- Version
- Download 38
- File Size 261 KB
- File Count 1
- Create Date October 12, 2016
- Last Updated November 15, 2021
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY HANSARD 12 October 2016 43-03
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Wednesday, 12th October, 2016
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair)
Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga having finished reading her Notice of Motion.
HON. HOLDER: On a point of order Madam Speaker. The Hon.
Member whispered. She did not speak loud enough, can she re-do it. We did not hear what she said – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible
interjections.] –
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order Hon. Members, the
Hon. Member has a right to complain.
HON. GONESE: On a point of order Madam Speaker. In terms of Standing Order Number 26, as read with Standing Order Number 63, as read with the provisions of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, Section 107 (1); in terms of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, Madam Speaker, it is the obligation of all Vice Presidents, Ministers and Deputy Ministers to attend Parliament. This is reinforced by Standing Order Number 26 which reiterates the position in the Constitution that Vice Presidents, Ministers and Deputy Ministers are required to attend Parliament. In terms of the provisions of Standing Order Number 63, it is made abundantly clear that no Minister, Vice President or Deputy Minister can absent themselves without the leave of the Speaker. I believe Madam
Speaker, that in line with good practice, good corporate governance, the
Chair should inform us of all the Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Vice Presidents who have applied for such leave in writing. The provisions of the Standing Orders are very clear that this application for leave must be done in writing. We cannot rely on assumptions. We have to know which of the Ministers have sought leave of the Speaker so that we know those who are playing truant. We know those who have bunked Parliament. If we do not have this information, we do not know and we cannot distinguish between those members.
We know that Vice President (VP) Mphoko only comes here when it is Official Opening and probably on the presentation of the budget. We also know that the Minister of Foreign Affairs only comes during the Official Opening. We need to know which of the Ministers have complied with the Standing Orders and have written to the Speaker. We would like that evidence to be provided.
What I am saying in short is that we need to have that evidence. You need to inform us before we go to Questions Without Notice. We need to be informed which letters have you received and from which Ministers. In the absence of such letters, we have got to assume that they have absented themselves or have played truant. More importantly, it would mean that they have not been granted that leave of absence and they are in contempt of Parliament as provided for in the Standing
Orders.
We have raised this point before and the Chair has simply said we have taken note, we have taken note. The time has come Madam
Speaker; we will no longer accept a situation where the Chair will no longer accept a situation where the Chair will tell us that they have taken note or that the matter will be attended to.
We want those letters to be produced before us so that we know which Ministers have complied with the provisions of the Standing Orders, which Ministers have sought leave and which leave has been granted. We will then know that those who have not done so have to be charged with contempt of Parliament.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I hear you Hon. Member. At the moment, I have apologies from the Hon. VP and Leader of the
House Hon. Mnangagwa, who is attending a funeral and also two other Ministers who are in the Senate presenting something. But the others, honestly, I do not have anything. I cannot lie - [HON. MEMBERS:
Inaudible interjections.]-
HON. GONESE: Those three that you have mentioned Madam Speaker, are they in writing because when you addressed us, you have not been referring to anything….
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I have heard you. You have
said it …
HON. GONESE: I am just seeking clarification.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: You have been repeating yourself …
HON. GONESE: I know, are they in writing? So the rest you do not know and you have to assume.
As a follow up, can we then take it that those who are not here have and have not sought leave of the House or Speaker are going to be charged with contempt of Parliament as provided for in Standing Orders
69.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: We take note of that. Order.
Hon. Members, we are proceeding …..
HON. CHAMISA: On a point of order Madam Speaker -[HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]-
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Members, can the
member be heard in silence please.
HON. CHAMISA: Madam Speaker, Parliament across the whole
world is supposed to be taken seriously by Ministers and by Members of
Parliament. We take our Parliament seriously as Members of Parliament
(MPs). We come here religiously on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays because we are on the tax-payers roll. Our Ministers must also equally be serious by coming to Parliament not on Tuesdays or Thursdays but on a specific date and day which is a Wednesday but they choose to go away without official leave (AWOL).
We have to read the riot act invoking the statutes of our
Parliament. This is nothing vindictive or personal. It is all in the national interest to make sure that the monies that are being paid by taxpayers are accounted for. We are going to request and place on record that the following Ministers be put on notice and be charged for contempt of Parliament.
For the purpose of the record, I am going to read out those Ministers that are supposed to be charged for Contempt of Parliament. I will start with the one who is notorious for not coming here; the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister Mumbengegwi. He has never been here. In fact, the benches that side are looking for him. He has never been seen there. He comes once a year and that is very important, we want him to be put to account.
We also have VP Mphoko if he could - I am not so sure who between VP Mphoko and VP Mnangagwa sought leave…
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: The Leader of the House.
HON. CHAMISA: VP Mnangagwa – so VP Mphoko; I
understand the Minister of Policy Coordination is not feeling well Hon.
Simon Khaya Moyo; Hon. Chinamasa; Hon Priscah Mupfumira,
Minister of Public Service; Minister of Defence, Dr. Sekeramayi.
We want to appreciate Minister Bimha who has been coming. He is like VP Mnangagwa, he always comes to Parliament. We appreciate them. We appreciate you Minister Made. We want to name and shame the truant Ministers who are not coming - [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.]-
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Member, while I do
appreciate that on the list, you have some names but I think you have to list …
HON. CHAMISA: Thank you very much. Let me just hurry up…
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Not now. You can do it
while we are still sitting and I will call you again - [HON. MEMBERS:
Inaudible interjections.]- Order, order. Let us have order and give the Hon. Member a chance to finish.
HON. CHAMISA: Thank you. Hon. Kembo Mohadi, Minister of
National Security -[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]-
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order Hon. Members.
Order. Hon. Tshuma, please.
HON. CHAMISA: Thank you Madam Speaker. We want to go to question time. Let me just rush through. Hon. Obert Mpofu, Minister of Economic Planning; Hon. Saviour ‘Tyson’ Kasukuwere, Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing; Hon.
Pagwesese Parirenyatwa, Minister of Health ….
VP Mnangagwa having entered the House.-[HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear.]-
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you. Order, order. Can we have order in the House? Order, order please. I do not want to name you.
HON. CHAMISA: I appreciate and acknowledge that the VP has now come. Our condolences, we heard that you had gone to a funeral. Hon. VP, we are very sorry about that but we are just mentioning Ministers who do not have the courtesy unlike yourself. Being the VP, you go out of your way to actually notify the Speaker. Ministers do not even care. They think that it is useless to respect Parliament -
[Laughter.]-
Hon. Speaker, I just want to continue and highlight and mention these names for the record and for posterity, Ministers who, unlike the VP and other Ministers like Dr Made, come here to dutifully present themselves for Parliament. We have Hon. Chikwinya, Minister of
Women’s Affairs, she has not been coming here; Hon. Dokora, comes here and there but he has not been coming. If he could also be charged for contempt of Parliament. Hon. Dr. Mombeshora, Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement; the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development also who has been driving this important programme, STEM, Hon. Prof. J. Moyo has not been coming; the Minister of Home Affairs, Hon. Dr. Chombo has not been coming; the Minister of Energy and Power Development, Hon. Dr. Undenge, in fact we last heard of him long back. I do not know if he is still around but he has been missing in Parliament; Hon. Stembiso Nyoni; Hon. W. Chidhakwa; we want to appreciate Hon. Muchinguri was here just a couple of minutes ago; Hon. Zhuwao has even gone to harass our Portfolio Committees, he must be dealt with by Parliament because his behaviour is untoward to this Parliament; Hon. Mumbengegwi, I have already mentioned that this one is number one in terms of his delinquency. This one is foreign to this Parliament. His understanding of foreign affairs is to be foreign to Parliament and we must correct that.
We appreciate Hon. Dr. Made, he comes almost every Wednesday. We appreciate you because you give seriousness to Parliament. We really thank you. Hon. Dr. Hlongwane, we have seen him. Maybe you are young – you have tried your best. Thank you very much. We appreciate that Hon. Eng. Mzembi is not around because he is campaigning. That we appreciate.
HON. NDUNA: On a point of order!
HON. GONESE: I believe that if someone is raising a point of order, you cannot have a point of order on another point of order otherwise we will never be able to finish. Hon. Chamisa is raising a point of order….
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Member, you are now
directing me. Every time we allow you to do that. I want to hear that point of order. You are also making a point of order.
HON. NDUNA: Thank you for indulging me Madam Speaker
Ma’am. I think the point of order that is currently being raised has been sufficiently ventilated and has been escalated to the point of the hierarchy of the Leader of the House. The last ruling that I remember, the Leader of the House was going to take it up with Cabinet. It is not right for us to keep chasing our tail as though this is a new phenomenon.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Nduna, can you please
resume your seat.
HON. CHAMISA: I am almost concluding because I realise that we need to go into question time. I have mentioned those that are not coming to our important Parliament. In terms of Deputy Ministers, the rest do not come except for Hon. Matangaidze who is always here; Hon.
Madanha has done a fantastic job. He answers our questions. Hon.
Mabuwa, she has just gone out. Hon. Mlambo, who is deputy to Hon. Mandiwanzira - we appreciate those Ministers but the rest must be noted so that I cannot go on and on. All the Deputy Ministers do not come to
Parliament yet Parliament is very important.
So let us charge them. You know Madam Speaker that we are in the SROC together with the Vice President, Hon. Mnangagwa. Let us deal with Hon. Members who do not want to work for this country. We are ready; we will have those names and we will charge them with contempt.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I hear Hon. Chamisa. While
we all welcome the Vice President and Leader of the House into the House, I think through his help and the Chief Whip, that issue is going to be rectified.
HON. D. S. SIBANDA: If I heard you correctly, you said some of the Ministers passed their apologies. Is it not procedural that as you do your announcements, you also mention the names of those who have tendered their apologies?
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: The Administration of
Parliament is helping me with what has been sent to Papers’ Office. It is coming, we have sent someone to go and collect it.
*HON. MAONDERA: My point of order relates to the dress code and decorum in this Parliament. We have a Member of Parliament who is not dressed appropriately and he is Hon. Matangira. Our Standing Orders have a prescribed dress code. Is it not possible that you request him to leave this House?
Hon. Matangira having been dressed in a charcoal grey short sleeved shirt.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: May the Hon Member please
approach the Chair – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] - The Hon. Member is wearing a safari suit and it is allowed –[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]- Order! Concerning the issue of the absence of Hon. Ministers, I may ask the Vice President and Leader of the House if he has anything to say concerning this absenteeism since it is not the first time that we have heard about it.
THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE,
LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON.
MNANGAGWA): Madam Speaker, I believe that the matter raised by the Deputy President of the Opposition is a matter of great importance. When I came in he was in the middle of his presentation and I am not sure as to what other matters he has alluded to. If I may be allowed to look at the Hansard tomorrow, then I will address the issues. I have looked at Section 26 of the Standing Rules and Orders and also Section 63. I have looked at those two but I am not sure about what he has said in full for me to be able to answer fully on the issues that he has raised.
However, I can assure the House that each Tuesday when we have
Cabinet and if there is Parliament, as the Leader of Government Business, I make sure I inform my colleagues that there is Parliament on the following day and they are required to come. In most cases, they positively respond to such requests. I thank you – [HON. CHAMISA:
Inaudible interjections.] –
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: No, I do not think there is any
need. The Hon. Vice President asked for permission to go and look at the Hansard so that he gives us a full report. So, there is no need to come again and explain.
HON. CHAMISA: Thank you very much Madam Speaker. I want
to appreciate the commitment made by the Vice President, save to say Vice President Hon. Mnangagwa, if you are telling these Ministers to come every Tuesday at Cabinet and they are not coming, may you also after you have read the full report, favour us with the measures you are going to take to deal with people who disobey you and also the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, President Mugabe. These are very dangerous people to the nation and we want to hear what you are going to do about it and with them. Thank you.
THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON.
MNANGAGWA): Madam Speaker, I am surprised that my learned brother has a short memory. He was formally a member of the Executive and deliberations of the Executive are privileged. I would not come here and say what has been discussed in the Executive. I have undertaken on several occasions to this House, to inform my colleagues to come to Parliament and as far as I am concerned, we have been receiving positive responses.
Yesterday on Tuesday, there was no Cabinet and so there was no opportunity of informing my colleagues that there was this thing here. So, the Hon. Member should therefore not refer to what is exchanged between the Executive and members of the Executive. We should restrict ourselves to the rules of the Standing Rules and Orders of Parliament which I have quoted. If he has quoted the same, because I believe these are the most important rules in this - our ‘Bible’; Rule 26 and 63. I do not know whether he has quoted them but I have to apply these provisions to whatever statement he has made in this House when I look at the Hansard and I will give a comprehensive reply depending on the content of his contribution.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
HON. HOLDER: Thank you Madam Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Industry and Commerce. You announced long back that the Government was going to establish a National Competitive Commission. Where are we now and will there be no duplication of roles in this?
THE MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE (HON.
BIMHA): Thank you Madam Speaker. First of all, I would like to thank the Hon. Member for raising that question. The establishment of the National Competitiveness Commission was as a result of the realisation of areas that needed attention in terms of improving how we produce and also the issues to do with cost drivers in our economy, as well as comparing these cost drivers with what is obtaining in the region. Therefore, there were recommendations which were made after that study resulting in a recommendation that we must establish a National Competitiveness Commission. It was decided however, Madam Speaker, that instead of creating a new entity we rebrand the existing National Pricing and Incomes Commission. However, to do that, we have to go through Parliament and a lot of work has taken place. I would like to believe that during the current session, the Bill to establish the National Competitiveness Commission will come through this august House.
The second aspect of the question Madam Speaker, is whether there is any duplication with the Competition and Tariff Commission. The Competition and Tariff Commission focuses on competition among investors or among companies. Where we have issues of investment, we look at whether there is any competition and these issues are dealt with the Competition and Tariff Commission, whereas this is a Competitiveness Commission looking at issues of how best our economy can be competitive. I thank you.
HON. MAJOME: My question is directed to the Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement, Dr. Mombeshora. Is it Government policy…
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Members, I am
appealing to you. The Ministers should hear the questions being asked. So, if you make such noises how do you think he will understand what is being said.
HON. MAJOME: My question to the Minister of Lands and
Rural Resettlement, Hon. Dr. Mombeshora is, is it Government policy for the Government to parcel out state land particularly urban land to members of the ruling party, ZANU PF only?
THE MINISTER OF LANDS AND RURAL
RESETTLEMENT (HON. DR. MOMBESHORA): I want to thank
the Hon. Member for that question seeking clarity. First and foremost, my Ministry is responsible for agricultural land. When it comes to urban land which is residential, it is the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing which is responsible for urban planning; demarcating and allocating for residential. However, it is my Ministry which is responsible for handing over any land which is required for urban expansion to the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing. We do that when that land has been requested
for.
So, we only give a whole farm to the Ministry of Local
Government, Public Works and National Housing, but how they distribute it, is actually that Ministry’s responsibility. We do not get involved. So, I am unable to answer the latter part of the question to say, is it distributed only to one particular party or not? You can redirect that question to the relevant Ministry. Thank you.
HON. MAJOME: Thank you Madam Speaker. In that case may I have leave of the Hon. Madam Speaker to direct my supplementary question to the Hon. Leader of the House, our esteemed Hon.
Mnangagwa. As the Hon. Minister has confirmed, he is in charge of
State land and he can, on occasion, offer, give and deliver land to the
Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing. So, my question is on that particular issue about when he hands over a parcel of land to the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and
National Housing and it is distributed publicly to ZANU-PF youths only. I want to know, is that Government policy, because there is information in the public arena that ZANPF youths are being parceled out land in Shawasha Hills and ZANU-PF officials including even senior officials of ZANU-PF?
THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE,
LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON.
MNANGAGWA): Madam Speaker, if I understood well what the Hon. Member asked in relation to whether Government had policy, or enquiry as to what policy Government has in relation to the allocation of residential land. Government has no policy to allocate land to political parties. Each municipal area has its residential area and it can only be allocated upon application to land developers or to the Government arm which is Udcorp. That is Government policy. So, if that was the issue which the Hon. Member was seeking to find out, whether Government policy is that political parties can apply as political parties to acquire land, no, we do not have that.
HON P. D. SIBANDA: It is quite clear, Hon. Vice President, that the Hon. Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing has been going out issuing land whether to Udcorp or to land developers. How is that policy consistent with the role to local authorities in terms of delivery of residential stands to citizens of this country? Thank you.
HON. MNANGAGWA: Thank you Hon. Madam Speaker. The
only missing link in the statement he has made is that the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing has the mandate to administer local authorities which give land.
HON. GONESE: My supplementary question is to the Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement. In his response he indicated that State land is allocated by his Ministry and I wanted the Hon. Minister to inform us in this august House as to what land has been made available to the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing for the purposes of urban expansion and in which particular areas?
HON. MOMBESHORA: It is very difficult for me really to state farm by farm because we have actually handed over quite a number of farms in every province, almost in every town; Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Kadoma, Mutare. So, if you want proper details put your question in writing and I will be able to go and get the correct information. Thank you.
+HON. TSHUMA: Thank you Madam Speaker. My question is directed to the Deputy Minister. When Government is distributing food, drought relief, is it proper that only those 65 years of age and above should be given food? I thank you.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND SOCIAL SERVICES (HON. ENG. MATANGAIDZE): Thank
you Madam Speaker. The position that is there right now is that food is allocated to people who we define as vulnerable. The vulnerable people you find them being people who are elderly, people who are living with disabilities, child headed families and anyone who is prone to effects of the economy as it stands right now.
Now, you find if you look at those people, they will transcend all ages. They do not have to be above 65 years. So, the short answer to his question is, it is not limited to people who are over 65 years, it transcends all the ages which are there.
+HON. TOFFA: The elderly people in Bulawayo are being discriminated against. Can you tell us how they are being selected?
Those that have been left out, how can they be assisted? The same applies to orphans in Bulawayo. There are those that are vulnerable and when they go there fail to get the food and as a result, they end up starving. What can be done to assist them? I thank you.
HON. ENG. MATANGAIDZE: If I understand the content of the Hon. Members question, the Hon. Member is enquiring specific details on how the people in Matabeleland, in Bulawayo in particular, are being chosen to come on the drought relief programme.
Before now we have been using what we call the Public Assistance Programme. We have had people who are on list who have been assessed as vulnerable, who were getting assistance based specifically on that programme although not before now, not related to the drought mitigation programme.
I am happy to say going forward, Government has availed funds for a viability assessment exercise to be done in the urban areas, particularly Harare and Bulawayo so that we can capture as many people as possible who need food mitigation right now as we speak. So, the assessment that was on the public assistance programme is long term, it has been there for the past several years and it has been running through like that. On the Vulnerability Assessment Programme that we have come up with - the provincial leadership; district leadership is all involved in this assessment to assess who the key people that need assistance are. This exercise is impartial, it does not look at party structures, and there are leaders in the community. Councilors are involved and input from the Members of Parliament like the Hon.
Member of Parliament is required and comes in.
At the end of the day, it is a Committee which comes up and puts in place these names and they are vetted to show that they are above board and they are not chosen on partisan lines.
+HON. TOFFA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I wanted the people in Bulawayo to know how they can access such leadership, where are they found. Which office can these people in Bulawayo go to? Where are they located so that the people can make a bee line for that office?
HON. ENG. MATANGAIDZE: Thank you Madam Speaker.
The initial port of call is obviously the Social Welfare Office. The Social Welfare Office and the officers will be working in conjunction with the district administrators and the provincial administrators. Now you find that you also have community leaders who come in place such as church leaders and respectable elders in that community. I have even gone on to say input can also come in from the councilors and from the
Members of Parliament themselves. The scenario we cannot have is
Hon. Members of Parliament coming in to impose the beneficiaries. You cannot impose those beneficiaries but clearly beneficiaries are there for everybody to see. If you follow the channels that I have mentioned and work with the people that I have referred to, you will find that we will come up with a holistic list that is acceptable to every person who is involved.
*HON. MAPIKI: My question is directed to the Minister of Environment, Water and Climate, Hon. Muchinguri. It is in connection with the ban on the sale of ivory tusks of elephants that succumbed to cyanide poisoning. What is Government doing about it so that we can benefit from our natural resources?
*THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, WATER AND
CLIMATE (HON. MUCHINGURI): Thank you Madam Speaker.
First and foremost, I would want to thank Hon. Mapiki for the question that he has posed, a very difficult question. I would want to explain to him that Government’s policy is that all our elephants should be subjected to legal hunting. Visitors can come and hunt for trophies and they are able to export ivory as part of their trophies. Government policy is that elephant tusks should assist rural communities once they have been sold so that the communities can then construct schools and have access to water.
We have a problem, Zimbabwe as a member of CITES and the
countries all over the world look at the endangered species. There are certain countries in Africa like Botswana, Kenya and Chad that no longer have wild animals and they are pushing that there should a ban on the sale of ivory. So, they want Zimbabwe banned from the sale of
ivory which ivory we have in abundance. They can use the ivory tusks for several souvenirs. When we went to the CITES we fought very hard because they wanted us to burn our ivory that we have stock piled and we refused that. The quantities and the values that we had placed are very high and we will wait for an opportune time to sell it.
I am not going to divulge the position that we are going to take now because there is a window period of 90 days where we are allowed to have reservations. If such countries would want to buy the trophies then they will also come and trade in ivory. This is the stage where we are. We are unable to sell the elephant tusk, what we are allowed in the interim is to make personal artifacts, earrings, and bangles. The most hateful thing is that we are now unable to sell those artifacts and we need a permit. Whenever tourists come to Zimbabwe, they must have a permit from their country of origin to import the earrings that are made of elephant tusks. Furthermore, whenever tourists come to Zimbabwe they must apply to the National Parks and Wildlife Management so that they can be able to buy earrings. This is so cumbersome and it is a deterrent to visitors to buy these ivory artifacts. We are not tired as Zimbabwe; we will keep on fighting so that we are not banned from trading in ivory. We thank the Zimbabwean Chiefs and our rural communities that went in full force and informed the delegates that our ivory belongs to us. The elephants are killing us and we need to be compensated. We will have a serious conflict if nothing is done about it and then we will take it up upon ourselves to sell our own ivory. I thank you. – [HON. CHIBAYA: Inaudible interjections.] –
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, Hon. Chibaya we have
been quiet.
*HON. MAPIKI: Thank you Madam Speaker. Does the CITES
allow us to use the elephants tusks ivory as security like what Angola did because they used their own oil? We have $9 billion worth of ivory - can we use it as security? I thank you.
*HON. MUCHINGURI: Thank you Madam Speaker. I would
want to respond by saying that it is illegal because as it stands right now it is only countries like us, Japan and North Korea that have seen value in this. China has closed its domestic trade of ivory. So as it stands, our ivory internationally has no value, therefore, we cannot use it as security. I thank you.
HON. D. P SIBANDA: Hon. Minister, you said that the Chief spoke quite well at the CITES meeting concerning conflicts between humans and elephants and therefore there is need for us to benefit from those elephants. We know that the conflict is not everywhere in the country. For example, Harare does not have conflicts with elephants. Is there any direct Government policy that ensures that the communities which are facing conflict with elephants and other animals like Binga, benefit in terms of development from those wildlife?
HON. MUCHINGURI: Thank you Madam Speaker. I want to
thank the Hon. Member for that very important question. I want the Hon. Member to appreciate that we have four types of authorities in
Zimbabwe. The first one is National Parks, the second one, the Private Conservancy Owners, the third one, Forestry Commission and the fourth one is the CAMPFIRE programme. These are community owned programmes, particularly to assist those communities that suffer and live around those areas where these wild animals are found. So, yes, the CAMPFIRE programme was designed to benefit the specific area that he is referring to. However, because of climate change, we have discovered that, because in these areas, there is no water and people are not benefitting at all, animals are moving into communities and increasing the level of conflict. So, we are saying, given the opportunity that we are now allowed to sell and export live animals and trophies, the use of those resources sustainably will hopefully enable us to address the challenges that are being faced by these communities. Thank you Madam Speaker.
HON. N. NDLOVU: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. My
question is directed to the Minister of Environment, Water and Climate. Hon. Minister, is it Government policy that ZINWA must put bulk prepaid water metres for the entire population of up to 10 000 people?
HON. MUCHINGURI: Thank you Madam Speaker. I want to
thank the Hon. Member for that question. ZINWA is responsible for selling bulk raw water to councils or farmers. It is an authority and that is their responsibility. I do believe that within 10 000 people, we also look at the capacity of the Local Government authorities, whether they are able to provide a resource which constitutionally, every member is expected within his/her right to enjoy and have clean water. Wherever there are 10 000 people, yes, we look at the capacity of the local authorities to make sure that they provide this very much needed service.
Thank you Madam Speaker.
HON. MATANGIRA: Thank you very much Madam Speaker.
My supplementary question is on water. In my constituency, we have a growth point where people live without water. What is Government policy on ZINWA and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate? Can people live without drinking water and sanitation facilities? Is it allowed?
HON. MUCHINGURI: Thank you Madam Speaker. The
question which has been raised by the Hon. Member is very important. As I have stated, it is the constitutional right of every Zimbabwean to have access to water. However, we need to appreciate that, because of climate change, we have had serious challenges due to drought where our rivers were not flowing and our boreholes and weirs drying up. We are making frantic efforts to make sure that we mitigate the situation and ensure that water is available in growth points and cities. We have put in place a committee, Special Emergency Committee, which identifies these challenges as they come in. We want to say that in other areas, we have been found wanting because funds are not available. However, I want to thank the World Bank and UNICEF who have come in handy to assist ZINWA and my Ministry to make sure that water, a much needed resource is availed in all areas. I thank you.
*HON. SITHOLE: Thank you Madam Speaker. My
supplementary question is that, since there are no finances to ensure that there are boreholes and water, can the Government not use the money that is being diverted to buy bicycles to repair boreholes and avail water to the people? I thank you.
*HON. MUCHINGURI: Thank you Madam Speaker. I thank the
Hon. Member for his question. However, that question should be referred to the Minister of Finance because he is the one who is responsible for the allocation of finances. I am responsible for Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and issues that relate to my Ministry. I cannot comment on issues relating to education, but I also need some money. I thank you.
*HON. MUTSEYAMI: Thank you Madam Speaker. Good
afternoon Madam Speaker, how are you? My question is directed to the
Leader of the House, Hon. Vice President, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa. My question is as follows; we have observed that currently, our country is suffering in terms of the economy. As Government, what steps have you taken to ensure that we fight against corruption because it has now become endemic. What policy has Government come up with to manage corruption? What are we doing as
Government to reduce corrupt activities or eliminating it completely?
Thank you Madam Speaker.
*THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON.
MNANGAGWA): I thank the Hon. Member for his question which was to the effect that what is Government doing to ensure that corruption is eradicated in this country? Corruption can be eradicated by an Act of Parliament. I do not know if the Members in this august House feel that we do not have sufficient laws to fight corruption, we can come up with additional legislation. There is no other means to fight corruption except the laws of this country. We do have an AntiCorruption Commission which is a product of this House and they were empowered to fight corruption. Apart from that law, we have several other laws that deal with people who commit offences. If you murder someone you are arrested, if you fight you are arrested, if you steal you are arrested. So, if Members in this august House believe that there is a lacuna in the laws that we have, we will come up with such laws.
*HON. MUTSEYAMI: Thank you Madam Speaker. My
supplementary question Hon. Vice President, Emerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa is that you have said that there are ways to deal with corruption such as Anti-Corruption Commission, as Vice President who is the leader of this House, we have observed that there is endemic corruption in the newspapers especially concerning ZIMDEF where there was a misappropriation of funds. The Anti-Corruption
Commission wanted to arrest Ministers implicated in this case, Hon.
Prof. Minister Jonathan Moyo and Deputy Minister Dr. Gandawa. The Anti-Corruption Commission was barred from arresting the Minister and his Deputy. They were barred from arresting these individuals by the Hon. Vice President Mphoko. Once people are given a phone call direct in the Anti-Corruption Commission not to arrest a certain individuals - will the Commission work, will that become effective? Thereafter he went on the National television threatening this country that no Minister will be arrested because I have said so, if you arrest the Minister, you will distabilise the Government. Are we therefore going to allow Ministers to steal with impunity? Who is causing or promoting corruption here? The person who is protecting those who are corrupt!
May you please clarify Hon. Vice President?
*HON. MNANGAGWA: I thank the Hon. Member for his
supplementary question. What the Hon. Member should bear in mind is that in this country, this House and in his own understanding is that no one has immunity except the President. Everyone else in this country is fair game. They are not above the law – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – There is no one who is above the law. If the Hon. Member is aware that someone did not follow the law, they should go to the powers that carry out this work and then they will be able to conduct their duty.
HON. P. D. SIBANDA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I wish I
could also speak in Ndau or in Shona but none the less, let me put my supplementary question in English. Hon. Vice President, you have properly put it that everyone is subject to the law including the Hon.
Vice President, yourself and your colleague. However, it is on record Hon. Leader of the House that Hon. Mphoko, your co-Vice President has been interfering into processes of trying to address where there is suspicion of a crime having been committed. There is an issue of
Avondale Police Station where he physically and personally went and had to order the release of suspects that were under police custody. Is there any prospect that under those circumstances, law enforcement agencies will play their role properly when they know that the Executive hierarchy, including that of the Vice President can simply go and stop the actions that they would have taken? Thank you.
* HON. MNANGAGWA: Hon. Speaker, I would want to reiterate
and share the knowledge for the benefit of this august House. He said it is on record but he did not mention which record but we believe that there is record. However, if he could have further stated which record it could have been better for us. The current position is that two things could be done. You as an individual Member, are entitled to go to the law enforcement agency and say the law has been broken. If the police have seen that there is a law that was broken, the law enforcement agency will take its course.
HON. MAHIYA: My question is directed to the Minister of
Industry and Commerce. Some manufacturing companies despite
getting support through Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016 still need funding for retooling. What is the Government doing about this?
THE MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE (HON.
BIMHA): Thank you Madam Speaker, once again I would like to thank the Hon. Member for raising that question. The objective of measures that Government took in coming up with the Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016 was to give some relief to our local producers to give them time to retool and re-equip and in so doing, they require funding. Government is putting up measures to facilitate those companies that have benefited from Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016 to access funding. We are doing that through the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. We are also doing that through arrangements within SADC and also through COMESA. In a very short space of time, we will be approaching those specific companies and giving information of how they can access that funding.
I thank you.
*HON. MATAMBANADZO: Thank you Madam Speaker. My
question is directed to the Minister of Industry and Commerce. It is in connection with Industry and Commerce in connection with ZESA and the manner in which it is distributing electricity to ZIMASCO and switching off ZIMASCO which has furnaces. If a furnace is switched off for a week, it causes losses of around $150 million. Twice the furnaces have been switched off. If we look at China and Turkey, it is the President who assigns for the authorization of the switching off of such furnaces because they are aware of the damage the switching off will do to the economy of the country. I thank you.
*THE MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE (HON.
BIMHA): I thank you Madam Speaker and I thank the Hon. Member for his question. It is through that industry will not function if it has no electricity. We are grateful and believe that the electricity provider can discharge its duty without customers paying for the service. So, the consumers should be able to pay the service provider.
The issue that has been raised was discussed and we had a discussion with the relevant Minister of Energy and Power
Development. We said y that if ZESA so decides to switch off a consumer in the form of an industry, there should be a discussion between the parent Ministry and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce so that companies do not close. If there are any debts, there should be restructuring of the debt so that companies can continue to carry out their daily operations. This issue arose when companies that produce ferrochrome had challenges. It is an issue that we are seized with. As such, these issues are going to be dealt with. I thank you.
HON. MANGAMI: Thank you Madam Speaker. My question is
directed to the Minister of Agriculture. I understand that tobacco farmers are being given a 5% export. What is Government policy on also giving the cotton farmers since we are exporting the crop as well?
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, MECHANISATION
AND IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. MADE): Madam
Speaker, I want to thank the Hon. Member for raising the question. I think the only thing I can do with that question is to raise the issue with the Minister of Finance and Economic Development and also the RBZ so that we can see the validity of considering that position. I thank you.
HON. ZWIZWAI: Good afternoon Madam Speaker. Thank you for the opportunity that you have afforded me to ask my question. My question is directed to the Leader of the House, Hon. Mnangagwa. What measures has the Government put in place regarding the preparations for 2018 harmonised election in particular reference to the procurement of biometrical voter registration kits. We have a Constitutional challenge as we speak right now that ZEC is not in a position to fulfill its mandate to undertake continuous voter registration. So, we want to understand from you what measures you have put in place because ZEC has since announced that we are going biometric in the forth coming elections. I thank you.
THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE,
LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON.
MNANGAGWA) Madam Speaker, as Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, the justice component brings into view the issue of ZEC under that mandate. I am surprised that the Hon. Member is more informed about the activities of ZEC than ZEC briefs me. I can only inform the Hon. Member what I know outside what he knows.
It is true that we intend to go biometric which was an agreement between all political parties. That is the intention and we are working towards that. That programme is well advanced in terms of its implementation and funding, but the Hon. Member has just asked me what measures we have put down. I do not know what measures he has in mind except the measures to prepare, which we are doing. I thank you.
HON. ZWIZWAI: My supplementary is in two parts. First and foremost, when I asked you this question, I did not ask you in your capacity as Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs because in Zimbabwe, we have an independent electoral body …
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Can you please come to the
question?
HON. ZWIZWAI: I have to preface it because the way he answered it …
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: No, let us go to the question.
HON. ZWIZWAI: Hon. Minister, ZEC does not fall under the
Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs. ZEC reports to the President and Parliament. It is an independent body. We would like to put it clear to you that one of the reforms that we are calling for is that you should not call ZEC that it becomes answerable to you as you are confirming in this august House. I have asked you this question in your capacity as the Leader of the House in the absence of the Minister of Finance and Economic Development..
We already have got a Constitutional crisis as we speak, that ZEC is not in a position to undertake continuous voter registration. So, it is a fundamental problem that should not be dealt with in arrogance. It is a national issue that we are even at liberty to take you to court over that as the Ministry of Finance because ZEC is complaining about financing. We will not accept an arrogant answer on such a critical matter of importance.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, Hon. Member.
HON. MNANGAGWA: Madam Speaker, I will be very patient and walk the Hon. Member on how the State operates. We have three pillars of State- the Executive, the Judiciary and the Legislature. Now, each arm is independent but for practical purposes this why I am designated ‘Vice President responsible for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs’. Let me begin with the last one. What do you understand when I am called Minister responsible for Parliamentary Affairs? It means that in the Executive, I must present and represent issues that I am given by the heads of Parliament which they would want known or addressed by the Executive.
Secondly, what does Justice mean? In the Executive, there is no Judiciary. Judiciary is totally independent because the head of Judiciary does not participate in the discussions of the Executive and yet they need to be facilitated in implementing their mandate as Judiciary. So, there must be a Ministry of Justice. It is under that context that commissions depending on where they are allocated; some fall under Judiciary and others under the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Services.
For example the Gender Commission, if they want their issues to be pursued by the Executive, they have to go to the Minister of Gender and Community Development. So, this is the basic understanding which I believe Hon. Members of Parliament understand. There is no arrogance in that; this is the practicality of how Government is run.
On the question of preparedness for the coming 2018 General
Elections which you call the Harmonised Elections, I have told the Hon. Member that Government is satisfied with the current preparations towards that achievement. I thank you.
HON. MAJOME: I want to thank the Hon. Vice President for his elucidation. My question therefore is, when then is this august House going to have the privilege of him tabling the Zimbabwe Electoral
Commission’s annual report to the House because this is the third time I am asking this question. There has not been a single independent commission whose report has been tabled before the House in order that it can be debated including the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission report so that Hon. Members can debate it and other reports.
HON. MNANGAGWA: The ZEC report was actually tabled. I
am willing to get a copy because I have a copy on my desk, if she missed her own copy from the pigeon hole. I am willing to give her a copy so she can satisfy herself but the report was tabled here in Parliament.
Questions Without Notice were interrupted by THE HON.
DEPUTY SPEAKER in terms of Standing Order Number 64.
HON. MAONDERA: I move that time for Questions Without
Notice be extended.
HON. ZWIZWAI: I second.
HON. BUNJIRA: My question is directed to the Hon. Vice President, the Leader of the House, Hon Mnangagwa. Is it Government policy that US$1 million missing from ZIMDEF, which is being confirmed by the Hon. Minister Prof. Moyo that it funded the one million-march - is it Government policy to fund political parties as alluded to by the Minister in the letter?
THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON.
MNANGAGWA): Hon. Speaker, if I understood the question properly, it is not Government policy to steal or to fund illegally. I have not seen the letter but it is not Government policy.
*HON. MUKUPE: My question is directed to the Hon. Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services. There was the issue of shared infrastructure; it was very topical last year. Has Government policy changed in that regard?
* THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY, POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES (HON.
MANDIWANZIRA): I want to thank Hon. Mukupe for his question. The exercise has been completed, so we do not normally talk of what has been completed but of forthcoming activities. I am sorry that you may not have been informed of what has been done. We reached an agreement with all the industry players in the telecommunications that they should not have separate transmitters, they should share the infrastructure. They are in agreement that it is a good idea, they sat down and were being led by POTRAZ, the regulator, and they agreed on the regulations. The regulations were sent to the Attorney General’s Office so that they could be gazetted into law. They are not waiting for the gazetting of this law but are now in discussion on how best they can collaborate and work together. Telecel and NetOne now share the same towers. Econet and TelOne are already sharing infrastructure. This was accepted by the industry and it is now water under the bridge. I thank you.
HON. CHAKONA: As a follow up question, I would like to find out from the Minister how infrastructure sharing is going to impact on the tariffs for voice calls and internet services as well as how it is going to impact on the coverage in terms of how network operators are going to outreach areas that are marginalised at the moment.
HON. MANDIWANZIRA: The challenge that we have been
having as a country even as Government, is that we have a company called TelOne, Powertel and these companies have been competing with each other to establish infrastructure such as fiber optic cable. If you look at Harare and Bulawayo, we have three fiber optic cables and yet one cable can be sufficient for all the data transmission that is required for this country but we have put resources into one route. Therefore, the sharing infrastructure now means that if a new route is developed, for instance between Harare and Beitbridge, the other investor may look at Harare-Nyamapanda where service is not yet available. So, it will broaden the coverage of our broadband throughout the country. We have a mandate under SADC that by the year 2020, we should have made sure that 85% of our population has broadband access. In terms of data costs, once you are sharing infrastructure, it means that you are not loading up the cost of capital on every data package that you are selling because you are sharing with others. Where investment has been done by one company and everybody is sharing, it means that the more users you have, the less cost it is for the operators. We expect that that cost saving will be extended to the subscribers who at this point, are being over charged by some of the operators in this country. That is why we have insisted in infrastructure sharing and we are very happy that the industry has cooperated. I thank you.
*HON. CHAMISA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. We have heard Hon.
Minister Mandiwanzira talking about sharing of infrastructure that they were assisted by POTRAZ who is a regulator in that industry. There is the gateway policy or there is a single gateway policy and infrastructure. How is Government going to deal with that in line with the sharing of this infrastructure? How are you going to deal with the issue of the single gateway for each of those three that are now sharing infrastructure or how is that going to be handled?
*HON. MANDIWANZIRA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I thank the
Hon. Member for the question which relates to the issue of the gateway. In as far as that one is concerned; the truth of the matter is currently that each company which can afford has its own gateway. This is the practicality of it today. This is what the law allows. As Government, we are having problems because the gateways are being used to steal money or abuse money. There are those that call from outside the country and bring in foreign currency.
When we phone outside, we also need to pay the companies that receive our calls. So the problem that we are having is that we are not getting the truth of the matter on the quantity of calls that are coming. Those that are going out of the country because it appears as if we are having more calls going out of the country as opposed to the numbers that are coming in. You know that the majority of our people in the Diaspora are phoning back to this country. We want a system that shows and proves - to vindicate the claims by those with the gateways. We are still investigating. We will be happy if the Hon. Member has suggestions on how we can deal with this issue. I thank you.
HON. NDUNA: Mr. Speaker, the ruling was made by the previous
Speaker. ...
*HON. CHIBAYA: Aizve, ndarecognizwa.
HON. NDUNA: Chimbomira. Mr. Speaker, a ruling was made by
the previous Speaker that I would have the next supplementary ...
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. MARUMAHOKO):
Order, order please!
HON. NDUNA: Thank you Mr. Speaker.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, I did not give you the
floor. I will give you a chance after Hon. Chibaya.
*HON. CHIBAYA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to Hon. Minister Mushohwe who is the Minister of Media,
Information and Broadcasting Services. The Minister of Finance and Economic Development, during the Mid-Term Fiscal Review said there will be no bonuses for civil servants because Government was having difficulty in raising funds. You then went on to say civil servants are going to be paid their bonuses. Who is going to prevail in this issue? Are you going to prevail over the Minister of Finance and Economic Development or the Minister of Finance is going to prevail over you?
HON. CHINOTIMBA: On a point of order Mr. Speaker.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: What is your point of order? *HON. CHINOTIMBA: Mr. Speaker, my point of order is that this question was given to the Speaker and we tasked the Speaker to come up with a response on this issue. We are posing the same question but the question is with Mr. Speaker. The question has already been posed and the Speaker is dealing with it. – [AN HON. MEMBER: Inaudible interjection.]- May you protect me Hon. Speaker. He does not appreciate what I am saying. In conclusion, I am saying we should not be posing the same question to everyone who comes to this august House. What response is the Speaker going to give, that is my point of order. Thank you.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Chinotimba
for reminding this august House that the question was posed to the Speaker. We wait for the Speaker’s ruling. I thank you.
*HON. NDUNA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. My supplementary
question was to Hon. Minister Mandiwanzira. It had to do with domestic roaming if there is infrastructure sharing by service providers. Are we going to have that domestic roaming in areas where there are none of the three players so that any person who uses that particular service provider could be able to access cell phones?
*THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION, MEDIA AND BROADCASTING SERVICES (HON. MANDIWANZIRA): Thank
you Mr. Speaker. I thank the poser of the question. The point behind infrastructure sharing is to ensure that when you are a subscriber to Net One, where there is Econet and there is no Net One, you should be able to access your service provider. The problem was that single service provider wanted to have more customers because they had more Base stations. As Government, we intervened and said that there should be a sharing of the infrastructure for the benefit of all the players in that place. Having more Base stations may be because you were in the right place at the right time but there are others that are more deserving in terms of using these Base stations and that when there will be the opportunity to renew your licence, we may not renew your licence.
So, they are now in agreement. What remains is to come up with the regulations to regulate this issue because there was a problem in that the service providers were not paying on time. Others owed some of the service providers for a long time. They were apprehensive that if there will the roaming whether domestic or international, are you able to pay for your service. Government is coming up with regulation guidelines that you need to pay within a stipulated period and that failure to pay, you may be disconnected. Domestic roaming in brief will be there. I thank you.
*HON. MUTOMBA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. My question is
directed to the Leader of the House, the Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Minister responsible for Justice, Legal and
Parliamentary Affairs. Hon. Vice President, it is 36 years after we have attained independence. If you look at our legal system, especially the court system, we are still using one language in court. I do not know why we are using that single language. In Parliament, we currently use three languages and we will eventually reach the 16 languages target. Why do we have interpreters? The Magistrate would be a black man who understands Ndebele and the accused person would be Ndebele or Shona. Why should there be an interpreter? I thank you.
THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON.
MNANGAGWA): Thank you Mr. Speaker. I thank the Hon. Member. He wants to find out why in our judiciary system we have interpreters.
He is questioning about interpreters in the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs but we have interpreters that are upstairs, who are interpreting. The truth of the matter is that the law says we have 16 official languages in Zimbabwe and there are three that are used in Government documents, Shona, Ndebele and English. However, 16 languages are officially recognised.
In court, you are allowed to speak in your mother tongue. You are not confined to speak only three languages. You are allowed to speak any other language so the court has interpreters. This is to ensure that the court record which is compiled has it. I am yet to see a copy of
Hansard that is produced in Shona or Ndebele. I am speaking in Shona, some are speaking in Ndebele and others in English. The Hansard that we will have will be in English. This is what prevails. There is no language that is being looked down upon. Our courts are not even behind. It is a good practice that one should speak in their mother tongue in our courts, so that the court will be able to bring in an interpreter who will be able to convey the idea intended for the purposes of the record. That is how it functions. This is the state of the matter Hon. Mutomba, do not be worried by such practices.
In future, we should have a situation where all our documents will be in any of the 16 languages but my thinking is that as we develop with our technology, it may be possible that you press a button and you hear the interpretation or your mother tongue. Our official records are compiled in the three languages that I have talked about except Braille. In Parliament we are allowed to use Braille because we have members who can use Braille. So, we are duty bound to have some of our documents in Braille. We have a legal obligation to do that. The question that you have asked me is being dealt with not only in the court system but in Zimbabwe. As you see, the Reporter here is busy recording the translation that is coming through.
*HON. CHINOTIMBA: My supplementary question Vice
President is that we could liken the Speaker who is in the Chair to a
Judge or Magistrate. If I were to speak in Shona, he also speaks in Shona so that I understand. He will not respond in English. If I were to ask the Minister in Shona, he responds in Shona. The difference between us and the court is that when I speak in Shona and the Judge speaks in English, I will not understand. The Judge would be lying to me. Why does the Judge not respond in Shona? Those that would be interpreting to us would be lying to us and we do not understand.
We are saying why are we being forced to speak in English 36 years after independence? We have our own mother tongue. The Judge should speak in the person on the floor’s mother tongue. If I were to debate in my mother tongue, the Hansard personnel and Interpreters have a duty to interpret it into English but we want that change so that those ordinary people in court can understand what is being said. The Judge should not speak in English because we do not understand some of the language that is used. I thank you.
*HON. MNANGAGWA: Mr. Speaker Sir, I have heard what the Hon. Member has said. If you were listening, you will not have been as emotional as you have become. He has said that if a person speaks in Ndebele, the Speaker should respond in Ndebele. He is not forced to speak in a particular language. If someone speaks in Shona, he is allowed to respond in English. If someone speaks in English and you respond in Ndebele, it is allowed. If we were to say all judges should be conversant in all languages, if one speaks in Tonga and Shangani, the Judge should be conversant with all these languages, where are we going to find such judges? The person who is in court as a party should be able to speak with the judge. The interpreter will interpret so that the parties converse and understand what is being conveyed. We should not force judicial officers to learn all the 16 languages. We are independent and we are saying one should speak in their mother tongue. Thank you.
Questions Without Notice were interrupted by THE
TEMPORARY SPEAKER in terms of Standing Order Number 64.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE
SUBLETTING AND COLLECTION OF RENTALS FOR CLIFTON
FARM BUSINESS CENTRE IN MBERENGWA
- HON. T. ZHOU asked the Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement to explain why Mrs. S. Raft is still subletting and collecting the rentals for Clifton Farm Business Centre in Mberengwa when the farm was gazetted by Government in 2000 and the court had ordered the farmer to vacate the farm in June, 2016 and whether Government would compensate her since she is collecting rentals from tenants currently occupying the Farm Business Centre since they have submitted their applications to the Ministry in December, 2015.
THE MINISTER OF LANDS AND RURAL
RESETTELEMENT (HON. DR. MOMBESHORA): Thank you Mr.
Speaker. I have a question from Hon. T. Zhou. Thank you very much for your question. I will respond to this question in three parts:
- My Ministry is looking into the allegations raised regarding the sub-leasing of the Farm Business Centre so as to attend to the matter accordingly.
- The farm in issue was indeed acquired by the State and allocated to A1 farmers on approximately 3120 ha. The former farm owner was left in occupation of the remaining extent, measuring approximately 243 ha, which portion includes the Clifton Farm Business Centre. Sometime in 2015, we initially allocated the whole remaining extent to Hon. Zhou but a re-plan was then done for the farm leaving the homestead and business centre outside of the land which was allocated to Hon. Zhou. S. Raft is currently occupying the portion covering the homestead and business centre.
- Compensation for improvements on acquired land is in terms of the law and is accordingly inescapable. Every former farm owner is entitled to the full compensation of the improvements on their acquired farms in terms of the Constitution and the Government honours that obligation. Thank you.
*HON. T. ZHOU: In June, the courts ruled that the former farm owner should vacate the farm. So, I do not understand why your
Ministry is now interfering with the decision of the other arm of State.
HON. MOMBESHORA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. As I have
said, there was a re-plan that was done to the farm which excised the business centre. The Ministry of Lands is the planning authority and the issuing authority, as such they also act on recommendations that come from the provinces. This is why the farm has been re-planned and the former farmer has been asked to move out of the farm to pave way for the Hon. Member to carryout farming operations. The business centre is a separate entity and will be dealt with separately. Thank you.
*HON. T. ZHOU: Mr. Speaker Sir, I would like to find out from the Minister if sub-letting is allowed under the land redistribution policy.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Zhou, are you the
affected party? Why do you not visit the Minister and discuss these issues?
*HON. T. ZHOU: It affects Government because the former owner is subletting the farm. Therefore, she is involved in double dipping since Government will compensate her.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Zhou, it is best for you
talk to the Minister.
MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE WATER SITUATION IN
REDCLIFF
- HON. H. NCUBE asked the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing what measures the Ministry is taking to improve the water situation in Redcliff considering that residents are going for more than five weeks without water.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT,
PUBLIC WORKS AND NATIONAL HOUSING (HON.
CHINGOSHO): Mr. Speaker Sir, I would like to thank the Hon. Member for the question. The Ministry acknowledges the water challenges being faced by the municipality of Redcliff, as a result of non-payment of water bills by the residents. Furthermore, this phenomena has resulted in the inability by Redcliff Municipality to pay Kwekwe City Council for the water supplies. As a result, Kwekwe residents cannot subsidise water to the Redcliff residents. The situation is also exacerbated by the fact that ZISCO STEEL has a huge water bill that they still owe to Redcliff Municipality and it has a big impact on the operations of the municipality.
As at 30th September 2016, Redcliff Municipality owes Kwekwe
City Council $1 822 065.00 and the Redcliff residents owe Redcliff Municipality over $2 million. Given this scenario, there is therefore need for civic leaders and Parliamentarians to conscientise their constituents on the importance of paying for services rendered in return for improved municipal service delivery. I thank you.
On the motion of HON. MATUKE, seconded by HON. GONESE, the House adjourned at Twenty-Four Minutes past Four o’clock p.m.