hon. member and this Parliament to know that we are not just asking for tin, we have said anybody who wants to go into Kamativi with ZMDC will have to have the capacity to do all the seven minerals. We must have the capacity to do them right up to very high levels of beneficiation. We are confident that we will be able to get to that objective.
PROVISION OF FEEDING PROGRAMMES IN CHEGUTU WEST
CONSTITUENCY
- MR. NDUNA asked the Minister of Primary and Secondary
Education to state the plans the Ministry has put in place to ensure provision of feeding programmes at the following schools in Chegutu West Constituency where children travel long distances:
- Tivarton Primary School which is 10 – 15 km away from the children’s homes;
- Shingirirai Primary School in Ward 25, which is 25 km away from the children’s homes;
(c.) Bosburg Primary School in Ward 24, which is 5 – 10km away from the children’s homes;
- Rogate Primary School, which is 16km away from the children’s homes;
- Pickstone Primary School, which is 12 – 16 km away from children’s homes.
THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY
EDUCATION (DR. DOKORA): Our response is to indicate that the area for school feeding is a work in progress as I speak. On the Ministry’s fiscal budget, there is an allocation of $200 000 for the school feeding programme for the year 2015. The release of these funds obviously is dependent on availability of resources from Treasury. Considering that there are 5 863 primary schools and 2 424 secondary schools with a total enrolment of 4 066 160, it is important for the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to carefully target the School Feeding Programme to meet the greatest need and make the maximum intended impact.
With this in mind, the Ministry has prioritised the provision of school meals for the youngest learners in the Infant School Module which begins at ECD A for 4 year olds and continues till the end of grade 2. This does not preclude the extension of the School Feeding Programme beyond this level when the funds so permit.
Coming to the 5 schools in Chegutu West Constituency that the hon.
member has specified in the question, the principle of prioritising the
School Feeding Programme for the youngest learners is part of the
Ministry’s plan. Consultations are underway to identify measures that our country can adopt from the sustainable approach to school feeding that
Brazil introduced as part of its “Zero Hunger Campaign”. A Memorandum on this is soon to be submitted to Cabinet for a decision on the way forward.
In the meantime, all heads of schools are being encouraged to make their schools as learner friendly as possible by introducing responsible initiatives such as the School Feeding Programme. Hon Members may also wish to note that the new curriculum that is being developed for schools include the strengthening and the teaching of agriculture with emphasis on the relevant practical competences for each grade.
According to our research, we established the average travelling distances by the children at the mentioned schools as follows:
- Tivarton Primary School is 12km
- Shingirirai Primary School is 8km
- Bosburg Primary School is 12km
- Rogate Primary School is 7km
- Pickstone Primary School is 18km
The Ministry’s thrust in this sense is to shorten the distances travelled by school children to and from school to the lowest level possible. The obtaining scenario in Chegutu West Constituency which is characteristic of farming communities, when we compare with our policy of 5 km walking distance to the nearest school, shows that indeed we have gaps not just in Chegutu West but across the country as the children that we are now taking in at ECD A, that is 4 year olds, indicates they cannot sustain a 5 km walking distance to and from their home. As a result every possible infrastructure in the area of residence should be investigated for possible utilisation by the new schools as they shorten the travelling distances for the local communities. This will of course be supported by the Ministry with both the supervisory as well as additional resources and some monetary grants.
In the meantime, all heads of schools are encouraged to work in this spirit. Consequently, this approach is expected to change the mindset and lead to greater productivity in the food chain in our school as we both look at the infrastructure, the school feeding as well as the attendance and consequential activities surrounding the emergence of these schools in these communities. The revamping of the teaching of agriculture will see the teaching of the subject from infant. This is hoped to make the growing of crops and rearing of animals second nature of our students, some who were not happy to soil their hands. Consequently, this approach is expected to change the mindset and lead to greater productivity in food production and this directly fights hunger throughout the country. I want to thank the hon. member for making such observations and raising such an important matter that is critical for the welfare of our learners.
POLICY REGARDING TRANSFER OF SCHOOLS FROM MWENEZI
RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL TO THE BAPTIST CHURCH
- MR. L. MOYO asked the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education what the Government policy is regarding schools which illegally transferred from Mwenezi Rural District Council to the Baptist Church.
THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY
EDUCATION (DR. DOKORA): I must thank the hon. member for this question. The Ministry notes with great concern the inconsistencies, administrative gaps and inadequacies in the submissions with regards to the transfer of schools from Mwenezi Rural District Council (RDC) to the Baptist Church. It is standing policy that schools consult the Ministry before such transfers are effected. The Ministry, through the responsible Provincial Education Director, in a letter dated 25 October, 2010 advised council on steps to be followed. The conditions were never adhered to.
Consequently, the schools remain under Mwenezi RDC and following this statement to this august House, administrative action will be taken to ensure that the RDC has full access and control of those schools
COMPLIANCE OF THE CURRICULUM TO GENDER BASED
VIOLENCE
- MS. CHIRISA asked the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education what the Ministry has done to ensure that the curriculum complies with new dimensions in respect of the ever increasing Gender Based Violence which is affecting school going age children especially the girl child.
THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY
EDUCATION (DR. DOKORA): I want to thank the hon. member for that question. Gender Based Violence has been identified as a key cross cutting theme which should be fused in every syllabus in the school system so that no child will miss out on important insights to protect themselves and their siblings. In fact, in Heritage studies, it will appear as a new content area of study that will strengthen its place in the proposed orientation programme that caps every learner’s studies up to Form 4. More so, learners, through Guidance and Counseling lessons will continue to be taught how to handle issues of abuse, gender violence, HIV/AIDS and other such matters that have impacted negatively on all affected learners, both boys and girls.
- NDUNA: What I need to know from the Minister is, on administering of corporal punishment in particular to our young girls at school, what is the Ministry’s policy regarding this particular issue?
- DOKORA: As I speak, corporal punishment is not allowed in the school institutions. Thank you.
USE OF CELLPHONES IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS
- MS. CHIRISA asked the Minister of Primary and Secondary
Education what the Ministry’s position is regarding use of cell phones at primary schools?
THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY
EDUCATION (DR. DOKORA): Mr. Speaker, I have difficulties in pronouncing the word cell phone whether to say cell phone or to say celephone at primary schools – [Laughter] – the more usual context in which I hear this question is more in the celephone context in which they mean tumbudzi kind of gadgets. The Ministry has not made comment on the use of cellphones because they are dysfunctional in a learning context. There is however policy in place and in use in embracing of technologies such as smartphones, laptops, iPads and tablets. Desktops are still welcome but they are less visible today. But quite clearly, technologies are evolving as the hon. members know. Smartphones, tablets et cetera can be a good source of information where students research on various subjects under the guidance of school professionals. These professionals are fully in control at any one time, every behaviour in cyber space is rulegoverned and controlled by passwords or codes. As I did in the Upper House, I invited Senators to indicate when we can arrange a demo visit to see how this actually works out in a school situation. But otherwise, there is no liberty of kids simply doing as they please in a school situation.
Thank you.
- CHIRISA: Whilst we appreciate that we move with the times, my worry is at primary school level at what age exactly. We are talking of a primary school starting at Grade Zero, Grade 1 so for us to be told that they will be using these gadgets for research, what kind of a research will a grade 1 child be doing.
- DOKORA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I want to explain by reference to some of the experience that those of our age had in going through primary school education. I want to make reference to the periods that we used to have to say go out of the classroom and bring the soil in classroom and spread it on a wooden tablet and then you write shapes there and drawing things, we go out and we draw on the grounds. Today the four year olds do not have to go outside the classroom, they can draw on the tablet with their finger and make shapes and other things on that tablet, they can also save this material on that tablet. So, we can begin to carry a record of this child’s learning activities all the way to the exit point in Form 6. Thank you.
WRITTEN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE
COMPLETION OF CONSTRUCTION OF CLINICS IN GOKWE-
KANA CONSTITUENCY
- MR. O. NCUBE asked the Minister of Health and Child Care when the construction of the following clinics in Gokwe-Kana Constituency will be completed:
- Lukukwe
- St Hughs
- Mwambani
- Dzuke
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE (DR.
PARIRENYATWA): As a Ministry we welcome this development and the four clinics are being implemented by Gokwe South Rural District Council and progress has been slowed by limited fiscus space. Once the clinics are complete the Ministry will support in terms of staff and medical supplies.
CLINIC IN WARD 2 OF CHOMUTUKUTU AREA
- MASHANGE asked the Minister of Health and Child Care whether the Ministry has plans to build a clinic in areas around the border with Mozambique particularly at Ward 2 in Chomutukutu area.
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE (DR.
PARIRENYATWA): The Ministry has plans to construct a clinic in this area and a site has been identified at Chomutukutu. At the present moment, Central Government has quite a number of capital projects which have been at a standstill due to limited fiscus space, otherwise construction could have commenced for this particular proposed Rural Health Centre. We will keep on lobbying for its financing from Treasury for the project to commence.
LACK OF A GENERAL PRACTITIONER AT MARY MOUNT
MISSION HOSPITAL IN RUSHINGA
- MASHANGE asked the Minister of Health and Child Care to explain to the House why Mary Mount Mission Hospital in Rushinga has been operating without a doctor for the past 10 years.
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE (DR.
PARIRENYATWA): Mary Mount Mission Hospital has an establishment of one doctor. Efforts have been made by my office to recruit and send doctors to the mission hospital as indicated by the table below:
Number | Period | Name of Doctor and comments |
1 | 1980-1997 | Dr. E. Tarira, transferred to St Alberts
Mission Hospital |
2 | 1997-1999 | Dr. Mat and Dr. Alice (Nuns) |
3 | 1999-2000 | Dr. Munjanja |
4 | 2001-2006 | No Doctor |
5 | 2006-2007 | Dr. Murimira |
6 | 2007-2010 | No Doctor |
7 | 2010- June 2012 | Dr. Mambo |
8 | July to
December 2012 |
Dr. Mlingwa seconded from Chimhanda |
9 | 2013 to date | No Doctor |
My Ministry will re-engage the Mission Authorities with a view to ensuring that the community around the hospital enjoys the services of a doctor in the shortest possible time guided by Treasury Concurrence.
EXPANSION OF MASVINGO GENERAL HOSPITAL MORTUARY
- CHIGUDU asked the Minister of Health and Child Care whether the Ministry has got plans to expand Masvingo Provincial Hospital Mortuary so that it adequately caters for the population in Masvingo.
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE (DR.
PARIRENYATWA): There are two mortuaries at Masvingo Provincial Hospital, one old which as a capacity of 9 bodies and the other new one which has a capacity of 12 bodies. The old mortuary is currently being refurbished by Nyaradzo Funeral Services as a way of giving back to the community. However, the Ministry has prioritised the construction of a new Provincial Hospital for Masvingo Province in its developmental plans and this should come with a standard state of the art mortuary and Chapel. Proposals have been submitted to various possible donors for this noble project.
WAITING ROOMS AT MAZORODZE MATERNITY CLINIC
- CHIGUDU asked the Minister of Health and Child Care whether the Ministry is aware that there are no waiting rooms at Mazorodze Maternity Clinic and if so, whether there are any plans to improve the situation.
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE (DR.
PARIRENYATWA): The Ministry is aware that there is no Waiting
Mothers’ Home at Mazorodze Maternity Clinic which is run by Masvingo Municipality. The Ministry has requested the respective Municipality to put such a facility, but it has indicated that they do not have funds.
However, the Ministry will approach donor/partners such as UNFPA who have been putting up such structures in some of our health facilities to include this clinic.
PLANS ON DECONGESTING THE DENSELY POPULATED
GOKWE-NEMBUDZIYA CONSTITUENCY AND GOKWE NORTH
DISTRICT
- 18. WADYAJENA asked the Minister of Lands and Rural
Resettlement to state plans the Ministry has put in place to de-congest the densely populated Gokwe Nembudziya Constituency and Gokwe North District in general, considering the absence of commercial farms for resettlement in the district.
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE (DR.
PARIRENYATWA): May I start by thanking Hon. Wadyajena for asking this question? Since the inception of the Land Reform Programme, the Ministry has always been aware that there are a number of districts across the country which do not have commercial farms for resettlement purposes, e.g. Gokwe North and Chivi amongst others.
As a result, Government issued a directive to all Provincial Lands Committees affected by the above situation to liaise with their respective districts so as to accommodate the affected districts in their allocation schedules in the sister districts.
Prospective farmers are also advised and encouraged to apply for land in any province of their choice, even outside their home area. The land reform applies to the whole country and does not consider a person’s origin.
As a matter of record, a number of people in the Gokwe district at large, have been successfully resettled in other districts in the Midlands province and some have been resettled in Mashonaland West.
CONSTRUCTION OF SCHOOLS IN GOKWE-KANA
CONSTITUENCY
- MR. O NCUBE asked the Minister of Primary and Secondary
Education when the construction of the following schools in GokweKana Constituency will be completed:
- Msala Secondary School
- Masekesa Primary School
- Maboke Secondary School
- Marirangwe Secondary School
- Ndandulo Primary School and
- Tachi Secondary School
THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY
EDUCATION (DR. DOKORA): It is the intention of the Ministry to improve the infrastructure for the whole country and as such efforts are being made. The Government has recently approved the Ministry’s plan to build quality school infrastructure at satellite schools through joint venture partnerships. The Ministry is expecting partners who will construct schools within a short period of time.
The partners will hand over the schools to the Ministry for immediate use by the learners. The Ministry expects a grace period of five none repayment of about five years. Thereafter, payment would be done and the repayment duration may extend to twenty years. In this regard, the
Ministry is working closely with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. We expect that the majority of our schools will benefit from this exercise, including these indentified schools from Gokwe-Kana Constituency.
Oral Answers to Questions With Notice were interrupted by THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER in terms of Standing Order Number 34.
On the motion of MS. CHIKWAMA seconded by MS. MAHOKA,
the House adjourned at Fourteen Minutes to Five o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 14th July, 2015
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE DEPUTY SPEAKER
CHANGES TO PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: I have to inform the House of the following nominations and changes to membership of Committees: Hon.
- Mazivisa will serve on the Portfolio Committees of Transport and
Infrastructural Development and Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.
Hon. O. Hungwe has moved from the Portfolio Committee on Youth,
Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment to the Portfolio Committee on
Mines and Energy. Hon. C. Mutematsaka has moved from the Portfolio
Committee on Foreign Affairs to the Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development. Also, I would like to inform the House of the appointment of Hon. C. Chitindi as the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
- CHIKWAMA: I move that Order of the Day Number 1 be
stood over until the rest of the Orders of the Day have been disposed of.
- NDUNA: 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.
- T. DUBE: Thank you Madam Speaker. I would like to start by congratulating the Ministers who have just been promoted – HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order! hon. members. Hon. members, the member is making a maiden speech and must be heard in silence. Would you please be silent?
MR.T. DUBE: Madam Speaker, may I start by congratulating the
Ministers who have just been promoted. My name is – [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order! hon. members. Hon. members, I do not think there is anything exciting. Hon. Maridadi, we do not allow hon. members to use their cellphones when you are in this House. You are not a journalist. Would you please take your seat. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – Order, order! hon. members. Hon. members, can we please behave ourselves as hon. members.
- MATANGIRA: On a point of order Maám.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: There is no need for a point of order.
What is the point of order?
- MATANGIRA: My point of order Madam Speaker is, if we are not allowed to use cellphones in this House. Then whatever picture Hon. Maridadi has taken must be deleted.– [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible
interjections.] –
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order! Hon. Dube, can you please proceed?
- DUBE: Madam Speaker, I would like to start by congratulating all the Ministers who were recently appointed. My name is Tshinga Dube, representing one of the poorest – [AN HON. MEMBER: And marginalised.] [Laughter.] –
I represent one of the poorest and the oldest townships in Bulawayo.
Makokoba Township was Bulawayo’s first township for blacks, natives as they called us at that time. It was the only township that housed all the natives, Indians as well as Asians.
The location was sold by the Sanitary Board of Bulawayo while huts were rented out to non-council members and the unemployed. There was massive overcrowding in the houses that were mostly one roomed. A major infrastructure development at the time was the installation of flood lights in 1929.
Makokoba Constituency is located in the Bulawayo Province and consists of high density suburbs, namely Makokoba, Mzilikazi (named after the founder of the Ndebele nation, King Mzilikazi), Barbourfields (named after a former mayor, H.R. Barbour, who during the colonial era, was greatly interested in the welfare of the indigenous people),
(Nguboyenja named after Lobengula’s son and heir) and Thorngroove (a coloured township whose name came from the large number of Mimosa Thorn trees in the area) as well as the National Railways of Zimbabwe residential compound of Westgate. –HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible
interjections.] –
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order! Hon members can we
have order. Hon. members, I appealed to the House that I think we should keep our whispers as low as possible so that we hear what the hon. member is saying.
- DUBE: Madam Speaker, established in the early 1900, the township was the first black African township in the city. The suburb was named after the conduct of Mr. Fallon, the Native Commissioner, who reportedly used to walk around the city with the aid of a walking stick…… Hon. Sibanda having changed sitting places thereby making noise.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Sibanda, what is wrong, what is happening?
- DUBE: The name comes from the word ‘ukukhokhoba’ which in the local Ndebele language means “bending and walking with a stick”. It is home of Stanley Square, an iconic and much revered venue for
Zimbabwean nationalists such as the late Vice Presidents Joshua Nkomo, Joseph Msika, John Nkomo and many other politicians of note. Even our
President lived in Makokoba with his uncle when he was still a schoolboy. Many of these second class citizens, as the white settlers chose to see them, were forced to turn to menial jobs for survival. The township was the dwelling place of nationalists such as MAsotsha Ndlovu, Martha Ngano, Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo, Edwin Ndlovu and Ethan Dube.
The township was initially built for migrant workers both local and foreign. It was built at a time when the City of Bulawayo was steadily growing as the industrial hub of the country. The white rulers at the time realised that there was a need for cheap labour that could be demanded from blacks. Many of these second class citizens, as the white settlers chose to see them, were forced to turn to menial jobs for survival.
After construction of Makokoba Township in the early 1900, white authorities then built Mzilikazi in 1945. This township has a history of its own in the road towards the independence of Zimbabwe. In what was later to be termed the Bulawayo African Townships (BAT), Babourfields and Nguboyenja were added.
The constituency has a rich heritage that has spawned countless celebrities from politicians to athletes to entertainers. It is home to the famous bus terminus popularly referred to as ‘eRenkin’, Stanley Hall, Stanley Square, McDonald Hall, Mpilo Hospital and Babourfields Stadium are part of the constituency. Ward seven and eight of Bulawayo Municipality also make up the constituency.
Makokoba Constituency is highly populated and in recent years, it has realised an increase in the population., which has not matched an increase in accommodation and other basic and social amenities. The constituency has produced countless individuals who have distinguished themselves in their various fields, from business people, academics, artists and athletes. Names that quickly come to mind include the likes of Tafi
Moyo (Mzilikazi) and Chikerema as well as influential families like the Ntuta, Ncgebetsha and Hlalo families.
There are also arts and culture legends like Dorothy Masuka, the
Cool Crooners, and later years, individuals like Cont Mhlanga, Lovemore
Majaivana and Augustine Musarurwa who composed ‘sikokiyana, which became a world hit. There were also sporting legends like the Ndlovu brothers, Madinda, Peter and the late Adam and many more that helped to shape the history of Makokoba.
After independence, the first councillor of Makokoba Township was Cde Nicolas Joel Mabodoko and the first Member of Parliament for the Constituency was the late Cde. Sidney Malunga.
Nationalism
Madam Speaker, the development of trade unionism began in
Makokoba in 1928, with its pioneers, Masotsha Ndlobu and Clemence Katali. They advocated for improved working and living conditions for the black labourers. There was later, a transfer of political activism from trade unionism to nationalism when the first political parties began to emerge in 1934.
“The Railway Administration was not at all happy about that. However, although they were unrecognized, the union was not actually legal, and there was nothing they could do about it.” These were the words of the late Vice President, Dr. Joshua Nkomo in his autobiography, Nkomo: The Story of My Life, describing his first footsteps into politics, that is, being the President of the African Railway Employees’ Association in 1948.
Madam Speaker, trade unionism was the bedrock on which Zimbabwean nationalist politics was built and Makokoba was central in the evolution from labour activism to home-grown political ideologies that paved the way for the country’s independence from colonial and racist rule perpetuated by white supremacists that migrated from the United Kingdom and arrived in the country in the 1800s.
These white settlers stayed on in the country until 1980 when nationalists like Joshua Nkomo, Josephy Msika, Benjamin Burombo, John
Nkome and so on, cut their teeth at iconic meeting places like Stanley Square in Makokoba and McDonald Hall in Mzilikazi. They often met at these venues to map the way forward and come up with political ideas to free their people from the bondage of white rule.
It is the Rhodesia Railway Employees Association that launched the career of one of Zimbabwe’s iconic leaders, the late Vice President Dr. Joshua Nkomo. Dr. Nkomo started his career as the president of the Rhodesia Railways African Employees Association in 1948 after a series of meetings held at Stanley Square. After that, he became President of the Federation of African Workers Union, a national office that launched him into his political career, as that very same year, he was also elected
President of the Southern Rhodesia African National Congress. (SRANO).
Township Economics
The majority of residents in Makokoba Constituency live below the poverty datum line due to the growing unemployment rates in the country in general and Bulawayo in particular. The constituency saw an unparalleled growth in population levels as people flocked in search of greener pastures at big companies such as Kango, Radar, Dunlop, NRZ,
CSC, Monarch, and National Blankets among others. During the heydays of the city, this influx of people into the city and Makokoba was hardly felt as many were unable to secure jobs at these firms.
However, today Makokoba is a shadow of its former glory. The constituency is beset with unending economic problems brought on by the closure of numerous firms due to several crises, chief among them, sanctions imposed on the country by the West at the advent of the country’s Land Reform Programme, that was implemented by President Robert Mugabe to address the imbalances created by colonialism. Many lost their jobs and this created a constituency of self-reliant residents. Many became vendors while still more migrated to South Africa where they have, unfortunately, been subjected to often barbaric treatment by our neighbours.
Today, Makokoba is full of business people, so to speak, many of whom barely earn enough to survive from one day to the next. Others have stalls from which they vend various goods, but sadly, the younger generation has been driven towards drugs, alcohol, truancy, prostitution and a myriad of other social ills by the high unemployment rate.
Madam Speaker, places in the constituency such as Makokoba Market, popularly known as eMkambo have become for many, the only hope at making some sort of income with which to support their families. Many now struggle to send the children to school, increasing the number of delinquents on the streets with nothing to do from dawn to dusk. Consequently, the only form of economic emancipation in the constituency for the old generation, is vending while our children have turned to crime.
Education
Madam Speaker, Makokoba Constituency has been fortunate to have a fairly high literacy rate with many holding some form of academic qualifications. The constituency has several schools namely, Mzilikazi,
Litshe, Lozikeyi, Lobengula, Robert Tredgold, St. Patricks, and
McKueturn Primary Schools as well as Mzilikazi, Sobukhazi and St. Columbus High Schools. Various churches were allocated stands on the south of Lobengula Street; between the town and the Bulawayo Municipal Compound (BMC) and the suburb of Makokoba. The church buildings were part of the cordon sanitaire to separate black settlement from white settlement.
The churches which had separate church buildings to service the white population in the town were expected to civilize the Africans by not only converting them to Christianity but also providing some education to them. The Anglican Church ran a school, St. Columbus for Africans. The
Catholics established St. Patrick’s which also catered for the Africans. White girls were attending the Convent School in the city. The Churches did not challenge the BSACo policy of racial segregation in the education system.
While the Anglican and the Roman Catholic churches set up their own separate schools, the other church denominations made collaborative efforts and established the United School. The United School offered classes up to Standard 1. After that, the pupils, who included both boys and girls, proceeded to Mzilikazi Primary School which was the first primary school to be built in Mzilikazi Township, a settlement established in 1945. The school offered education up to Standard 6. Mzilikazi Primary School thus became the first primary school to be built by Government for blacks in Bulawayo. Later, Mzilikazi Primary School offered classes lower than Standard 2. At the time the black primary schools were run by white school heads.
Ultimately, Lotshe Primary School became a stand-alone educational facility in 1955. Some pupils then left Lobengula Primary School to attend Lotshe Primary School, a move which shortened travelling distances for pupils living in Makokoba. The three high schools in the constituency were at the height of the country’s economic growth among the best in the country.
However, today many are lacking the provision of a basic learning environment which many still force to have hot sitting classes due to shortage of adequate classrooms as well as a shortage of learning aids such as text books and computers.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order hon. member, can you please
raise your voice so that those who are recording can hear you.
MR. T. DUBE: Social Amenities
When Makokoba Township was built, it was the beginning of segregation according to colour lines. Blacks were only allowed into the city so that they could be in the factories. The whites however, realised that there was a need for some sort of the social activity to keep their black workers fairly happy despite the repressive laws governing them. To this effect, they built several social venues in the township to provide entertainment to the blacks in the township. Thus, built Stanley Hall where movies and cabaret shows were held and Stanley Square where boxing matches were held, as well as youth centres such as Tshaka and Thabiso.
*MR. MUTSEYAMI: On a point of order Madam Speaker, can something be done to help the hon. member raise his voice because we cannot hear him or if he can submit his presentation?
*THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: The hon. member naturally has a low
voice. So, let us not make noise so that we can hear him. That is what we can do. Hon. member, can you please proceed.
- T. DUBE: Then the clubs were offering basketball, boxing and weightlifting, while over the weekends; boxing took place at the Stanley Square. With the establishment of Mzilikazi, Nguboyenja and
Barbourfields townships, each came with its own youth club. Mzilikazi had the added bonus of the McDonald Community Hall, Memorial Library and an Art and Craft Centre. Barbourfields was fortunate to get perhaps the most modern of social amenities when the city council built the massive Barbourfields Stadium and a swimming pool in the township.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, the hon. member’s time has
expired.
- MUKWANGWARIWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. May
the hon. member’s time be extended?
- MANGAMI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
- T. DUBE: Today, these places remain operational but just barely. Many are run down and are unable to offer the youth the much needed extracurricular activities. This has led to an increase in crime as the youth become degenerated due to lack of creative social outlets.
Health Services
The constituency has been blessed with one of the country’s major referral hospitals, the Mpilo Central Hospital which was built to provide health services to blacks who were not allowed to utilise the United
Bulawayo Hospitals that were reserved for whites. Also, there was a well and a fully functional clinic that is run by the city council and an infectious diseases clinic in Thorngroove. But today, the hospital is barely operational and the only department that is fully operational is the mortuary.
Arts, Sports and Culture
In 1933, the authorities built Makhumalo Bar, popularly known as Big Bhawa and Khefa Beer factory in the township. This spurred the development of arts and culture as artists now had a venue to perform at, while revelers enjoyed their mugs of opaque beer, the only form of alcohol that blacks were allowed to drink at that time. This lack of alternative alcoholic beverages led to the rise of skokiaan, made famous by August Musarurwa and other ‘independent’ brewers.
The music legends defined Makokoba as the Mecca of arts and culture in Makokoba learning and refining their trade at places such as Stanley Hall, MaDonald Hall and ‘Big Bhawa’. In sport, the availability of sporting centres such as Tshaka Youth Centre, Stanley Square and Mzilikazi Youth Centre have also through the years, produced many top class athletes in different disciplines of sport. Iconic football players like the Ndlovu brothers, Felix Ntuta, Peter Nkomo, Mercedes Sibanda, Max Tshuma and more recently the Ngodzo brothers are all products of the rich heritage of sport in Makokoba. Boxers of prominence such as Philip Striker have also come out of the constituency.
Conclusion
Makokoba Constituency has a rich heritage and with it, the potential to become a truly modern metropolitan constituency. The infrastructure is in place to provide residents with most of their basic needs, but it requires a major overhaul. There is need for Central Government to ensure that the
Makokoba’s place in the history of the country’s fight for economic and political emancipation during the liberation struggle is not negated or forgotten. There is also a need to recognise historic places like Makokoba
Constituency as having played a major role in shaping the destiny of Zimbabwe.
In yesteryears, Makokoba was the heart and soul of nationalist politics in Zimbabwe. It is where dedicated young Zimbabweans met often for the first time, to try and find ways to win back their country and ways to emancipate their people from the clutches of colonialism. It is indeed the bedrock of what today is a free Zimbabwe. I thank you Madam Speaker.
- J. M. GUMBO: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
- MUKWANGWARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 15th July, 2015.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE DELEGATION ON THE HIV/AIDS LEARNING
AND EXPOSURE STUDY VISIT TO KARNATAKA STATE, INDIA
Third Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the report of the delegation of the HIV/AIDS Learning and Exposure Study Visit to
Karnataka State, India, 10-14 November, 2014.
Question again proposed.
- J. M. GUMBO: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
- NDUNA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 15th July, 2015.
MOTION
HARMONISATION OF THE MINES AND MINERALS ACT AND
THE LANDS ACQUISITION ACT
Fourth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the need to harmonise the Mines and Minerals Act and the Lands Acquisition Act Question again proposed.
- KEREKE: Thank you Madam Speaker for this opportunity to add my few inputs into the motion that was put forth by Hon. Nduna. The motion is a very important one which seeks to reconcile our policy framework in respect of agricultural land and our policy framework in respect of mining. Under the current statutory provisions, there is latent conflict between the miners and farmers in terms of the rights to natural resources. Whereas the mining laws permit a prospecting miner to independently go to their respective provinces’ Mining Commission you pay a minimum fee depending on what type of mineral you want to peg. If it is chrome or gold, you pay the required fee. You are then issued with a prospecting licence which expires after a considerable period. That prospecting licence authorises you to go on any piece of land to scout for minerals regardless of whether that piece of land is a farm land already in use by another interested party.
The ultimate result is that when a prospector has discovered or has confidence that there are prospects for certain minerals at a given piece of land, they are free to then peg and can commence operations. It could be in someone’s farm, in a village on top of graves or any such revered places by the respective communities. In our statutes, we do have a conflict between the entitlements for farmers to land as a natural resource and the entitlement of potential miners to minerals also as a natural resource. The motion as put is a very pertinent one which requires that there be no further delays in reconciling the two pieces of legislation for good order.
I want to move further by commenting more on the Land Acquisition Act to say that our Constitution has voluminously spoken as to how agricultural land is deemed and it is in fact State land. Accordingly therefore, it is the expectation of the people that policies around land be implemented in a way that resonates with the Constitution. I did indicate Mr. Speaker Sir, in earlier contributions in another debate before this august House, that to the extent State land is anchored in the Constitution, we need equality across the board in terms of how individuals, households, companies and other multi-nationals are treated in respect of ownership of land. I have a case in point in Masvingo province, we have a company which processes sugar. It owns vast tracts of land, about 96 000 hectares. The recently promulgated regulations Mr. Speaker Sir, say for A2 farmers you need to pay about US$5 per hectare as an annual farm rental. We are reliably informed that this company has suggested that it will pay US$10 per hectare, then negotiate special leases which will give them title.
Madam Speaker, the Hon. Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development is on record concerning this indicating that the reason they are giving this company a special permit is that they can invest long term. I want to speak for my constituency to say that there is a potential danger inherent in that approach, because the insinuation is that all the other A2 farmers cannot invest long term. We cannot have a company coming and offering a better rental of US$10 per hectare per annum, maybe they will pay a million yet they are holding on to vast tracts of land that are barren.
Mr. Speaker, if you come to Masvingo we had suggestions which had been approved by the province where a number of farmers were going to be parceled out small pieces of land, be it ten or twenty hectares to then do sugarcane, which is then going to be supplied upstream in the beneficiation chain. The approach that is being put forward where a company offers a small increment, disadvantaging thousands of poor household peasants is an approach, which for the record we want to say may lead to problems in future. Mr. Speaker Sir, those we represent - A2 and A1 farmers dream to also invest long term. Does it mean therefore that our farmers have no plans, ambitions or dreams to invest long term? We cannot have therefore, private multinational corporations being preferred by some leases which enable them to make their projects bankable at the expense of the A2 farmers. Such an approach is not consistent with the Constitution and Madam Speaker, it is our prayer that through this motion, that oversight could perhaps be corrected.
Madam Speaker, still on how the lands policy is being administered, there are areas where certificates of no Government interests are being issued. If a certificate is issued, it enables the holder to even sell the piece of land like a private asset. It is our suggestion that due prudence and perhaps caution be taken when such certificates are issued because it then dilutes the thinking, philosophy and the backbone of our Constitution as it recognises agricultural land as State land.
It is an appeal that we are making in contributing to this debate. We are saying until we treat stakeholders, we look at firms and individuals in an impartial manner; we may risk reversing the gains of the liberation struggle itself. We may risk igniting conflict; in fact conflict can arise when misunderstandings are allowed to degenerate around the emotive issues of land.
Mr. Speaker Sir, with respect to mining laws, we are pleased that Government announced this past week that realigned legislation on mines is almost out. Our appeal is that the mining sector lives up to the expected levels where under ZIM ASSET, it is one of the pillars that should carry the economy. Thank you Mr. Speaker.
- C. C. SIBANDA: I would like to thank Hon. Nduna for moving this motion which is very pertinent. Madam Speaker, the issue of the mining laws vis a vis the agricultural or the land law in the country is problematic. It appears that where the two pieces of legislation are in conflict, the Mines and Minerals Act takes precedence. This is now creating a lot of problems. We should actually view the Mines and
Minerals Act as one of the first legislations that was brought about by colonialists in this country in the 18th century, under the banner of the Rudd Concession.
Looking at that Rudd Concession which Lobengula was made to sign though he put an X which indicated that he was not really agreeing - [Laughter] – taking into account that Lobengula had indeed gone to school at Mhlangeni Primary School in my constituency, Lobengula was an educated person. He was not illiterate, so by indicating with an X he showed that he was not really agreeing to that – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear] – From that day, what happened is that the mining law became the superior law of the land. When you look at how it is structured, it is never structured in a way that will benefit the locals because if anyone has got his homestead and a mine is found there, they are forced to move without meaningful compensation because minerals take precedence.
We have seen the displacements of people in many areas due to mining activities. The Executive should come up with a law that will benefit those people who would have been affected by the big business of mining. There has to be fair compensation to the affected people.
Again, I would like to indicate that my constituency Bubi is one area that will have a very big problem in future. The land that was available in Bubi, almost 90% of that land was pegged for mining. What happened is that there was an arrangement which existed then between the mining community and the so called commercial farmers. What has happened now, people have been settled there under the Land Reform and people have been put on top of the pegs of the mine, which are mines that were pegged in 1920 and some in 1947. Now, whenever there is mining to take place, what will happen is that there is always a massive displacement again for those people who will have just been resettled in that area. There is a looming disaster because recently, the owners of the concession came in the area and started resuscitating the pegs and people were really confused with what was taking place. So, we need to see to it that the laws are designed to benefit the people.
Mr. Speaker, that prayer that you always start with is very indicative of making the laws for the benefit of the society. So, we need to make laws that will make the people benefit instead of displacing them. This issue of the mining war, as I indicated in the beginning it is problematic and needs to be looked into. I heard the other member saying the law is close to being brought to Parliament, we need to seriously look into that law so that the people, at the end of the day should benefit. I thank you.
*MR. MUDARIKWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. The motion
that we are debating here is very pertinent because it enables us to know where our country Zimbabwe stands pertaining to agriculture. There should not be much altercations where agriculture is concerned because all people with offer letters are mandated to till the land. Our motion seems to be focused on A2 farmers. Even when these A2 farms were owned by the whites, people in the rural areas are the ones who harvested more crops. They used to yield 80% of maize and cotton as well as keep the herd that was sold to CSC. The only problem that we are facing in some instances is of greed because if you are said to be a farmer and then you get a mine, you are suddenly a miner. If you get a school, you become the headmaster of the school and if you get herbs you become a witch doctor.
All these are piled on the same person.
On the issue of minerals – they are under the President and he is the one who allocates the minerals to people to start working on them. All these minerals pay royalties to Government so that government’s programmes can be implemented.
The issue of EMA was raised because they are seen milling around the mines and an example of kitsi yatota was given on account of the land degradation happening in Shurugwi. Those are makorokoza and not miners. Let us not mix makorokoza and miners but distinguish between the two. The other problem that we face is that knowledge of gold mining was inherited from Munhumutapa. Our gold is found all over the world because all the gold from Mount Darwin was sold all over the world and this relationship should continue as it used to be. In Mutoko, there is black granite. There is no one who is allowed to peg without getting permission from council. Someone came on a one day visit and declared that nothing was happening there. That person was able to see all the bad things in that single day. I challenge him to go and see the Mutoko Council offices which were built with the proceeds from black granite.
The biggest issue that we should look at when looking at our wealth is; if it is granite, there are no cattle that graze on stones. In Mutoko, there is what is called hukurutombo and that is the only thing you find among those black stones. There is nothing else that lives among those stones. What we need to look into is how we can assist our people so that agriculture is beneficial to them. First and foremost, let us see to it that the loans being given to our farmers attract little interest rates because currently, the interest rate is very high. There is need to organise different loan categories for different activities such as 5% interest rate for those wanting to build dams, 10% interest if one wants to buy a tractor and 15% if one wants to buy fertilizer. We also need to train our farmers how to farm because having an offer letter does not automatically make you a farmer. People should go to school and get Master Farmer certificates. If yields go up, no one will be jealous of the other person because you will all have high yields. The white farmer who used to farm on that particular farm used to get high yields without any mining rights.
Then another issue that is working against our farmers is the market where they sell their produce. If they take their grain to GMB, it takes them 2 years to get paid but the same GMB is selling grain and no one knows where the money disappears to. In Mutoko, we grow tomatoes but we see that the market is flooded with tomatoes from South Africa. That is what has destroyed our agriculture. If a person is sick and does not take tablets but blames the disease on mombe yeumai, they will die. So, one has to take medication in order to get well.
Another issue that we need to look at is to do with climate change. We should assist each other in terms of irrigation schemes or conservation agriculture or zero tillage where you use manure or even human manure for things to work out. Still on that issue, we have a huge problem. In Zimbabwe there are about 5.3 million cattle and 3 million goats. Farmers can use their herds as security. If these cattle are insured at US$300, it gives us US$1.5 billion and if the goats are insured at US$20, it gives us US$60 million. We can use that insurance as security.
I think the issue of using our houses as security should come to an end. It is not good because we are enslaving our people ending up without a roof for the family. The houses are also sold way below their value. The other thing that can assist people to get wealthy is contract farming. As Government, let us say it is a crime for one to do side marketing. Zimbabwe was the bread basket of Africa and most of the produce was grown by people in the rural areas. There was no person with mining rights. Let us concentrate at what is at hand, we should move with the times. I think our country Zimbabwe, should move forward. We should also look at how we should lift the people who are living in the rural areas. These are areas that we should bring up. Production is said to be 10 tonnes per hectare, yet someone is getting 5 tonnes per hectare. Some of these people being interested in doing so many things like mining etc, because they do not have the experience in the work that they are doing. Many hon. members are laughing at what I am saying and I think some of them will be struck. –[Laughter]- Thank you Mr. Speaker.
- MATANGIRA: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir. I feel that I must also add my voice to this pertinent motion on mining and agriculture. I think the last speaker Hon. S. Mudarikwa elaborated that as an Act of mining, you are not allowed to peg in any agricultural land. As an Act of mining, you are not supposed to peg not less than 90 metres from a homestead or from any house that is built of bricks. The agrarian revolution in 2000/2002, the President of the State of Zimbabwe elaborated that those that have land, when they are on the land, anyone will come to peg a claim or a mine and it is one on one. If you agree to have a joint venture, you can have it, not on farming land or agricultural land. The last speaker rightly said it. We cannot be jack of all trades and master of one.
I am a miner Mr. Speaker. I have had problems with the farmers. This agricultural land is none productive. From 1965, people have been mining in that farm. They have not delivered 2 bags of maize to GMB and they say we need a share from what you produce. We say no, I am producing for the State. Gold goes to Fidelity and eventually it goes to the fiscus. If you want to farm, farm on top and I go underground. There is no way we can conflict, but we are saying if the farmer wants to become a miner, go and peg your own claim, your own mine, even on your farm and no one will say no to that.
So, we are saying, like what the mover of the motion has said, harmonisation of agricultural and mining Acts should be one. We accept that because we are saying, if you want to do farming, the farmer must go ahead and do farming. If I want to do mining, I will go ahead with my mining operations. Both operations are beneficial to the country and the people of Zimbabwe. We have a problem now where you would find a farmer is there on the land. He has got no inputs. The old lady in the rural set up goes and korokozas. She gets two grams, which is 62 grams. She goes and buys a bag of fertilizer and she can go back on the land.
So, farming and mining can move together with no conflicts. We support the mover because we are saying Parliament has to know what is happening in mining and agriculture. Commercial farmers are commercial farmers and they must produce food for us. We should be crying as to how we should get finances on the same farms that were productive before 2000, before the agrarian revolution. The reason is that there are sanctions by America through an Act called ZIDERA, has hampered those on land to produce. We want to highlight to this House that we may be of different opinions, we may be coming from different walks of life, even political parties, but famine and hunger is non- selective.
You can be where you are, but hunger will still get you like the sun shines for us all. Hunger will affect us all as a nation. So, rather than in Parliament here, those that asked for the sanctions for none funding of agriculture should go back and say please, can you lift these sanctions because we need food. –[HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear]- Mr. Speaker Sir, I am divulging what I was supposed to have debated in the next motion. I liked the way Hon. Misihairabwi debated the other time, when she brought in the sanitary wear here in Parliament.
Today, I have brought a typical sanction pointer in Zimbabwe. The Presidential input scheme gives the rural folk one bag of Compound D, one bag of Ammonium Nitrate and 25 kilograms of seed maize. This is what has happened even in the resettlement areas where in my constituency, I have got a resettlement area, districts and wards where the same format of distribution of the inputs is done. This one here comes from a resettlement where an individual has got four hectares. From the one bag of Compound D and one bag of Ammonium Nitrate, this farmer has 20 lines and this is the yield. It is not even a quarter of a hectare.
The rest of the three point something hectares, the same seed that the seed packer actually got; he planted the same maize and you can see it is the pioneer 30g 19, with 18 lines. Small as it is, this is the yield. No fertilizer, the seed is there and this should be the point. Zimbabwe is producing 2 tonnes today on the productive land. This is not right. As a nation, we are going to Zambia to buy maize and we are going to Malawi to import maize. Of all countries, we are saying no. Our rural folk can farm better than the commercial farmers who were there yesterday. Why can we not have a Government policy that supports agriculture?
It is not even money. We go to ZFC and they are not given money by banks. It is solely to say we guarantee that the farmer is going to pay. What price fertilizer do we pay? For cash, one 50kg bag of fertiliser is going for US$31.00. The bank that lends me money says, if I get fertilizer I must be charged US$37.00. I come from a rural constituency in Bindura, the same bag of fertilizer from Harare to Bindura costs US$4.00. For 30 tonnes I have to pay US$2 400.00 and this is broad daylight robbery.
Generally, we are saying, in order for Zimbabwe to become successful we need a shift from where we are, the blacks being the unfortunate and unable. We are able if we manage to liberate ourselves and this is the same motion I am talking about to say, let us liberate ourselves because the banks are not supportive. Even in the mining sector like the mover of the motion said, we have been talking about US$100 million that was supposed to come from China. Where is it? It is still not here three years later.
So how do the makorokoza graduate to miners, the middle class or the small scale miner, how is he going to become a big miner? We have the best ideas and strategies but our implementation is poor. We also have the stumbling blocks who put spanners in the works in order for Zimbabwe not to be successful. All the same, let us pray that one day we are going to talk with one voice and Zimbabwe will be one country again.
Lastly, Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to pray and say in this august House, let us leave our partisanship outside the Parliament building. This is a
National Assembly... – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – We need people who understand democracy and people must accept the results that come out and forget... – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – You must forgo because when you have lost, you have lost, you know you have become a brush to shine my shoes that is it – [HON. MEMBERS:
Inaudible interjections] – I thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
- J. M. GUMBO: Mr. Speaker, I move that the debate be now adjourned.
- MUKWANGWARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 15th July, 2015.
MOTION
PEOPLE-CENTRED DEVELOPMENTAL POLICIES AND
MEASURES ON IMPROVING DOMESTIC PRODUCTION AND
FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT
Fifth order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the deteriorating social and economic conditions in the country.
Question again proposed.
- CHIMANIKIRE: Thank you Mr. Speaker. First and
foremost, I would like to thank the mover of the motion Hon. Dr.
Mashakada for bringing forward an issue that is of essence to this nation.
Mr. Speaker, I will repeat what I said in my last debate. We debate here vehemently arguing on one point or the other but like the last speaker, I am wondering who implements what we resolve in this House?
Sometime last year, in this particular session, we debated on the issue of the Zimbabwean economy. I remember an hon. member from the other side of the House eloquently and vehemently arguing on the issues affecting this country in as far as our economy is concerned. That was Hon. Mutomba, I remember, he made very constructive suggestions on the direction that our economy is supposed to take. Yes, we have ZIM ASSET but what is happening to ZIM ASSET? We do not seem to be delivering on the deliverables that are expected from ZIM ASSET.
When people talk about sanctions, there are certain issues that affect us in this country because nowadays trade is related to human rights. I recall when I read ‘The Southern Eye’, when His Excellency the President,
Cde. Robert Gabriel Mugabe assumed office as SADC Chairman in
Victoria Falls. ‘The Southern Eye’ reported that while he was acknowledging his ascendancy to the chairmanship, in the mean time his body-guards outside the hall from where he was making his acceptance speech, were brutally assaulting a woman for having used ZANU PF regalia to tie up grass that she was carrying on her head.
That reflects on us when people talk of country risk because trade is related to human rights nowadays. Globally, we do not trade with ISIS simply because they are terrorists and sometimes it is our own behaviour that drives away investors….
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, order hon. member.
There is Benz AAX9487 which is obstructing other vehicles. Can the owner please go and remove the vehicle. You may proceed Hon.
Chimanikire.
- CHIMANIKIRE: Again, a few weeks earlier, Zimbabwean
soldiers burnt down tents that were donated by the Red Cross to the Chingwizi families in Masvingo and in the process, destroying food that was donated and other clothing reserves that had been issued to families in the Chingwizi area. Again, this reflects on us when we talk about country risk in terms of investment; it is these behaviours that we then try and blame on the Americans or the British.
Young Zimbabweans marching peacefully in the streets of Harare just along Nelson Mandela Avenue were brutally attacked by police for allegedly threatening peace but what peace if one has no job? What peace when someone has not had something to eat and what peace when one does not have shelter?
Mr. Speaker, despite the fact that our new Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, however, we have continued to ensure …
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, order hon. member. On
reading Order Number 5, it is about the economy, if you could stick to that please.
- CHIMANIKIRE: Thank you Mr. Speaker, I was responding
to the allegation that sanctions are the order of the day and have affected our economy. Let me just refer to a conversation …
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, order, may you respond
to what is on the Order Paper hon. member.
- CHIMANIKIRE: That is fine Mr. Speaker, I will continue to discuss the economy but I just wanted to point out that.. – [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – Aah you are not going to divert me.
Mr. Speaker, I was talking to a very senior ZANU PF official a year ago who said, “we have failed in running the economy of this country” but however, that person is a Member of Parliament, for your information. He said, “when we tell our people that this is because of sanctions, fortunately they believe us”.
In the 2013 Report of the Confederation of Industries of Zimbabwe, the country risk was not allotted to labour but in this House, we have had suggestions that if we amend the Labour Relations Act then our economy will be able to perform better, that is not correct.
Mr. Speaker, in the year 2000, the President made the Kadoma Declaration. The intention of the Kadoma Declaration was to promote social dialogue between Government, labour and business. Mr. Speaker, that is the way to go. However, this social dialogue document has not been implemented in this country and we are still awaiting it to be implemented so that at least there should be dialogue between Government and business. We have Members of Parliament who have recently come into Parliament who are actually successful business persons. Those people should be engaged in other fora so that Government can have the correct direction in terms of re-investment or expanding our businesses in this country.
During the honeymoon of the GNU Mr. Speaker, Christmas was
celebrated in this country for the first time. In 2010, 2011, 2012 but come 2013, we were back to the doldrums again. What went wrong? Mr. Speaker, we need to look at certain aspects that affect our economy that we need to put right. For example, Government has turned itself into a bad debtor. If you talk of the company that supplies electricity to this country, their bills are not being paid by Government departments. If you talk of Tel One, Government bills are not being paid, ZUPCO bus hires are not being paid for. There is non-payment of BEAM and benefits to war veterans such as school fees for their children, as well as widows of national heroes.
If we look at various ministries Mr. Speaker, and you look at the audit report of the Auditor General for the year 2013, it is evident that 23 ministries failed to account for almost $150 million. I have a short breakdown Mr. Speaker. When the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development was paying for irrigation equipment, it came across a figure that they could not account for to the
Auditor General’s office. This was supposed to have been paid to a supplier and according to the Auditor General, the supplier was Chinese and a figure of $12 million was unaccounted for. Reasons given by the Ministry, although they could not account for the equipment that was supposed to have come, was that they paid that amount in order to maintain diplomatic relations with China. A country suffering from a shortage of finance like Zimbabwe is able to pay $12 million to a farming equipment supply company in China without receiving the equipment only to maintain good diplomatic relations. Treasury has not guaranteed the acquisition of this loan but the country lost $12 million along the way.
The Auditor General’s 2011 report points out that ZINARA failed to account for $6 million. This money was supposed to have been accounted for from maintenance of equipment. This was not done and the money was not accounted for. We are at $18 million Mr. Speaker. The ZMDC, which is a parastatal of Government, again according to the Auditor General’s report of 2012 could not account for $1.6 million. Why? It is because they were making payments using cash. The cashbook disappeared when the Auditor General went to audit their books; so much for a country that is crying about sanctions and the collapse of our economy.
ARDA has 36 estates; farms spread throughout the country but during the 2014/2015 agricultural season, they failed to produce reasonable yields that can actually support the country in terms of food sufficiency. They are renowned for having obsolete equipment and unskilled mechanics but this is a parastatal. So, whatever supplementary monies that they are receiving from Government in order for its upkeep, the running of these 36 estates is going to waste and it affects our economy.
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to GMB, not only has it failed to pay farmers but at the same time, we noticed that yields that are sold to the GMB have gone down since 2009. In 2009 to 2010 farming season, there was a reduction of maize sold to the GMB by 91%. In 2010 to 2011, there was a further reduction of 55%. So, by the end of the day we have a parastatal that is not operating viably and has failed to pay farmers. This reduces the buying power of the farmers and our economy which is agrobased is sinking slowly.
The Central Vehicle Registry, according to the Auditor General’s report, there were over 54 000 unprocessed licences. In other words, you go for a licencing test but the Registry itself is failing to actually process this. This is supposed to be income that is coming to Government.
Overally, Government failed to unlock a $51 million loan coming from China, simply because the Chinese want an advance of at least 10% which was $7 million but we failed to raise that amount. At the same time, this amount was supposed to have been used to facilitate the maintenance of our grain silos. Our grain silos are deteriorating, very soon they will be a write off. I am sure there has been migration of maize from Zimbabwe to Mozambique because there is no maize in the silos and by the end of the day, if we do not maintain our silos, we have nowhere to stock our maize when we finally have bumper harvests.
Mr. Speaker, when one looks at poor Government debt recovery processes and the losses that are being suffered by 23 ministries out of 33, one can only recommend certain drastic action to be taken. Corruption is a catalyst to the current economic ruin. For example, there are issues of contracts that have been issued and the use of Brainworks that we have been reading about in the newspapers. We have the issue of ESSAR Mr.
Speaker. How on earth do we enter into contracts that are not applicable?
I remember the Minister of Industry and Commerce when we started in 2013 in this Session of Parliament; he announced that now that we have a one party Government, ESSAR is going to start working by December 2013. We are in July, 2015 and what has happened? ESSAR has abandoned Zimbabwe and why have we not re-tendered or redone the process so that we can come up with workable arrangements.
Mr. Speaker, this Government is pushing this country where other countries are actually migrating from. In Senegal, 90% of the economy is informal but dust bins are collected by donkeys, pulling scotch carts. In the DRC, when Mobutu had faced a collapsing economy, he tried to introduce the use of bicycles because people could not afford to buy cars.
In conclusion Mr. Speaker, I would like to put forward what I call recommendations. How do we resuscitate this economy? Government should seriously re-invigorate performance management programmes to ensure that service efficiency is harnessed from the Permanent Secretary to the most junior clerk. The Government should fire all heads of departments in 23 ministries who failed to account for Government funds allotted to them.
The Anti-Corruption Commission should be appointed to ensure that we deal with issues of corruption. However, they need to be investigated. They bought offices worth $168 million which were overstated according to the Auditor General’s office by $480 000. This should be repaid.
The Government should amend the Indigenisation ratio. Instead of
51:49 ratio, why do we not go to 26% and then we graduate to 51% over a set period of time so that we are able at least to attract Foreign Direct Investment? Mr. Speaker, Government should bring in private business investors into ARDA, National Railways of Zimbabwe, ZUPCO, Air Zimbabwe, Cold Storage Commission, ZINARA, ZINWA and other
parastatals that are not operating profitably.
However, Mr. Speaker, should this fail to happen, I am sure the challenge is that, this Government has to resign and seek a new mandate from the people. They have promised people 2.1 million jobs, nothing is happening and what do you do when you have failed on your own manifesto? You just resign and seek a new mandate from the people. I thank you Mr. Speaker.
- CHIKWAMA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
- MUKWANGWARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 15th July, 2015.
On the motion of MS. CHIKWAMA, seconded by MS.
MPARIWA, the House adjourned at Three Minutes to Four o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 14th July, 2015
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE DEPUTY SPEAKER
CHANGES TO PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: I have to inform the House of the following nominations and changes to membership of Committees: Hon.
- Mazivisa will serve on the Portfolio Committees of Transport and
Infrastructural Development and Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.
Hon. O. Hungwe has moved from the Portfolio Committee on Youth,
Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment to the Portfolio Committee on
Mines and Energy. Hon. C. Mutematsaka has moved from the Portfolio
Committee on Foreign Affairs to the Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development. Also, I would like to inform the House of the appointment of Hon. C. Chitindi as the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
- CHIKWAMA: I move that Order of the Day Number 1 be
stood over until the rest of the Orders of the Day have been disposed of.
- NDUNA: 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.
- T. DUBE: Thank you Madam Speaker. I would like to start by congratulating the Ministers who have just been promoted – HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order! hon. members. Hon. members, the member is making a maiden speech and must be heard in silence. Would you please be silent?
MR.T. DUBE: Madam Speaker, may I start by congratulating the
Ministers who have just been promoted. My name is – [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order! hon. members. Hon. members, I do not think there is anything exciting. Hon. Maridadi, we do not allow hon. members to use their cellphones when you are in this House. You are not a journalist. Would you please take your seat. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – Order, order! hon. members. Hon. members, can we please behave ourselves as hon. members.
- MATANGIRA: On a point of order Maám.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: There is no need for a point of order.
What is the point of order?
- MATANGIRA: My point of order Madam Speaker is, if we are not allowed to use cellphones in this House. Then whatever picture Hon. Maridadi has taken must be deleted.– [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible
interjections.] –
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order! Hon. Dube, can you please proceed?
- DUBE: Madam Speaker, I would like to start by congratulating all the Ministers who were recently appointed. My name is Tshinga Dube, representing one of the poorest – [AN HON. MEMBER: And marginalised.] [Laughter.] –
I represent one of the poorest and the oldest townships in Bulawayo.
Makokoba Township was Bulawayo’s first township for blacks, natives as they called us at that time. It was the only township that housed all the natives, Indians as well as Asians.
The location was sold by the Sanitary Board of Bulawayo while huts were rented out to non-council members and the unemployed. There was massive overcrowding in the houses that were mostly one roomed. A major infrastructure development at the time was the installation of flood lights in 1929.
Makokoba Constituency is located in the Bulawayo Province and consists of high density suburbs, namely Makokoba, Mzilikazi (named after the founder of the Ndebele nation, King Mzilikazi), Barbourfields (named after a former mayor, H.R. Barbour, who during the colonial era, was greatly interested in the welfare of the indigenous people),
(Nguboyenja named after Lobengula’s son and heir) and Thorngroove (a coloured township whose name came from the large number of Mimosa Thorn trees in the area) as well as the National Railways of Zimbabwe residential compound of Westgate. –HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible
interjections.] –
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order! Hon members can we
have order. Hon. members, I appealed to the House that I think we should keep our whispers as low as possible so that we hear what the hon. member is saying.
- DUBE: Madam Speaker, established in the early 1900, the township was the first black African township in the city. The suburb was named after the conduct of Mr. Fallon, the Native Commissioner, who reportedly used to walk around the city with the aid of a walking stick…… Hon. Sibanda having changed sitting places thereby making noise.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Sibanda, what is wrong, what is happening?
- DUBE: The name comes from the word ‘ukukhokhoba’ which in the local Ndebele language means “bending and walking with a stick”. It is home of Stanley Square, an iconic and much revered venue for
Zimbabwean nationalists such as the late Vice Presidents Joshua Nkomo, Joseph Msika, John Nkomo and many other politicians of note. Even our
President lived in Makokoba with his uncle when he was still a schoolboy. Many of these second class citizens, as the white settlers chose to see them, were forced to turn to menial jobs for survival. The township was the dwelling place of nationalists such as MAsotsha Ndlovu, Martha Ngano, Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo, Edwin Ndlovu and Ethan Dube.
The township was initially built for migrant workers both local and foreign. It was built at a time when the City of Bulawayo was steadily growing as the industrial hub of the country. The white rulers at the time realised that there was a need for cheap labour that could be demanded from blacks. Many of these second class citizens, as the white settlers chose to see them, were forced to turn to menial jobs for survival.
After construction of Makokoba Township in the early 1900, white authorities then built Mzilikazi in 1945. This township has a history of its own in the road towards the independence of Zimbabwe. In what was later to be termed the Bulawayo African Townships (BAT), Babourfields and Nguboyenja were added.
The constituency has a rich heritage that has spawned countless celebrities from politicians to athletes to entertainers. It is home to the famous bus terminus popularly referred to as ‘eRenkin’, Stanley Hall, Stanley Square, McDonald Hall, Mpilo Hospital and Babourfields Stadium are part of the constituency. Ward seven and eight of Bulawayo Municipality also make up the constituency.
Makokoba Constituency is highly populated and in recent years, it has realised an increase in the population., which has not matched an increase in accommodation and other basic and social amenities. The constituency has produced countless individuals who have distinguished themselves in their various fields, from business people, academics, artists and athletes. Names that quickly come to mind include the likes of Tafi
Moyo (Mzilikazi) and Chikerema as well as influential families like the Ntuta, Ncgebetsha and Hlalo families.
There are also arts and culture legends like Dorothy Masuka, the
Cool Crooners, and later years, individuals like Cont Mhlanga, Lovemore
Majaivana and Augustine Musarurwa who composed ‘sikokiyana, which became a world hit. There were also sporting legends like the Ndlovu brothers, Madinda, Peter and the late Adam and many more that helped to shape the history of Makokoba.
After independence, the first councillor of Makokoba Township was Cde Nicolas Joel Mabodoko and the first Member of Parliament for the Constituency was the late Cde. Sidney Malunga.
Nationalism
Madam Speaker, the development of trade unionism began in
Makokoba in 1928, with its pioneers, Masotsha Ndlobu and Clemence Katali. They advocated for improved working and living conditions for the black labourers. There was later, a transfer of political activism from trade unionism to nationalism when the first political parties began to emerge in 1934.
“The Railway Administration was not at all happy about that. However, although they were unrecognized, the union was not actually legal, and there was nothing they could do about it.” These were the words of the late Vice President, Dr. Joshua Nkomo in his autobiography, Nkomo: The Story of My Life, describing his first footsteps into politics, that is, being the President of the African Railway Employees’ Association in 1948.
Madam Speaker, trade unionism was the bedrock on which Zimbabwean nationalist politics was built and Makokoba was central in the evolution from labour activism to home-grown political ideologies that paved the way for the country’s independence from colonial and racist rule perpetuated by white supremacists that migrated from the United Kingdom and arrived in the country in the 1800s.
These white settlers stayed on in the country until 1980 when nationalists like Joshua Nkomo, Josephy Msika, Benjamin Burombo, John
Nkome and so on, cut their teeth at iconic meeting places like Stanley Square in Makokoba and McDonald Hall in Mzilikazi. They often met at these venues to map the way forward and come up with political ideas to free their people from the bondage of white rule.
It is the Rhodesia Railway Employees Association that launched the career of one of Zimbabwe’s iconic leaders, the late Vice President Dr. Joshua Nkomo. Dr. Nkomo started his career as the president of the Rhodesia Railways African Employees Association in 1948 after a series of meetings held at Stanley Square. After that, he became President of the Federation of African Workers Union, a national office that launched him into his political career, as that very same year, he was also elected
President of the Southern Rhodesia African National Congress. (SRANO).
Township Economics
The majority of residents in Makokoba Constituency live below the poverty datum line due to the growing unemployment rates in the country in general and Bulawayo in particular. The constituency saw an unparalleled growth in population levels as people flocked in search of greener pastures at big companies such as Kango, Radar, Dunlop, NRZ,
CSC, Monarch, and National Blankets among others. During the heydays of the city, this influx of people into the city and Makokoba was hardly felt as many were unable to secure jobs at these firms.
However, today Makokoba is a shadow of its former glory. The constituency is beset with unending economic problems brought on by the closure of numerous firms due to several crises, chief among them, sanctions imposed on the country by the West at the advent of the country’s Land Reform Programme, that was implemented by President Robert Mugabe to address the imbalances created by colonialism. Many lost their jobs and this created a constituency of self-reliant residents. Many became vendors while still more migrated to South Africa where they have, unfortunately, been subjected to often barbaric treatment by our neighbours.
Today, Makokoba is full of business people, so to speak, many of whom barely earn enough to survive from one day to the next. Others have stalls from which they vend various goods, but sadly, the younger generation has been driven towards drugs, alcohol, truancy, prostitution and a myriad of other social ills by the high unemployment rate.
Madam Speaker, places in the constituency such as Makokoba Market, popularly known as eMkambo have become for many, the only hope at making some sort of income with which to support their families. Many now struggle to send the children to school, increasing the number of delinquents on the streets with nothing to do from dawn to dusk. Consequently, the only form of economic emancipation in the constituency for the old generation, is vending while our children have turned to crime.
Education
Madam Speaker, Makokoba Constituency has been fortunate to have a fairly high literacy rate with many holding some form of academic qualifications. The constituency has several schools namely, Mzilikazi,
Litshe, Lozikeyi, Lobengula, Robert Tredgold, St. Patricks, and
McKueturn Primary Schools as well as Mzilikazi, Sobukhazi and St. Columbus High Schools. Various churches were allocated stands on the south of Lobengula Street; between the town and the Bulawayo Municipal Compound (BMC) and the suburb of Makokoba. The church buildings were part of the cordon sanitaire to separate black settlement from white settlement.
The churches which had separate church buildings to service the white population in the town were expected to civilize the Africans by not only converting them to Christianity but also providing some education to them. The Anglican Church ran a school, St. Columbus for Africans. The
Catholics established St. Patrick’s which also catered for the Africans. White girls were attending the Convent School in the city. The Churches did not challenge the BSACo policy of racial segregation in the education system.
While the Anglican and the Roman Catholic churches set up their own separate schools, the other church denominations made collaborative efforts and established the United School. The United School offered classes up to Standard 1. After that, the pupils, who included both boys and girls, proceeded to Mzilikazi Primary School which was the first primary school to be built in Mzilikazi Township, a settlement established in 1945. The school offered education up to Standard 6. Mzilikazi Primary School thus became the first primary school to be built by Government for blacks in Bulawayo. Later, Mzilikazi Primary School offered classes lower than Standard 2. At the time the black primary schools were run by white school heads.
Ultimately, Lotshe Primary School became a stand-alone educational facility in 1955. Some pupils then left Lobengula Primary School to attend Lotshe Primary School, a move which shortened travelling distances for pupils living in Makokoba. The three high schools in the constituency were at the height of the country’s economic growth among the best in the country.
However, today many are lacking the provision of a basic learning environment which many still force to have hot sitting classes due to shortage of adequate classrooms as well as a shortage of learning aids such as text books and computers.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order hon. member, can you please
raise your voice so that those who are recording can hear you.
MR. T. DUBE: Social Amenities
When Makokoba Township was built, it was the beginning of segregation according to colour lines. Blacks were only allowed into the city so that they could be in the factories. The whites however, realised that there was a need for some sort of the social activity to keep their black workers fairly happy despite the repressive laws governing them. To this effect, they built several social venues in the township to provide entertainment to the blacks in the township. Thus, built Stanley Hall where movies and cabaret shows were held and Stanley Square where boxing matches were held, as well as youth centres such as Tshaka and Thabiso.
*MR. MUTSEYAMI: On a point of order Madam Speaker, can something be done to help the hon. member raise his voice because we cannot hear him or if he can submit his presentation?
*THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: The hon. member naturally has a low
voice. So, let us not make noise so that we can hear him. That is what we can do. Hon. member, can you please proceed.
- T. DUBE: Then the clubs were offering basketball, boxing and weightlifting, while over the weekends; boxing took place at the Stanley Square. With the establishment of Mzilikazi, Nguboyenja and
Barbourfields townships, each came with its own youth club. Mzilikazi had the added bonus of the McDonald Community Hall, Memorial Library and an Art and Craft Centre. Barbourfields was fortunate to get perhaps the most modern of social amenities when the city council built the massive Barbourfields Stadium and a swimming pool in the township.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, the hon. member’s time has
expired.
- MUKWANGWARIWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. May
the hon. member’s time be extended?
- MANGAMI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
- T. DUBE: Today, these places remain operational but just barely. Many are run down and are unable to offer the youth the much needed extracurricular activities. This has led to an increase in crime as the youth become degenerated due to lack of creative social outlets.
Health Services
The constituency has been blessed with one of the country’s major referral hospitals, the Mpilo Central Hospital which was built to provide health services to blacks who were not allowed to utilise the United
Bulawayo Hospitals that were reserved for whites. Also, there was a well and a fully functional clinic that is run by the city council and an infectious diseases clinic in Thorngroove. But today, the hospital is barely operational and the only department that is fully operational is the mortuary.
Arts, Sports and Culture
In 1933, the authorities built Makhumalo Bar, popularly known as Big Bhawa and Khefa Beer factory in the township. This spurred the development of arts and culture as artists now had a venue to perform at, while revelers enjoyed their mugs of opaque beer, the only form of alcohol that blacks were allowed to drink at that time. This lack of alternative alcoholic beverages led to the rise of skokiaan, made famous by August Musarurwa and other ‘independent’ brewers.
The music legends defined Makokoba as the Mecca of arts and culture in Makokoba learning and refining their trade at places such as Stanley Hall, MaDonald Hall and ‘Big Bhawa’. In sport, the availability of sporting centres such as Tshaka Youth Centre, Stanley Square and Mzilikazi Youth Centre have also through the years, produced many top class athletes in different disciplines of sport. Iconic football players like the Ndlovu brothers, Felix Ntuta, Peter Nkomo, Mercedes Sibanda, Max Tshuma and more recently the Ngodzo brothers are all products of the rich heritage of sport in Makokoba. Boxers of prominence such as Philip Striker have also come out of the constituency.
Conclusion
Makokoba Constituency has a rich heritage and with it, the potential to become a truly modern metropolitan constituency. The infrastructure is in place to provide residents with most of their basic needs, but it requires a major overhaul. There is need for Central Government to ensure that the
Makokoba’s place in the history of the country’s fight for economic and political emancipation during the liberation struggle is not negated or forgotten. There is also a need to recognise historic places like Makokoba
Constituency as having played a major role in shaping the destiny of Zimbabwe.
In yesteryears, Makokoba was the heart and soul of nationalist politics in Zimbabwe. It is where dedicated young Zimbabweans met often for the first time, to try and find ways to win back their country and ways to emancipate their people from the clutches of colonialism. It is indeed the bedrock of what today is a free Zimbabwe. I thank you Madam Speaker.
- J. M. GUMBO: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
- MUKWANGWARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 15th July, 2015.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE DELEGATION ON THE HIV/AIDS LEARNING
AND EXPOSURE STUDY VISIT TO KARNATAKA STATE, INDIA
Third Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the report of the delegation of the HIV/AIDS Learning and Exposure Study Visit to
Karnataka State, India, 10-14 November, 2014.
Question again proposed.
- J. M. GUMBO: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
- NDUNA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 15th July, 2015.
MOTION
HARMONISATION OF THE MINES AND MINERALS ACT AND
THE LANDS ACQUISITION ACT
Fourth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the need to harmonise the Mines and Minerals Act and the Lands Acquisition Act Question again proposed.
- KEREKE: Thank you Madam Speaker for this opportunity to add my few inputs into the motion that was put forth by Hon. Nduna. The motion is a very important one which seeks to reconcile our policy framework in respect of agricultural land and our policy framework in respect of mining. Under the current statutory provisions, there is latent conflict between the miners and farmers in terms of the rights to natural resources. Whereas the mining laws permit a prospecting miner to independently go to their respective provinces’ Mining Commission you pay a minimum fee depending on what type of mineral you want to peg. If it is chrome or gold, you pay the required fee. You are then issued with a prospecting licence which expires after a considerable period. That prospecting licence authorises you to go on any piece of land to scout for minerals regardless of whether that piece of land is a farm land already in use by another interested party.
The ultimate result is that when a prospector has discovered or has confidence that there are prospects for certain minerals at a given piece of land, they are free to then peg and can commence operations. It could be in someone’s farm, in a village on top of graves or any such revered places by the respective communities. In our statutes, we do have a conflict between the entitlements for farmers to land as a natural resource and the entitlement of potential miners to minerals also as a natural resource. The motion as put is a very pertinent one which requires that there be no further delays in reconciling the two pieces of legislation for good order.
I want to move further by commenting more on the Land Acquisition Act to say that our Constitution has voluminously spoken as to how agricultural land is deemed and it is in fact State land. Accordingly therefore, it is the expectation of the people that policies around land be implemented in a way that resonates with the Constitution. I did indicate Mr. Speaker Sir, in earlier contributions in another debate before this august House, that to the extent State land is anchored in the Constitution, we need equality across the board in terms of how individuals, households, companies and other multi-nationals are treated in respect of ownership of land. I have a case in point in Masvingo province, we have a company which processes sugar. It owns vast tracts of land, about 96 000 hectares. The recently promulgated regulations Mr. Speaker Sir, say for A2 farmers you need to pay about US$5 per hectare as an annual farm rental. We are reliably informed that this company has suggested that it will pay US$10 per hectare, then negotiate special leases which will give them title.
Madam Speaker, the Hon. Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development is on record concerning this indicating that the reason they are giving this company a special permit is that they can invest long term. I want to speak for my constituency to say that there is a potential danger inherent in that approach, because the insinuation is that all the other A2 farmers cannot invest long term. We cannot have a company coming and offering a better rental of US$10 per hectare per annum, maybe they will pay a million yet they are holding on to vast tracts of land that are barren.
Mr. Speaker, if you come to Masvingo we had suggestions which had been approved by the province where a number of farmers were going to be parceled out small pieces of land, be it ten or twenty hectares to then do sugarcane, which is then going to be supplied upstream in the beneficiation chain. The approach that is being put forward where a company offers a small increment, disadvantaging thousands of poor household peasants is an approach, which for the record we want to say may lead to problems in future. Mr. Speaker Sir, those we represent - A2 and A1 farmers dream to also invest long term. Does it mean therefore that our farmers have no plans, ambitions or dreams to invest long term? We cannot have therefore, private multinational corporations being preferred by some leases which enable them to make their projects bankable at the expense of the A2 farmers. Such an approach is not consistent with the Constitution and Madam Speaker, it is our prayer that through this motion, that oversight could perhaps be corrected.
Madam Speaker, still on how the lands policy is being administered, there are areas where certificates of no Government interests are being issued. If a certificate is issued, it enables the holder to even sell the piece of land like a private asset. It is our suggestion that due prudence and perhaps caution be taken when such certificates are issued because it then dilutes the thinking, philosophy and the backbone of our Constitution as it recognises agricultural land as State land.
It is an appeal that we are making in contributing to this debate. We are saying until we treat stakeholders, we look at firms and individuals in an impartial manner; we may risk reversing the gains of the liberation struggle itself. We may risk igniting conflict; in fact conflict can arise when misunderstandings are allowed to degenerate around the emotive issues of land.
Mr. Speaker Sir, with respect to mining laws, we are pleased that Government announced this past week that realigned legislation on mines is almost out. Our appeal is that the mining sector lives up to the expected levels where under ZIM ASSET, it is one of the pillars that should carry the economy. Thank you Mr. Speaker.
- C. C. SIBANDA: I would like to thank Hon. Nduna for moving this motion which is very pertinent. Madam Speaker, the issue of the mining laws vis a vis the agricultural or the land law in the country is problematic. It appears that where the two pieces of legislation are in conflict, the Mines and Minerals Act takes precedence. This is now creating a lot of problems. We should actually view the Mines and
Minerals Act as one of the first legislations that was brought about by colonialists in this country in the 18th century, under the banner of the Rudd Concession.
Looking at that Rudd Concession which Lobengula was made to sign though he put an X which indicated that he was not really agreeing - [Laughter] – taking into account that Lobengula had indeed gone to school at Mhlangeni Primary School in my constituency, Lobengula was an educated person. He was not illiterate, so by indicating with an X he showed that he was not really agreeing to that – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear] – From that day, what happened is that the mining law became the superior law of the land. When you look at how it is structured, it is never structured in a way that will benefit the locals because if anyone has got his homestead and a mine is found there, they are forced to move without meaningful compensation because minerals take precedence.
We have seen the displacements of people in many areas due to mining activities. The Executive should come up with a law that will benefit those people who would have been affected by the big business of mining. There has to be fair compensation to the affected people.
Again, I would like to indicate that my constituency Bubi is one area that will have a very big problem in future. The land that was available in Bubi, almost 90% of that land was pegged for mining. What happened is that there was an arrangement which existed then between the mining community and the so called commercial farmers. What has happened now, people have been settled there under the Land Reform and people have been put on top of the pegs of the mine, which are mines that were pegged in 1920 and some in 1947. Now, whenever there is mining to take place, what will happen is that there is always a massive displacement again for those people who will have just been resettled in that area. There is a looming disaster because recently, the owners of the concession came in the area and started resuscitating the pegs and people were really confused with what was taking place. So, we need to see to it that the laws are designed to benefit the people.
Mr. Speaker, that prayer that you always start with is very indicative of making the laws for the benefit of the society. So, we need to make laws that will make the people benefit instead of displacing them. This issue of the mining war, as I indicated in the beginning it is problematic and needs to be looked into. I heard the other member saying the law is close to being brought to Parliament, we need to seriously look into that law so that the people, at the end of the day should benefit. I thank you.
*MR. MUDARIKWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. The motion
that we are debating here is very pertinent because it enables us to know where our country Zimbabwe stands pertaining to agriculture. There should not be much altercations where agriculture is concerned because all people with offer letters are mandated to till the land. Our motion seems to be focused on A2 farmers. Even when these A2 farms were owned by the whites, people in the rural areas are the ones who harvested more crops. They used to yield 80% of maize and cotton as well as keep the herd that was sold to CSC. The only problem that we are facing in some instances is of greed because if you are said to be a farmer and then you get a mine, you are suddenly a miner. If you get a school, you become the headmaster of the school and if you get herbs you become a witch doctor.
All these are piled on the same person.
On the issue of minerals – they are under the President and he is the one who allocates the minerals to people to start working on them. All these minerals pay royalties to Government so that government’s programmes can be implemented.
The issue of EMA was raised because they are seen milling around the mines and an example of kitsi yatota was given on account of the land degradation happening in Shurugwi. Those are makorokoza and not miners. Let us not mix makorokoza and miners but distinguish between the two. The other problem that we face is that knowledge of gold mining was inherited from Munhumutapa. Our gold is found all over the world because all the gold from Mount Darwin was sold all over the world and this relationship should continue as it used to be. In Mutoko, there is black granite. There is no one who is allowed to peg without getting permission from council. Someone came on a one day visit and declared that nothing was happening there. That person was able to see all the bad things in that single day. I challenge him to go and see the Mutoko Council offices which were built with the proceeds from black granite.
The biggest issue that we should look at when looking at our wealth is; if it is granite, there are no cattle that graze on stones. In Mutoko, there is what is called hukurutombo and that is the only thing you find among those black stones. There is nothing else that lives among those stones. What we need to look into is how we can assist our people so that agriculture is beneficial to them. First and foremost, let us see to it that the loans being given to our farmers attract little interest rates because currently, the interest rate is very high. There is need to organise different loan categories for different activities such as 5% interest rate for those wanting to build dams, 10% interest if one wants to buy a tractor and 15% if one wants to buy fertilizer. We also need to train our farmers how to farm because having an offer letter does not automatically make you a farmer. People should go to school and get Master Farmer certificates. If yields go up, no one will be jealous of the other person because you will all have high yields. The white farmer who used to farm on that particular farm used to get high yields without any mining rights.
Then another issue that is working against our farmers is the market where they sell their produce. If they take their grain to GMB, it takes them 2 years to get paid but the same GMB is selling grain and no one knows where the money disappears to. In Mutoko, we grow tomatoes but we see that the market is flooded with tomatoes from South Africa. That is what has destroyed our agriculture. If a person is sick and does not take tablets but blames the disease on mombe yeumai, they will die. So, one has to take medication in order to get well.
Another issue that we need to look at is to do with climate change. We should assist each other in terms of irrigation schemes or conservation agriculture or zero tillage where you use manure or even human manure for things to work out. Still on that issue, we have a huge problem. In Zimbabwe there are about 5.3 million cattle and 3 million goats. Farmers can use their herds as security. If these cattle are insured at US$300, it gives us US$1.5 billion and if the goats are insured at US$20, it gives us US$60 million. We can use that insurance as security.
I think the issue of using our houses as security should come to an end. It is not good because we are enslaving our people ending up without a roof for the family. The houses are also sold way below their value. The other thing that can assist people to get wealthy is contract farming. As Government, let us say it is a crime for one to do side marketing. Zimbabwe was the bread basket of Africa and most of the produce was grown by people in the rural areas. There was no person with mining rights. Let us concentrate at what is at hand, we should move with the times. I think our country Zimbabwe, should move forward. We should also look at how we should lift the people who are living in the rural areas. These are areas that we should bring up. Production is said to be 10 tonnes per hectare, yet someone is getting 5 tonnes per hectare. Some of these people being interested in doing so many things like mining etc, because they do not have the experience in the work that they are doing. Many hon. members are laughing at what I am saying and I think some of them will be struck. –[Laughter]- Thank you Mr. Speaker.
- MATANGIRA: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir. I feel that I must also add my voice to this pertinent motion on mining and agriculture. I think the last speaker Hon. S. Mudarikwa elaborated that as an Act of mining, you are not allowed to peg in any agricultural land. As an Act of mining, you are not supposed to peg not less than 90 metres from a homestead or from any house that is built of bricks. The agrarian revolution in 2000/2002, the President of the State of Zimbabwe elaborated that those that have land, when they are on the land, anyone will come to peg a claim or a mine and it is one on one. If you agree to have a joint venture, you can have it, not on farming land or agricultural land. The last speaker rightly said it. We cannot be jack of all trades and master of one.
I am a miner Mr. Speaker. I have had problems with the farmers. This agricultural land is none productive. From 1965, people have been mining in that farm. They have not delivered 2 bags of maize to GMB and they say we need a share from what you produce. We say no, I am producing for the State. Gold goes to Fidelity and eventually it goes to the fiscus. If you want to farm, farm on top and I go underground. There is no way we can conflict, but we are saying if the farmer wants to become a miner, go and peg your own claim, your own mine, even on your farm and no one will say no to that.
So, we are saying, like what the mover of the motion has said, harmonisation of agricultural and mining Acts should be one. We accept that because we are saying, if you want to do farming, the farmer must go ahead and do farming. If I want to do mining, I will go ahead with my mining operations. Both operations are beneficial to the country and the people of Zimbabwe. We have a problem now where you would find a farmer is there on the land. He has got no inputs. The old lady in the rural set up goes and korokozas. She gets two grams, which is 62 grams. She goes and buys a bag of fertilizer and she can go back on the land.
So, farming and mining can move together with no conflicts. We support the mover because we are saying Parliament has to know what is happening in mining and agriculture. Commercial farmers are commercial farmers and they must produce food for us. We should be crying as to how we should get finances on the same farms that were productive before 2000, before the agrarian revolution. The reason is that there are sanctions by America through an Act called ZIDERA, has hampered those on land to produce. We want to highlight to this House that we may be of different opinions, we may be coming from different walks of life, even political parties, but famine and hunger is non- selective.
You can be where you are, but hunger will still get you like the sun shines for us all. Hunger will affect us all as a nation. So, rather than in Parliament here, those that asked for the sanctions for none funding of agriculture should go back and say please, can you lift these sanctions because we need food. –[HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear]- Mr. Speaker Sir, I am divulging what I was supposed to have debated in the next motion. I liked the way Hon. Misihairabwi debated the other time, when she brought in the sanitary wear here in Parliament.
Today, I have brought a typical sanction pointer in Zimbabwe. The Presidential input scheme gives the rural folk one bag of Compound D, one bag of Ammonium Nitrate and 25 kilograms of seed maize. This is what has happened even in the resettlement areas where in my constituency, I have got a resettlement area, districts and wards where the same format of distribution of the inputs is done. This one here comes from a resettlement where an individual has got four hectares. From the one bag of Compound D and one bag of Ammonium Nitrate, this farmer has 20 lines and this is the yield. It is not even a quarter of a hectare.
The rest of the three point something hectares, the same seed that the seed packer actually got; he planted the same maize and you can see it is the pioneer 30g 19, with 18 lines. Small as it is, this is the yield. No fertilizer, the seed is there and this should be the point. Zimbabwe is producing 2 tonnes today on the productive land. This is not right. As a nation, we are going to Zambia to buy maize and we are going to Malawi to import maize. Of all countries, we are saying no. Our rural folk can farm better than the commercial farmers who were there yesterday. Why can we not have a Government policy that supports agriculture?
It is not even money. We go to ZFC and they are not given money by banks. It is solely to say we guarantee that the farmer is going to pay. What price fertilizer do we pay? For cash, one 50kg bag of fertiliser is going for US$31.00. The bank that lends me money says, if I get fertilizer I must be charged US$37.00. I come from a rural constituency in Bindura, the same bag of fertilizer from Harare to Bindura costs US$4.00. For 30 tonnes I have to pay US$2 400.00 and this is broad daylight robbery.
Generally, we are saying, in order for Zimbabwe to become successful we need a shift from where we are, the blacks being the unfortunate and unable. We are able if we manage to liberate ourselves and this is the same motion I am talking about to say, let us liberate ourselves because the banks are not supportive. Even in the mining sector like the mover of the motion said, we have been talking about US$100 million that was supposed to come from China. Where is it? It is still not here three years later.
So how do the makorokoza graduate to miners, the middle class or the small scale miner, how is he going to become a big miner? We have the best ideas and strategies but our implementation is poor. We also have the stumbling blocks who put spanners in the works in order for Zimbabwe not to be successful. All the same, let us pray that one day we are going to talk with one voice and Zimbabwe will be one country again.
Lastly, Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to pray and say in this august House, let us leave our partisanship outside the Parliament building. This is a
National Assembly... – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – We need people who understand democracy and people must accept the results that come out and forget... – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – You must forgo because when you have lost, you have lost, you know you have become a brush to shine my shoes that is it – [HON. MEMBERS:
Inaudible interjections] – I thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
- J. M. GUMBO: Mr. Speaker, I move that the debate be now adjourned.
- MUKWANGWARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 15th July, 2015.
MOTION
PEOPLE-CENTRED DEVELOPMENTAL POLICIES AND
MEASURES ON IMPROVING DOMESTIC PRODUCTION AND
FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT
Fifth order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the deteriorating social and economic conditions in the country.
Question again proposed.
- CHIMANIKIRE: Thank you Mr. Speaker. First and
foremost, I would like to thank the mover of the motion Hon. Dr.
Mashakada for bringing forward an issue that is of essence to this nation.
Mr. Speaker, I will repeat what I said in my last debate. We debate here vehemently arguing on one point or the other but like the last speaker, I am wondering who implements what we resolve in this House?
Sometime last year, in this particular session, we debated on the issue of the Zimbabwean economy. I remember an hon. member from the other side of the House eloquently and vehemently arguing on the issues affecting this country in as far as our economy is concerned. That was Hon. Mutomba, I remember, he made very constructive suggestions on the direction that our economy is supposed to take. Yes, we have ZIM ASSET but what is happening to ZIM ASSET? We do not seem to be delivering on the deliverables that are expected from ZIM ASSET.
When people talk about sanctions, there are certain issues that affect us in this country because nowadays trade is related to human rights. I recall when I read ‘The Southern Eye’, when His Excellency the President,
Cde. Robert Gabriel Mugabe assumed office as SADC Chairman in
Victoria Falls. ‘The Southern Eye’ reported that while he was acknowledging his ascendancy to the chairmanship, in the mean time his body-guards outside the hall from where he was making his acceptance speech, were brutally assaulting a woman for having used ZANU PF regalia to tie up grass that she was carrying on her head.
That reflects on us when people talk of country risk because trade is related to human rights nowadays. Globally, we do not trade with ISIS simply because they are terrorists and sometimes it is our own behaviour that drives away investors….
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, order hon. member.
There is Benz AAX9487 which is obstructing other vehicles. Can the owner please go and remove the vehicle. You may proceed Hon.
Chimanikire.
- CHIMANIKIRE: Again, a few weeks earlier, Zimbabwean
soldiers burnt down tents that were donated by the Red Cross to the Chingwizi families in Masvingo and in the process, destroying food that was donated and other clothing reserves that had been issued to families in the Chingwizi area. Again, this reflects on us when we talk about country risk in terms of investment; it is these behaviours that we then try and blame on the Americans or the British.
Young Zimbabweans marching peacefully in the streets of Harare just along Nelson Mandela Avenue were brutally attacked by police for allegedly threatening peace but what peace if one has no job? What peace when someone has not had something to eat and what peace when one does not have shelter?
Mr. Speaker, despite the fact that our new Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, however, we have continued to ensure …
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, order hon. member. On
reading Order Number 5, it is about the economy, if you could stick to that please.
- CHIMANIKIRE: Thank you Mr. Speaker, I was responding
to the allegation that sanctions are the order of the day and have affected our economy. Let me just refer to a conversation …
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, order, may you respond
to what is on the Order Paper hon. member.
- CHIMANIKIRE: That is fine Mr. Speaker, I will continue to discuss the economy but I just wanted to point out that.. – [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – Aah you are not going to divert me.
Mr. Speaker, I was talking to a very senior ZANU PF official a year ago who said, “we have failed in running the economy of this country” but however, that person is a Member of Parliament, for your information. He said, “when we tell our people that this is because of sanctions, fortunately they believe us”.
In the 2013 Report of the Confederation of Industries of Zimbabwe, the country risk was not allotted to labour but in this House, we have had suggestions that if we amend the Labour Relations Act then our economy will be able to perform better, that is not correct.
Mr. Speaker, in the year 2000, the President made the Kadoma Declaration. The intention of the Kadoma Declaration was to promote social dialogue between Government, labour and business. Mr. Speaker, that is the way to go. However, this social dialogue document has not been implemented in this country and we are still awaiting it to be implemented so that at least there should be dialogue between Government and business. We have Members of Parliament who have recently come into Parliament who are actually successful business persons. Those people should be engaged in other fora so that Government can have the correct direction in terms of re-investment or expanding our businesses in this country.
During the honeymoon of the GNU Mr. Speaker, Christmas was
celebrated in this country for the first time. In 2010, 2011, 2012 but come 2013, we were back to the doldrums again. What went wrong? Mr. Speaker, we need to look at certain aspects that affect our economy that we need to put right. For example, Government has turned itself into a bad debtor. If you talk of the company that supplies electricity to this country, their bills are not being paid by Government departments. If you talk of Tel One, Government bills are not being paid, ZUPCO bus hires are not being paid for. There is non-payment of BEAM and benefits to war veterans such as school fees for their children, as well as widows of national heroes.
If we look at various ministries Mr. Speaker, and you look at the audit report of the Auditor General for the year 2013, it is evident that 23 ministries failed to account for almost $150 million. I have a short breakdown Mr. Speaker. When the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development was paying for irrigation equipment, it came across a figure that they could not account for to the
Auditor General’s office. This was supposed to have been paid to a supplier and according to the Auditor General, the supplier was Chinese and a figure of $12 million was unaccounted for. Reasons given by the Ministry, although they could not account for the equipment that was supposed to have come, was that they paid that amount in order to maintain diplomatic relations with China. A country suffering from a shortage of finance like Zimbabwe is able to pay $12 million to a farming equipment supply company in China without receiving the equipment only to maintain good diplomatic relations. Treasury has not guaranteed the acquisition of this loan but the country lost $12 million along the way.
The Auditor General’s 2011 report points out that ZINARA failed to account for $6 million. This money was supposed to have been accounted for from maintenance of equipment. This was not done and the money was not accounted for. We are at $18 million Mr. Speaker. The ZMDC, which is a parastatal of Government, again according to the Auditor General’s report of 2012 could not account for $1.6 million. Why? It is because they were making payments using cash. The cashbook disappeared when the Auditor General went to audit their books; so much for a country that is crying about sanctions and the collapse of our economy.
ARDA has 36 estates; farms spread throughout the country but during the 2014/2015 agricultural season, they failed to produce reasonable yields that can actually support the country in terms of food sufficiency. They are renowned for having obsolete equipment and unskilled mechanics but this is a parastatal. So, whatever supplementary monies that they are receiving from Government in order for its upkeep, the running of these 36 estates is going to waste and it affects our economy.
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to GMB, not only has it failed to pay farmers but at the same time, we noticed that yields that are sold to the GMB have gone down since 2009. In 2009 to 2010 farming season, there was a reduction of maize sold to the GMB by 91%. In 2010 to 2011, there was a further reduction of 55%. So, by the end of the day we have a parastatal that is not operating viably and has failed to pay farmers. This reduces the buying power of the farmers and our economy which is agrobased is sinking slowly.
The Central Vehicle Registry, according to the Auditor General’s report, there were over 54 000 unprocessed licences. In other words, you go for a licencing test but the Registry itself is failing to actually process this. This is supposed to be income that is coming to Government.
Overally, Government failed to unlock a $51 million loan coming from China, simply because the Chinese want an advance of at least 10% which was $7 million but we failed to raise that amount. At the same time, this amount was supposed to have been used to facilitate the maintenance of our grain silos. Our grain silos are deteriorating, very soon they will be a write off. I am sure there has been migration of maize from Zimbabwe to Mozambique because there is no maize in the silos and by the end of the day, if we do not maintain our silos, we have nowhere to stock our maize when we finally have bumper harvests.
Mr. Speaker, when one looks at poor Government debt recovery processes and the losses that are being suffered by 23 ministries out of 33, one can only recommend certain drastic action to be taken. Corruption is a catalyst to the current economic ruin. For example, there are issues of contracts that have been issued and the use of Brainworks that we have been reading about in the newspapers. We have the issue of ESSAR Mr.
Speaker. How on earth do we enter into contracts that are not applicable?
I remember the Minister of Industry and Commerce when we started in 2013 in this Session of Parliament; he announced that now that we have a one party Government, ESSAR is going to start working by December 2013. We are in July, 2015 and what has happened? ESSAR has abandoned Zimbabwe and why have we not re-tendered or redone the process so that we can come up with workable arrangements.
Mr. Speaker, this Government is pushing this country where other countries are actually migrating from. In Senegal, 90% of the economy is informal but dust bins are collected by donkeys, pulling scotch carts. In the DRC, when Mobutu had faced a collapsing economy, he tried to introduce the use of bicycles because people could not afford to buy cars.
In conclusion Mr. Speaker, I would like to put forward what I call recommendations. How do we resuscitate this economy? Government should seriously re-invigorate performance management programmes to ensure that service efficiency is harnessed from the Permanent Secretary to the most junior clerk. The Government should fire all heads of departments in 23 ministries who failed to account for Government funds allotted to them.
The Anti-Corruption Commission should be appointed to ensure that we deal with issues of corruption. However, they need to be investigated. They bought offices worth $168 million which were overstated according to the Auditor General’s office by $480 000. This should be repaid.
The Government should amend the Indigenisation ratio. Instead of
51:49 ratio, why do we not go to 26% and then we graduate to 51% over a set period of time so that we are able at least to attract Foreign Direct Investment? Mr. Speaker, Government should bring in private business investors into ARDA, National Railways of Zimbabwe, ZUPCO, Air Zimbabwe, Cold Storage Commission, ZINARA, ZINWA and other
parastatals that are not operating profitably.
However, Mr. Speaker, should this fail to happen, I am sure the challenge is that, this Government has to resign and seek a new mandate from the people. They have promised people 2.1 million jobs, nothing is happening and what do you do when you have failed on your own manifesto? You just resign and seek a new mandate from the people. I thank you Mr. Speaker.
- CHIKWAMA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
- MUKWANGWARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 15th July, 2015.
On the motion of MS. CHIKWAMA, seconded by MS.
MPARIWA, the House adjourned at Three Minutes to Four o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 14th July, 2015
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE DEPUTY SPEAKER
CHANGES TO PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: I have to inform the House of the following nominations and changes to membership of Committees: Hon.
- Mazivisa will serve on the Portfolio Committees of Transport and
Infrastructural Development and Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.
Hon. O. Hungwe has moved from the Portfolio Committee on Youth,
Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment to the Portfolio Committee on
Mines and Energy. Hon. C. Mutematsaka has moved from the Portfolio
Committee on Foreign Affairs to the Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development. Also, I would like to inform the House of the appointment of Hon. C. Chitindi as the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
- CHIKWAMA: I move that Order of the Day Number 1 be
stood over until the rest of the Orders of the Day have been disposed of.
- NDUNA: 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.
- T. DUBE: Thank you Madam Speaker. I would like to start by congratulating the Ministers who have just been promoted – HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order! hon. members. Hon. members, the member is making a maiden speech and must be heard in silence. Would you please be silent?
MR.T. DUBE: Madam Speaker, may I start by congratulating the
Ministers who have just been promoted. My name is – [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order! hon. members. Hon. members, I do not think there is anything exciting. Hon. Maridadi, we do not allow hon. members to use their cellphones when you are in this House. You are not a journalist. Would you please take your seat. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – Order, order! hon. members. Hon. members, can we please behave ourselves as hon. members.
- MATANGIRA: On a point of order Maám.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: There is no need for a point of order.
What is the point of order?
- MATANGIRA: My point of order Madam Speaker is, if we are not allowed to use cellphones in this House. Then whatever picture Hon. Maridadi has taken must be deleted.– [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible
interjections.] –
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order! Hon. Dube, can you please proceed?
- DUBE: Madam Speaker, I would like to start by congratulating all the Ministers who were recently appointed. My name is Tshinga Dube, representing one of the poorest – [AN HON. MEMBER: And marginalised.] [Laughter.] –
I represent one of the poorest and the oldest townships in Bulawayo.
Makokoba Township was Bulawayo’s first township for blacks, natives as they called us at that time. It was the only township that housed all the natives, Indians as well as Asians.
The location was sold by the Sanitary Board of Bulawayo while huts were rented out to non-council members and the unemployed. There was massive overcrowding in the houses that were mostly one roomed. A major infrastructure development at the time was the installation of flood lights in 1929.
Makokoba Constituency is located in the Bulawayo Province and consists of high density suburbs, namely Makokoba, Mzilikazi (named after the founder of the Ndebele nation, King Mzilikazi), Barbourfields (named after a former mayor, H.R. Barbour, who during the colonial era, was greatly interested in the welfare of the indigenous people),
(Nguboyenja named after Lobengula’s son and heir) and Thorngroove (a coloured township whose name came from the large number of Mimosa Thorn trees in the area) as well as the National Railways of Zimbabwe residential compound of Westgate. –HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible
interjections.] –
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order! Hon members can we
have order. Hon. members, I appealed to the House that I think we should keep our whispers as low as possible so that we hear what the hon. member is saying.
- DUBE: Madam Speaker, established in the early 1900, the township was the first black African township in the city. The suburb was named after the conduct of Mr. Fallon, the Native Commissioner, who reportedly used to walk around the city with the aid of a walking stick…… Hon. Sibanda having changed sitting places thereby making noise.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Sibanda, what is wrong, what is happening?
- DUBE: The name comes from the word ‘ukukhokhoba’ which in the local Ndebele language means “bending and walking with a stick”. It is home of Stanley Square, an iconic and much revered venue for
Zimbabwean nationalists such as the late Vice Presidents Joshua Nkomo, Joseph Msika, John Nkomo and many other politicians of note. Even our
President lived in Makokoba with his uncle when he was still a schoolboy. Many of these second class citizens, as the white settlers chose to see them, were forced to turn to menial jobs for survival. The township was the dwelling place of nationalists such as MAsotsha Ndlovu, Martha Ngano, Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo, Edwin Ndlovu and Ethan Dube.
The township was initially built for migrant workers both local and foreign. It was built at a time when the City of Bulawayo was steadily growing as the industrial hub of the country. The white rulers at the time realised that there was a need for cheap labour that could be demanded from blacks. Many of these second class citizens, as the white settlers chose to see them, were forced to turn to menial jobs for survival.
After construction of Makokoba Township in the early 1900, white authorities then built Mzilikazi in 1945. This township has a history of its own in the road towards the independence of Zimbabwe. In what was later to be termed the Bulawayo African Townships (BAT), Babourfields and Nguboyenja were added.
The constituency has a rich heritage that has spawned countless celebrities from politicians to athletes to entertainers. It is home to the famous bus terminus popularly referred to as ‘eRenkin’, Stanley Hall, Stanley Square, McDonald Hall, Mpilo Hospital and Babourfields Stadium are part of the constituency. Ward seven and eight of Bulawayo Municipality also make up the constituency.
Makokoba Constituency is highly populated and in recent years, it has realised an increase in the population., which has not matched an increase in accommodation and other basic and social amenities. The constituency has produced countless individuals who have distinguished themselves in their various fields, from business people, academics, artists and athletes. Names that quickly come to mind include the likes of Tafi
Moyo (Mzilikazi) and Chikerema as well as influential families like the Ntuta, Ncgebetsha and Hlalo families.
There are also arts and culture legends like Dorothy Masuka, the
Cool Crooners, and later years, individuals like Cont Mhlanga, Lovemore
Majaivana and Augustine Musarurwa who composed ‘sikokiyana, which became a world hit. There were also sporting legends like the Ndlovu brothers, Madinda, Peter and the late Adam and many more that helped to shape the history of Makokoba.
After independence, the first councillor of Makokoba Township was Cde Nicolas Joel Mabodoko and the first Member of Parliament for the Constituency was the late Cde. Sidney Malunga.
Nationalism
Madam Speaker, the development of trade unionism began in
Makokoba in 1928, with its pioneers, Masotsha Ndlobu and Clemence Katali. They advocated for improved working and living conditions for the black labourers. There was later, a transfer of political activism from trade unionism to nationalism when the first political parties began to emerge in 1934.
“The Railway Administration was not at all happy about that. However, although they were unrecognized, the union was not actually legal, and there was nothing they could do about it.” These were the words of the late Vice President, Dr. Joshua Nkomo in his autobiography, Nkomo: The Story of My Life, describing his first footsteps into politics, that is, being the President of the African Railway Employees’ Association in 1948.
Madam Speaker, trade unionism was the bedrock on which Zimbabwean nationalist politics was built and Makokoba was central in the evolution from labour activism to home-grown political ideologies that paved the way for the country’s independence from colonial and racist rule perpetuated by white supremacists that migrated from the United Kingdom and arrived in the country in the 1800s.
These white settlers stayed on in the country until 1980 when nationalists like Joshua Nkomo, Josephy Msika, Benjamin Burombo, John
Nkome and so on, cut their teeth at iconic meeting places like Stanley Square in Makokoba and McDonald Hall in Mzilikazi. They often met at these venues to map the way forward and come up with political ideas to free their people from the bondage of white rule.
It is the Rhodesia Railway Employees Association that launched the career of one of Zimbabwe’s iconic leaders, the late Vice President Dr. Joshua Nkomo. Dr. Nkomo started his career as the president of the Rhodesia Railways African Employees Association in 1948 after a series of meetings held at Stanley Square. After that, he became President of the Federation of African Workers Union, a national office that launched him into his political career, as that very same year, he was also elected
President of the Southern Rhodesia African National Congress. (SRANO).
Township Economics
The majority of residents in Makokoba Constituency live below the poverty datum line due to the growing unemployment rates in the country in general and Bulawayo in particular. The constituency saw an unparalleled growth in population levels as people flocked in search of greener pastures at big companies such as Kango, Radar, Dunlop, NRZ,
CSC, Monarch, and National Blankets among others. During the heydays of the city, this influx of people into the city and Makokoba was hardly felt as many were unable to secure jobs at these firms.
However, today Makokoba is a shadow of its former glory. The constituency is beset with unending economic problems brought on by the closure of numerous firms due to several crises, chief among them, sanctions imposed on the country by the West at the advent of the country’s Land Reform Programme, that was implemented by President Robert Mugabe to address the imbalances created by colonialism. Many lost their jobs and this created a constituency of self-reliant residents. Many became vendors while still more migrated to South Africa where they have, unfortunately, been subjected to often barbaric treatment by our neighbours.
Today, Makokoba is full of business people, so to speak, many of whom barely earn enough to survive from one day to the next. Others have stalls from which they vend various goods, but sadly, the younger generation has been driven towards drugs, alcohol, truancy, prostitution and a myriad of other social ills by the high unemployment rate.
Madam Speaker, places in the constituency such as Makokoba Market, popularly known as eMkambo have become for many, the only hope at making some sort of income with which to support their families. Many now struggle to send the children to school, increasing the number of delinquents on the streets with nothing to do from dawn to dusk. Consequently, the only form of economic emancipation in the constituency for the old generation, is vending while our children have turned to crime.
Education
Madam Speaker, Makokoba Constituency has been fortunate to have a fairly high literacy rate with many holding some form of academic qualifications. The constituency has several schools namely, Mzilikazi,
Litshe, Lozikeyi, Lobengula, Robert Tredgold, St. Patricks, and
McKueturn Primary Schools as well as Mzilikazi, Sobukhazi and St. Columbus High Schools. Various churches were allocated stands on the south of Lobengula Street; between the town and the Bulawayo Municipal Compound (BMC) and the suburb of Makokoba. The church buildings were part of the cordon sanitaire to separate black settlement from white settlement.
The churches which had separate church buildings to service the white population in the town were expected to civilize the Africans by not only converting them to Christianity but also providing some education to them. The Anglican Church ran a school, St. Columbus for Africans. The
Catholics established St. Patrick’s which also catered for the Africans. White girls were attending the Convent School in the city. The Churches did not challenge the BSACo policy of racial segregation in the education system.
While the Anglican and the Roman Catholic churches set up their own separate schools, the other church denominations made collaborative efforts and established the United School. The United School offered classes up to Standard 1. After that, the pupils, who included both boys and girls, proceeded to Mzilikazi Primary School which was the first primary school to be built in Mzilikazi Township, a settlement established in 1945. The school offered education up to Standard 6. Mzilikazi Primary School thus became the first primary school to be built by Government for blacks in Bulawayo. Later, Mzilikazi Primary School offered classes lower than Standard 2. At the time the black primary schools were run by white school heads.
Ultimately, Lotshe Primary School became a stand-alone educational facility in 1955. Some pupils then left Lobengula Primary School to attend Lotshe Primary School, a move which shortened travelling distances for pupils living in Makokoba. The three high schools in the constituency were at the height of the country’s economic growth among the best in the country.
However, today many are lacking the provision of a basic learning environment which many still force to have hot sitting classes due to shortage of adequate classrooms as well as a shortage of learning aids such as text books and computers.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order hon. member, can you please
raise your voice so that those who are recording can hear you.
MR. T. DUBE: Social Amenities
When Makokoba Township was built, it was the beginning of segregation according to colour lines. Blacks were only allowed into the city so that they could be in the factories. The whites however, realised that there was a need for some sort of the social activity to keep their black workers fairly happy despite the repressive laws governing them. To this effect, they built several social venues in the township to provide entertainment to the blacks in the township. Thus, built Stanley Hall where movies and cabaret shows were held and Stanley Square where boxing matches were held, as well as youth centres such as Tshaka and Thabiso.
*MR. MUTSEYAMI: On a point of order Madam Speaker, can something be done to help the hon. member raise his voice because we cannot hear him or if he can submit his presentation?
*THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: The hon. member naturally has a low
voice. So, let us not make noise so that we can hear him. That is what we can do. Hon. member, can you please proceed.
- T. DUBE: Then the clubs were offering basketball, boxing and weightlifting, while over the weekends; boxing took place at the Stanley Square. With the establishment of Mzilikazi, Nguboyenja and
Barbourfields townships, each came with its own youth club. Mzilikazi had the added bonus of the McDonald Community Hall, Memorial Library and an Art and Craft Centre. Barbourfields was fortunate to get perhaps the most modern of social amenities when the city council built the massive Barbourfields Stadium and a swimming pool in the township.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, the hon. member’s time has
expired.
- MUKWANGWARIWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. May
the hon. member’s time be extended?
- MANGAMI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
- T. DUBE: Today, these places remain operational but just barely. Many are run down and are unable to offer the youth the much needed extracurricular activities. This has led to an increase in crime as the youth become degenerated due to lack of creative social outlets.
Health Services
The constituency has been blessed with one of the country’s major referral hospitals, the Mpilo Central Hospital which was built to provide health services to blacks who were not allowed to utilise the United
Bulawayo Hospitals that were reserved for whites. Also, there was a well and a fully functional clinic that is run by the city council and an infectious diseases clinic in Thorngroove. But today, the hospital is barely operational and the only department that is fully operational is the mortuary.
Arts, Sports and Culture
In 1933, the authorities built Makhumalo Bar, popularly known as Big Bhawa and Khefa Beer factory in the township. This spurred the development of arts and culture as artists now had a venue to perform at, while revelers enjoyed their mugs of opaque beer, the only form of alcohol that blacks were allowed to drink at that time. This lack of alternative alcoholic beverages led to the rise of skokiaan, made famous by August Musarurwa and other ‘independent’ brewers.
The music legends defined Makokoba as the Mecca of arts and culture in Makokoba learning and refining their trade at places such as Stanley Hall, MaDonald Hall and ‘Big Bhawa’. In sport, the availability of sporting centres such as Tshaka Youth Centre, Stanley Square and Mzilikazi Youth Centre have also through the years, produced many top class athletes in different disciplines of sport. Iconic football players like the Ndlovu brothers, Felix Ntuta, Peter Nkomo, Mercedes Sibanda, Max Tshuma and more recently the Ngodzo brothers are all products of the rich heritage of sport in Makokoba. Boxers of prominence such as Philip Striker have also come out of the constituency.
Conclusion
Makokoba Constituency has a rich heritage and with it, the potential to become a truly modern metropolitan constituency. The infrastructure is in place to provide residents with most of their basic needs, but it requires a major overhaul. There is need for Central Government to ensure that the
Makokoba’s place in the history of the country’s fight for economic and political emancipation during the liberation struggle is not negated or forgotten. There is also a need to recognise historic places like Makokoba
Constituency as having played a major role in shaping the destiny of Zimbabwe.
In yesteryears, Makokoba was the heart and soul of nationalist politics in Zimbabwe. It is where dedicated young Zimbabweans met often for the first time, to try and find ways to win back their country and ways to emancipate their people from the clutches of colonialism. It is indeed the bedrock of what today is a free Zimbabwe. I thank you Madam Speaker.
- J. M. GUMBO: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
- MUKWANGWARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 15th July, 2015.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE DELEGATION ON THE HIV/AIDS LEARNING
AND EXPOSURE STUDY VISIT TO KARNATAKA STATE, INDIA
Third Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the report of the delegation of the HIV/AIDS Learning and Exposure Study Visit to
Karnataka State, India, 10-14 November, 2014.
Question again proposed.
- J. M. GUMBO: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
- NDUNA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 15th July, 2015.
MOTION
HARMONISATION OF THE MINES AND MINERALS ACT AND
THE LANDS ACQUISITION ACT
Fourth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the need to harmonise the Mines and Minerals Act and the Lands Acquisition Act Question again proposed.
- KEREKE: Thank you Madam Speaker for this opportunity to add my few inputs into the motion that was put forth by Hon. Nduna. The motion is a very important one which seeks to reconcile our policy framework in respect of agricultural land and our policy framework in respect of mining. Under the current statutory provisions, there is latent conflict between the miners and farmers in terms of the rights to natural resources. Whereas the mining laws permit a prospecting miner to independently go to their respective provinces’ Mining Commission you pay a minimum fee depending on what type of mineral you want to peg. If it is chrome or gold, you pay the required fee. You are then issued with a prospecting licence which expires after a considerable period. That prospecting licence authorises you to go on any piece of land to scout for minerals regardless of whether that piece of land is a farm land already in use by another interested party.
The ultimate result is that when a prospector has discovered or has confidence that there are prospects for certain minerals at a given piece of land, they are free to then peg and can commence operations. It could be in someone’s farm, in a village on top of graves or any such revered places by the respective communities. In our statutes, we do have a conflict between the entitlements for farmers to land as a natural resource and the entitlement of potential miners to minerals also as a natural resource. The motion as put is a very pertinent one which requires that there be no further delays in reconciling the two pieces of legislation for good order.
I want to move further by commenting more on the Land Acquisition Act to say that our Constitution has voluminously spoken as to how agricultural land is deemed and it is in fact State land. Accordingly therefore, it is the expectation of the people that policies around land be implemented in a way that resonates with the Constitution. I did indicate Mr. Speaker Sir, in earlier contributions in another debate before this august House, that to the extent State land is anchored in the Constitution, we need equality across the board in terms of how individuals, households, companies and other multi-nationals are treated in respect of ownership of land. I have a case in point in Masvingo province, we have a company which processes sugar. It owns vast tracts of land, about 96 000 hectares. The recently promulgated regulations Mr. Speaker Sir, say for A2 farmers you need to pay about US$5 per hectare as an annual farm rental. We are reliably informed that this company has suggested that it will pay US$10 per hectare, then negotiate special leases which will give them title.
Madam Speaker, the Hon. Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development is on record concerning this indicating that the reason they are giving this company a special permit is that they can invest long term. I want to speak for my constituency to say that there is a potential danger inherent in that approach, because the insinuation is that all the other A2 farmers cannot invest long term. We cannot have a company coming and offering a better rental of US$10 per hectare per annum, maybe they will pay a million yet they are holding on to vast tracts of land that are barren.
Mr. Speaker, if you come to Masvingo we had suggestions which had been approved by the province where a number of farmers were going to be parceled out small pieces of land, be it ten or twenty hectares to then do sugarcane, which is then going to be supplied upstream in the beneficiation chain. The approach that is being put forward where a company offers a small increment, disadvantaging thousands of poor household peasants is an approach, which for the record we want to say may lead to problems in future. Mr. Speaker Sir, those we represent - A2 and A1 farmers dream to also invest long term. Does it mean therefore that our farmers have no plans, ambitions or dreams to invest long term? We cannot have therefore, private multinational corporations being preferred by some leases which enable them to make their projects bankable at the expense of the A2 farmers. Such an approach is not consistent with the Constitution and Madam Speaker, it is our prayer that through this motion, that oversight could perhaps be corrected.
Madam Speaker, still on how the lands policy is being administered, there are areas where certificates of no Government interests are being issued. If a certificate is issued, it enables the holder to even sell the piece of land like a private asset. It is our suggestion that due prudence and perhaps caution be taken when such certificates are issued because it then dilutes the thinking, philosophy and the backbone of our Constitution as it recognises agricultural land as State land.
It is an appeal that we are making in contributing to this debate. We are saying until we treat stakeholders, we look at firms and individuals in an impartial manner; we may risk reversing the gains of the liberation struggle itself. We may risk igniting conflict; in fact conflict can arise when misunderstandings are allowed to degenerate around the emotive issues of land.
Mr. Speaker Sir, with respect to mining laws, we are pleased that Government announced this past week that realigned legislation on mines is almost out. Our appeal is that the mining sector lives up to the expected levels where under ZIM ASSET, it is one of the pillars that should carry the economy. Thank you Mr. Speaker.
- C. C. SIBANDA: I would like to thank Hon. Nduna for moving this motion which is very pertinent. Madam Speaker, the issue of the mining laws vis a vis the agricultural or the land law in the country is problematic. It appears that where the two pieces of legislation are in conflict, the Mines and Minerals Act takes precedence. This is now creating a lot of problems. We should actually view the Mines and
Minerals Act as one of the first legislations that was brought about by colonialists in this country in the 18th century, under the banner of the Rudd Concession.
Looking at that Rudd Concession which Lobengula was made to sign though he put an X which indicated that he was not really agreeing - [Laughter] – taking into account that Lobengula had indeed gone to school at Mhlangeni Primary School in my constituency, Lobengula was an educated person. He was not illiterate, so by indicating with an X he showed that he was not really agreeing to that – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear] – From that day, what happened is that the mining law became the superior law of the land. When you look at how it is structured, it is never structured in a way that will benefit the locals because if anyone has got his homestead and a mine is found there, they are forced to move without meaningful compensation because minerals take precedence.
We have seen the displacements of people in many areas due to mining activities. The Executive should come up with a law that will benefit those people who would have been affected by the big business of mining. There has to be fair compensation to the affected people.
Again, I would like to indicate that my constituency Bubi is one area that will have a very big problem in future. The land that was available in Bubi, almost 90% of that land was pegged for mining. What happened is that there was an arrangement which existed then between the mining community and the so called commercial farmers. What has happened now, people have been settled there under the Land Reform and people have been put on top of the pegs of the mine, which are mines that were pegged in 1920 and some in 1947. Now, whenever there is mining to take place, what will happen is that there is always a massive displacement again for those people who will have just been resettled in that area. There is a looming disaster because recently, the owners of the concession came in the area and started resuscitating the pegs and people were really confused with what was taking place. So, we need to see to it that the laws are designed to benefit the people.
Mr. Speaker, that prayer that you always start with is very indicative of making the laws for the benefit of the society. So, we need to make laws that will make the people benefit instead of displacing them. This issue of the mining war, as I indicated in the beginning it is problematic and needs to be looked into. I heard the other member saying the law is close to being brought to Parliament, we need to seriously look into that law so that the people, at the end of the day should benefit. I thank you.
*MR. MUDARIKWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. The motion
that we are debating here is very pertinent because it enables us to know where our country Zimbabwe stands pertaining to agriculture. There should not be much altercations where agriculture is concerned because all people with offer letters are mandated to till the land. Our motion seems to be focused on A2 farmers. Even when these A2 farms were owned by the whites, people in the rural areas are the ones who harvested more crops. They used to yield 80% of maize and cotton as well as keep the herd that was sold to CSC. The only problem that we are facing in some instances is of greed because if you are said to be a farmer and then you get a mine, you are suddenly a miner. If you get a school, you become the headmaster of the school and if you get herbs you become a witch doctor.
All these are piled on the same person.
On the issue of minerals – they are under the President and he is the one who allocates the minerals to people to start working on them. All these minerals pay royalties to Government so that government’s programmes can be implemented.
The issue of EMA was raised because they are seen milling around the mines and an example of kitsi yatota was given on account of the land degradation happening in Shurugwi. Those are makorokoza and not miners. Let us not mix makorokoza and miners but distinguish between the two. The other problem that we face is that knowledge of gold mining was inherited from Munhumutapa. Our gold is found all over the world because all the gold from Mount Darwin was sold all over the world and this relationship should continue as it used to be. In Mutoko, there is black granite. There is no one who is allowed to peg without getting permission from council. Someone came on a one day visit and declared that nothing was happening there. That person was able to see all the bad things in that single day. I challenge him to go and see the Mutoko Council offices which were built with the proceeds from black granite.
The biggest issue that we should look at when looking at our wealth is; if it is granite, there are no cattle that graze on stones. In Mutoko, there is what is called hukurutombo and that is the only thing you find among those black stones. There is nothing else that lives among those stones. What we need to look into is how we can assist our people so that agriculture is beneficial to them. First and foremost, let us see to it that the loans being given to our farmers attract little interest rates because currently, the interest rate is very high. There is need to organise different loan categories for different activities such as 5% interest rate for those wanting to build dams, 10% interest if one wants to buy a tractor and 15% if one wants to buy fertilizer. We also need to train our farmers how to farm because having an offer letter does not automatically make you a farmer. People should go to school and get Master Farmer certificates. If yields go up, no one will be jealous of the other person because you will all have high yields. The white farmer who used to farm on that particular farm used to get high yields without any mining rights.
Then another issue that is working against our farmers is the market where they sell their produce. If they take their grain to GMB, it takes them 2 years to get paid but the same GMB is selling grain and no one knows where the money disappears to. In Mutoko, we grow tomatoes but we see that the market is flooded with tomatoes from South Africa. That is what has destroyed our agriculture. If a person is sick and does not take tablets but blames the disease on mombe yeumai, they will die. So, one has to take medication in order to get well.
Another issue that we need to look at is to do with climate change. We should assist each other in terms of irrigation schemes or conservation agriculture or zero tillage where you use manure or even human manure for things to work out. Still on that issue, we have a huge problem. In Zimbabwe there are about 5.3 million cattle and 3 million goats. Farmers can use their herds as security. If these cattle are insured at US$300, it gives us US$1.5 billion and if the goats are insured at US$20, it gives us US$60 million. We can use that insurance as security.
I think the issue of using our houses as security should come to an end. It is not good because we are enslaving our people ending up without a roof for the family. The houses are also sold way below their value. The other thing that can assist people to get wealthy is contract farming. As Government, let us say it is a crime for one to do side marketing. Zimbabwe was the bread basket of Africa and most of the produce was grown by people in the rural areas. There was no person with mining rights. Let us concentrate at what is at hand, we should move with the times. I think our country Zimbabwe, should move forward. We should also look at how we should lift the people who are living in the rural areas. These are areas that we should bring up. Production is said to be 10 tonnes per hectare, yet someone is getting 5 tonnes per hectare. Some of these people being interested in doing so many things like mining etc, because they do not have the experience in the work that they are doing. Many hon. members are laughing at what I am saying and I think some of them will be struck. –[Laughter]- Thank you Mr. Speaker.
- MATANGIRA: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir. I feel that I must also add my voice to this pertinent motion on mining and agriculture. I think the last speaker Hon. S. Mudarikwa elaborated that as an Act of mining, you are not allowed to peg in any agricultural land. As an Act of mining, you are not supposed to peg not less than 90 metres from a homestead or from any house that is built of bricks. The agrarian revolution in 2000/2002, the President of the State of Zimbabwe elaborated that those that have land, when they are on the land, anyone will come to peg a claim or a mine and it is one on one. If you agree to have a joint venture, you can have it, not on farming land or agricultural land. The last speaker rightly said it. We cannot be jack of all trades and master of one.
I am a miner Mr. Speaker. I have had problems with the farmers. This agricultural land is none productive. From 1965, people have been mining in that farm. They have not delivered 2 bags of maize to GMB and they say we need a share from what you produce. We say no, I am producing for the State. Gold goes to Fidelity and eventually it goes to the fiscus. If you want to farm, farm on top and I go underground. There is no way we can conflict, but we are saying if the farmer wants to become a miner, go and peg your own claim, your own mine, even on your farm and no one will say no to that.
So, we are saying, like what the mover of the motion has said, harmonisation of agricultural and mining Acts should be one. We accept that because we are saying, if you want to do farming, the farmer must go ahead and do farming. If I want to do mining, I will go ahead with my mining operations. Both operations are beneficial to the country and the people of Zimbabwe. We have a problem now where you would find a farmer is there on the land. He has got no inputs. The old lady in the rural set up goes and korokozas. She gets two grams, which is 62 grams. She goes and buys a bag of fertilizer and she can go back on the land.
So, farming and mining can move together with no conflicts. We support the mover because we are saying Parliament has to know what is happening in mining and agriculture. Commercial farmers are commercial farmers and they must produce food for us. We should be crying as to how we should get finances on the same farms that were productive before 2000, before the agrarian revolution. The reason is that there are sanctions by America through an Act called ZIDERA, has hampered those on land to produce. We want to highlight to this House that we may be of different opinions, we may be coming from different walks of life, even political parties, but famine and hunger is non- selective.
You can be where you are, but hunger will still get you like the sun shines for us all. Hunger will affect us all as a nation. So, rather than in Parliament here, those that asked for the sanctions for none funding of agriculture should go back and say please, can you lift these sanctions because we need food. –[HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear]- Mr. Speaker Sir, I am divulging what I was supposed to have debated in the next motion. I liked the way Hon. Misihairabwi debated the other time, when she brought in the sanitary wear here in Parliament.
Today, I have brought a typical sanction pointer in Zimbabwe. The Presidential input scheme gives the rural folk one bag of Compound D, one bag of Ammonium Nitrate and 25 kilograms of seed maize. This is what has happened even in the resettlement areas where in my constituency, I have got a resettlement area, districts and wards where the same format of distribution of the inputs is done. This one here comes from a resettlement where an individual has got four hectares. From the one bag of Compound D and one bag of Ammonium Nitrate, this farmer has 20 lines and this is the yield. It is not even a quarter of a hectare.
The rest of the three point something hectares, the same seed that the seed packer actually got; he planted the same maize and you can see it is the pioneer 30g 19, with 18 lines. Small as it is, this is the yield. No fertilizer, the seed is there and this should be the point. Zimbabwe is producing 2 tonnes today on the productive land. This is not right. As a nation, we are going to Zambia to buy maize and we are going to Malawi to import maize. Of all countries, we are saying no. Our rural folk can farm better than the commercial farmers who were there yesterday. Why can we not have a Government policy that supports agriculture?
It is not even money. We go to ZFC and they are not given money by banks. It is solely to say we guarantee that the farmer is going to pay. What price fertilizer do we pay? For cash, one 50kg bag of fertiliser is going for US$31.00. The bank that lends me money says, if I get fertilizer I must be charged US$37.00. I come from a rural constituency in Bindura, the same bag of fertilizer from Harare to Bindura costs US$4.00. For 30 tonnes I have to pay US$2 400.00 and this is broad daylight robbery.
Generally, we are saying, in order for Zimbabwe to become successful we need a shift from where we are, the blacks being the unfortunate and unable. We are able if we manage to liberate ourselves and this is the same motion I am talking about to say, let us liberate ourselves because the banks are not supportive. Even in the mining sector like the mover of the motion said, we have been talking about US$100 million that was supposed to come from China. Where is it? It is still not here three years later.
So how do the makorokoza graduate to miners, the middle class or the small scale miner, how is he going to become a big miner? We have the best ideas and strategies but our implementation is poor. We also have the stumbling blocks who put spanners in the works in order for Zimbabwe not to be successful. All the same, let us pray that one day we are going to talk with one voice and Zimbabwe will be one country again.
Lastly, Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to pray and say in this august House, let us leave our partisanship outside the Parliament building. This is a
National Assembly... – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – We need people who understand democracy and people must accept the results that come out and forget... – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – You must forgo because when you have lost, you have lost, you know you have become a brush to shine my shoes that is it – [HON. MEMBERS:
Inaudible interjections] – I thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
- J. M. GUMBO: Mr. Speaker, I move that the debate be now adjourned.
- MUKWANGWARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 15th July, 2015.
MOTION
PEOPLE-CENTRED DEVELOPMENTAL POLICIES AND
MEASURES ON IMPROVING DOMESTIC PRODUCTION AND
FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT
Fifth order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the deteriorating social and economic conditions in the country.
Question again proposed.
- CHIMANIKIRE: Thank you Mr. Speaker. First and
foremost, I would like to thank the mover of the motion Hon. Dr.
Mashakada for bringing forward an issue that is of essence to this nation.
Mr. Speaker, I will repeat what I said in my last debate. We debate here vehemently arguing on one point or the other but like the last speaker, I am wondering who implements what we resolve in this House?
Sometime last year, in this particular session, we debated on the issue of the Zimbabwean economy. I remember an hon. member from the other side of the House eloquently and vehemently arguing on the issues affecting this country in as far as our economy is concerned. That was Hon. Mutomba, I remember, he made very constructive suggestions on the direction that our economy is supposed to take. Yes, we have ZIM ASSET but what is happening to ZIM ASSET? We do not seem to be delivering on the deliverables that are expected from ZIM ASSET.
When people talk about sanctions, there are certain issues that affect us in this country because nowadays trade is related to human rights. I recall when I read ‘The Southern Eye’, when His Excellency the President,
Cde. Robert Gabriel Mugabe assumed office as SADC Chairman in
Victoria Falls. ‘The Southern Eye’ reported that while he was acknowledging his ascendancy to the chairmanship, in the mean time his body-guards outside the hall from where he was making his acceptance speech, were brutally assaulting a woman for having used ZANU PF regalia to tie up grass that she was carrying on her head.
That reflects on us when people talk of country risk because trade is related to human rights nowadays. Globally, we do not trade with ISIS simply because they are terrorists and sometimes it is our own behaviour that drives away investors….
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, order hon. member.
There is Benz AAX9487 which is obstructing other vehicles. Can the owner please go and remove the vehicle. You may proceed Hon.
Chimanikire.
- CHIMANIKIRE: Again, a few weeks earlier, Zimbabwean
soldiers burnt down tents that were donated by the Red Cross to the Chingwizi families in Masvingo and in the process, destroying food that was donated and other clothing reserves that had been issued to families in the Chingwizi area. Again, this reflects on us when we talk about country risk in terms of investment; it is these behaviours that we then try and blame on the Americans or the British.
Young Zimbabweans marching peacefully in the streets of Harare just along Nelson Mandela Avenue were brutally attacked by police for allegedly threatening peace but what peace if one has no job? What peace when someone has not had something to eat and what peace when one does not have shelter?
Mr. Speaker, despite the fact that our new Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, however, we have continued to ensure …
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, order hon. member. On
reading Order Number 5, it is about the economy, if you could stick to that please.
- CHIMANIKIRE: Thank you Mr. Speaker, I was responding
to the allegation that sanctions are the order of the day and have affected our economy. Let me just refer to a conversation …
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, order, may you respond
to what is on the Order Paper hon. member.
- CHIMANIKIRE: That is fine Mr. Speaker, I will continue to discuss the economy but I just wanted to point out that.. – [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – Aah you are not going to divert me.
Mr. Speaker, I was talking to a very senior ZANU PF official a year ago who said, “we have failed in running the economy of this country” but however, that person is a Member of Parliament, for your information. He said, “when we tell our people that this is because of sanctions, fortunately they believe us”.
In the 2013 Report of the Confederation of Industries of Zimbabwe, the country risk was not allotted to labour but in this House, we have had suggestions that if we amend the Labour Relations Act then our economy will be able to perform better, that is not correct.
Mr. Speaker, in the year 2000, the President made the Kadoma Declaration. The intention of the Kadoma Declaration was to promote social dialogue between Government, labour and business. Mr. Speaker, that is the way to go. However, this social dialogue document has not been implemented in this country and we are still awaiting it to be implemented so that at least there should be dialogue between Government and business. We have Members of Parliament who have recently come into Parliament who are actually successful business persons. Those people should be engaged in other fora so that Government can have the correct direction in terms of re-investment or expanding our businesses in this country.
During the honeymoon of the GNU Mr. Speaker, Christmas was
celebrated in this country for the first time. In 2010, 2011, 2012 but come 2013, we were back to the doldrums again. What went wrong? Mr. Speaker, we need to look at certain aspects that affect our economy that we need to put right. For example, Government has turned itself into a bad debtor. If you talk of the company that supplies electricity to this country, their bills are not being paid by Government departments. If you talk of Tel One, Government bills are not being paid, ZUPCO bus hires are not being paid for. There is non-payment of BEAM and benefits to war veterans such as school fees for their children, as well as widows of national heroes.
If we look at various ministries Mr. Speaker, and you look at the audit report of the Auditor General for the year 2013, it is evident that 23 ministries failed to account for almost $150 million. I have a short breakdown Mr. Speaker. When the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development was paying for irrigation equipment, it came across a figure that they could not account for to the
Auditor General’s office. This was supposed to have been paid to a supplier and according to the Auditor General, the supplier was Chinese and a figure of $12 million was unaccounted for. Reasons given by the Ministry, although they could not account for the equipment that was supposed to have come, was that they paid that amount in order to maintain diplomatic relations with China. A country suffering from a shortage of finance like Zimbabwe is able to pay $12 million to a farming equipment supply company in China without receiving the equipment only to maintain good diplomatic relations. Treasury has not guaranteed the acquisition of this loan but the country lost $12 million along the way.
The Auditor General’s 2011 report points out that ZINARA failed to account for $6 million. This money was supposed to have been accounted for from maintenance of equipment. This was not done and the money was not accounted for. We are at $18 million Mr. Speaker. The ZMDC, which is a parastatal of Government, again according to the Auditor General’s report of 2012 could not account for $1.6 million. Why? It is because they were making payments using cash. The cashbook disappeared when the Auditor General went to audit their books; so much for a country that is crying about sanctions and the collapse of our economy.
ARDA has 36 estates; farms spread throughout the country but during the 2014/2015 agricultural season, they failed to produce reasonable yields that can actually support the country in terms of food sufficiency. They are renowned for having obsolete equipment and unskilled mechanics but this is a parastatal. So, whatever supplementary monies that they are receiving from Government in order for its upkeep, the running of these 36 estates is going to waste and it affects our economy.
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to GMB, not only has it failed to pay farmers but at the same time, we noticed that yields that are sold to the GMB have gone down since 2009. In 2009 to 2010 farming season, there was a reduction of maize sold to the GMB by 91%. In 2010 to 2011, there was a further reduction of 55%. So, by the end of the day we have a parastatal that is not operating viably and has failed to pay farmers. This reduces the buying power of the farmers and our economy which is agrobased is sinking slowly.
The Central Vehicle Registry, according to the Auditor General’s report, there were over 54 000 unprocessed licences. In other words, you go for a licencing test but the Registry itself is failing to actually process this. This is supposed to be income that is coming to Government.
Overally, Government failed to unlock a $51 million loan coming from China, simply because the Chinese want an advance of at least 10% which was $7 million but we failed to raise that amount. At the same time, this amount was supposed to have been used to facilitate the maintenance of our grain silos. Our grain silos are deteriorating, very soon they will be a write off. I am sure there has been migration of maize from Zimbabwe to Mozambique because there is no maize in the silos and by the end of the day, if we do not maintain our silos, we have nowhere to stock our maize when we finally have bumper harvests.
Mr. Speaker, when one looks at poor Government debt recovery processes and the losses that are being suffered by 23 ministries out of 33, one can only recommend certain drastic action to be taken. Corruption is a catalyst to the current economic ruin. For example, there are issues of contracts that have been issued and the use of Brainworks that we have been reading about in the newspapers. We have the issue of ESSAR Mr.
Speaker. How on earth do we enter into contracts that are not applicable?
I remember the Minister of Industry and Commerce when we started in 2013 in this Session of Parliament; he announced that now that we have a one party Government, ESSAR is going to start working by December 2013. We are in July, 2015 and what has happened? ESSAR has abandoned Zimbabwe and why have we not re-tendered or redone the process so that we can come up with workable arrangements.
Mr. Speaker, this Government is pushing this country where other countries are actually migrating from. In Senegal, 90% of the economy is informal but dust bins are collected by donkeys, pulling scotch carts. In the DRC, when Mobutu had faced a collapsing economy, he tried to introduce the use of bicycles because people could not afford to buy cars.
In conclusion Mr. Speaker, I would like to put forward what I call recommendations. How do we resuscitate this economy? Government should seriously re-invigorate performance management programmes to ensure that service efficiency is harnessed from the Permanent Secretary to the most junior clerk. The Government should fire all heads of departments in 23 ministries who failed to account for Government funds allotted to them.
The Anti-Corruption Commission should be appointed to ensure that we deal with issues of corruption. However, they need to be investigated. They bought offices worth $168 million which were overstated according to the Auditor General’s office by $480 000. This should be repaid.
The Government should amend the Indigenisation ratio. Instead of
51:49 ratio, why do we not go to 26% and then we graduate to 51% over a set period of time so that we are able at least to attract Foreign Direct Investment? Mr. Speaker, Government should bring in private business investors into ARDA, National Railways of Zimbabwe, ZUPCO, Air Zimbabwe, Cold Storage Commission, ZINARA, ZINWA and other
parastatals that are not operating profitably.
However, Mr. Speaker, should this fail to happen, I am sure the challenge is that, this Government has to resign and seek a new mandate from the people. They have promised people 2.1 million jobs, nothing is happening and what do you do when you have failed on your own manifesto? You just resign and seek a new mandate from the people. I thank you Mr. Speaker.
- CHIKWAMA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
- MUKWANGWARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 15th July, 2015.
On the motion of MS. CHIKWAMA, seconded by MS.
MPARIWA, the House adjourned at Three Minutes to Four o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 14th July, 2015
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE DEPUTY SPEAKER
CHANGES TO PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: I have to inform the House of the following nominations and changes to membership of Committees: Hon.
- Mazivisa will serve on the Portfolio Committees of Transport and
Infrastructural Development and Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.
Hon. O. Hungwe has moved from the Portfolio Committee on Youth,
Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment to the Portfolio Committee on
Mines and Energy. Hon. C. Mutematsaka has moved from the Portfolio
Committee on Foreign Affairs to the Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development. Also, I would like to inform the House of the appointment of Hon. C. Chitindi as the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
- CHIKWAMA: I move that Order of the Day Number 1 be
stood over until the rest of the Orders of the Day have been disposed of.
- NDUNA: 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.
- T. DUBE: Thank you Madam Speaker. I would like to start by congratulating the Ministers who have just been promoted – HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order! hon. members. Hon. members, the member is making a maiden speech and must be heard in silence. Would you please be silent?
MR.T. DUBE: Madam Speaker, may I start by congratulating the
Ministers who have just been promoted. My name is – [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order! hon. members. Hon. members, I do not think there is anything exciting. Hon. Maridadi, we do not allow hon. members to use their cellphones when you are in this House. You are not a journalist. Would you please take your seat. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – Order, order! hon. members. Hon. members, can we please behave ourselves as hon. members.
- MATANGIRA: On a point of order Maám.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: There is no need for a point of order.
What is the point of order?
- MATANGIRA: My point of order Madam Speaker is, if we are not allowed to use cellphones in this House. Then whatever picture Hon. Maridadi has taken must be deleted.– [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible
interjections.] –
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order! Hon. Dube, can you please proceed?
- DUBE: Madam Speaker, I would like to start by congratulating all the Ministers who were recently appointed. My name is Tshinga Dube, representing one of the poorest – [AN HON. MEMBER: And marginalised.] [Laughter.] –
I represent one of the poorest and the oldest townships in Bulawayo.
Makokoba Township was Bulawayo’s first township for blacks, natives as they called us at that time. It was the only township that housed all the natives, Indians as well as Asians.
The location was sold by the Sanitary Board of Bulawayo while huts were rented out to non-council members and the unemployed. There was massive overcrowding in the houses that were mostly one roomed. A major infrastructure development at the time was the installation of flood lights in 1929.
Makokoba Constituency is located in the Bulawayo Province and consists of high density suburbs, namely Makokoba, Mzilikazi (named after the founder of the Ndebele nation, King Mzilikazi), Barbourfields (named after a former mayor, H.R. Barbour, who during the colonial era, was greatly interested in the welfare of the indigenous people),
(Nguboyenja named after Lobengula’s son and heir) and Thorngroove (a coloured township whose name came from the large number of Mimosa Thorn trees in the area) as well as the National Railways of Zimbabwe residential compound of Westgate. –HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible
interjections.] –
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order! Hon members can we
have order. Hon. members, I appealed to the House that I think we should keep our whispers as low as possible so that we hear what the hon. member is saying.
- DUBE: Madam Speaker, established in the early 1900, the township was the first black African township in the city. The suburb was named after the conduct of Mr. Fallon, the Native Commissioner, who reportedly used to walk around the city with the aid of a walking stick…… Hon. Sibanda having changed sitting places thereby making noise.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Sibanda, what is wrong, what is happening?
- DUBE: The name comes from the word ‘ukukhokhoba’ which in the local Ndebele language means “bending and walking with a stick”. It is home of Stanley Square, an iconic and much revered venue for
Zimbabwean nationalists such as the late Vice Presidents Joshua Nkomo, Joseph Msika, John Nkomo and many other politicians of note. Even our
President lived in Makokoba with his uncle when he was still a schoolboy. Many of these second class citizens, as the white settlers chose to see them, were forced to turn to menial jobs for survival. The township was the dwelling place of nationalists such as MAsotsha Ndlovu, Martha Ngano, Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo, Edwin Ndlovu and Ethan Dube.
The township was initially built for migrant workers both local and foreign. It was built at a time when the City of Bulawayo was steadily growing as the industrial hub of the country. The white rulers at the time realised that there was a need for cheap labour that could be demanded from blacks. Many of these second class citizens, as the white settlers chose to see them, were forced to turn to menial jobs for survival.
After construction of Makokoba Township in the early 1900, white authorities then built Mzilikazi in 1945. This township has a history of its own in the road towards the independence of Zimbabwe. In what was later to be termed the Bulawayo African Townships (BAT), Babourfields and Nguboyenja were added.
The constituency has a rich heritage that has spawned countless celebrities from politicians to athletes to entertainers. It is home to the famous bus terminus popularly referred to as ‘eRenkin’, Stanley Hall, Stanley Square, McDonald Hall, Mpilo Hospital and Babourfields Stadium are part of the constituency. Ward seven and eight of Bulawayo Municipality also make up the constituency.
Makokoba Constituency is highly populated and in recent years, it has realised an increase in the population., which has not matched an increase in accommodation and other basic and social amenities. The constituency has produced countless individuals who have distinguished themselves in their various fields, from business people, academics, artists and athletes. Names that quickly come to mind include the likes of Tafi
Moyo (Mzilikazi) and Chikerema as well as influential families like the Ntuta, Ncgebetsha and Hlalo families.
There are also arts and culture legends like Dorothy Masuka, the
Cool Crooners, and later years, individuals like Cont Mhlanga, Lovemore
Majaivana and Augustine Musarurwa who composed ‘sikokiyana, which became a world hit. There were also sporting legends like the Ndlovu brothers, Madinda, Peter and the late Adam and many more that helped to shape the history of Makokoba.
After independence, the first councillor of Makokoba Township was Cde Nicolas Joel Mabodoko and the first Member of Parliament for the Constituency was the late Cde. Sidney Malunga.
Nationalism
Madam Speaker, the development of trade unionism began in
Makokoba in 1928, with its pioneers, Masotsha Ndlobu and Clemence Katali. They advocated for improved working and living conditions for the black labourers. There was later, a transfer of political activism from trade unionism to nationalism when the first political parties began to emerge in 1934.
“The Railway Administration was not at all happy about that. However, although they were unrecognized, the union was not actually legal, and there was nothing they could do about it.” These were the words of the late Vice President, Dr. Joshua Nkomo in his autobiography, Nkomo: The Story of My Life, describing his first footsteps into politics, that is, being the President of the African Railway Employees’ Association in 1948.
Madam Speaker, trade unionism was the bedrock on which Zimbabwean nationalist politics was built and Makokoba was central in the evolution from labour activism to home-grown political ideologies that paved the way for the country’s independence from colonial and racist rule perpetuated by white supremacists that migrated from the United Kingdom and arrived in the country in the 1800s.
These white settlers stayed on in the country until 1980 when nationalists like Joshua Nkomo, Josephy Msika, Benjamin Burombo, John
Nkome and so on, cut their teeth at iconic meeting places like Stanley Square in Makokoba and McDonald Hall in Mzilikazi. They often met at these venues to map the way forward and come up with political ideas to free their people from the bondage of white rule.
It is the Rhodesia Railway Employees Association that launched the career of one of Zimbabwe’s iconic leaders, the late Vice President Dr. Joshua Nkomo. Dr. Nkomo started his career as the president of the Rhodesia Railways African Employees Association in 1948 after a series of meetings held at Stanley Square. After that, he became President of the Federation of African Workers Union, a national office that launched him into his political career, as that very same year, he was also elected
President of the Southern Rhodesia African National Congress. (SRANO).
Township Economics
The majority of residents in Makokoba Constituency live below the poverty datum line due to the growing unemployment rates in the country in general and Bulawayo in particular. The constituency saw an unparalleled growth in population levels as people flocked in search of greener pastures at big companies such as Kango, Radar, Dunlop, NRZ,
CSC, Monarch, and National Blankets among others. During the heydays of the city, this influx of people into the city and Makokoba was hardly felt as many were unable to secure jobs at these firms.
However, today Makokoba is a shadow of its former glory. The constituency is beset with unending economic problems brought on by the closure of numerous firms due to several crises, chief among them, sanctions imposed on the country by the West at the advent of the country’s Land Reform Programme, that was implemented by President Robert Mugabe to address the imbalances created by colonialism. Many lost their jobs and this created a constituency of self-reliant residents. Many became vendors while still more migrated to South Africa where they have, unfortunately, been subjected to often barbaric treatment by our neighbours.
Today, Makokoba is full of business people, so to speak, many of whom barely earn enough to survive from one day to the next. Others have stalls from which they vend various goods, but sadly, the younger generation has been driven towards drugs, alcohol, truancy, prostitution and a myriad of other social ills by the high unemployment rate.
Madam Speaker, places in the constituency such as Makokoba Market, popularly known as eMkambo have become for many, the only hope at making some sort of income with which to support their families. Many now struggle to send the children to school, increasing the number of delinquents on the streets with nothing to do from dawn to dusk. Consequently, the only form of economic emancipation in the constituency for the old generation, is vending while our children have turned to crime.
Education
Madam Speaker, Makokoba Constituency has been fortunate to have a fairly high literacy rate with many holding some form of academic qualifications. The constituency has several schools namely, Mzilikazi,
Litshe, Lozikeyi, Lobengula, Robert Tredgold, St. Patricks, and
McKueturn Primary Schools as well as Mzilikazi, Sobukhazi and St. Columbus High Schools. Various churches were allocated stands on the south of Lobengula Street; between the town and the Bulawayo Municipal Compound (BMC) and the suburb of Makokoba. The church buildings were part of the cordon sanitaire to separate black settlement from white settlement.
The churches which had separate church buildings to service the white population in the town were expected to civilize the Africans by not only converting them to Christianity but also providing some education to them. The Anglican Church ran a school, St. Columbus for Africans. The
Catholics established St. Patrick’s which also catered for the Africans. White girls were attending the Convent School in the city. The Churches did not challenge the BSACo policy of racial segregation in the education system.
While the Anglican and the Roman Catholic churches set up their own separate schools, the other church denominations made collaborative efforts and established the United School. The United School offered classes up to Standard 1. After that, the pupils, who included both boys and girls, proceeded to Mzilikazi Primary School which was the first primary school to be built in Mzilikazi Township, a settlement established in 1945. The school offered education up to Standard 6. Mzilikazi Primary School thus became the first primary school to be built by Government for blacks in Bulawayo. Later, Mzilikazi Primary School offered classes lower than Standard 2. At the time the black primary schools were run by white school heads.
Ultimately, Lotshe Primary School became a stand-alone educational facility in 1955. Some pupils then left Lobengula Primary School to attend Lotshe Primary School, a move which shortened travelling distances for pupils living in Makokoba. The three high schools in the constituency were at the height of the country’s economic growth among the best in the country.
However, today many are lacking the provision of a basic learning environment which many still force to have hot sitting classes due to shortage of adequate classrooms as well as a shortage of learning aids such as text books and computers.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order hon. member, can you please
raise your voice so that those who are recording can hear you.
MR. T. DUBE: Social Amenities
When Makokoba Township was built, it was the beginning of segregation according to colour lines. Blacks were only allowed into the city so that they could be in the factories. The whites however, realised that there was a need for some sort of the social activity to keep their black workers fairly happy despite the repressive laws governing them. To this effect, they built several social venues in the township to provide entertainment to the blacks in the township. Thus, built Stanley Hall where movies and cabaret shows were held and Stanley Square where boxing matches were held, as well as youth centres such as Tshaka and Thabiso.
*MR. MUTSEYAMI: On a point of order Madam Speaker, can something be done to help the hon. member raise his voice because we cannot hear him or if he can submit his presentation?
*THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: The hon. member naturally has a low
voice. So, let us not make noise so that we can hear him. That is what we can do. Hon. member, can you please proceed.
- T. DUBE: Then the clubs were offering basketball, boxing and weightlifting, while over the weekends; boxing took place at the Stanley Square. With the establishment of Mzilikazi, Nguboyenja and
Barbourfields townships, each came with its own youth club. Mzilikazi had the added bonus of the McDonald Community Hall, Memorial Library and an Art and Craft Centre. Barbourfields was fortunate to get perhaps the most modern of social amenities when the city council built the massive Barbourfields Stadium and a swimming pool in the township.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, the hon. member’s time has
expired.
- MUKWANGWARIWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. May
the hon. member’s time be extended?
- MANGAMI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
- T. DUBE: Today, these places remain operational but just barely. Many are run down and are unable to offer the youth the much needed extracurricular activities. This has led to an increase in crime as the youth become degenerated due to lack of creative social outlets.
Health Services
The constituency has been blessed with one of the country’s major referral hospitals, the Mpilo Central Hospital which was built to provide health services to blacks who were not allowed to utilise the United
Bulawayo Hospitals that were reserved for whites. Also, there was a well and a fully functional clinic that is run by the city council and an infectious diseases clinic in Thorngroove. But today, the hospital is barely operational and the only department that is fully operational is the mortuary.
Arts, Sports and Culture
In 1933, the authorities built Makhumalo Bar, popularly known as Big Bhawa and Khefa Beer factory in the township. This spurred the development of arts and culture as artists now had a venue to perform at, while revelers enjoyed their mugs of opaque beer, the only form of alcohol that blacks were allowed to drink at that time. This lack of alternative alcoholic beverages led to the rise of skokiaan, made famous by August Musarurwa and other ‘independent’ brewers.
The music legends defined Makokoba as the Mecca of arts and culture in Makokoba learning and refining their trade at places such as Stanley Hall, MaDonald Hall and ‘Big Bhawa’. In sport, the availability of sporting centres such as Tshaka Youth Centre, Stanley Square and Mzilikazi Youth Centre have also through the years, produced many top class athletes in different disciplines of sport. Iconic football players like the Ndlovu brothers, Felix Ntuta, Peter Nkomo, Mercedes Sibanda, Max Tshuma and more recently the Ngodzo brothers are all products of the rich heritage of sport in Makokoba. Boxers of prominence such as Philip Striker have also come out of the constituency.
Conclusion
Makokoba Constituency has a rich heritage and with it, the potential to become a truly modern metropolitan constituency. The infrastructure is in place to provide residents with most of their basic needs, but it requires a major overhaul. There is need for Central Government to ensure that the
Makokoba’s place in the history of the country’s fight for economic and political emancipation during the liberation struggle is not negated or forgotten. There is also a need to recognise historic places like Makokoba
Constituency as having played a major role in shaping the destiny of Zimbabwe.
In yesteryears, Makokoba was the heart and soul of nationalist politics in Zimbabwe. It is where dedicated young Zimbabweans met often for the first time, to try and find ways to win back their country and ways to emancipate their people from the clutches of colonialism. It is indeed the bedrock of what today is a free Zimbabwe. I thank you Madam Speaker.
- J. M. GUMBO: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
- MUKWANGWARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 15th July, 2015.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE DELEGATION ON THE HIV/AIDS LEARNING
AND EXPOSURE STUDY VISIT TO KARNATAKA STATE, INDIA
Third Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the report of the delegation of the HIV/AIDS Learning and Exposure Study Visit to
Karnataka State, India, 10-14 November, 2014.
Question again proposed.
- J. M. GUMBO: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
- NDUNA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 15th July, 2015.
MOTION
HARMONISATION OF THE MINES AND MINERALS ACT AND
THE LANDS ACQUISITION ACT
Fourth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the need to harmonise the Mines and Minerals Act and the Lands Acquisition Act Question again proposed.
- KEREKE: Thank you Madam Speaker for this opportunity to add my few inputs into the motion that was put forth by Hon. Nduna. The motion is a very important one which seeks to reconcile our policy framework in respect of agricultural land and our policy framework in respect of mining. Under the current statutory provisions, there is latent conflict between the miners and farmers in terms of the rights to natural resources. Whereas the mining laws permit a prospecting miner to independently go to their respective provinces’ Mining Commission you pay a minimum fee depending on what type of mineral you want to peg. If it is chrome or gold, you pay the required fee. You are then issued with a prospecting licence which expires after a considerable period. That prospecting licence authorises you to go on any piece of land to scout for minerals regardless of whether that piece of land is a farm land already in use by another interested party.
The ultimate result is that when a prospector has discovered or has confidence that there are prospects for certain minerals at a given piece of land, they are free to then peg and can commence operations. It could be in someone’s farm, in a village on top of graves or any such revered places by the respective communities. In our statutes, we do have a conflict between the entitlements for farmers to land as a natural resource and the entitlement of potential miners to minerals also as a natural resource. The motion as put is a very pertinent one which requires that there be no further delays in reconciling the two pieces of legislation for good order.
I want to move further by commenting more on the Land Acquisition Act to say that our Constitution has voluminously spoken as to how agricultural land is deemed and it is in fact State land. Accordingly therefore, it is the expectation of the people that policies around land be implemented in a way that resonates with the Constitution. I did indicate Mr. Speaker Sir, in earlier contributions in another debate before this august House, that to the extent State land is anchored in the Constitution, we need equality across the board in terms of how individuals, households, companies and other multi-nationals are treated in respect of ownership of land. I have a case in point in Masvingo province, we have a company which processes sugar. It owns vast tracts of land, about 96 000 hectares. The recently promulgated regulations Mr. Speaker Sir, say for A2 farmers you need to pay about US$5 per hectare as an annual farm rental. We are reliably informed that this company has suggested that it will pay US$10 per hectare, then negotiate special leases which will give them title.
Madam Speaker, the Hon. Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development is on record concerning this indicating that the reason they are giving this company a special permit is that they can invest long term. I want to speak for my constituency to say that there is a potential danger inherent in that approach, because the insinuation is that all the other A2 farmers cannot invest long term. We cannot have a company coming and offering a better rental of US$10 per hectare per annum, maybe they will pay a million yet they are holding on to vast tracts of land that are barren.
Mr. Speaker, if you come to Masvingo we had suggestions which had been approved by the province where a number of farmers were going to be parceled out small pieces of land, be it ten or twenty hectares to then do sugarcane, which is then going to be supplied upstream in the beneficiation chain. The approach that is being put forward where a company offers a small increment, disadvantaging thousands of poor household peasants is an approach, which for the record we want to say may lead to problems in future. Mr. Speaker Sir, those we represent - A2 and A1 farmers dream to also invest long term. Does it mean therefore that our farmers have no plans, ambitions or dreams to invest long term? We cannot have therefore, private multinational corporations being preferred by some leases which enable them to make their projects bankable at the expense of the A2 farmers. Such an approach is not consistent with the Constitution and Madam Speaker, it is our prayer that through this motion, that oversight could perhaps be corrected.
Madam Speaker, still on how the lands policy is being administered, there are areas where certificates of no Government interests are being issued. If a certificate is issued, it enables the holder to even sell the piece of land like a private asset. It is our suggestion that due prudence and perhaps caution be taken when such certificates are issued because it then dilutes the thinking, philosophy and the backbone of our Constitution as it recognises agricultural land as State land.
It is an appeal that we are making in contributing to this debate. We are saying until we treat stakeholders, we look at firms and individuals in an impartial manner; we may risk reversing the gains of the liberation struggle itself. We may risk igniting conflict; in fact conflict can arise when misunderstandings are allowed to degenerate around the emotive issues of land.
Mr. Speaker Sir, with respect to mining laws, we are pleased that Government announced this past week that realigned legislation on mines is almost out. Our appeal is that the mining sector lives up to the expected levels where under ZIM ASSET, it is one of the pillars that should carry the economy. Thank you Mr. Speaker.
- C. C. SIBANDA: I would like to thank Hon. Nduna for moving this motion which is very pertinent. Madam Speaker, the issue of the mining laws vis a vis the agricultural or the land law in the country is problematic. It appears that where the two pieces of legislation are in conflict, the Mines and Minerals Act takes precedence. This is now creating a lot of problems. We should actually view the Mines and
Minerals Act as one of the first legislations that was brought about by colonialists in this country in the 18th century, under the banner of the Rudd Concession.
Looking at that Rudd Concession which Lobengula was made to sign though he put an X which indicated that he was not really agreeing - [Laughter] – taking into account that Lobengula had indeed gone to school at Mhlangeni Primary School in my constituency, Lobengula was an educated person. He was not illiterate, so by indicating with an X he showed that he was not really agreeing to that – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear] – From that day, what happened is that the mining law became the superior law of the land. When you look at how it is structured, it is never structured in a way that will benefit the locals because if anyone has got his homestead and a mine is found there, they are forced to move without meaningful compensation because minerals take precedence.
We have seen the displacements of people in many areas due to mining activities. The Executive should come up with a law that will benefit those people who would have been affected by the big business of mining. There has to be fair compensation to the affected people.
Again, I would like to indicate that my constituency Bubi is one area that will have a very big problem in future. The land that was available in Bubi, almost 90% of that land was pegged for mining. What happened is that there was an arrangement which existed then between the mining community and the so called commercial farmers. What has happened now, people have been settled there under the Land Reform and people have been put on top of the pegs of the mine, which are mines that were pegged in 1920 and some in 1947. Now, whenever there is mining to take place, what will happen is that there is always a massive displacement again for those people who will have just been resettled in that area. There is a looming disaster because recently, the owners of the concession came in the area and started resuscitating the pegs and people were really confused with what was taking place. So, we need to see to it that the laws are designed to benefit the people.
Mr. Speaker, that prayer that you always start with is very indicative of making the laws for the benefit of the society. So, we need to make laws that will make the people benefit instead of displacing them. This issue of the mining war, as I indicated in the beginning it is problematic and needs to be looked into. I heard the other member saying the law is close to being brought to Parliament, we need to seriously look into that law so that the people, at the end of the day should benefit. I thank you.
*MR. MUDARIKWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. The motion
that we are debating here is very pertinent because it enables us to know where our country Zimbabwe stands pertaining to agriculture. There should not be much altercations where agriculture is concerned because all people with offer letters are mandated to till the land. Our motion seems to be focused on A2 farmers. Even when these A2 farms were owned by the whites, people in the rural areas are the ones who harvested more crops. They used to yield 80% of maize and cotton as well as keep the herd that was sold to CSC. The only problem that we are facing in some instances is of greed because if you are said to be a farmer and then you get a mine, you are suddenly a miner. If you get a school, you become the headmaster of the school and if you get herbs you become a witch doctor.
All these are piled on the same person.
On the issue of minerals – they are under the President and he is the one who allocates the minerals to people to start working on them. All these minerals pay royalties to Government so that government’s programmes can be implemented.
The issue of EMA was raised because they are seen milling around the mines and an example of kitsi yatota was given on account of the land degradation happening in Shurugwi. Those are makorokoza and not miners. Let us not mix makorokoza and miners but distinguish between the two. The other problem that we face is that knowledge of gold mining was inherited from Munhumutapa. Our gold is found all over the world because all the gold from Mount Darwin was sold all over the world and this relationship should continue as it used to be. In Mutoko, there is black granite. There is no one who is allowed to peg without getting permission from council. Someone came on a one day visit and declared that nothing was happening there. That person was able to see all the bad things in that single day. I challenge him to go and see the Mutoko Council offices which were built with the proceeds from black granite.
The biggest issue that we should look at when looking at our wealth is; if it is granite, there are no cattle that graze on stones. In Mutoko, there is what is called hukurutombo and that is the only thing you find among those black stones. There is nothing else that lives among those stones. What we need to look into is how we can assist our people so that agriculture is beneficial to them. First and foremost, let us see to it that the loans being given to our farmers attract little interest rates because currently, the interest rate is very high. There is need to organise different loan categories for different activities such as 5% interest rate for those wanting to build dams, 10% interest if one wants to buy a tractor and 15% if one wants to buy fertilizer. We also need to train our farmers how to farm because having an offer letter does not automatically make you a farmer. People should go to school and get Master Farmer certificates. If yields go up, no one will be jealous of the other person because you will all have high yields. The white farmer who used to farm on that particular farm used to get high yields without any mining rights.
Then another issue that is working against our farmers is the market where they sell their produce. If they take their grain to GMB, it takes them 2 years to get paid but the same GMB is selling grain and no one knows where the money disappears to. In Mutoko, we grow tomatoes but we see that the market is flooded with tomatoes from South Africa. That is what has destroyed our agriculture. If a person is sick and does not take tablets but blames the disease on mombe yeumai, they will die. So, one has to take medication in order to get well.
Another issue that we need to look at is to do with climate change. We should assist each other in terms of irrigation schemes or conservation agriculture or zero tillage where you use manure or even human manure for things to work out. Still on that issue, we have a huge problem. In Zimbabwe there are about 5.3 million cattle and 3 million goats. Farmers can use their herds as security. If these cattle are insured at US$300, it gives us US$1.5 billion and if the goats are insured at US$20, it gives us US$60 million. We can use that insurance as security.
I think the issue of using our houses as security should come to an end. It is not good because we are enslaving our people ending up without a roof for the family. The houses are also sold way below their value. The other thing that can assist people to get wealthy is contract farming. As Government, let us say it is a crime for one to do side marketing. Zimbabwe was the bread basket of Africa and most of the produce was grown by people in the rural areas. There was no person with mining rights. Let us concentrate at what is at hand, we should move with the times. I think our country Zimbabwe, should move forward. We should also look at how we should lift the people who are living in the rural areas. These are areas that we should bring up. Production is said to be 10 tonnes per hectare, yet someone is getting 5 tonnes per hectare. Some of these people being interested in doing so many things like mining etc, because they do not have the experience in the work that they are doing. Many hon. members are laughing at what I am saying and I think some of them will be struck. –[Laughter]- Thank you Mr. Speaker.
- MATANGIRA: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir. I feel that I must also add my voice to this pertinent motion on mining and agriculture. I think the last speaker Hon. S. Mudarikwa elaborated that as an Act of mining, you are not allowed to peg in any agricultural land. As an Act of mining, you are not supposed to peg not less than 90 metres from a homestead or from any house that is built of bricks. The agrarian revolution in 2000/2002, the President of the State of Zimbabwe elaborated that those that have land, when they are on the land, anyone will come to peg a claim or a mine and it is one on one. If you agree to have a joint venture, you can have it, not on farming land or agricultural land. The last speaker rightly said it. We cannot be jack of all trades and master of one.
I am a miner Mr. Speaker. I have had problems with the farmers. This agricultural land is none productive. From 1965, people have been mining in that farm. They have not delivered 2 bags of maize to GMB and they say we need a share from what you produce. We say no, I am producing for the State. Gold goes to Fidelity and eventually it goes to the fiscus. If you want to farm, farm on top and I go underground. There is no way we can conflict, but we are saying if the farmer wants to become a miner, go and peg your own claim, your own mine, even on your farm and no one will say no to that.
So, we are saying, like what the mover of the motion has said, harmonisation of agricultural and mining Acts should be one. We accept that because we are saying, if you want to do farming, the farmer must go ahead and do farming. If I want to do mining, I will go ahead with my mining operations. Both operations are beneficial to the country and the people of Zimbabwe. We have a problem now where you would find a farmer is there on the land. He has got no inputs. The old lady in the rural set up goes and korokozas. She gets two grams, which is 62 grams. She goes and buys a bag of fertilizer and she can go back on the land.
So, farming and mining can move together with no conflicts. We support the mover because we are saying Parliament has to know what is happening in mining and agriculture. Commercial farmers are commercial farmers and they must produce food for us. We should be crying as to how we should get finances on the same farms that were productive before 2000, before the agrarian revolution. The reason is that there are sanctions by America through an Act called ZIDERA, has hampered those on land to produce. We want to highlight to this House that we may be of different opinions, we may be coming from different walks of life, even political parties, but famine and hunger is non- selective.
You can be where you are, but hunger will still get you like the sun shines for us all. Hunger will affect us all as a nation. So, rather than in Parliament here, those that asked for the sanctions for none funding of agriculture should go back and say please, can you lift these sanctions because we need food. –[HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear]- Mr. Speaker Sir, I am divulging what I was supposed to have debated in the next motion. I liked the way Hon. Misihairabwi debated the other time, when she brought in the sanitary wear here in Parliament.
Today, I have brought a typical sanction pointer in Zimbabwe. The Presidential input scheme gives the rural folk one bag of Compound D, one bag of Ammonium Nitrate and 25 kilograms of seed maize. This is what has happened even in the resettlement areas where in my constituency, I have got a resettlement area, districts and wards where the same format of distribution of the inputs is done. This one here comes from a resettlement where an individual has got four hectares. From the one bag of Compound D and one bag of Ammonium Nitrate, this farmer has 20 lines and this is the yield. It is not even a quarter of a hectare.
The rest of the three point something hectares, the same seed that the seed packer actually got; he planted the same maize and you can see it is the pioneer 30g 19, with 18 lines. Small as it is, this is the yield. No fertilizer, the seed is there and this should be the point. Zimbabwe is producing 2 tonnes today on the productive land. This is not right. As a nation, we are going to Zambia to buy maize and we are going to Malawi to import maize. Of all countries, we are saying no. Our rural folk can farm better than the commercial farmers who were there yesterday. Why can we not have a Government policy that supports agriculture?
It is not even money. We go to ZFC and they are not given money by banks. It is solely to say we guarantee that the farmer is going to pay. What price fertilizer do we pay? For cash, one 50kg bag of fertiliser is going for US$31.00. The bank that lends me money says, if I get fertilizer I must be charged US$37.00. I come from a rural constituency in Bindura, the same bag of fertilizer from Harare to Bindura costs US$4.00. For 30 tonnes I have to pay US$2 400.00 and this is broad daylight robbery.
Generally, we are saying, in order for Zimbabwe to become successful we need a shift from where we are, the blacks being the unfortunate and unable. We are able if we manage to liberate ourselves and this is the same motion I am talking about to say, let us liberate ourselves because the banks are not supportive. Even in the mining sector like the mover of the motion said, we have been talking about US$100 million that was supposed to come from China. Where is it? It is still not here three years later.
So how do the makorokoza graduate to miners, the middle class or the small scale miner, how is he going to become a big miner? We have the best ideas and strategies but our implementation is poor. We also have the stumbling blocks who put spanners in the works in order for Zimbabwe not to be successful. All the same, let us pray that one day we are going to talk with one voice and Zimbabwe will be one country again.
Lastly, Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to pray and say in this august House, let us leave our partisanship outside the Parliament building. This is a
National Assembly... – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – We need people who understand democracy and people must accept the results that come out and forget... – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – You must forgo because when you have lost, you have lost, you know you have become a brush to shine my shoes that is it – [HON. MEMBERS:
Inaudible interjections] – I thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
- J. M. GUMBO: Mr. Speaker, I move that the debate be now adjourned.
- MUKWANGWARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 15th July, 2015.
MOTION
PEOPLE-CENTRED DEVELOPMENTAL POLICIES AND
MEASURES ON IMPROVING DOMESTIC PRODUCTION AND
FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT
Fifth order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the deteriorating social and economic conditions in the country.
Question again proposed.
- CHIMANIKIRE: Thank you Mr. Speaker. First and
foremost, I would like to thank the mover of the motion Hon. Dr.
Mashakada for bringing forward an issue that is of essence to this nation.
Mr. Speaker, I will repeat what I said in my last debate. We debate here vehemently arguing on one point or the other but like the last speaker, I am wondering who implements what we resolve in this House?
Sometime last year, in this particular session, we debated on the issue of the Zimbabwean economy. I remember an hon. member from the other side of the House eloquently and vehemently arguing on the issues affecting this country in as far as our economy is concerned. That was Hon. Mutomba, I remember, he made very constructive suggestions on the direction that our economy is supposed to take. Yes, we have ZIM ASSET but what is happening to ZIM ASSET? We do not seem to be delivering on the deliverables that are expected from ZIM ASSET.
When people talk about sanctions, there are certain issues that affect us in this country because nowadays trade is related to human rights. I recall when I read ‘The Southern Eye’, when His Excellency the President,
Cde. Robert Gabriel Mugabe assumed office as SADC Chairman in
Victoria Falls. ‘The Southern Eye’ reported that while he was acknowledging his ascendancy to the chairmanship, in the mean time his body-guards outside the hall from where he was making his acceptance speech, were brutally assaulting a woman for having used ZANU PF regalia to tie up grass that she was carrying on her head.
That reflects on us when people talk of country risk because trade is related to human rights nowadays. Globally, we do not trade with ISIS simply because they are terrorists and sometimes it is our own behaviour that drives away investors….
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, order hon. member.
There is Benz AAX9487 which is obstructing other vehicles. Can the owner please go and remove the vehicle. You may proceed Hon.
Chimanikire.
- CHIMANIKIRE: Again, a few weeks earlier, Zimbabwean
soldiers burnt down tents that were donated by the Red Cross to the Chingwizi families in Masvingo and in the process, destroying food that was donated and other clothing reserves that had been issued to families in the Chingwizi area. Again, this reflects on us when we talk about country risk in terms of investment; it is these behaviours that we then try and blame on the Americans or the British.
Young Zimbabweans marching peacefully in the streets of Harare just along Nelson Mandela Avenue were brutally attacked by police for allegedly threatening peace but what peace if one has no job? What peace when someone has not had something to eat and what peace when one does not have shelter?
Mr. Speaker, despite the fact that our new Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, however, we have continued to ensure …
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, order hon. member. On
reading Order Number 5, it is about the economy, if you could stick to that please.
- CHIMANIKIRE: Thank you Mr. Speaker, I was responding
to the allegation that sanctions are the order of the day and have affected our economy. Let me just refer to a conversation …
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, order, may you respond
to what is on the Order Paper hon. member.
- CHIMANIKIRE: That is fine Mr. Speaker, I will continue to discuss the economy but I just wanted to point out that.. – [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – Aah you are not going to divert me.
Mr. Speaker, I was talking to a very senior ZANU PF official a year ago who said, “we have failed in running the economy of this country” but however, that person is a Member of Parliament, for your information. He said, “when we tell our people that this is because of sanctions, fortunately they believe us”.
In the 2013 Report of the Confederation of Industries of Zimbabwe, the country risk was not allotted to labour but in this House, we have had suggestions that if we amend the Labour Relations Act then our economy will be able to perform better, that is not correct.
Mr. Speaker, in the year 2000, the President made the Kadoma Declaration. The intention of the Kadoma Declaration was to promote social dialogue between Government, labour and business. Mr. Speaker, that is the way to go. However, this social dialogue document has not been implemented in this country and we are still awaiting it to be implemented so that at least there should be dialogue between Government and business. We have Members of Parliament who have recently come into Parliament who are actually successful business persons. Those people should be engaged in other fora so that Government can have the correct direction in terms of re-investment or expanding our businesses in this country.
During the honeymoon of the GNU Mr. Speaker, Christmas was
celebrated in this country for the first time. In 2010, 2011, 2012 but come 2013, we were back to the doldrums again. What went wrong? Mr. Speaker, we need to look at certain aspects that affect our economy that we need to put right. For example, Government has turned itself into a bad debtor. If you talk of the company that supplies electricity to this country, their bills are not being paid by Government departments. If you talk of Tel One, Government bills are not being paid, ZUPCO bus hires are not being paid for. There is non-payment of BEAM and benefits to war veterans such as school fees for their children, as well as widows of national heroes.
If we look at various ministries Mr. Speaker, and you look at the audit report of the Auditor General for the year 2013, it is evident that 23 ministries failed to account for almost $150 million. I have a short breakdown Mr. Speaker. When the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development was paying for irrigation equipment, it came across a figure that they could not account for to the
Auditor General’s office. This was supposed to have been paid to a supplier and according to the Auditor General, the supplier was Chinese and a figure of $12 million was unaccounted for. Reasons given by the Ministry, although they could not account for the equipment that was supposed to have come, was that they paid that amount in order to maintain diplomatic relations with China. A country suffering from a shortage of finance like Zimbabwe is able to pay $12 million to a farming equipment supply company in China without receiving the equipment only to maintain good diplomatic relations. Treasury has not guaranteed the acquisition of this loan but the country lost $12 million along the way.
The Auditor General’s 2011 report points out that ZINARA failed to account for $6 million. This money was supposed to have been accounted for from maintenance of equipment. This was not done and the money was not accounted for. We are at $18 million Mr. Speaker. The ZMDC, which is a parastatal of Government, again according to the Auditor General’s report of 2012 could not account for $1.6 million. Why? It is because they were making payments using cash. The cashbook disappeared when the Auditor General went to audit their books; so much for a country that is crying about sanctions and the collapse of our economy.
ARDA has 36 estates; farms spread throughout the country but during the 2014/2015 agricultural season, they failed to produce reasonable yields that can actually support the country in terms of food sufficiency. They are renowned for having obsolete equipment and unskilled mechanics but this is a parastatal. So, whatever supplementary monies that they are receiving from Government in order for its upkeep, the running of these 36 estates is going to waste and it affects our economy.
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to GMB, not only has it failed to pay farmers but at the same time, we noticed that yields that are sold to the GMB have gone down since 2009. In 2009 to 2010 farming season, there was a reduction of maize sold to the GMB by 91%. In 2010 to 2011, there was a further reduction of 55%. So, by the end of the day we have a parastatal that is not operating viably and has failed to pay farmers. This reduces the buying power of the farmers and our economy which is agrobased is sinking slowly.
The Central Vehicle Registry, according to the Auditor General’s report, there were over 54 000 unprocessed licences. In other words, you go for a licencing test but the Registry itself is failing to actually process this. This is supposed to be income that is coming to Government.
Overally, Government failed to unlock a $51 million loan coming from China, simply because the Chinese want an advance of at least 10% which was $7 million but we failed to raise that amount. At the same time, this amount was supposed to have been used to facilitate the maintenance of our grain silos. Our grain silos are deteriorating, very soon they will be a write off. I am sure there has been migration of maize from Zimbabwe to Mozambique because there is no maize in the silos and by the end of the day, if we do not maintain our silos, we have nowhere to stock our maize when we finally have bumper harvests.
Mr. Speaker, when one looks at poor Government debt recovery processes and the losses that are being suffered by 23 ministries out of 33, one can only recommend certain drastic action to be taken. Corruption is a catalyst to the current economic ruin. For example, there are issues of contracts that have been issued and the use of Brainworks that we have been reading about in the newspapers. We have the issue of ESSAR Mr.
Speaker. How on earth do we enter into contracts that are not applicable?
I remember the Minister of Industry and Commerce when we started in 2013 in this Session of Parliament; he announced that now that we have a one party Government, ESSAR is going to start working by December 2013. We are in July, 2015 and what has happened? ESSAR has abandoned Zimbabwe and why have we not re-tendered or redone the process so that we can come up with workable arrangements.
Mr. Speaker, this Government is pushing this country where other countries are actually migrating from. In Senegal, 90% of the economy is informal but dust bins are collected by donkeys, pulling scotch carts. In the DRC, when Mobutu had faced a collapsing economy, he tried to introduce the use of bicycles because people could not afford to buy cars.
In conclusion Mr. Speaker, I would like to put forward what I call recommendations. How do we resuscitate this economy? Government should seriously re-invigorate performance management programmes to ensure that service efficiency is harnessed from the Permanent Secretary to the most junior clerk. The Government should fire all heads of departments in 23 ministries who failed to account for Government funds allotted to them.
The Anti-Corruption Commission should be appointed to ensure that we deal with issues of corruption. However, they need to be investigated. They bought offices worth $168 million which were overstated according to the Auditor General’s office by $480 000. This should be repaid.
The Government should amend the Indigenisation ratio. Instead of
51:49 ratio, why do we not go to 26% and then we graduate to 51% over a set period of time so that we are able at least to attract Foreign Direct Investment? Mr. Speaker, Government should bring in private business investors into ARDA, National Railways of Zimbabwe, ZUPCO, Air Zimbabwe, Cold Storage Commission, ZINARA, ZINWA and other
parastatals that are not operating profitably.
However, Mr. Speaker, should this fail to happen, I am sure the challenge is that, this Government has to resign and seek a new mandate from the people. They have promised people 2.1 million jobs, nothing is happening and what do you do when you have failed on your own manifesto? You just resign and seek a new mandate from the people. I thank you Mr. Speaker.
- CHIKWAMA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
- MUKWANGWARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 15th July, 2015.
On the motion of MS. CHIKWAMA, seconded by MS.
MPARIWA, the House adjourned at Three Minutes to Four o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 14th July, 2015
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE DEPUTY SPEAKER
CHANGES TO PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: I have to inform the House of the following nominations and changes to membership of Committees: Hon.
- Mazivisa will serve on the Portfolio Committees of Transport and
Infrastructural Development and Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.
Hon. O. Hungwe has moved from the Portfolio Committee on Youth,
Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment to the Portfolio Committee on
Mines and Energy. Hon. C. Mutematsaka has moved from the Portfolio
Committee on Foreign Affairs to the Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development. Also, I would like to inform the House of the appointment of Hon. C. Chitindi as the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
- CHIKWAMA: I move that Order of the Day Number 1 be
stood over until the rest of the Orders of the Day have been disposed of.
- NDUNA: 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.
- T. DUBE: Thank you Madam Speaker. I would like to start by congratulating the Ministers who have just been promoted – HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order! hon. members. Hon. members, the member is making a maiden speech and must be heard in silence. Would you please be silent?
MR.T. DUBE: Madam Speaker, may I start by congratulating the
Ministers who have just been promoted. My name is – [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order! hon. members. Hon. members, I do not think there is anything exciting. Hon. Maridadi, we do not allow hon. members to use their cellphones when you are in this House. You are not a journalist. Would you please take your seat. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – Order, order! hon. members. Hon. members, can we please behave ourselves as hon. members.
- MATANGIRA: On a point of order Maám.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: There is no need for a point of order.
What is the point of order?
- MATANGIRA: My point of order Madam Speaker is, if we are not allowed to use cellphones in this House. Then whatever picture Hon. Maridadi has taken must be deleted.– [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible
interjections.] –
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order! Hon. Dube, can you please proceed?
- DUBE: Madam Speaker, I would like to start by congratulating all the Ministers who were recently appointed. My name is Tshinga Dube, representing one of the poorest – [AN HON. MEMBER: And marginalised.] [Laughter.] –
I represent one of the poorest and the oldest townships in Bulawayo.
Makokoba Township was Bulawayo’s first township for blacks, natives as they called us at that time. It was the only township that housed all the natives, Indians as well as Asians.
The location was sold by the Sanitary Board of Bulawayo while huts were rented out to non-council members and the unemployed. There was massive overcrowding in the houses that were mostly one roomed. A major infrastructure development at the time was the installation of flood lights in 1929.
Makokoba Constituency is located in the Bulawayo Province and consists of high density suburbs, namely Makokoba, Mzilikazi (named after the founder of the Ndebele nation, King Mzilikazi), Barbourfields (named after a former mayor, H.R. Barbour, who during the colonial era, was greatly interested in the welfare of the indigenous people),
(Nguboyenja named after Lobengula’s son and heir) and Thorngroove (a coloured township whose name came from the large number of Mimosa Thorn trees in the area) as well as the National Railways of Zimbabwe residential compound of Westgate. –HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible
interjections.] –
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order! Hon members can we
have order. Hon. members, I appealed to the House that I think we should keep our whispers as low as possible so that we hear what the hon. member is saying.
- DUBE: Madam Speaker, established in the early 1900, the township was the first black African township in the city. The suburb was named after the conduct of Mr. Fallon, the Native Commissioner, who reportedly used to walk around the city with the aid of a walking stick…… Hon. Sibanda having changed sitting places thereby making noise.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Sibanda, what is wrong, what is happening?
- DUBE: The name comes from the word ‘ukukhokhoba’ which in the local Ndebele language means “bending and walking with a stick”. It is home of Stanley Square, an iconic and much revered venue for
Zimbabwean nationalists such as the late Vice Presidents Joshua Nkomo, Joseph Msika, John Nkomo and many other politicians of note. Even our
President lived in Makokoba with his uncle when he was still a schoolboy. Many of these second class citizens, as the white settlers chose to see them, were forced to turn to menial jobs for survival. The township was the dwelling place of nationalists such as MAsotsha Ndlovu, Martha Ngano, Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo, Edwin Ndlovu and Ethan Dube.
The township was initially built for migrant workers both local and foreign. It was built at a time when the City of Bulawayo was steadily growing as the industrial hub of the country. The white rulers at the time realised that there was a need for cheap labour that could be demanded from blacks. Many of these second class citizens, as the white settlers chose to see them, were forced to turn to menial jobs for survival.
After construction of Makokoba Township in the early 1900, white authorities then built Mzilikazi in 1945. This township has a history of its own in the road towards the independence of Zimbabwe. In what was later to be termed the Bulawayo African Townships (BAT), Babourfields and Nguboyenja were added.
The constituency has a rich heritage that has spawned countless celebrities from politicians to athletes to entertainers. It is home to the famous bus terminus popularly referred to as ‘eRenkin’, Stanley Hall, Stanley Square, McDonald Hall, Mpilo Hospital and Babourfields Stadium are part of the constituency. Ward seven and eight of Bulawayo Municipality also make up the constituency.
Makokoba Constituency is highly populated and in recent years, it has realised an increase in the population., which has not matched an increase in accommodation and other basic and social amenities. The constituency has produced countless individuals who have distinguished themselves in their various fields, from business people, academics, artists and athletes. Names that quickly come to mind include the likes of Tafi
Moyo (Mzilikazi) and Chikerema as well as influential families like the Ntuta, Ncgebetsha and Hlalo families.
There are also arts and culture legends like Dorothy Masuka, the
Cool Crooners, and later years, individuals like Cont Mhlanga, Lovemore
Majaivana and Augustine Musarurwa who composed ‘sikokiyana, which became a world hit. There were also sporting legends like the Ndlovu brothers, Madinda, Peter and the late Adam and many more that helped to shape the history of Makokoba.
After independence, the first councillor of Makokoba Township was Cde Nicolas Joel Mabodoko and the first Member of Parliament for the Constituency was the late Cde. Sidney Malunga.
Nationalism
Madam Speaker, the development of trade unionism began in
Makokoba in 1928, with its pioneers, Masotsha Ndlobu and Clemence Katali. They advocated for improved working and living conditions for the black labourers. There was later, a transfer of political activism from trade unionism to nationalism when the first political parties began to emerge in 1934.
“The Railway Administration was not at all happy about that. However, although they were unrecognized, the union was not actually legal, and there was nothing they could do about it.” These were the words of the late Vice President, Dr. Joshua Nkomo in his autobiography, Nkomo: The Story of My Life, describing his first footsteps into politics, that is, being the President of the African Railway Employees’ Association in 1948.
Madam Speaker, trade unionism was the bedrock on which Zimbabwean nationalist politics was built and Makokoba was central in the evolution from labour activism to home-grown political ideologies that paved the way for the country’s independence from colonial and racist rule perpetuated by white supremacists that migrated from the United Kingdom and arrived in the country in the 1800s.
These white settlers stayed on in the country until 1980 when nationalists like Joshua Nkomo, Josephy Msika, Benjamin Burombo, John
Nkome and so on, cut their teeth at iconic meeting places like Stanley Square in Makokoba and McDonald Hall in Mzilikazi. They often met at these venues to map the way forward and come up with political ideas to free their people from the bondage of white rule.
It is the Rhodesia Railway Employees Association that launched the career of one of Zimbabwe’s iconic leaders, the late Vice President Dr. Joshua Nkomo. Dr. Nkomo started his career as the president of the Rhodesia Railways African Employees Association in 1948 after a series of meetings held at Stanley Square. After that, he became President of the Federation of African Workers Union, a national office that launched him into his political career, as that very same year, he was also elected
President of the Southern Rhodesia African National Congress. (SRANO).
Township Economics
The majority of residents in Makokoba Constituency live below the poverty datum line due to the growing unemployment rates in the country in general and Bulawayo in particular. The constituency saw an unparalleled growth in population levels as people flocked in search of greener pastures at big companies such as Kango, Radar, Dunlop, NRZ,
CSC, Monarch, and National Blankets among others. During the heydays of the city, this influx of people into the city and Makokoba was hardly felt as many were unable to secure jobs at these firms.
However, today Makokoba is a shadow of its former glory. The constituency is beset with unending economic problems brought on by the closure of numerous firms due to several crises, chief among them, sanctions imposed on the country by the West at the advent of the country’s Land Reform Programme, that was implemented by President Robert Mugabe to address the imbalances created by colonialism. Many lost their jobs and this created a constituency of self-reliant residents. Many became vendors while still more migrated to South Africa where they have, unfortunately, been subjected to often barbaric treatment by our neighbours.
Today, Makokoba is full of business people, so to speak, many of whom barely earn enough to survive from one day to the next. Others have stalls from which they vend various goods, but sadly, the younger generation has been driven towards drugs, alcohol, truancy, prostitution and a myriad of other social ills by the high unemployment rate.
Madam Speaker, places in the constituency such as Makokoba Market, popularly known as eMkambo have become for many, the only hope at making some sort of income with which to support their families. Many now struggle to send the children to school, increasing the number of delinquents on the streets with nothing to do from dawn to dusk. Consequently, the only form of economic emancipation in the constituency for the old generation, is vending while our children have turned to crime.
Education
Madam Speaker, Makokoba Constituency has been fortunate to have a fairly high literacy rate with many holding some form of academic qualifications. The constituency has several schools namely, Mzilikazi,
Litshe, Lozikeyi, Lobengula, Robert Tredgold, St. Patricks, and
McKueturn Primary Schools as well as Mzilikazi, Sobukhazi and St. Columbus High Schools. Various churches were allocated stands on the south of Lobengula Street; between the town and the Bulawayo Municipal Compound (BMC) and the suburb of Makokoba. The church buildings were part of the cordon sanitaire to separate black settlement from white settlement.
The churches which had separate church buildings to service the white population in the town were expected to civilize the Africans by not only converting them to Christianity but also providing some education to them. The Anglican Church ran a school, St. Columbus for Africans. The
Catholics established St. Patrick’s which also catered for the Africans. White girls were attending the Convent School in the city. The Churches did not challenge the BSACo policy of racial segregation in the education system.
While the Anglican and the Roman Catholic churches set up their own separate schools, the other church denominations made collaborative efforts and established the United School. The United School offered classes up to Standard 1. After that, the pupils, who included both boys and girls, proceeded to Mzilikazi Primary School which was the first primary school to be built in Mzilikazi Township, a settlement established in 1945. The school offered education up to Standard 6. Mzilikazi Primary School thus became the first primary school to be built by Government for blacks in Bulawayo. Later, Mzilikazi Primary School offered classes lower than Standard 2. At the time the black primary schools were run by white school heads.
Ultimately, Lotshe Primary School became a stand-alone educational facility in 1955. Some pupils then left Lobengula Primary School to attend Lotshe Primary School, a move which shortened travelling distances for pupils living in Makokoba. The three high schools in the constituency were at the height of the country’s economic growth among the best in the country.
However, today many are lacking the provision of a basic learning environment which many still force to have hot sitting classes due to shortage of adequate classrooms as well as a shortage of learning aids such as text books and computers.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order hon. member, can you please
raise your voice so that those who are recording can hear you.
MR. T. DUBE: Social Amenities
When Makokoba Township was built, it was the beginning of segregation according to colour lines. Blacks were only allowed into the city so that they could be in the factories. The whites however, realised that there was a need for some sort of the social activity to keep their black workers fairly happy despite the repressive laws governing them. To this effect, they built several social venues in the township to provide entertainment to the blacks in the township. Thus, built Stanley Hall where movies and cabaret shows were held and Stanley Square where boxing matches were held, as well as youth centres such as Tshaka and Thabiso.
*MR. MUTSEYAMI: On a point of order Madam Speaker, can something be done to help the hon. member raise his voice because we cannot hear him or if he can submit his presentation?
*THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: The hon. member naturally has a low
voice. So, let us not make noise so that we can hear him. That is what we can do. Hon. member, can you please proceed.
- T. DUBE: Then the clubs were offering basketball, boxing and weightlifting, while over the weekends; boxing took place at the Stanley Square. With the establishment of Mzilikazi, Nguboyenja and
Barbourfields townships, each came with its own youth club. Mzilikazi had the added bonus of the McDonald Community Hall, Memorial Library and an Art and Craft Centre. Barbourfields was fortunate to get perhaps the most modern of social amenities when the city council built the massive Barbourfields Stadium and a swimming pool in the township.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, the hon. member’s time has
expired.
- MUKWANGWARIWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. May
the hon. member’s time be extended?
- MANGAMI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
- T. DUBE: Today, these places remain operational but just barely. Many are run down and are unable to offer the youth the much needed extracurricular activities. This has led to an increase in crime as the youth become degenerated due to lack of creative social outlets.
Health Services
The constituency has been blessed with one of the country’s major referral hospitals, the Mpilo Central Hospital which was built to provide health services to blacks who were not allowed to utilise the United
Bulawayo Hospitals that were reserved for whites. Also, there was a well and a fully functional clinic that is run by the city council and an infectious diseases clinic in Thorngroove. But today, the hospital is barely operational and the only department that is fully operational is the mortuary.
Arts, Sports and Culture
In 1933, the authorities built Makhumalo Bar, popularly known as Big Bhawa and Khefa Beer factory in the township. This spurred the development of arts and culture as artists now had a venue to perform at, while revelers enjoyed their mugs of opaque beer, the only form of alcohol that blacks were allowed to drink at that time. This lack of alternative alcoholic beverages led to the rise of skokiaan, made famous by August Musarurwa and other ‘independent’ brewers.
The music legends defined Makokoba as the Mecca of arts and culture in Makokoba learning and refining their trade at places such as Stanley Hall, MaDonald Hall and ‘Big Bhawa’. In sport, the availability of sporting centres such as Tshaka Youth Centre, Stanley Square and Mzilikazi Youth Centre have also through the years, produced many top class athletes in different disciplines of sport. Iconic football players like the Ndlovu brothers, Felix Ntuta, Peter Nkomo, Mercedes Sibanda, Max Tshuma and more recently the Ngodzo brothers are all products of the rich heritage of sport in Makokoba. Boxers of prominence such as Philip Striker have also come out of the constituency.
Conclusion
Makokoba Constituency has a rich heritage and with it, the potential to become a truly modern metropolitan constituency. The infrastructure is in place to provide residents with most of their basic needs, but it requires a major overhaul. There is need for Central Government to ensure that the
Makokoba’s place in the history of the country’s fight for economic and political emancipation during the liberation struggle is not negated or forgotten. There is also a need to recognise historic places like Makokoba
Constituency as having played a major role in shaping the destiny of Zimbabwe.
In yesteryears, Makokoba was the heart and soul of nationalist politics in Zimbabwe. It is where dedicated young Zimbabweans met often for the first time, to try and find ways to win back their country and ways to emancipate their people from the clutches of colonialism. It is indeed the bedrock of what today is a free Zimbabwe. I thank you Madam Speaker.
- J. M. GUMBO: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
- MUKWANGWARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 15th July, 2015.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE DELEGATION ON THE HIV/AIDS LEARNING
AND EXPOSURE STUDY VISIT TO KARNATAKA STATE, INDIA
Third Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the report of the delegation of the HIV/AIDS Learning and Exposure Study Visit to
Karnataka State, India, 10-14 November, 2014.
Question again proposed.
- J. M. GUMBO: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
- NDUNA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 15th July, 2015.
MOTION
HARMONISATION OF THE MINES AND MINERALS ACT AND
THE LANDS ACQUISITION ACT
Fourth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the need to harmonise the Mines and Minerals Act and the Lands Acquisition Act Question again proposed.
- KEREKE: Thank you Madam Speaker for this opportunity to add my few inputs into the motion that was put forth by Hon. Nduna. The motion is a very important one which seeks to reconcile our policy framework in respect of agricultural land and our policy framework in respect of mining. Under the current statutory provisions, there is latent conflict between the miners and farmers in terms of the rights to natural resources. Whereas the mining laws permit a prospecting miner to independently go to their respective provinces’ Mining Commission you pay a minimum fee depending on what type of mineral you want to peg. If it is chrome or gold, you pay the required fee. You are then issued with a prospecting licence which expires after a considerable period. That prospecting licence authorises you to go on any piece of land to scout for minerals regardless of whether that piece of land is a farm land already in use by another interested party.
The ultimate result is that when a prospector has discovered or has confidence that there are prospects for certain minerals at a given piece of land, they are free to then peg and can commence operations. It could be in someone’s farm, in a village on top of graves or any such revered places by the respective communities. In our statutes, we do have a conflict between the entitlements for farmers to land as a natural resource and the entitlement of potential miners to minerals also as a natural resource. The motion as put is a very pertinent one which requires that there be no further delays in reconciling the two pieces of legislation for good order.
I want to move further by commenting more on the Land Acquisition Act to say that our Constitution has voluminously spoken as to how agricultural land is deemed and it is in fact State land. Accordingly therefore, it is the expectation of the people that policies around land be implemented in a way that resonates with the Constitution. I did indicate Mr. Speaker Sir, in earlier contributions in another debate before this august House, that to the extent State land is anchored in the Constitution, we need equality across the board in terms of how individuals, households, companies and other multi-nationals are treated in respect of ownership of land. I have a case in point in Masvingo province, we have a company which processes sugar. It owns vast tracts of land, about 96 000 hectares. The recently promulgated regulations Mr. Speaker Sir, say for A2 farmers you need to pay about US$5 per hectare as an annual farm rental. We are reliably informed that this company has suggested that it will pay US$10 per hectare, then negotiate special leases which will give them title.
Madam Speaker, the Hon. Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development is on record concerning this indicating that the reason they are giving this company a special permit is that they can invest long term. I want to speak for my constituency to say that there is a potential danger inherent in that approach, because the insinuation is that all the other A2 farmers cannot invest long term. We cannot have a company coming and offering a better rental of US$10 per hectare per annum, maybe they will pay a million yet they are holding on to vast tracts of land that are barren.
Mr. Speaker, if you come to Masvingo we had suggestions which had been approved by the province where a number of farmers were going to be parceled out small pieces of land, be it ten or twenty hectares to then do sugarcane, which is then going to be supplied upstream in the beneficiation chain. The approach that is being put forward where a company offers a small increment, disadvantaging thousands of poor household peasants is an approach, which for the record we want to say may lead to problems in future. Mr. Speaker Sir, those we represent - A2 and A1 farmers dream to also invest long term. Does it mean therefore that our farmers have no plans, ambitions or dreams to invest long term? We cannot have therefore, private multinational corporations being preferred by some leases which enable them to make their projects bankable at the expense of the A2 farmers. Such an approach is not consistent with the Constitution and Madam Speaker, it is our prayer that through this motion, that oversight could perhaps be corrected.
Madam Speaker, still on how the lands policy is being administered, there are areas where certificates of no Government interests are being issued. If a certificate is issued, it enables the holder to even sell the piece of land like a private asset. It is our suggestion that due prudence and perhaps caution be taken when such certificates are issued because it then dilutes the thinking, philosophy and the backbone of our Constitution as it recognises agricultural land as State land.
It is an appeal that we are making in contributing to this debate. We are saying until we treat stakeholders, we look at firms and individuals in an impartial manner; we may risk reversing the gains of the liberation struggle itself. We may risk igniting conflict; in fact conflict can arise when misunderstandings are allowed to degenerate around the emotive issues of land.
Mr. Speaker Sir, with respect to mining laws, we are pleased that Government announced this past week that realigned legislation on mines is almost out. Our appeal is that the mining sector lives up to the expected levels where under ZIM ASSET, it is one of the pillars that should carry the economy. Thank you Mr. Speaker.
- C. C. SIBANDA: I would like to thank Hon. Nduna for moving this motion which is very pertinent. Madam Speaker, the issue of the mining laws vis a vis the agricultural or the land law in the country is problematic. It appears that where the two pieces of legislation are in conflict, the Mines and Minerals Act takes precedence. This is now creating a lot of problems. We should actually view the Mines and
Minerals Act as one of the first legislations that was brought about by colonialists in this country in the 18th century, under the banner of the Rudd Concession.
Looking at that Rudd Concession which Lobengula was made to sign though he put an X which indicated that he was not really agreeing - [Laughter] – taking into account that Lobengula had indeed gone to school at Mhlangeni Primary School in my constituency, Lobengula was an educated person. He was not illiterate, so by indicating with an X he showed that he was not really agreeing to that – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear] – From that day, what happened is that the mining law became the superior law of the land. When you look at how it is structured, it is never structured in a way that will benefit the locals because if anyone has got his homestead and a mine is found there, they are forced to move without meaningful compensation because minerals take precedence.
We have seen the displacements of people in many areas due to mining activities. The Executive should come up with a law that will benefit those people who would have been affected by the big business of mining. There has to be fair compensation to the affected people.
Again, I would like to indicate that my constituency Bubi is one area that will have a very big problem in future. The land that was available in Bubi, almost 90% of that land was pegged for mining. What happened is that there was an arrangement which existed then between the mining community and the so called commercial farmers. What has happened now, people have been settled there under the Land Reform and people have been put on top of the pegs of the mine, which are mines that were pegged in 1920 and some in 1947. Now, whenever there is mining to take place, what will happen is that there is always a massive displacement again for those people who will have just been resettled in that area. There is a looming disaster because recently, the owners of the concession came in the area and started resuscitating the pegs and people were really confused with what was taking place. So, we need to see to it that the laws are designed to benefit the people.
Mr. Speaker, that prayer that you always start with is very indicative of making the laws for the benefit of the society. So, we need to make laws that will make the people benefit instead of displacing them. This issue of the mining war, as I indicated in the beginning it is problematic and needs to be looked into. I heard the other member saying the law is close to being brought to Parliament, we need to seriously look into that law so that the people, at the end of the day should benefit. I thank you.
*MR. MUDARIKWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. The motion
that we are debating here is very pertinent because it enables us to know where our country Zimbabwe stands pertaining to agriculture. There should not be much altercations where agriculture is concerned because all people with offer letters are mandated to till the land. Our motion seems to be focused on A2 farmers. Even when these A2 farms were owned by the whites, people in the rural areas are the ones who harvested more crops. They used to yield 80% of maize and cotton as well as keep the herd that was sold to CSC. The only problem that we are facing in some instances is of greed because if you are said to be a farmer and then you get a mine, you are suddenly a miner. If you get a school, you become the headmaster of the school and if you get herbs you become a witch doctor.
All these are piled on the same person.
On the issue of minerals – they are under the President and he is the one who allocates the minerals to people to start working on them. All these minerals pay royalties to Government so that government’s programmes can be implemented.
The issue of EMA was raised because they are seen milling around the mines and an example of kitsi yatota was given on account of the land degradation happening in Shurugwi. Those are makorokoza and not miners. Let us not mix makorokoza and miners but distinguish between the two. The other problem that we face is that knowledge of gold mining was inherited from Munhumutapa. Our gold is found all over the world because all the gold from Mount Darwin was sold all over the world and this relationship should continue as it used to be. In Mutoko, there is black granite. There is no one who is allowed to peg without getting permission from council. Someone came on a one day visit and declared that nothing was happening there. That person was able to see all the bad things in that single day. I challenge him to go and see the Mutoko Council offices which were built with the proceeds from black granite.
The biggest issue that we should look at when looking at our wealth is; if it is granite, there are no cattle that graze on stones. In Mutoko, there is what is called hukurutombo and that is the only thing you find among those black stones. There is nothing else that lives among those stones. What we need to look into is how we can assist our people so that agriculture is beneficial to them. First and foremost, let us see to it that the loans being given to our farmers attract little interest rates because currently, the interest rate is very high. There is need to organise different loan categories for different activities such as 5% interest rate for those wanting to build dams, 10% interest if one wants to buy a tractor and 15% if one wants to buy fertilizer. We also need to train our farmers how to farm because having an offer letter does not automatically make you a farmer. People should go to school and get Master Farmer certificates. If yields go up, no one will be jealous of the other person because you will all have high yields. The white farmer who used to farm on that particular farm used to get high yields without any mining rights.
Then another issue that is working against our farmers is the market where they sell their produce. If they take their grain to GMB, it takes them 2 years to get paid but the same GMB is selling grain and no one knows where the money disappears to. In Mutoko, we grow tomatoes but we see that the market is flooded with tomatoes from South Africa. That is what has destroyed our agriculture. If a person is sick and does not take tablets but blames the disease on mombe yeumai, they will die. So, one has to take medication in order to get well.
Another issue that we need to look at is to do with climate change. We should assist each other in terms of irrigation schemes or conservation agriculture or zero tillage where you use manure or even human manure for things to work out. Still on that issue, we have a huge problem. In Zimbabwe there are about 5.3 million cattle and 3 million goats. Farmers can use their herds as security. If these cattle are insured at US$300, it gives us US$1.5 billion and if the goats are insured at US$20, it gives us US$60 million. We can use that insurance as security.
I think the issue of using our houses as security should come to an end. It is not good because we are enslaving our people ending up without a roof for the family. The houses are also sold way below their value. The other thing that can assist people to get wealthy is contract farming. As Government, let us say it is a crime for one to do side marketing. Zimbabwe was the bread basket of Africa and most of the produce was grown by people in the rural areas. There was no person with mining rights. Let us concentrate at what is at hand, we should move with the times. I think our country Zimbabwe, should move forward. We should also look at how we should lift the people who are living in the rural areas. These are areas that we should bring up. Production is said to be 10 tonnes per hectare, yet someone is getting 5 tonnes per hectare. Some of these people being interested in doing so many things like mining etc, because they do not have the experience in the work that they are doing. Many hon. members are laughing at what I am saying and I think some of them will be struck. –[Laughter]- Thank you Mr. Speaker.
- MATANGIRA: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir. I feel that I must also add my voice to this pertinent motion on mining and agriculture. I think the last speaker Hon. S. Mudarikwa elaborated that as an Act of mining, you are not allowed to peg in any agricultural land. As an Act of mining, you are not supposed to peg not less than 90 metres from a homestead or from any house that is built of bricks. The agrarian revolution in 2000/2002, the President of the State of Zimbabwe elaborated that those that have land, when they are on the land, anyone will come to peg a claim or a mine and it is one on one. If you agree to have a joint venture, you can have it, not on farming land or agricultural land. The last speaker rightly said it. We cannot be jack of all trades and master of one.
I am a miner Mr. Speaker. I have had problems with the farmers. This agricultural land is none productive. From 1965, people have been mining in that farm. They have not delivered 2 bags of maize to GMB and they say we need a share from what you produce. We say no, I am producing for the State. Gold goes to Fidelity and eventually it goes to the fiscus. If you want to farm, farm on top and I go underground. There is no way we can conflict, but we are saying if the farmer wants to become a miner, go and peg your own claim, your own mine, even on your farm and no one will say no to that.
So, we are saying, like what the mover of the motion has said, harmonisation of agricultural and mining Acts should be one. We accept that because we are saying, if you want to do farming, the farmer must go ahead and do farming. If I want to do mining, I will go ahead with my mining operations. Both operations are beneficial to the country and the people of Zimbabwe. We have a problem now where you would find a farmer is there on the land. He has got no inputs. The old lady in the rural set up goes and korokozas. She gets two grams, which is 62 grams. She goes and buys a bag of fertilizer and she can go back on the land.
So, farming and mining can move together with no conflicts. We support the mover because we are saying Parliament has to know what is happening in mining and agriculture. Commercial farmers are commercial farmers and they must produce food for us. We should be crying as to how we should get finances on the same farms that were productive before 2000, before the agrarian revolution. The reason is that there are sanctions by America through an Act called ZIDERA, has hampered those on land to produce. We want to highlight to this House that we may be of different opinions, we may be coming from different walks of life, even political parties, but famine and hunger is non- selective.
You can be where you are, but hunger will still get you like the sun shines for us all. Hunger will affect us all as a nation. So, rather than in Parliament here, those that asked for the sanctions for none funding of agriculture should go back and say please, can you lift these sanctions because we need food. –[HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear]- Mr. Speaker Sir, I am divulging what I was supposed to have debated in the next motion. I liked the way Hon. Misihairabwi debated the other time, when she brought in the sanitary wear here in Parliament.
Today, I have brought a typical sanction pointer in Zimbabwe. The Presidential input scheme gives the rural folk one bag of Compound D, one bag of Ammonium Nitrate and 25 kilograms of seed maize. This is what has happened even in the resettlement areas where in my constituency, I have got a resettlement area, districts and wards where the same format of distribution of the inputs is done. This one here comes from a resettlement where an individual has got four hectares. From the one bag of Compound D and one bag of Ammonium Nitrate, this farmer has 20 lines and this is the yield. It is not even a quarter of a hectare.
The rest of the three point something hectares, the same seed that the seed packer actually got; he planted the same maize and you can see it is the pioneer 30g 19, with 18 lines. Small as it is, this is the yield. No fertilizer, the seed is there and this should be the point. Zimbabwe is producing 2 tonnes today on the productive land. This is not right. As a nation, we are going to Zambia to buy maize and we are going to Malawi to import maize. Of all countries, we are saying no. Our rural folk can farm better than the commercial farmers who were there yesterday. Why can we not have a Government policy that supports agriculture?
It is not even money. We go to ZFC and they are not given money by banks. It is solely to say we guarantee that the farmer is going to pay. What price fertilizer do we pay? For cash, one 50kg bag of fertiliser is going for US$31.00. The bank that lends me money says, if I get fertilizer I must be charged US$37.00. I come from a rural constituency in Bindura, the same bag of fertilizer from Harare to Bindura costs US$4.00. For 30 tonnes I have to pay US$2 400.00 and this is broad daylight robbery.
Generally, we are saying, in order for Zimbabwe to become successful we need a shift from where we are, the blacks being the unfortunate and unable. We are able if we manage to liberate ourselves and this is the same motion I am talking about to say, let us liberate ourselves because the banks are not supportive. Even in the mining sector like the mover of the motion said, we have been talking about US$100 million that was supposed to come from China. Where is it? It is still not here three years later.
So how do the makorokoza graduate to miners, the middle class or the small scale miner, how is he going to become a big miner? We have the best ideas and strategies but our implementation is poor. We also have the stumbling blocks who put spanners in the works in order for Zimbabwe not to be successful. All the same, let us pray that one day we are going to talk with one voice and Zimbabwe will be one country again.
Lastly, Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to pray and say in this august House, let us leave our partisanship outside the Parliament building. This is a
National Assembly... – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – We need people who understand democracy and people must accept the results that come out and forget... – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – You must forgo because when you have lost, you have lost, you know you have become a brush to shine my shoes that is it – [HON. MEMBERS:
Inaudible interjections] – I thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
- J. M. GUMBO: Mr. Speaker, I move that the debate be now adjourned.
- MUKWANGWARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 15th July, 2015.
MOTION
PEOPLE-CENTRED DEVELOPMENTAL POLICIES AND
MEASURES ON IMPROVING DOMESTIC PRODUCTION AND
FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT
Fifth order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the deteriorating social and economic conditions in the country.
Question again proposed.
- CHIMANIKIRE: Thank you Mr. Speaker. First and
foremost, I would like to thank the mover of the motion Hon. Dr.
Mashakada for bringing forward an issue that is of essence to this nation.
Mr. Speaker, I will repeat what I said in my last debate. We debate here vehemently arguing on one point or the other but like the last speaker, I am wondering who implements what we resolve in this House?
Sometime last year, in this particular session, we debated on the issue of the Zimbabwean economy. I remember an hon. member from the other side of the House eloquently and vehemently arguing on the issues affecting this country in as far as our economy is concerned. That was Hon. Mutomba, I remember, he made very constructive suggestions on the direction that our economy is supposed to take. Yes, we have ZIM ASSET but what is happening to ZIM ASSET? We do not seem to be delivering on the deliverables that are expected from ZIM ASSET.
When people talk about sanctions, there are certain issues that affect us in this country because nowadays trade is related to human rights. I recall when I read ‘The Southern Eye’, when His Excellency the President,
Cde. Robert Gabriel Mugabe assumed office as SADC Chairman in
Victoria Falls. ‘The Southern Eye’ reported that while he was acknowledging his ascendancy to the chairmanship, in the mean time his body-guards outside the hall from where he was making his acceptance speech, were brutally assaulting a woman for having used ZANU PF regalia to tie up grass that she was carrying on her head.
That reflects on us when people talk of country risk because trade is related to human rights nowadays. Globally, we do not trade with ISIS simply because they are terrorists and sometimes it is our own behaviour that drives away investors….
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, order hon. member.
There is Benz AAX9487 which is obstructing other vehicles. Can the owner please go and remove the vehicle. You may proceed Hon.
Chimanikire.
- CHIMANIKIRE: Again, a few weeks earlier, Zimbabwean
soldiers burnt down tents that were donated by the Red Cross to the Chingwizi families in Masvingo and in the process, destroying food that was donated and other clothing reserves that had been issued to families in the Chingwizi area. Again, this reflects on us when we talk about country risk in terms of investment; it is these behaviours that we then try and blame on the Americans or the British.
Young Zimbabweans marching peacefully in the streets of Harare just along Nelson Mandela Avenue were brutally attacked by police for allegedly threatening peace but what peace if one has no job? What peace when someone has not had something to eat and what peace when one does not have shelter?
Mr. Speaker, despite the fact that our new Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, however, we have continued to ensure …
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, order hon. member. On
reading Order Number 5, it is about the economy, if you could stick to that please.
- CHIMANIKIRE: Thank you Mr. Speaker, I was responding
to the allegation that sanctions are the order of the day and have affected our economy. Let me just refer to a conversation …
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, order, may you respond
to what is on the Order Paper hon. member.
- CHIMANIKIRE: That is fine Mr. Speaker, I will continue to discuss the economy but I just wanted to point out that.. – [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – Aah you are not going to divert me.
Mr. Speaker, I was talking to a very senior ZANU PF official a year ago who said, “we have failed in running the economy of this country” but however, that person is a Member of Parliament, for your information. He said, “when we tell our people that this is because of sanctions, fortunately they believe us”.
In the 2013 Report of the Confederation of Industries of Zimbabwe, the country risk was not allotted to labour but in this House, we have had suggestions that if we amend the Labour Relations Act then our economy will be able to perform better, that is not correct.
Mr. Speaker, in the year 2000, the President made the Kadoma Declaration. The intention of the Kadoma Declaration was to promote social dialogue between Government, labour and business. Mr. Speaker, that is the way to go. However, this social dialogue document has not been implemented in this country and we are still awaiting it to be implemented so that at least there should be dialogue between Government and business. We have Members of Parliament who have recently come into Parliament who are actually successful business persons. Those people should be engaged in other fora so that Government can have the correct direction in terms of re-investment or expanding our businesses in this country.
During the honeymoon of the GNU Mr. Speaker, Christmas was
celebrated in this country for the first time. In 2010, 2011, 2012 but come 2013, we were back to the doldrums again. What went wrong? Mr. Speaker, we need to look at certain aspects that affect our economy that we need to put right. For example, Government has turned itself into a bad debtor. If you talk of the company that supplies electricity to this country, their bills are not being paid by Government departments. If you talk of Tel One, Government bills are not being paid, ZUPCO bus hires are not being paid for. There is non-payment of BEAM and benefits to war veterans such as school fees for their children, as well as widows of national heroes.
If we look at various ministries Mr. Speaker, and you look at the audit report of the Auditor General for the year 2013, it is evident that 23 ministries failed to account for almost $150 million. I have a short breakdown Mr. Speaker. When the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development was paying for irrigation equipment, it came across a figure that they could not account for to the
Auditor General’s office. This was supposed to have been paid to a supplier and according to the Auditor General, the supplier was Chinese and a figure of $12 million was unaccounted for. Reasons given by the Ministry, although they could not account for the equipment that was supposed to have come, was that they paid that amount in order to maintain diplomatic relations with China. A country suffering from a shortage of finance like Zimbabwe is able to pay $12 million to a farming equipment supply company in China without receiving the equipment only to maintain good diplomatic relations. Treasury has not guaranteed the acquisition of this loan but the country lost $12 million along the way.
The Auditor General’s 2011 report points out that ZINARA failed to account for $6 million. This money was supposed to have been accounted for from maintenance of equipment. This was not done and the money was not accounted for. We are at $18 million Mr. Speaker. The ZMDC, which is a parastatal of Government, again according to the Auditor General’s report of 2012 could not account for $1.6 million. Why? It is because they were making payments using cash. The cashbook disappeared when the Auditor General went to audit their books; so much for a country that is crying about sanctions and the collapse of our economy.
ARDA has 36 estates; farms spread throughout the country but during the 2014/2015 agricultural season, they failed to produce reasonable yields that can actually support the country in terms of food sufficiency. They are renowned for having obsolete equipment and unskilled mechanics but this is a parastatal. So, whatever supplementary monies that they are receiving from Government in order for its upkeep, the running of these 36 estates is going to waste and it affects our economy.
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to GMB, not only has it failed to pay farmers but at the same time, we noticed that yields that are sold to the GMB have gone down since 2009. In 2009 to 2010 farming season, there was a reduction of maize sold to the GMB by 91%. In 2010 to 2011, there was a further reduction of 55%. So, by the end of the day we have a parastatal that is not operating viably and has failed to pay farmers. This reduces the buying power of the farmers and our economy which is agrobased is sinking slowly.
The Central Vehicle Registry, according to the Auditor General’s report, there were over 54 000 unprocessed licences. In other words, you go for a licencing test but the Registry itself is failing to actually process this. This is supposed to be income that is coming to Government.
Overally, Government failed to unlock a $51 million loan coming from China, simply because the Chinese want an advance of at least 10% which was $7 million but we failed to raise that amount. At the same time, this amount was supposed to have been used to facilitate the maintenance of our grain silos. Our grain silos are deteriorating, very soon they will be a write off. I am sure there has been migration of maize from Zimbabwe to Mozambique because there is no maize in the silos and by the end of the day, if we do not maintain our silos, we have nowhere to stock our maize when we finally have bumper harvests.
Mr. Speaker, when one looks at poor Government debt recovery processes and the losses that are being suffered by 23 ministries out of 33, one can only recommend certain drastic action to be taken. Corruption is a catalyst to the current economic ruin. For example, there are issues of contracts that have been issued and the use of Brainworks that we have been reading about in the newspapers. We have the issue of ESSAR Mr.
Speaker. How on earth do we enter into contracts that are not applicable?
I remember the Minister of Industry and Commerce when we started in 2013 in this Session of Parliament; he announced that now that we have a one party Government, ESSAR is going to start working by December 2013. We are in July, 2015 and what has happened? ESSAR has abandoned Zimbabwe and why have we not re-tendered or redone the process so that we can come up with workable arrangements.
Mr. Speaker, this Government is pushing this country where other countries are actually migrating from. In Senegal, 90% of the economy is informal but dust bins are collected by donkeys, pulling scotch carts. In the DRC, when Mobutu had faced a collapsing economy, he tried to introduce the use of bicycles because people could not afford to buy cars.
In conclusion Mr. Speaker, I would like to put forward what I call recommendations. How do we resuscitate this economy? Government should seriously re-invigorate performance management programmes to ensure that service efficiency is harnessed from the Permanent Secretary to the most junior clerk. The Government should fire all heads of departments in 23 ministries who failed to account for Government funds allotted to them.
The Anti-Corruption Commission should be appointed to ensure that we deal with issues of corruption. However, they need to be investigated. They bought offices worth $168 million which were overstated according to the Auditor General’s office by $480 000. This should be repaid.
The Government should amend the Indigenisation ratio. Instead of
51:49 ratio, why do we not go to 26% and then we graduate to 51% over a set period of time so that we are able at least to attract Foreign Direct Investment? Mr. Speaker, Government should bring in private business investors into ARDA, National Railways of Zimbabwe, ZUPCO, Air Zimbabwe, Cold Storage Commission, ZINARA, ZINWA and other
parastatals that are not operating profitably.
However, Mr. Speaker, should this fail to happen, I am sure the challenge is that, this Government has to resign and seek a new mandate from the people. They have promised people 2.1 million jobs, nothing is happening and what do you do when you have failed on your own manifesto? You just resign and seek a new mandate from the people. I thank you Mr. Speaker.
- CHIKWAMA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
- MUKWANGWARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 15th July, 2015.
On the motion of MS. CHIKWAMA, seconded by MS.
MPARIWA, the House adjourned at Three Minutes to Four o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Thursday, 9th July, 2015
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair)
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
MRS. CHIKWAMA: I move that Orders of the Day, Numbers 1 and 2, be stood over until the rest of the Order of the Day have been disposed of.
- MPARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE DELEGATION ON THE HIV/AIDS LEARNING
AND EXPOSURE STUDY VISIT TO KARNATAKA STATE, INDIA DR. LABODE: I move the motion standing in my name that this
House takes note of the Report of the delegation of the HIV/AIDS
Learning and Exposure Study Visit to Karnataka, India, 10 – 14 November, 2014.
- MUSIIWA: I second.
DR. LABODE: 1. INTRODUCTION
The HIV/AIDS Learning Exposure and Study Visit took place from 10 to 14 November 2014 in Karnataka State, Bangalore, India. The study visit was organised following an initial exposure visit by officials from National AIDS Council, Centre for Sexual Health and HIV AIDS Research (CESHHAR) and other Ministry of Health and
Child Care Officials. The Study visit was sponsored by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) country office and the delegation was hosted by the Karnataka Health Promotion Trust (KHPT).
2. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY VISIT
The objectives of the study visit were:
- To understand the scale up strategies and experiences of implementation of targeted interventions with Key Affected
Populations (KPAs) in partnership with Community Based
Organisations (CBOs); ii. To understand and experience the various programme components of targeted Interventions and observe programme implementation through field visits.; iii. To understand modes of engagement and critical success factors for KHPT’s work with police and judiciary and how key population benefited from this initiative; and iv. To understand how Karnataka Health Promotion Trust is building capacity for sustainability (programming for Sex Workers by Sex Workers, including community mobilization as well as formation and maintenance of support groups).
3.0 PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE DELEGATION
3.1 The Parliament of Zimbabwe delegation comprised:
- Ruth Labode, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care
- Aldrin Musiiwa, Member of the Portfolio Committee on
Health and Child Care
- Edna Mafuruse was the Secretary to the delegation
3.2. OTHER DELEGATES
- Kuchasaraani Marumura - Officer from the Judicial Services
Commission
- Clancy Nyamkure -Assistant Commissioner of the Zimbabwe
Republic Police
- Getrude Ncube -The National Director for the Ministry of
Health and Child Care, AIDS and TB Unit
- Raymond Yekeye -The National AIDS Council Operations
Director
- Tendai Mbengeranwa -National AIDS Council KAP
Coordinator
- Dagmar Hanisch - UNFPA Representative
- Sibongile Mtetwa, Ms. Loice Ngwenya and Ms. Bathabile
Nyathi -CESHHAR (2 staff and 1 Sex Worker representative).
4. METHODOLOGY
The Exposure visit embraced a variety of methodologies that included: Conference Room based presentations, Discussions and
Dialogues as well as Field Visits and interactions with Community Based Organisations staff and Sex Worker communities. The visit also included direct interaction with the Judiciary Services Commission of
India and the Police.
4.1 DAY 1: MONDAY, 10 NOVEMBER 2014
4.1.1 OVERVIEW OF THE HIV EPIDEMIC IN INDIA
4.1.2 The first HIV case was identified in 1986, in India at Chennai
4.1.3 India has an estimated number of 2.39 million People Living With
HIV.
4.1.4 The epidemic is concentrated among the high-at-risk groups
(Female Sex Workers (FSWs), Men who have sex with Men
(MSMs), Transgender (TG), Intravenous Drug Use (IDUs) and
clients of FSWs) and prevalence is higher in these groups compared to the general population.
4.1.5 National AIDS Control Organisation was created by the Government of India to prevent, control the HIV epidemic and monitor the different programmes in the country.
4.1.6 Major route of transmission is through unprotected sex. While Injecting Drug Use is the predominant route of transmission in North-eastern states, it accounts for 1.7% of HIV infections nationally.
4.1.7 The estimated number of new annual HIV infections had declined by more than 56% over the past decade
4.1.8 There was steady decline in the annual AIDS deaths since the roll out of free ART programme in India in 2004.
4.1.9 The round of estimates has confirmed the decline of HIV prevalence among FSWs at national levels and in most states. However, the evidence shows that IDUs and MSMs are more and more vulnerable to HIV with increasing trends in many states.
4.1.10 According to Michel Sidibe, Executive Director of UNAIDS, India's success comes from using an evidence-informed and human rights-based approach that is backed by sustained political leadership and civil society engagement.
4.2.2 Government of India's response to the HIV epidemic
Three key programmes are to reckon with here and are as follows:
- National AIDS Control Programme Phase I (NACP-I), which focused on blood safety and raising awareness ii. National AIDS Control Programme Phase II (NACP-II), which focused on behaviour change, and iii. National AIDS Control Programme Phase III (NACP-III), which aims at halting and reversing the HIV epidemic in India 4.2.3 National AIDS Control Programme Phase (NACP) III adopted the following:
- Targeted Interventions for High Risk Groups (Female Sex Workers (FSW), Men who have Sex with Men( MSM) ,
Intravenous Drug Users (IDU), Truckers & Migrants)
- Link Worker Scheme for rural population
- Prevention and control of Sexually Transmitted Infections
- Information, Education and Communication (IEC), Social
Mobilisation and mainstreaming
- Condom promotion
- Blood safety, and
- Counselling and Testing Services (Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre (ICTC), Prevention of Parent to Child
Transmission (PPTCT)) and HIV-TB Co-infection Targeted
Interventions)
4.2.4 Other key issues for successful programme implementation observed
- The understanding by the community that sex work is to some extend its creation as most women are driven into the industry due to death of spouse, deception by spouse and being dedicated to gods of lust.
- The importance of working with High- at -Risk Group (Female Sex Work). It is critical to work with a person from the affected community and one who is acceptable to the community.
- Sensitisation of the police and the judiciary is an important component in Sex Workers programming.
- Issuance of the Identity Cards to the Female Sex Workers (FSW) and Peer Educators to protect them from police harassment during their work.
- Legal empowerment of the FSW through paralegal training; FSW trained as paralegals are recognised by the judiciary system and issued with Identity Cards, conferring status and protection;
- Crisis management access through telephone hotlines and snowball systems provides support to KAP in need.
4.3 THE RESPONSE: AVAHAN COMMON MINIMUM
PROGRAMME
4.3.1 In 2003 the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation began its large
HIV prevention program, the India AIDS Initiative, later called Avahan, to help curtail the spread of HIV in India which at the time was predicted to suffer from a massive epidemic if measure were not taken fast and effectively.
The foundation has three primary goals for this initiative:
- Build an HIV prevention model at scale in India ii. Catalyse others to take over and replicate best practices iii. Foster and disseminate lessons learned within India and worldwide
4.2.2 Avahan is a focused prevention program, reaching High-at – Risk-Groups and bridge populations in geographic areas most affected, with a proven package of prevention interventions. 4.2.3 The Avahan package of prevention interventions is designed to address both proximal and distal determinants of HIV risk.
4.3.4 Proximal determinants of risk include factors such as presence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), condom use, type and frequency of sexual activity and type of partner. Prevention services such as outreach, behaviour change messaging on safe sex, free or socially marketed condom distribution, syringe and needle exchange (for injecting drug use) and treatment of STIs address proximal determinants
of risk.
4.3.4 Distal determinants include stigma, violence, legal environment, medical infrastructure, mobility and migration, and gender roles. They are addressed through structural interventions and community mobilization aimed at reducing stigma, violence, and barriers to accessing entitlements.
4.4 PRESENTATION FROM THE ZIMBABWE
DELEGATION ON COUNTRY PRIORITIES AND
CHALLENGES
The following salient points were raised:
4.4.1 Zimbabwe's HIV prevalence is generalised and homogenous unlike India where the epidemic is concentrated among the FSW, IUD and MSM. During the presentation it was highlighted that for a generalised epidemic like Zimbabwe there is need for focused interventions not targeted interventions like in concentrated epidemic. The province with the highest prevalence and lowest prevalence were highlighted and there was a discussion on what contributed to such a high prevalence compared to less than 1% HIV prevalence for India
4.4.2 The drivers of HIV transmission in Zimbabwe were highlighted as multiple concurrent partnership and 94 % is through heterosexual unlike in India were IUD and MSM as well as FSW are the groups that spread the HV infection. Zimbabwe highlighted that the epidemic has a feminine face as more women were affected than men
4.4.3 The priority intervention strategies of the Combination HIV prevention were highlighted and similarly India has the combination
HIV strategy which guides The implementation of their activities
4.4.4 The current sex worker programme for Zimbabwe was discussed. It was mentioned that the programme is implemented by Nongovernmental organisations. The aims of the programme were highlighted as follows: reduction of HIV acquisition among sex workers, reduction of HIV transmission to their clients and improvement of rights of sex workers. India has similar aims but they have gone further to creating an enabling environment for sex workers by integrating the judiciary and law enforcement agents in the programme.
4.4.5 The service delivery models for the sex worker programme were also highlighted which included static and mobile services. The use of drop in centres just like India were discussed
4.4.6 The challenges of the sex worker programme in Zimbabwe were highlighted which included among others criminalization of sex work and limited understanding of the rights of sex workers, limited collectivization and programme leadership by sex workers as well as the high HIV prevalence among the sex workers.
4.4.7 The Zimbabwe and shared their expectations of the visit and they included knowledge sharing, information on empowerment of sex workers and also increased country ownership of the programme
4.4.8 The presentation was followed by a lengthy discussions and recommendations that included conducting size estimates of the key populations and also mapping of hot spots for key population.
4.5 Key Lessons:
4.5.1 India implements targeted interventions to combat a concentrated epidemic
4.5.2 In-depth information on vulnerable groups is key for successful programming
4.5. 3 Size estimation of KP can be carried out through community involvement including micro mapping of hot spots
4.5.4 Government in India was willing and has resources to scale up successful interventions.
5.0 DAY 2: TUESDAY, 11 NOVEMBER 2015
5.1 Community Mobilisation
Mr. Ramachandran Rao shared with the delegation, 3 main topics namely:
- The approach to strengthening outreach, monitoring and ownership of programmes by key populations
- Best Practices/ Success for Mobilization and Collectivization among FSW and Non Brothel Based Sex Workers
- Income generation activities for positives and collectives
- An overview of the link workers scheme
5.2 Approach to strengthen outreach
The session focused on how outreach activities are strengthened for KAPs. Other key points touched on the priorities of Sex Workers
(SWs) themselves, why SWs are vulnerable, and the typology of Sex Work in India. It was also stated that Sex Workers are directly involved in running self-help groups, crisis management system and social entitlements.
5.3 Crisis Management System being run by the sex workers themselves
5.3.1 Sex Workers have developed a crisis management system whereby if any one of the SWs is faced with a crisis for example violence by a client, or is arrested, they call a hotline number and help is guaranteed within 24 hours.
5.3.2 The hotline numbers are those of fellow sex workers who will link up the sex worker to the relevant assistance or at times they can physically attend the scene where the incident is or has occurred.
5.3.3 This system is meant to build string social cohesion among sex workers as well as protect each other from possible violence that may occur.
5.4 BestPractices success for mobilization and collectivisation among FSWs
There is need for programmers to first of all gain the confidence of the community for successful implementation. This involves communications with the community leaders as well as other influential or key people within that community to discuss and get important feedback regarding that community. In addition, there is need to engage the already existing stakeholders within the community for possible integration and cooperation
5.5 Income generation activities for positives and collectives Sex Workers are running the Income Generating Projects (IGPs) themselves and this involved a lot of commitment. IGPs involve savings and microfinance schemes that rely on regular contributions.
5.6 INTERACTION WITH JYOTHI MAHILA SANGA - A
FSW CBO IN BANGALORE
5.6.1 The delegation had an opportunity to interact with 2 FSWs who came to share their experiences as sex workers in Bangalore. They shared details of their lives and what pushed them into sex work.
5.6.2 It was interesting to note that the reasons for going into sex work are similar to our Zimbabwean context. Jyothi shared that she was divorced with two children and needed to look after he children as the husband was not supportive. At some point she was homeless, faced violence from clients and police including her ex-husband until she was introduced to the sex work programme being implemented by KHPT.
5.6.3 Through programme interventions, both sex workers were now empowered, have secured employment with the programme and are able to look after their children as well as being aware of their rights, how to keep safe and healthy as a sex worker.
5.7 EXPOSURE TO A COMMUNITY LED HIV/AIDS
PREVENTION RESPONSE WITH FSW- VISIT TO VMS DROP
IN CENTRE
5.7.1 Ms. Geetha & Mr. Parameshwara Holla shared with the delegation on the process of scaling up targeted interventions with FSW in Bangalore city focusing on the following processes:
- Planning outreach and using micro planning and monitoring tools
(Site Validation , Service Uptake, Line Listing)
- Addressing needs of the community beyond condoms and STI services
- Facilitating meaningful involvement of SW at all levels of the intervention program and building trustful relationships with public health programme
5.7.2 The delegation later visited the VMS sex workers drop in center where the project coordinator shared with the delegation on their programme and what they do. A question and answer session followed with the Zimbabwean delegation asking for further clarifications on how the sex workers managed to create a bank account that lends cash and how they have been able to sustain it. VMS staff explained that the association made it possible to open a communal bank account, which individuals had previously been unable to do due to lack of
Identification papers and other restrictions. In addition, members of VSM have access to the government-supported soft loan scheme and other social benefits. All members of the association regularly contribute small amounts from their income (on a weekly basis). These funds are used for loans to members of the association. Training in essential business skills is also offered to members to prepare them for opening their own small businesses. VSM has successfully established a catering business run by its members.
5.8 Key Lessons
5.8.1 Community consultation and recognition of their most important needs, as well as inclusion of those into programme design are essential for successful engagement of KAPs in Health & HIV programmes.
5.8.2 Community needs include housing, school fees, and reduction of violence.
5.8.3 Despite high poverty levels, it must be recognized that KAPs have some resources and are willing to contribute towards goals that they recognize as important – this enables economic empowerment through microfinance schemes & state-supported soft loans.
5.8.4 Self-help systems can be established and successfully run by the community such as crisis hotlines.
6.0 DAY 3: WEDNESDAY, 13 2014
Day 3 of the exposure visit was mainly conference room based learning and covered the following areas:
6.1 Enabling Environment and Advocacy
This session was facilitated by Mr Mahapat shared with the delegation his experience in the advocacy work. Part of his background included that he had worked both in NGOs and in Government and this gave him good experience to engage both NGOs and Government when they were starting the programme.
6.2 Rebranding Sex Work
He acknowledged the value the preliminary studies helped to give them an idea on where and when to target. He also emphasised on the need to know your epidemic before deciding on a response. He also confirmed that the epidemic in India was concentrated and it was largely sexual driven and had the face of a FSWs. He also expressed the importance of knowing the type of sex workers (Typology) as all this epidemiological data helps programmers with key ideas on what should guide them as they programme. The first task undertaken by his team included rebranding of FSW after realising that most of them would naturally not have taken to sex work but rather circumstances had forced them into sex work. As such as a program realised that FSWs were ‘Women subjected to atrocities’ .His team realised that there were so many forces at play around sex workers once they got in they could not get out.
They also realised that HIV was very little of medical but mainly a social and economic problem within the FSWs communities. As such they designed an all-inclusive integrated programme that addresses medical as well socio-economic issues around FSWs and their children.
6.3 Opportunities for partnerships
The facilitator also shared that as an organisation they also realised that government had a lot of authority while NGOs had no authority while NGOs where islands of excellence (as they work outside the system). Government in turn provided a good platform for scale up of the same best practice within the system. This, according to Mr. Mahapat provided the opportunity for collaborative partnerships and building synergies between government and NGOs and further strengthens trust and mutual understanding that in turn helped with advocacy efforts.
6.4 Advocacy Efforts with the Police
6.4.1 Interaction with the FSWs also helped to reveal the level of association and levels of abuse of FSWs by law enforcement agents. The Programme Team struggled at length with Police who finally agreed to work with COD. One of the researches done showed high level of HIV in the police almost matching levels in FSWs. This evidence was used in the advocacy efforts to ensure that the police are also targeted in the interventions, particularly on access to information on HIV and provision of ART to the Police force that test positive. In the process a partnership was established between the Police department and CBOs
6.4.2 These advocacy efforts paid off with the Government of Karnataka agreeing to include in the pre-service manual for Police cadets, a module added on Gender, HIV and Marginalised Communities. It was also reported that since these mainstreaming efforts started, FSWs reports of perpetrated Gender Based Violence had fallen from about 20 % to about 7 % from the Routine data sources from the CBOs working with Karnataka. Emphasis was also put on the role of CBOs in carrying out the training of the gender sensitive manual. The FSWs champions working the various CBO become the trainers and share their lived experience in the hand of the law enforcement agents with the Police Cadets.
6.5 Advocacy Efforts with the Judiciary
The same level of advocacy was targeted to the Judiciary system as most of the FSWs lamented the level of stigma and discrimination they suffered at the hands of the Judiciary system. Some of the complaints included: Delays in getting their cases heard and Judges showing attitudes the when they hear it’s a FSW. This resulted in mainstreaming of gender HIV and handling of marginalised communities in the Court System. It also resulted in the training of FSWs as Paralegals Cadres that link the community with the Judiciary system in Karnataka. These paralegals will also be used to as trainer for the HIV component on the Judge and Prosecutor pre-service trainings in the same way as with the police.
6.6 Clinical Services
The presenter also shared how they were using syndromic management of STIs among sex workers and how they had devised a colour coding system to help practitioners with the dispensing of medication. The colour coding has made the system simpler and more user friendly for the health practitioners that dispense the medicine. It was interesting to note that the effect of STI trainings on practices was limited: While between 70-80% of practitioners could correctly describe the required treatments, only around 30% treated patients according to protocols even after the training. This was established using mystery clients, and helped in informing a tight Monitoring and Evaluation system which all practitioners have to adhere to.
In India, the majority of health care is supplied by the private sector – only around 30% of the population access health services through the public sector. KHPT built partnerships with the private sector based on which facilities were frequented by FSW – the information was gained from micro-mapping and community assessments.
6.7 Meeting with Justice Kumar (sitting high-court judge and former director of the judicial academy) at the Judicial Training
Academy
The delegation met with Justice Kumar and a team from the academy including the current director. After a brief sharing of the delegation’s experiences and impressions so far, Justice Kumar explained the initiative in the judicial system:
6.7.1 It transpired that the legal code in India contains the exact same provisions as are present in Zimbabwe – selling sex is not illegal, but loitering with intent, soliciting, and living of the proceeds of sex work are illegal. The judge explained how these provisions were meant to protect women from exploitation as well as protect the public, and intended to be used against owners of brothels and traffickers but were often misinterpreted.
6.7.2 In his previous capacity as the director of the judicial training institute he had introduced training on the correct use of the existing laws in the context of sex work into the curricula for all judges and prosecutors in training.
6.7.3 In addition, the academy also introduced mandatory training sessions on weekends for Judges and Prosecutors already active in the system. All personnel were obliged to participate in these sessions, which were facilitated through KHPT and involved sex workers as co-
facilitators.
6.7.4 This resulted in a general attitude change among these cadres from seeing sex workers as criminals and offenders to perceiving them as victims of poverty and societal strictures.
6.7.5 The entire initiative appeared to have resulted from the
Justice’s personal conviction and change of mind after having had interactions with KHPT where the organisation presented him with evidence of the mistreatment of sex workers by the judicial system.
6.7.6 The meeting validated KHPT’s explanations during the morning session and stressed the need for interactions by advocates with high-level officials, based on sound evidence and using personal connections to advance the programme.
6.8 Interaction with Karnataka State Police
KHPT invited the delegation for a formal dinner which included a personal interaction with Mr. T.S Ramesh, the recently retired former Director General of the Karnataka State Police. Due to the setting in a dining room the interaction with Mr. Ramesh was limited to Dr. C. Nyamkure, Ms. D. Hanisch, and Ms. S Mtetwa. Mr Ramesh related how he personally took an interest in the unjust and essentially illegal discrimination which sex workers often experienced from police officers. He stated that due to his interactions with KHPT, he initiated police trainings on managing key populations. In some instances, police officers who had sexually abused sex workers were identified and prosecuted. Overall attitude change in the police force was observed, substantiated by data related by KHPT during the morning presentations.
The delegation requested information on work in and with prisons – Mr
Ramesh explained that HIV information, as well as HIV testing and ART, had been made available in the prisons in Karnataka for inmates and staff. Condom distribution, however, could not be introduced. When asked to explain the reasons, he reiterated that since inmates are supposed to be supervised in a controlled environment, the distribution of condoms would have been tantamount to the authorities admitting that they had failed in their duties of controlling inmates’ interactions with each other. This precluded the introduction of condom distribution to inmates.
6.9 Key Lessons
- 9.1 KHPT managed to engage both Police and Judiciary in a productive manner, resulting in
- pre- and in-service trainings for both sectors with the effect that the actual experience of sex
- workers in their interactions with police and judiciary significantly improved over a four year period.
6.9.2 A crucial point was raised by KHPT in the necessity to engage police and judiciary at the highest level for programmatic change to move forward.
6.9.3 From insights shared by KHPT, personal contacts in combination with the gathering and sharing of sound evidence facilitated engagement of police and judiciary at the highest levels.
6.9.4 Training of sex workers as paralegals, and involvement of sex workers in the trainings of police and judiciary, contributed significantly to the substantial improvements with relation to police violence and court treatment of sex workers.
7.0 DAY 4: THURSDAY- 13 NOVEMBER 2014
7.1 The planned programmes for day four were as follows:
- A visit to Chickballapur for the delegates to have the opportunity to interact with the various stakeholders at state level that include District Judiciary Personnel; the police, prosecution and health officials.
- A visit to Soukhya Sanjeevini Samsthe, a Community Based
Organisation (CBO).
7.2 INTERACTION WITH STAKEHOLDERS AT
CHICKBALLAPUR
7.2.1 There was a rousing welcome of the Zimbabwean delegation at Chickballapur. Most of the government departments at state level were represented at the meeting that was held in a court room at Chickballapur District Court. The judicial personnel, the police, prosecution, and health officials were in attendance. The Indian counterparts were led by the District Judge.
7.3 Address by the Zimbabwean delegates on their experiences in India:
The Zimbabwean delegates were able to brief the Chickballapur community on the useful insights they got from the learning visit:
7.3.1 That the multi-sectoral approach to implementation of HIV/AIDS programmes in India is encouraging. This will enhance collaboration in Zimbabwe since the National Aids Council has already taken steps to mobilise all stakeholders in all sectors in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the country;
7.3.2 that the targeted approach in the fight against HIV/AIDS that focuses mainly on key drivers such as sex workers has helped reduce the rate of infection and prevalence in Kartanaka State;
7.3.3 that Zimbabwe will utilise some of the insights learnt in India to launch its own targeted approach that will also include sex workers; and
7.3.4 That Zimbabwe has appreciated the similarities between the Indian jurisdiction and the Zimbabwean Jurisdiction in that both do not criminalise the selling of sex but they criminalise the soliciting for sex.
7.3.5 That India has effectively dealt with the negative perception towards sex workers in the Judiciary and the Police through training and development of the Judges, Magistrates and the police officers.
7.3.6 That a sex worker is no longer treated as a criminal in court but as a victim of sexual violence whom the court depends on as a witness in the provision of evidence.
7.3.7 That there is a vibrant crisis management mechanism in which the sex workers, peer leader and the police cooperate when there is a distress call from any sex worker being abused.
7.4 Address by the Chickballapur leaders on their role in the fight against HIV/AIDS:
7.4.1 that India has put in place laws that prohibits woman trafficking and sexual abuse of women and children;
7.4.2 that the judiciary’s role is also to popularise moral life and marriage institution;
7.4.3 that the Judiciary’s role in punishing sexual offenders has reduced
violence against sex workers, women and children;
7.4.4 That the community has now appreciated that the sex worker is not to blame because the reasons to be sex worker is to be blamed on the community itself, poverty and tradition. Therefore, the community should take the lead in the rehabilitation of the sex workers.
7.4.5 that the focus is not only to teach people about HIV being spread by sexual contact but to also teach both urban and rural people that it is also spread by other means such as drug abuse, blood transfusion, tainted/unsterilized blades and syringes etc.;
7.4.6 that the model of targeted approach to HIV prevention in India that focuses on sex workers and involving all groups in the communitypolice, courts, hospitals, village heads and NGOs can be reciprocated in any developing country such as Zimbabwe;
7.4.7 that the targeted approach does not only seek to impart knowledge for sex workers to prevent spread of infections but it has brought about the provision of other services to sex workers such as HIV testing, medical treatment to those with STI, access to counselling and HIV Antiretroviral tablets to those who are HIV positive; and
7.4.8 That the condomization of sex is being popularised.
7.5INTERACTION WITH COMMUNITY BASED ORGANISATION, SOUKHYA SANJEEVINI SAMSTHE
7.5.1 After the meeting with the district court and other stakeholders the delegation toured Soukhya Sanjeevini Samsthe, a CBO in the rural community. The meeting was held with the leadership of the CBO.
7.6Main points from the presentation of the CBO activities
The delegates appreciated the level of financial and technical support from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Karnataka Health Promotion Trust (KHPT). The CBO made a presentation on its activities to the Zimbabwean delegation. The following were some of the critical messages from this interaction:
7.6.1 The CBOs are formed by sex workers themselves to help them achieve self-reliance and sustainable socio-economic and educational development;
7.6.2 The CBO’s aim is not only to create HIV awareness to the sex workers themselves but to also bring about change for the sex workers to live a dignified life as human beings who deserve respect as other people in their profession;
7.6.3 The management and administration of CBO is conducted with the framework of recognised corporate governance ideals that call for the setting up of a Board of Management and an implementation arm for operations.
7.6.4 The CBOs have been effective in ensuring the reduction of infection rate in Karnataka State through the provision of other health related services to sex workers and their families e.g. access to medical, HIV testing, condoms and counselling at the Drop in Centre.
7.6.5 The sex workers have set up their micro-finance facilities through their own Cooperative Banks where members contribute money to a central pool and lend money to each other at the rate of 18% per annum;
7.6.6 Through the soft loans sex workers have opened successful businesses such as tailoring, handcraft and tuck shops; candle producing and cow rearing businesses;
7.6.7 The CBOs have facilitated training of sex workers to acquire various skills such tailoring, candle making and business management;
7.6.8 The CBOs have exposed some sex workers to paralegal training so that they can be able to assist in the provision of legal aid to fellow sex workers.
7.7 Key Lessons
7.7.1 Opinions expressed by the district team testify to significant positive changes in attitudes towards sex workers but indicate that a lot of advocacy is still required to achieve acceptance of sex work and sex workers at a societal level. This appears to be linked to broad societal norms and values.
7.7.2 CBO’s are sex worker run, intimately involved in programme design, planning & implementation and capable of carrying on the programme with limited technical support after the initial set-up phase where KHPT provided substantial guidance.
7.7.3 Economic empowerment is key to long-term and fundamental improvements in the situation of sex workers.
8.0 DAY 5: FRIDAY, 14 NOVEMBER 2014
8.1 This was the last day of the Learning and Exposure Study Visit. The day was short and had two main sessions which covered
KHPT’s Monitoring and Evaluation system as well as a discussion on the way forward for the Zimbabwe programme after the visit. M&E content is presented below in tabular form in detail. The key issues on Monitoring and Evaluation included the following:
8.1.1 In-depth information gathering before programme planning, involvement of communities already at the baseline & planning stage
8.1.2 Use of national data—India runs national Integrated Behavioural and Biological Assessment (IBBA) studies on a regular basis which Zimbabwe does not do.
8.1.3 Design of a stringent and grass-roots based monitoring and data collection system
8.1.4 Ongoing programme evaluation through community assessments, surveys, and qualitative instruments
8.1.5 KHPT used polling booth surveys (PBS) to improve reliability of KAP surveys – this involves substitution of an interviewer with a polling booth system.
8.2 Key Lessons:
8.2.1 Disaggregated and up-to-date data on size & distribution of
KP communities needs to be
8.2.2 obtained, involving KPs as well as key stakeholders at community level in the exercise
8.2.3 KAP study methodology can be modified to obtain more reliable results – PBS
8.2.4 It is possible to use CBOs to collect monitoring data electronically
9.0 SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN
INDIA AND ZIMBABWE
During the interaction, the delegation noted some similarities and differences as tabulated below.
SIMILARITIES | DIFFERENCES |
1. India is also a former
British Colony
|
1. India has double number of People Living with HIV compared to Zimbabwe
|
2. Response operation under repressive legal framework like
Zimbabwe
|
3. India’s epidemic is concentrated in SWs, IDUs and MSM
|
4. National AIDS Control Programme was also
established to assist Government of India |
2. India response is based on evidence, and a Human Rights based approach |
with managing the response
|
|
5. Steady decline in the prevalence for over a decade
|
3. India’s response is sustained by political leadership
&strong CSO engagement
|
4. India has a strong M&E
&Coordination System
|
10.0 WAY FORWARD AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Judiciary & Police
10.1 Seek high-level engagement with Judiciary and Police based on insights from the visit to
- advocate for the inclusion appropriate modules dealing with key populations in pre-service
- (and in-service, funding permitting) trainings for all relevant cadres.
10.2 In order to achieve the above, pursue further engagement especially with Justice Kumar and
- Mr Ramesh to interact with Zimbabwean counterparts from Judiciary and Police.
10.3 At community level
10.4 Explore the possibilities of micro-financing to foster incomegenerating projects for KAP in
- Zimbabwe, taking into account the different economic realities between India and Zimbabwe
10.5 To this end, facilitate interaction between sex workers in
Zimbabwe and India to share
- experiences using the facilities of the Bridge Project (e.g. skype conferences)
10.6 Micro-mapping could aid in generating a reliable size estimation of key populations
- nationwide
10.7 Promote community involvement in planning through microplanning of interventions based
- on site-specific micro-mapping
In India, Madam Speaker, we were told about a god where young girls are dedicated and he lives in a special place where man when they want sex, they go and sleep with those girls. So, it is evident that when that girl runs away from there she is going to be a sex worker and that for me is demonic. But there are those sex workers who are out there because they have no jobs; they have nothing else to but to do that. My experience talking to the sex worker we traveled with, who was very empowered and clear about it. She said she would make something like US$100 a day, so whatever job she would need would have to provide that for her. She was amenable if organizations out there or if Government would put seed money targeting them, she would respond
to that.
One of the recommendations we came back with as a team from Zimbabwe was that we would set up a technical working group that would meet every month with UNFPA to look at where we can find money to start working with sex workers. We have since identified that ILO has actually started on income generation in Beitbridge for sex workers and that programme is going on very well.
We also visited one of the cooperatives in India where sex workers have come up contributing money and they now have a small SME bank where they borrow money and start tuck shops and things like that. So it was an experience and one of the resolutions we reached while we there was that when we come, we shall invite an all stakeholder conference or workshop on HIV and the sex worker. Madame Speaker, we have since done that.
The other resolution was that we start lobbing for decriminalisation of loitering that has been taken over by events. So, we have actually achieved our three objectives that we decided when we went to India that we will have to come home and implement.
Madam Speaker, Sex workers are our children, they are our sisters and let us not frown against the sex workers because one cannot have sex without a man but with somebody. So, there is a sex worker man and a sex worker woman, if we look at it that way then we will endeavor to control the epidemic. Thank you.
- MUSIWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I am also one of
those who attended the exposure visit. The India experience - India is that it is a Commonwealth country and is a former British colony like us. It is one of the countries that were devastated by the HIV/AID at the beginning of the pandemic. They have achieved certain goals in reducing the incidence and the number of people living with HIV. Now, as a model State in India Karnataka, the National Aids Council of Zimbabwe so it fit to send a delegation of Zimbabweans to go and learn from their experiences, to see how they have controlled this epidemic. The studies in India identified that there were key affected populations in the HIV. In layman terms, key affected populations are groups of people who are affected more than the general population. So, these that were identified were mostly sex workers, men who have sex with men, truckers and intravenous drug users.
The Government of India, because of limited resources adopted what is known as a targeted approach. With the limited amount of money available, they wanted to target the group where the Aids infection was highest. So, the female sex workers realised that they have contributed to the spread of infection because of their multiple partners. So, a study was done that involved the Government of India, the University of Manitoba from Canada, Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation to form what was known as the Karnataka Health Promotion Trust. Its main thrust was to rein in the work of sex workers. They realised that as much as people do not like sex workers, they were contribution to the spread of HIV. So, they decided to target them.
What they have since done is to educate them by bringing peer educators, train them and then opened clinics where the sex workers are examined for STIs and HIV infection. These clinics are free. The high rate of STIs is contributory to HIV infection. They have since graduated them to form projects where they are able to make contributions. They have actually established a bank from which they can borrow money to start small businesses. Some of them have stopped being sex workers and for those who are still working as sex workers, they told us that because they were now economically empowered, they have got a choice.
Condom promotion is also very important in India. From the testimonies that we got, the sex workers told us that when they are hungry and men came to them, they did not have a choice on whether to go with a condom or without one. Now that they are now empowered and have got money, they are not hungry and can therefore choose to decline.
One other very important issue that we also learnt from India is the issue of blood. Free blood is one component of the Indian policy. Blood transfusions in India are free. It is one very important message we took home. In this country a pint of blood costs $135. For a lady who is going for a cesarean section probably would need three pints and that will cost about $500. This is also contributory because if we do not have blood that is free from HIV, we will not be able to control HIV/AIDS.
- J.M. GUMBO: I move that debate do now adjourn.
MR. MUKWANGWARIWA: I second
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Tuesday, 14th July, 2015.
MOTION
HARMONISATION OF THE MINES AND MINERALS ACT AND
THE LANDS ACQUISITION ACT
- NDUNA: I move the motion standing in my name that this House:
MINDFUL that Government, through its Land Reform Programme
undertook an agrarian revolution to address the colonial and historic land imbalances and foster ownership by the formally marginalised black majority;
COGNISANT that one of the four pillars of the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation blue print is anchored on food security and that agricultural land is the key enabler in this matrix;
FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGING that Sections 29 – 38 of the
Mines and Minerals Acts of 1951 gives the right to miners to displace farmers from agricultural land in order to exploit mineral deposits and can thereby create value for mineral rights;
CONCERNED that agricultural land is still being treated as though it is for subsistence only and of no value commercially and that this negates the gains made under the land reform programme and denies the new farmers the opportunities to use the value of the land as collateral for loans or as a means of realizing the value of their farms when they wish to dispose of them.
NOW, THEREFORE, calls upon the Executive to:
- Expeditiously harmonise the Mines and Minerals Act and the
Lands Acquisition Act to bring them to parity and conformity with
each other so that farmers and miners have the right to establish ownership of the resources they are using for productive purposes;
- Grant both farmers and miners secure rights to the resources they are using so that they can be valued and sold at market prices and used as collateral for the purpose of raising funds for productive enterprises; and
- Urgently bring before Parliament amendments to the Land Acquisition Act and Mines and Minerals Act, clearly detailing the amendments and changes that will promote and facilitate the secure usage of the of the land by farmers for agricultural purposes and by mining either individually or in joint venture partnership between miners and farmers on the same land.
- MUKWANGWARIWA: I second.
- NDUNA: Madam Speaker, at independence, Zimbabwe inherited a racially skewed agricultural land ownership pattern where white large-scale commercial farmers, consisting of less than 1% of the population occupied 45% of agricultural land. Seventy-five percent of this is in the high rainfall areas of Zimbabwe, where the potential for agricultural production is high. Equally significant, 60% of this largescale commercial land was not merely under-utilised but wholly utilised.
Agrarian reform in Zimbabwe therefore, revolves around land reform where the systematic dispossession and alienation of the land, from the black indigenous people during the period of colonial rule, are adequately addressed. The Zimbabwean agrarian reform involves restructuring of access to land, and an overall transformation of the existing farming system, institutions and structures.
I preface my debate also by saying it should include access to markets, credit, training and social developmental and economic amenities. It seeks to enhance agricultural productivity, leading to industrial and economic empowerment and macro-economic growth in the long term.
How then can resettled farmers have access to credit if there is no security of tenure? How then can the resettled farmers be given loans by commercial banks if at any given time you can be removed from the land because a mineral has been discovered where a thriving commercial farm exists? –
- ZVIDZAI: My point of order is though the member is debating a very important subject but he seems to be continuously referring to his notes by never raising his head. He is reading Madam Speaker.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. member, please just refer to
your notes. Please proceed.
- NDUNA: Madam Speaker, by not giving ourselves security
of tenure and security to the resettled farmers, the black farmer marginalised majority we are shooting ourselves in the foot, not only as farmers or as individuals but nationally.
In the same vein, we are violating the Constitution, Section 289 on Principles Guiding Policy on Agricultural Land. In order to redress the unjust and unfair pattern of land ownership that was brought about by colonialism and to bring about the land reform and equitable access by all Zimbabweans to the country’s natural resources, policies regarding agricultural land must be guided by the following principles.
The land tenure system must promote increased productivity and investment by Zimbabweans in agricultural land. There are a few points that I want to bring to the fore for hon. members and House to take cognisant of. These are the following points:
A system that gives precedence to a mine over ownership of agricultural land surely does not promote increased productivity and investment by Zimbabweans in agricultural land;
A system that gives first preference to a mine over investment in farming surely does not exhort investment in food production, good health and nutrition.
You know in our ZIM ASSET agenda, food security is one of the key pillars. If we do not promote security on our land for the resettled farmers, we are not giving precedence to food security as enunciated in the ZIM ASSET agenda.
A system that gives priority to a mine over a farm especially without adequate exploration to determine the quantity and mineral resource surely does not encourage investment in farming but in mining only. What will happen when you destroy a thriving farm only to discover that the mineral ore will disappear just as soon as you have discovered?
I need to also bring to your attention that a system that upholds the superiority of a mining concern over a farming concern surely is not interested in protecting and conserving the environment for future generations as so eloquently espoused in our Constitution. Look at the once thriving agricultural rich land of Kitsiyatota which is now riddled with gullies. To understand what I am talking about, spare a thought for Gift Gariya of Battlefields in Kwekwe whose maize crop was wiped out by a gold miner. Spare a thought for Chinhoyi road on the left and on the right, the road is riddled with pot-holes. This was once a thriving citrus plantation but because minerals have taken precedence over the land ownership or agricultural land, that land is now riddled with holes that are being exploited by miners at the expense of the resettled farmer.
How do we address this one? We also want to empower the farmer using the mineral resources that are under the ground that the resettled farmer has been allocated land to. Hon. Anastancia Ndlovu will testify…
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order. Order. Hon. members, I am appealing to you that you lower your voices when you are whispering to each other. If you cannot, please leave the House. Hon. member, can you please proceed?
- NDUNA: Hon. Anastancia Ndlovu will testify how the once beautiful and majestic scenery of Shurugwi has been rendered unsightly by mining over the usage of that land by the resettled farmer or landowner for productive purposes…
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. members on the front bench, you are making a lot of noise. Hon. Porusingazi, we mean business when we are in this House. Can you please proceed?
- NDUNA: We will never regain our status as the bread basket of Africa if our policies do not reflect our endeavor to revive the agricultural sector. How do we revive the agricultural sector? By making sure that what security the miner has over land using the Minerals Act of 1951 also cascades down to the land owner. An example will be this one; if the miner gets mineral rights to land that is already owned by a resettled farmer, the Mineral or the Mines Act should come to parity with the Land Act so that whatever accrues to the mineral owner or the miner accrues to the land owner. This does not leave the landowner out in the cold as the mine owner now flourishes using the minerals that reside in the same land where the resettled farmer now owns.
The lofty objectives of the land reform programme will remain but high sounding unachievable ideals if we do not walk the talk. We are trying to empower the former marginalised owners of this country by empowering them using the affirmative action of the Agrarian Reform
Programme. In the same vein, we should empower them when a miner comes and starts exploiting or identifies the same land of having minerals residing in it.
I went to Mutoko recently to conduct elections for Chairmanship of Mashonaland East Province which was then won by Hon. Biggie Matiza. What happens in Mutoko is sad in that even those people that do not have security of tenure to the land that they are in, the communal farmers and those that have been resettled in the A1 farms and in the A2 farms have now been displaced by people that now are exploiting the granite rocks of Mutoko. How can they benefit from the exploiters of this mineral resource?
If we bring to parity the Mines and the Lands Act of 2000, we will make sure that the landowner who came in before the miner gets to benefit in the same vein. What then happens in terms of exploitation of the granite? The money that accrues to the miner should first accrue to the land owner. The worst case scenario should be a joint venture formulated by the land and communal owner and the exploiter of the mineral wealth. This should then come to the executive just for harmonisation but the joint venture partnership should start at grassroots level without disenfranchising the land owner or the resettled farm owner or the owner of the communal set up.
Our farmers are millionaires in their own right and it should come out in the open that the land owner whom we have designed an affirmative action and empowered should not be dis-empowered using the Minerals Act. I speak so eloquently, voluminously and vociferously about the bring to parity of these two Acts before our people are disenfranchised before our people are dis-empowered or go down to the doldrums of Zimbabwe’s economy. This was a bold step to empower our people. This House should say and rise with one voice to say where the miner is, the same place the land owner should benefit from that.
Recently, we heard from the Deputy Minister of Mines that the Act provides for the land owner not to be infringed upon on his rights in terms of the proximity to which a miner can peg – whether close to his property or otherwise and the size of the land which a miner is allowed to peg on or to do exploitation of mineral worth, but how many of these principles are being adhered to? You will find that a miner or a commissioner of mines gives authority to a miner to go and exploit minerals at a land which is less than 100 hectares which goes against what is in the Mines Act.
The Deputy Minister alluded to the fact that as long as the land that is owned by the land owner is less than 100 hectares, there should be consensus between the land owner and the miner in terms of exploitation on that land owners land, but this is not being adhered to. There is a lot of criminality, corruption and underhand dealings where the commissioners reside in terms of advancing the causes, ethos and the riches of the miner at the expense of the land owner.
This should be brought to a stop and how is this brought to a stop? This House, according to Section 117, makes laws. It crafts laws for the good governance of society and it should be noted that this is the House that has the power to bring parity to the issue that has to do with the Lands Act and the Mines Act. How do we do that Madam Speaker? If we conduct ourselves according to Standing Order 50, where are we supposed to see and interrogate the way the Executive carries out its mandate? We will see that our people are now downtrodden because of the laws that we pass or because of the historic laws or the colonial imbalances that were there and that also comes out in the Acts that we designed way back in 1951.
So, we should stand up and make sure that we are not reversing the gains of our independence. The gains of our independence are premised on giving land to the formerly marginalised black community. In the same vein, let us empower them and enrich them with the same minerals that reside in that land by changing laws in this House for the betterment and empowerment of our formerly marginalised black majority.
Madam Speaker, I want to say having been given land where we formerly never used to have, it should not be a death sentence. It should not be merely rural to urban migration. It should be a tool of empowerment and enrichment. We want to now derive wealth from that land that was given to us to address the imbalances of the colonial past.
When we talk of land in the same vein, we should talk of the minerals.
When we talk of land, in the same vein we should talk of the industrial establishment by the formerly marginalized black community. When we talk of land, we should talk of good health because it comes out of the mineral wealth of our nation. As we exploit our mineral wealth, we are not ploughing back that mineral wealth into those quarries that are left open.
A case in point is Mutoko. Those granites will never go back to those quarries. They are being transported day in day out. We got on to this road which was written, ‘No through road, mining in progress.’ As long as you are not a miner, and that was being pointed out on that sign post, you were not allowed to go into that road but that road resides in the same place where the land owner occupies that land. So, this is a case in point. This is a very simple example of being disempowered in our own land. We can empower our people by harmonising these laws and there is no reason why we cannot harmonise these laws because those people, part of them that were empowered during the land reform programme are in this House. They are now the law makers. There is no reason why they cannot make laws for the good governance of the society.
Madam Speaker, I conclude by thanking you for giving me this opportunity. If I had not been given this opportunity, my point would not have been well ventilated. I ask hon. members to stand up with one voice and to come up and agree with me that we need parity of the Lands Act and the Minerals Act in order to empower the formerly marginalised black community. I thank you.
- CHIMANIKIRE: Thank you Madam Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to basically oppose what the last speaker was advocating for. Madam Speaker, yes it is a fact that this Act was passed in 1951. However, where mining is conducted nowhere in the world does farming take priority over mining. This Government in Chiadzwa moved out farmers into a different area in order to give priority to diamond mining. It is the yield that you get out of mining in terms of benefit to the nation that influences the laws that were put in place to ensure that maximum benefit to the nation is actually achieved through exploitation of minerals.
While we are an agro based economy in Zimbabwe, we should not actually lose sight of the fact that Zimbabwe has over 60 minerals. For your own information, Madam Speaker, the only place that took precedence over mining is the National Sports Stadium because where it stand right now, there is a gold deposit that was exploited some years back which could not be reversed when the National Sports Stadium was put up. However, to equate the Land Reform Act so that it actually distributes wealth equally with mining is not logical because in terms of reward we will lose out. In fact, the current law provides that any farmer whose operations are disrupted by his area being pegged by a mine or a claim being put up can be resettled in areas where the land is almost equivalent to where he would have been displaced from and we
see this as befitting.
Interestingly enough, the last speaker stood up last week to say that
2 500 jobs had been created in Chakari, which is the area he represents and he said that these workers are actually makorokoza. I am just wondering why today he is coming back and saying those 2 500 jobs should be lost and priority given to farming. So, he is contradicting himself and I think it is not fair to ask this House to support him when last week he was actually…
- NDUNA: On a point of Order Madam Speaker, I did not contradict myself I am trying to bring to parity the land…
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: What is the point of order hon. member?
- NDUNA: The hon. member said that I am calling for the
eviction of 2 500 artisanal miners. I did not call for the …
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order hon. member, can you take your seat. Order! Hon members, hon. member you have moved your motion, allow hon. members to debate on that motion, at the end – Can you take your seat – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – Order! Hon member order! I am talking to the hon. member, allow hon. members to debate on the motion, at the end when the motion is being adopted you will have a chance to close your motion.
- CHIMANIKIRE: Thank you Madam Speaker. I was
referring to ...
- MANDIPAKA: On a point of order. Thank you Madam Speaker. I stand guided by principles and ethics; it appears no one is seconding the motion.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Whenever anyone stands up to
debate on that motion, it is allowed. Can we proceed please?
- CHIMANIKIRE: Thank you Madam Speaker. As I pointed
out, it is not to the benefit of our country to prevent mining to actually progress if not faster than the rate that we are currently undertaking. I recall that this country became the bread basket of Africa when we had no mining rights. For us to try and blame mining as impeding farming,
it is not correct.
In my opinion I do believe there is no need to reconcile the two pieces of legislation because by the end of the day we stand to benefit if they are allowed in the status quo that we currently have. In fact, while there has always been, from my experience, conflict between a miner and a farmer, these conflicts have been amicably resolved. In most cases it is a win win situation where a farmer is actually resettled in an area where they have better soil than where they were operating from.
I heard him quoting the Mutoko issue, in 1976, the granite stone was declared as a mineral. Prior to that, chiefs and sub-chiefs would actually dish it out to whoever was interested in cutting the stone and taking it away. I believe yes, we need legislation to ensure that locals in Mutoko are protected from certain types exploitation that disrupt their normal daily living and also disturb their traditional way of life. I am aware that in the Mutoko area, we have a situation where hyenas have shifted from the mountains and are now living together with people and are attacking their livestock. That cannot be allowed. In areas like that mining has to be regulated and controlled to the benefit of the locals without necessarily having them exploited.
The first miners in that area, I am aware, were cutting stones and leaving without rehabilitation of those particular areas but now the law requires that if you have carried out any mining in an area, there should be restitution in restoring the land to its former origins by planting grass and planting trees. It is not a question of saying reconcile the farmer and miner in Mutoko, it is a question restoring the land to almost what it was prior to the exploitation through mining.
Madam Speaker. In my own opinion I stand not to support what the mover of the motion has moved for. Thank you.
- HOLDER: Thank you Madam Speaker. I would like to thank Hon. Nduna for airing his views to this motion. Those are his views. His Excellency, the President, made a Presidential Speech and said that the mining department plays an important role in the recovery of this economy. Yes, the Mines and Minerals Act was made in 1951 but we all know that this country was colonised by British people. Land was taken away from people, people were moved. This is what caused people to fight, to get the land back. Now that we have got it back, the problem we are facing is that the Mines and Minerals Act states clearly that mining takes precedence to all the other laws.
The farmer has the surface rights but the miner has mineral rights. The problem that we are facing is that when a person gets a piece of land and finds out that someone was mining there for years, he becomes selfish and greedy and says this is my land and you need to move. The minerals belong to the person who was authorised by the Government to mine. The Mines and Minerals Act clearly states that, if a person has more than 150ha, you notify the current owner of the land to say that you will be prospecting for this mineral. When it is less than that, the new Statutory Instrument states that you need to first get permission from the person who is occupying that piece of that land. When you get permission, there are so many procedures, the council is involved, the chief, the community and the owner is involved to grant you permission. The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development does not just say go to Hon. Maridadi’s farm and start mining. He has the chance to object if
he has programmes or plans for that piece of land.
The only problem here is that miners have a one size fit all policy. We are trying to regularise, this is why in all our Committees, Mines and
Energy Committee we keep asking when is the new policy coming up. is it a one size fit all? What is the story? How do we justify a small, medium and large scale miner? For us, we need to make sure that we harmonize these laws but people need to be educated, especially those that have received pieces of land and those that were resettled. They need to understand the difference between surface rights and mineral rights. The hon. member did mention that Marange and Murowa people were moved. The reason why they were moved is that - imagine where you have a community where you have a precious mineral that is being mined and you have these diamonds flowing within the community, yet our country needs these diamonds in order to recover the economy.
What should happen is that the Ministry of Mines and Mining
Development needs to make a policy, maybe a mining stock exchange because when a person comes and invests in this country, he invests knowing what is there. What we know is that in this House we keep asking what the quantities of minerals are? The hon. member did mention that there are over 60 minerals that are being mined, but how do we quantify that? That information is there but the problem is that nobody has access to it.
The small farmer needs to be supported. What we need to do is that we need to find a system where Government can also subsidise the farmer. How do we do that? Before he even grows his produce, we know Mr. Dube is growing wheat, Mr. Hlongwane is growing tobacco and we know exactly how many farmers are growing a particular produce. The problem here is when farmers grow these produce, they do not have a proper marketing system and the markets are flooded. When one grows tomatoes, everyone grows tomatoes and so, the market is flooded. So, if we have a marketing system where Government can also subsidise, that will be good. That is how we can support the agricultural land.
When we talk about mining, there is a lot that has to be considered. Nothing underground is good there without benefiting the Government, people, the country and the economy – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – We need to make sure that these resources are mined and mined in an environmentally friendly way. We are happy that the Mining
Development Section - [AN HON. MEMBER: ZMDC!] – not ZMDC, the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development is actually working on restructuring the system. We used to have what we call Mining Commissioners, now we have Mining Directors. We used to have provincial different structures where now the mining districts run parallel to the political districts, which means there is some sort of movement and development that is going on in that sector.
Madam Speaker, we need to understand that as we are proceeding and as the Mines and Minerals Act is being amended, we need to make sure that it is aligned so that we do not interfere with the environmental aspect. The mining sector has a problem where it adheres to say 14 different taxes and 22 Acts of Parliament. You have got the Explosives Act, now when you look at the Explosives Act, for you to acquire a licence to purchase explosives, you need US$2 000.00, just for that licence. Another US$1 000 just for another licence to look after the explosives that you have acquired and yet the small scale miner only uses US$100 to buy maybe 50 fuses or 10 fuses, 10 emulites and so he has got to spend US$ 3000 before he can spend a US$100, it becomes a challenge. So, we need to try and see how the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development measures itself with a way to say that mining has been a success in this area. Do we measure it from the revenue that is collected or do we measure it by the magnitude of mines? This is where people need to see that Government needs to be a facilitator. We need to make sure that some of the things that we are putting in place are in line with what our people can afford and what people can do. We talk about regularizing small scale miners, we talk about regularizing makorokoza but even when we talk about people who were resettled, some of us use the wrong word and we say there are some squatters, which is wrong.
What we are saying is that these things need to be regularised in a way where people can be taught how to farm, how Government can subsidise and what is good for them to farm, whether it is small grain or different grain. In the mining sector, we need to make sure that there must be two different types of policies. We can never say high school, primary school and university is the same. There are different measurements and we are being treated as one
So, Hon. Nduna did mention and kept complaining about the mining sector. I feel that those that are interested in mining need to go and visit the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and understand the Mines and Minerals Act properly. Those that are into farming need also to understand - go and see madhumeni and they will teach you what needs to be done.
Madam Speaker, with these few words – [Laughter] – I do not want to lose it, as I always say to the hon. members - blessed are the short speeches for they shall be heard. Thank you Madam Speaker. *MR. MATAMBANADZO: I thank you Madam Speaker, for the
opportunity that you have given me to add my voice to the motion that was raised by Hon. Nduna of miners and farmers. There is a conflict between these groups. He is saying the farmer should get everything from farming as well as mining rights. I think we need to assist each other. It is a good idea that you have brought in this House to guide each other on how to develop our economy in this country. I was thinking that we have farmers who are into agriculture and then there is a miner who extracts minerals. These two are different but are in the same country here in Zimbabwe. These are different fields that are being encouraged by the President and supported to develop the nation. Once we say one is good and the other is bad, we are going against what the President requires. Yes, the legislation that you have been talking about, I was able to understand it because I was once a gardener. A farmer, Madam Speaker, is a person who has been given an offer letter, a certificate and land allocated to him. The law says that he is supposed to farm on top of the soil; he is not allowed to go underground.
On the issue of the miners; what is in our legislation is written in English but when I read it, it was quite clear. How could you not understand it when I did? A miner is allowed just to extract minerals, do mining activities and not to engage in agriculture. So I fail to understand where the conflict is coming from.
In this House, we should help people not to engage in conflict between the miners and the farmers. The legislation says the farmer should engage just in farmingactivities and should not be involved in mining because it is a crime. If you are a farmer and you engage in mining, you are going against the law. You cannot change a mining claim into farming land. I think that is well balanced.
I want to talk about the issue that the President said that this country would be resuscitated economically by gold mining. In Zambia, the economy is based on copper mining. If the country fails to produce copper it will fail economically and that is what will happen here as well. This is what is probably causing the conflicts between the miner and the farmer, they are caused by us the Members of Parliament. We should go and intervene, ensure that there is no conflict between the farmer and miner.
I want to tell you that Zimbabwe, like what the President says, its economy is based on gold, and even anyone can understand that it is so simple. For a miner to be given laws by a farmer, we would have failed. So, the miner should be given an opportunity to mine. Mining does not take a lot of land. A person is given 10 hectares of gold and on that claim, he can realise billions and billions of dollars. However, on those 10 hectares, he is not allowed to engage in farming but can only drill a tunnel that he can use to go underground to extract gold in the various tunnels that have gold.
Honestly, how can someone be in conflict with someone who is deep underground and yet as a farmer, he is only supposed to be working on the surface, using the top soil. So, I think we should be able to make our people understand that a miner should mine and the farmer should use the top soil, engaging in farming and not mining. Now, if a farmer wishes to engage in mining, probably they would have been told by their ancestral spirit that there is gold in this area, they can sit down and come up with a syndicate which is the merging of the licences. The miner writes a letter informing the owner that he has found gold, and then they will get into an alliance whereby he seeks the authority to mine on the farmers land. So, they would have to sit down and come with an agreement to engage in mining activities. They can also agree to engage in farming. There are actually two types of agreements that I want the House to understand. There is agreement on one certificate and another agreement that is based on the band of available gold. Both of you can get individual certificates and can engage in mining. So, you need to go and conscientise your constituents like what I am doing in my constituency.
If you look at Kwekwe, yes, it is not a lie that there are so many tunnels because Kwekwe is the only town whereby gold is found along First Street. So, it is not surprising really to come across different trenches along First Street. We decided that we plant trees 200 metres from the street and we have told people that they are not allowed to go beyond that. So, we allowed them to drill a tunnel and extract gold from underground, hence there is no problem in Kwekwe. We have addressed the issues and it has produced a lot of gold. The trenches that you used to see, we gave syndicates and now our people have certificates. There are no longer gold panners in Kwekwe but syndicates.
There are over 6000 people who are engaged in mining at Globe and Phoenix Mine. This is a mine that we negotiated with the white man. We told them that we would take it by force if they refused to share. The area that is being mined by 6000 miners is only about 20 hectares. So, it is impossible Madam Speaker, to tell the people to stop mining. I thank the President because he had foresight that our country can develop through gold mining. Therefore, we should unite and support this motion because it is a positive one. Thank you.
*MR. MUKWENA: Thank you Madam Speaker for the
opportunity that you have given me. I have stood up to support the motion that was moved by Hon. Nduna. He has moved a very good motion which touched on legislation that was put in 1951 concerning the Mines and Minerals Act which should be aligned to the Constitution. This legislation was enacted by the white men and they were doing it for themselves but Zimbabwe is now a people-centred country and these laws should be ensuring that everyone benefits.
Again, on the issue of farmers that he talked about, as Zimbabwe we are known as being very good farmers, as a bread basket of Africa meaning that the issue of agriculture should be protected and farmers should be protected. Land reform means that if we fail to support the farmers, we will have regressed. Zimbabwe is known in the SADC region as the bread basket of Africa. So the issue of agriculture; I believe farmers should be fully supported.
Our plea is that our Government should go back and look at what the whites were doing. Mkwasine and Hippo Valley were opened. I think the people from my area are the ones who opened those estates. The white man was given a loan for four years. The fifth year, they were able to pay the first quarter. The sixth year, they would pay the second quarter. The seventh year, they would pay the third quarter and the eighth year, the fourth quarter to clear his loan. That is what we request from our Government that it should support the farmers. Yes, we applaud the land reform programme but they should be supported.
So on the issue of mining legislation and on farming, it is impossible for a miner to go and remove a farmer. If you want to engage in mining and you want to go on land that was given to a farmer, then you have to go and talk to them, and talk in good faith. If a person has a farm and you do not agree on his requirements, there are so many areas where mining can take place. Gold is found where there are mountains.
Where agriculture should take place, let it be agricultural based.
We need to align our legislation and ensure that it protects everyone. We do not want the poor to sideline or disadvantage them because a poor person is also a human being. We do not want a situation whereby the country is owned by the rich. The country and land is ours. This House is ours. Let us sit down and come up with legislation that protects both sides. We do not want anyone who oppresses another. We need to speak with one voice. I thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
- MUKWANGWARIWA: Mr. Speaker, I move that the
debate be adjourned.
- MUDARIKWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Tuesday, 14th July, 2015.
On the motion of MR. MUKWANGWARIWA, seconded by MS.
MPARIWA, the House adjourned at Twenty Minutes to Four o’clock
p.m. until Tuesday, 14th July, 2015.