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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY HANSARD 24 JULY 2024 Vol. 50 No. 74

PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE

Wednesday, 24^th July, 2024

The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two o’clock p.m.

PRAYERS

(THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair)

ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER

APPOLOGIES RECEIVED FROM MINISTERS

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I have got a list of apologies from Hon. Ministers and Deputy Ministers who have sought leave of absence from the House. Hon. M. N. Ndlovu, Minister of Industry and Commerce; Hon. M. Mavhunga, Minister of  Veterans of Liberation Struggle Affairs; Hon. D. Garwe, Minister of Local Government and Public Works; Hon. B. Rwodzi, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry; Hon. T. Mnangagwa, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry; Hon. T. Moyo, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education; Hon. A. Gata, Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education; Hon. K. Kazembe, Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage; Hon. C. Sanyatwe, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage; Hon. M. Mutsvangwa, Minister of Women Affairs Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development; Hon. J. Mhlanga; Deputy Minister of Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development; Hon. D. K. Mnangagwa, Deputy Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion; Hon. D. Marapira, Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Resettlement; Hon. E. Jesaya, Deputy Minister of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture; Hon. J. Paradza, Deputy Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife.

Ministers who are present in the House; Hon. Professor Murwira, Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development; Hon. E. Moyo, Minister of Energy and Power Development; Hon. Dr. A Masuka, Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries,  Water and Rural Resettlement; Hon. R. Moyo, Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce; Hon. Y. Simbanegavi, Deputy Minister of Energy and Power Development; Hon. M. Ncube, Deputy Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities; and Hon. M. Dinha, Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.

          HON. MUSHORIWA: On a point of order Madam Speaker. We note your pronouncement in respect to the Ministers that have given apologies and also the Ministers that you have indicated that they are in this House. Notably Hon. Speaker, there are three substantive Ministers and then the Deputy Ministers.  I think this is an issue that we have actually raised. The question time on Wednesday, in respect to the question and answer is provided for in our Standing Orders.  The reason for this is to allow Members to ask the Executive policy questions pertaining to issues that affect the generality of Zimbabweans.  We know that there have been quite a number of Ministers, some of them have actually been religious in absenting themselves from the Wednesday question time.  We ask you Hon. Speaker, to possibly publish the list of the Hon. Ministers, their attendance list on Wednesdays and those that have given apologies.  You will then see a pattern that there are certain Ministers who are supposed to be in this august House on Wednesday that have decided to absent themselves every now and then.

We also have other Ministers who have done well, who have been coming to this august House every Wednesday. Madam Speaker, I think this is prudent for the people of Zimbabwe.  The people of Zimbabwe see all of us here.  They are looking forward to this day so that we ask questions to Members of the Cabinet.  Madam Speaker Ma’am, to have Members who continuously, week in, week out, give apologies.  I do not think it helps Zimbabwe.  It also defeats the narrative of the Second Republic theme of leaving no one behind.  If they absent themselves, it means that the question that Hon. Members have are going to be left out, the message from their constituents is not going to be taken on board.  We cannot have such a situation Hon. Speaker.  Allow us to have the attendance list of Ministers on Wednesday so that we can deduce the pattern.  Even when you see the pattern Madam Speaker, I think even yourself you will be ashamed of some of these Ministers what they have been doing.  I thank you so much.

         THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Thank you Hon. Mushoriwa, your point has been noted. 

         HON. TOGAREPI:  Thank you Madam Speaker.  Let me clarify, I think the Hon. Chief Whip of the Opposition is misdirecting himself by defining Ministers and Deputy Ministers.  In the Standing Orders, they are all Ministers.  If there is a Deputy Minister, it means the Minister is present. I do not think we need the document that he is talking about, we are not supervisors of Ministers. 

         THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  On that aspect, Hon. Togarepi you are correct. Deputy Ministers are also Ministers in the House. 

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

         HON. MANANZVA: Thank you Madam Speaker. In the absence of the Leader of the House, may we know the Leader of Government Business – [HON. MEMBERS: Hon. Deputy Minister Modi!.] -

         THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: May we have order in the House. 

         HON. TOGAREPI:  Hon. Masuka is going to be the Acting Leader of the House.

         THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Hon. Masuka is our Acting Leader of Government Business. 

         *HON. MANANZVA: Thank you Madam Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.  We are grateful for the maize that is being distributed but my question is, maize is coming but only a few are benefiting. One family can take up to six bags whilst another does not.  What measures are you taking to ensure that everyone gets the maize grain because everyone is facing starvation?   

         *THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Hon. Members to my left, if you come to this House, you are called Hon. Members, please behave like your title. 

         *THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND SOCIAL WELFARE (HON. DINHA): I would like to thank the Hon. Member for the question.  At the moment, people there are 6 100 000 beneficiaries of grain in rural areas.  What is happening is if there is a household that is receiving maize, it is a household consisting of father, mother and six children for example, all of them receiving grain.  Each person receives 7.5 kgs of maize.  What is happening is people are receiving grain for three months allocation at one go.  One person receives 22.5 kgs which means, father and mother plus children which is 22. 5 times 6.  That is why some receive a number of bags whilst some have not received yet.  That is an allocation of the chosen beneficiaries and the criteria has been that there are the most needy at that moment. They are considered as needing the grain at that moment. 

         *HON. MANANZVA: The maize that is being allocated in six months, is it in advance or it is backdated.  If it is backdated, it means that people have survived, why do we not give grain to people in advance so that we all benefit. 

         HON. DINHA: I think right now the maize that we have been distributing is for May, June and July.  The distribution process will end in July. It was for those three months.  If we say May we rush and distribute, June or July, the transport cost as well as administration cost become more.  We realise that if we give them maize for three months, it will be good, it reduces costs especially for transport as well as administration and ensuring that people do not travel up and down to receive the maize.  At the moment, the allocations were for May, June and July.   After that, we start distributing for the next three months; so it will be in batches of three months till March next year. 

         *HON.  KARENYI: Thank you Madam Speaker.  My question to the Hon. Minister is, according to their assessment, it shows that in rural as well as in urban areas, people are starving.  So, it means that when one person goes with six bags, others get nothing.  The Hon. Minister admitted that some get as much as six bags, but the fact of the matter is that everyone is starving.  As Government, why do they not distribute the maize to everyone for the three months batch?  It is better to give a bag per household than distributing six bags to one household.  Can the Ministry not come up with another method to ensure that everyone receives maize on time?  I thank you.

         *HON. DINHA: Thank you Madam Speaker.  I think that criteria is being used.  It is a rule gazetted by Government, so if that has to be changed, it means Government has to sit down to change that system and ensure that everyone benefits and ensure each household gets a bag of maize.  But at the moment, we are following the laid down procedure.  I thank you.

         *HON. MANANZVA:  My supplementary question is directed to the Deputy Minister.  If you say Government laid down that procedure, we are the Government and we are saying in Mutoko, no one at all received rains.  So, we want to know how you are going to distribute the maize expeditiously because everyone is starving.  The situation is dire out there.

         *HON. DINHA: Thank you Madam Speaker.  I think we will sit down and ensure that we follow your recommendations.  I think on Monday, we will sit down together with the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure that we act accordingly.

          HON. KARIMATSENGA-NYAMUPINGA:  Since this is a topical issue, I was thinking that it is good if the two Ministries concerned can bring a Ministerial statement to this House because we cannot play with an issue that has to do with hunger.  Hunger can lead people to do anything and it is a security threat to have hunger in the country.  I thank you.

         THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Thank you Hon. Nyamupinga.  I am sure the Ministers concerned have taken note of that.

         *HON. MAKUMIRE:  Madam Speaker, I am of the opinion that this is a very pressing issue because people are starving out there.  May you please increase the time so that we understand the situation?

         THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  You will debate on it extensively when it comes as a Ministerial statement.

         HON. MABURUTSE:  My question is directed to the Minister of Agriculture.  Can the Minister explain to this House how the ward drought mitigation centres will operate to assist in reducing cattle deaths in dry regions? 

         THE MINISTER OF LANDS, AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, WATER AND RURAL RESETTLEMENT (HON. DR. MASUKA):  Thank you Madam Speaker.  I thank the Hon. Member for the very pertinent question in the midst of this ravaging drought induced by the El-Nino phenomenon, the worst drought in 43 years.  It will affect us from a household food consumption perspective as we have heard, but it will also affect our livestock in four principal ways.  The first is that the livestock will not have sufficient water on account of there not having been sufficient rainfall.  The second aspect is pastures, which will be much depleted and therefore we will not have enough pastures for the cattle.  Then there are diseases associated with the dryness and that can be picked from the ground such as anthrax, so that will also see heightened incidents of debilitating diseases. 

The fourth aspect is that some of our best genetics in terms of cattle may be lost and perhaps the fifth one is that there will be panic sales of cattle by households and they will get reduced return though we know that cattle, in the context of our Africanness, are a business and also a social status.  So, Government’s response has been to re-prioritise the drilling of boreholes and availing water to the rural communities by focusing on the 1620 rural wards and principally prioritising regions 4 and 5 - the 1035 wards in regions 4 and 5.  So, at this ward drought mitigation centre, the intention is to be able to do the 1035, resources permitting in as short a time as possible so that in the next four months to November, we are able to save as many livestock as possible.

     2.5 million of the 5.7 million cattle that we have in the country are at risk.  So, at this drought ward drought mitigation centre, the central point is the village business unit; a borehole which is solar powered and drip irrigation so that the community can have safe and clean water, nutrition gardens and drinking troughs for livestock and feeding troughs for supplementary feeding.  We are mobilising supplementary feed for 1620 wards.  We have signed contracts with companies that supply silage and other supplementary feeds for distribution to these drought-stricken wards. 

We also put a spray race to enable the cattle in that particular area to be able to be sprayed for the diseases.  We have also appointed focal persons for all these wards and created a WhatsApp group for communication so that we do not lose cattle.  The essence of this ward drought mitigation centre is that it is a relief centre for the particular ward.  I thank you Madam Speaker.

HON. P. MOYO: My question to the Minister is, what plans do you have in terms of mitigation of the drought problem in areas where there is no water?

HON. DR. MASUKA: I thank the Hon. Member for the question. Perhaps, this is so specific and I would like to know where this particular area is. We have recently procured drilling rigs that can go as deep as 400 metres, and it would be good to know where this specific issue is so that we can investigate all the means that are available to enable them to get some water. I thank you.

HON. L. SIBANDA: How far have you gone to operationalise the proposed ward-based unit cattle sales, the one that was mentioned by the Deputy Minister to say that they would try and make sure that they guide the sales of cattle at ward-based level?

HON. DR. MASUKA: I want to thank the Hon. Member for the pertinent question. I did say that one of the major issues, especially in the drought stricken provinces like Matabeleland South, Matabeleland North, Midlands and Masvingo, which hold about 60% of our national cattle herd is that as a result of this drought, households may be forced to panic-sell cattle thinking that the cattle would deteriorate and eventually die and they would not get anything out of them.

What we have done as a Ministry, is to ban all household-based cattle sales, ban all village-based cattle sales so that the cattle sales can now take place at these ward drought mitigation centres on designated calendar days that are advertised in advance. The cattle clearance takes place at this ward where everyone else is on reducing theft but more importantly, we then bring in an auctioneer and buyers who are then able to bid and compete for the cattle. Hopefully, through the bidding process, we will see an increased price for these cattle.

When we did the sample run in Gwanda at Garanyemba, we saw that the price for the cattle was 25% to 40% higher in terms of the prices that they were getting. We have now said, for the 1 620 rural wards, we want a sales calendar developed by next week. The Deputy Minister in charge of livestock, Hon. Marapira is actually seized with that. We will be able to avail that calendar to ensure that happens. I thank you.

*HON. TAFANANA ZHOU: My supplementary question is about livestock close to national parks. Those cattle are straying into national parks for pastures. What is the plan to prevent the spread of diseases, especially amongst the livestock that stray into national parks?

*HON. DR. MASUKA: Firstly, buffaloes are the ones that transmit foot and mouth diseases which spread to animals that have hooves. We have erected fences and we erected 197 km of fencing along Gonarezhou National Park. In other areas, we also want to prevent the contact between livestock and wild animals. We are liaising with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife to be able to cut grass that may be abundant in other areas so that we may use them as feed for livestock.

The other issue is on drinking points. We are also working with the National Parks so that we may also have areas where our livestock may access water but being separated by a fence to prevent contact with wild animals. If we can be alerted on such areas that have high risk of contact, we will act immediately.

HON. MUROMBEDZI: The Hon. Minister mentioned village cattle sale pens. My question is, what measures are going to be put in place to prevent overcrowding and health risks at these village-based cattle pens?  How is the Ministry going to protect farmers from potential exploitation by middlemen at these central selling points having seen that it is going to reduce their access to markets?

HON. DR. MASUKA: I thank the Hon. Member for the very pertinent question. Firstly, we have said that we are banning cattle sales at household and village levels so that we can go to this ward. If there are seven or eight villages in the ward, there is this designated sales point where the cattle ordinarily go to have water because that is the only relief point in these particular ward and then we put in the feeding troughs so that they can have relief feeding. Unlike in 1992 where we selected one heifer per household to save, we now want to save all the cattle.

We also realised that the cattle are a business, so we must provide an avenue for sale without causing transmission of diseases. For example, we have said the locals must improvise through food for work. Where we launched the programme at Garanyemba, we put in a spray race as dip tanks will have run low on water. This is the only place where we can get water so that the cattle get dipped at that particular place. This is actually enhancing disease control and reducing mortality of our cattle.

In terms of middlemen, this is actually eliminating middlemen. What is happening ordinarily is that the buyer goes to your household asking to buy cattle and they negotiate with you on a household and buyer basis. That reduces your negotiating capabilities as an individual. Whereas if all these cattle that are due for sale are brought to a centralised place on a known date, it means that everyone who is selling - like at this centre, we had 28 cattle that were offered for sale and we had buyers that had come….

*HON HAMAUSWA: On a point of order. I hear the response of the Hon Minister but I am shocked, is what he is talking about practical?  If he says dip tanks are the selling points, how many thousands of dip tanks are there in this country, because in the constituencies, people want practical responses.  So the Hon. Minister must give practical responses…

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I encourage you to listen so that you understand what the Minister is explaining.

HON. DR. MASUKA: Let me explain, we have 4 009 dip tanks in this country.  The actual number is…

*HON. MATAMBO: This is an Hon. House, with Hon. Members.  We encourage that …

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Do you have evidence that the Minister is lying.

*HON. MATAMBO: The Hon. Minister should give us evidence of what he is saying.  What the Minister is saying, he is not telling the truth. Where did that come from?  I am saying that the Minister did not lie but his facts… [HON. TOGAREPI: vanenge vanoda kudhibha ivo.]– [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –

         THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Can we have order in the House? – [HON. MATAMBO: He cannot insult me.  I ask through your Chair that he withdraws.] – Please may you take your seat? – [HON. MATAMBO: I am human, it is either you have to chase me out of this House, handi dhibhe, he has to withdraw his statement] – [AN HON. MEMBER: Baya.] – Hon. Member, please may you take your seat? 

         The Hon. Deputy Speaker having called the Minister to proceed - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – May there be order in the House? – [HON. MEMBER: Vachiti munhu imombe anodhibha, moti Parliament ienderere mberi pakadaro?  Hon. Togarepi, sa Government Chief Whip, must withdraw statement rokuti vanoda kudhibha ivo, muno umu mune maHonourables.] -  May we have order?  May we have order, please?  Manje mukada kuita zvokudaro ka, aiwa.  May we have order in the House? Hon. Members, please may you take your seats?

         The Hon. Deputy Speaker having wanted to proceed  – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – Hon. Chief Whip of Opposition, may you please approach the Chair?  Hon. Zhou, may we have order in the House.  May the Hon. Minister proceed?

         HON. DR. MASUKA: Thank you Madam Speaker.  I was indicating the number of dip tanks in the country and was being precise that they are 4 009.  In rural areas we have 1 620 wards in the eight rural provinces.  We obviously have more dip tanks per ward, depending on the ward.  The selection of these ward drought mitigation centres is ward specific.  We have encouraged the communities to see to it that if there is an existing dip tank that already has the faculties like sales facilities that this be chosen ahead of a new centre.  Obviously, it is the water availability in that ward that determines the choice for the ward drought mitigation centre.  This is what we are doing.  At some stage I would be very pleased to favour this House with the 1 620-ward drought mitigation centres once the team completes the exercise and we can reveal this as early as next week. I thank you.

         An Hon. Member having wanted to ask a supplementary question.

         THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Three supplementary questions were already asked.

         HON. MATEWU: Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order.  My Standing Orders in terms of Standing Order, Number 98 (1) (d), ‘no Member, while speaking to a question may use derogatory, disrespectful offensive or unbecoming words against the President, Parliament or its Members’.  Madam Speaker, ask the Chief Whip for the Government to withdraw his words.  I thank you.

         THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: What do you want the Chief Whip to withdraw?

         HON. MATEWU: Madam Speaker, the Chief Whip said to the Member that iye anoda kuenda kudhibha.

         *THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: So, what is wrong in dipping? Dipping is similar to bathing – [HON. MATAMBO: No, no, you are out of order Madam Speaker.  I think you are now rubbing in the salt.  You are out of order; you cannot continue like this.  You also have to withdraw that statement.  I feel very much insulted.  You are out of order Madam Speaker.  – [AN HON. MEMBER: Gara pasi iwe.] -  May we have order.  Hon. Togarepi, please may you withdraw that statement?

         HON. TOGAREPI: Madam Speaker, I want to be very clear, before I withdraw.  I cannot withdraw lies.  Madam Speaker, I asked a question, I never said any Hon. Member anodhibha, I asked – [AN HON. MEMBER: Withdraw]-

         THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: May we have order in the House. Hon. Togarepi, please may you withdraw that statement.

         HON. TOGAREPI: Madam Speaker, I want to be very clear before I withdraw. I cannot withdraw lies – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – Madam Speaker, I asked a question. I never said any Hon. Member anodhibha. – [HON. MEMBERS: Withdraw.] –

         THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: May we have order in the House!

HON. TOGAREPI: I asked a question – munodhibha here? Does it mean it was applying to anybody? If the Hon. Members are insulted by kudhibha – [HON. HAMAUSWA: The Speaker ruled, please withdraw.] - 

HON. MATAMBO: Madam Speaker, you made a ruling and the Hon. Member is yet to withdraw that statement, and I await that he withdraws that statement.

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Member, I think you are drunk – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –

HON. L. SIBANDA: My point of clarity is, I want to know the statistics of the dip tanks that dip human beings? I thank you.

*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Member, you requested that Hon. Togarepi withdraws and he withdrew – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – You were making a lot of noise because that is what you came to do here, especially when there is live broadcast. The Chief Whip withdrew while you were making noise.

HON. JAMES: We take it that the Chief Whip is too scared to withdraw. My question is directed to the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs. Can the Minister highlight the Government policy regarding the SADC Tribunal with the euphoria surrounding the pending SADC Summit to be held here? Will the Second Republic take the opportunity to withdraw the country’s signature from the Protocol that was signed in 2012 and 2014, which effectively denied some 400 million SADC citizens their human rights to approach this epic course should they need? This will be a monumental act of righteousness and will enhance the credibility of Zimbabwe as a pillar within SADC, promoting the SADC Treaty principles –

HON. TOGAREPI: On a point of order.  My point of order Madam Speaker is, that is not a question. He is addressing us about issues. Let him ask a question.

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. James, please may you ask your question again.

HON. JAMES: I am asking the Minister to highlight the policy regarding the SADC Tribunal and the signature they had denying some 400 million SADC citizens their legal right to approach the SADC Court. I think that withdrawing that signature will be a monumental act of righteousness to enhance the credibility of Zimbabwe and the SADC Treaty principles of democracy, human rights and rule of law for the prosperity and development of us all. I am asking –

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. James, that is a specific question and I advise you to put that in writing – [HON. JAMES: Inaudible interjections.]

HON. CHIGUMBU: I kindly ask you to indulge me Madam Speaker. You are one of the best Speakers that this Parliament has ever had. I want to thank you for the commendable work that you are doing, but I have noticed something. Every time you are sitting on that Chair, it seems that people on your right are always trying to bully you when executing your work – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – We want you to be free. If you are seated on that Chair, you are representing the interests of every Zimbabwean.

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: That is not a point of privilege Hon. Member, please take you seat.

HON. SHONGEDZA: My question is directed to the Minister of Health and Child Care. Since the COVID – 19 pandemic, there has been an increase in the number of children impregnated by adults. What is the Government doing to protect these children?

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE (HON. KWIDINI): I want to thank the Hon. Member for the question, but I am not so sure which children are being referred to; school going age or college. As a Ministry, our mandate is to treat and make some preventive awareness in terms of diseases which affect people, including those children. I do not know now in terms of pregnancies. I think if these are school going children, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education can also come in to make the awareness campaigns such that the children are told the dangers of indulging at an early age. Even at home, it is the responsibility of the parents to make sure children are protected from these dangers. I thank you.

HON. I. NDUDZO: My question falls under the purview of the Ministry of Local Government. What is the governing policy in respect to the installation, discipline and jurisdiction of village heads in the A1 resettlement areas, seeing to it that in the communal lands and in the old resettlement, we have village heads who are installed and are on Government payroll? In the A1s, we have got haphazard appointments and people claiming to be village heads. What is the actual policy in terms of installation, discipline and jurisdiction?

THE MINISTER OF LANDS, AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, WATER AND RURAL RESETTLEMENT (HON. DR. MASUKA): I thank the Hon. Member for the question. The agricultural areas, its administration is under the purview of the Ministry of Lands. The difference with the communal areas is that the communal areas are governed by three Acts. First is the Rural District Councils Act, Traditional Leaders Act and of course, the Communal Lands Act, which I co-administered with the Minister of Local Government and Public Works. In agricultural areas, the power is ceded by the Minister for a temporary governance and we will be bringing to this House the Agrarian Reform Amendment Bill which will try to streamline the governance system within the agricultural land. At that stage, we hope that we will be able to eliminate the issues that were raised by the Hon. Member and ensure that the governance in that sector is for development. I thank you Madam Speaker.

HON. MUTSEYAMI: Thank you Madam Speaker. My supplementary question to the Hon. Minister is that in the current moment, there are some who claim to be village heads in agricultural land. Under whose jurisdiction would you have put those people and using which powers? Thank you Madam Speaker.

HON. DR. MASUKA:  Thank you Madam Speaker. I thank the Hon. Member for the question. The Hon. Member will recall that when we undertook the Fast Track Land Reform Programme, we put in temporary governance structures, principally a committee of seven that would be superintending over, especially A1s. That is where they draw their power from until the new legal arrangement is put in place. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

HON. P. DUBE:  Thank you Madam Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Health. Would the Minister highlight to this House what the Ministry’s policy is to improve the health conditions of the health professionals so as to retain all our health professionals in our referral hospitals? Thank you.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE (HON. KWIDINI):  Thank you Madam Speaker. I would also like to thank the Hon. Member for the question. Yes, it is true. As the Ministry, we now have what we call a compact criteria or strategy which has been signed with other developmental partners which will see and make sure there is more training of health professionals. There is going to be retention of those health professionals and improve the ethics of the health professionals which will make them sure to deliver quality health care to the people of Zimbabwe. I think this policy, very soon the Minister when he is going to present the National Health Insurance Policy which has been crafted, I think he is also going to encompass what the Hon. Member has asked. I thank you Madam Speaker.

HON. P. DUBE:  Thank you Madam Speaker. What would the Minister say on the reaction time by the doctors because there are cases where citizens refer sick people to our referral hospitals and doctors perhaps take forever to attend to patients resulting in death in some instances?

HON. KWIDINI:  Thank you Madam Speaker. It is now a comment which is now being requested but sometimes comments are dangerous because you comment on something which you have not witnessed. As far as we are concerned as the Ministry, we are aware that because of high attrition, especially in the health professionals which has been witnessed since around 2000 up to date,  as a Ministry, we are trying to train more doctors and nurses such that all those referred cases, especially to the central referral hospitals, will be seeking highly specialised treatment where we need specialised doctors who take care of those ailments. As for now, there is a process where more of those specialists are being trained such that the turnaround which is being said is going to be reduced. The Ministry is aware of that one. I submit Madam Speaker.

*HON. GWANGWABA:  Thank you Madam Speaker. How are you? I would like to thank the Deputy Minister…

*HON. T. ZHOU: On a point of order Madam Speaker. The Hon. Speaker made a ruling that there is no need to greet the Chair first before posing a question. May the Hon. Member withdraw the greeting?

*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: The Hon. Speaker said greeting the Chair is not necessary but did not say it must not be done.

*HON. GWANGWABA:  Thank you for the protection Madam Speaker. My question is directed to the Deputy Minister. Regarding the staff and health services delivery, what measures are they putting in place with regards to training? We realise when the intake is advertised, five thousand applicants apply but only 30 are recruited. We want a lot of them to be recruited so that there is efficiency in the sector, instead of taking a small number.

HON. KWIDINI:  Thank you Madam Speaker. I would like to thank the Hon. Member for the supplementary question. It is true that when I spoke about compact, that is the programme that also includes the training of health delivery system workers to be increased. We are in liaison with the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education to ensure that the training is increased so that we cover most of our hospitals, in line with Vision 2030. By then, we want to ensure that we double the workforce in the sector. I thank you.

          *HON. S.  MOYO: Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is, we see you training our doctors and nurses, but after going to hospital they then open private surgeries because they say they are not paid adequately. What is Government doing because Government trains those doctors and nurses and they do not remain in public hospitals?  Instead they opt to open private surgeries because …

         *THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: You are only supposed to ask one question.

         *THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE (HON. KWIDINI): Thank you, Hon. Speaker Ma’am. We only hear that as a Ministry but according to policy, the nurse or the doctor must be at the hospital during their working hours until they work adequately, but that may be mischief if they do that during working hours. I know that indeed even our ancestors were never satisfied by the wages or pay. If there is any information on any such workers running private surgeries during working hours, they are supposed to be reported, we do not allow that.

         *HON. KARIMATSENGA-NYAMUPINGA: Thank you, Madam Speaker Ma’am. My question is directed to the Minister of Health about abortion. Madam Speaker, excuse me I was checking if the Deputy Minister is available. The law in this country allows abortion for specific reasons such as health or rape case or incest. In that case, abortion maybe allowed. The problem we are facing as women is when we start that process, the bureaucracy involved till the process is concluded, leaves a lot to be desired. What is Government policy with regards to that instance where the person is legally entitled to abortion, the victim may end up getting all the way to seven months. The time will have lapsed and it ends up becoming more or less like murder, yet abortion should have been made earlier.

*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Nyamupinga, may you bring that as a motion. Although I will allow the Deputy Minister to respond, I think that issue should be debated.

         *HON. KARIMATSENGA-NYAMUPINGA: Madam Speaker Ma’am since I was really eager to be responded to.

         *THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: We allow this question to be responded to.

         *HON. KARIMATSENGA-NYAMUPINGA: I really accepted your recommendation. My question is about gays or lesbians. Madam Speaker, please do not cry. Somebody maybe born with two sex organs. Doctors consider which one should be removed and which one should be retained but when they remove one organ, that person may feel more…

         HON. MADZIVANYIKA: On a point of order. Hon. Nyamupinga must ask her question directly. Today is question and answer time, she must ask her question.

         *THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Nyamupinga, ask your question. 

         *HON. KARIMATSENGA-NYAMUPINGA: If that person is regarded as a homosexual, what is Government policy because that will be a problem caused by the doctors who may have operated or removed an organ that was not supposed to be removed.

         *THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE (HON. KWIDINI): Thank you, Madam Speaker Ma’am. I would like to thank Hon. Nyamupinga for those questions. Those questions are good. When a child is born, there are a lot of tests carried out and doctors make a determination on where the dominant sex will be. As the child grows, hormones may change but that becomes a problem for the child. If the child is let to grow with two sex organs, it may become difficult to operate at a later age. Like you said earlier on, may the Hon. Member, put the question in writing so that we do proper researches in order for us to give a comprehensive response. For now, that was the method that was recommended that the operations are much more successful at a younger age than later. Thank you.

         HON. BAJILA:  I want to thank the Minister, a similar question appears on today’s Order Paper as question number 46.  I am sure since you are asking for time and a similar question has already been brought to you, when it is time for questions with notice, the Minister will be available to respond because question number 46 is essentially the same.

         THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Thank you Hon. Bajila.  I am sure the Hon. Deputy Minister has taken note of that.

         *HON. MAHACHI:  Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am.  My question is directed to the Minister of Agriculture.  What is Government policy with regards to people who are relocated due to construction of dams?  How can such people benefit from the nearby dams, especially with regards to irrigation?  When Osborne Dam was constructed in 1994, Nyamajura Irrigation Scheme which is close by did not benefit from it.  What is Government policy with regards to ensuring that nearby surrounding communities benefit from irrigation? 

         *THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  When you pose your questions, please do not mention areas because it becomes specific.  I will allow the Hon. Minister to respond because the question is good at the beginning. 

         *THE MINISTER OF LANDS, AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, WATER AND RURAL RESETTLEMENT (HON. DR. MASUKA): I am grateful for the question from the Hon. Members.  In the past, we used to say when we construct dams, we would relocate people paving way for the construction of the dam so that we avoid floods but from 2017, we said we will no longer be doing that.  We said because of rural development, when a dam is constructed the dam is part of that development.  The first beneficiaries are those locals.

So, we are no longer going to do that, for example, the Hon. Member referred to Osborne or Tugwi-Mukosi.  We will not do that anymore.  We want to follow the example of what we are doing in other dams like Kunzvi and Gwayi-Shangayi.  We are no longer relocating, but reorganising for development. 

So, what is happening is, that area is supposed to be the first beneficiary of development.  That is what we are going to be doing for all the dams we are going to build.  In English, a dam is an economy.  We construct irrigation for people who are there.  Experts will come to survey how many settlements will be affected by overspills from the dam and we negotiate with nearby village heads to ensure that we construct water for drinking, fisheries as well as other such infrastructure.  I am so sorry about what happened, especially for the dams that were constructed a long time ago.  There is funding that is meant for special drawing rights and I am sure if that funding comes, we are going to help such people.  I thank you.

         *HON. P. ZHOU:  Is there a plan like that to also be extended to A2 farmers resident in areas with dams.  There are farmers who are close to the dams, but they do not have access to water.  Looking at the drought that we are faced with, people around those dams cannot do any farming for lack of water.  Is there anything being done to assist A2 farmers?  I thank you.

         *HON. DR. MASUKA:  Thank you Madam Speaker.  Let me thank the Hon. Member for this question.  The issue of hunger when we have lots of water in our dams is an issue which Government is seized with.  That is why our President, on 5 July, held a meeting to see how we could secure funding for the revamping of our irrigation.  One of the issues that we talked about was that where we have dams, how can those with land and no money partner with those with money but no land?  So, we talked about joint ventures for fast development and that can be done.  I have said that those who benefited from the land can disclose their status so we can see how best we can help them.  In my Ministry, we have a department which is called joint venture.  It looks for people with money and vet them to ensure they are genuine so they can join with those with land but no money so that we move forward.  Companies like ARDA are given money by Government so that they go to areas with dams and revamp those areas. 

Those A2 farmers can also come together as a consortium then approach a bank to give them money to put up their own irrigation.  There are lots of things that we can do.  If there are people with any ideas, they can come so that we help each other.  I thank you.

         *HON. NYABANI:  Thank you Madam Speaker.  I want to thank the Minister for the work that he is doing.  We have dams that we should target for irrigation.  I did hear what the Minister said concerning irrigation, but most of the dams in the rural areas are silted.  Removing the sand is very expensive so, I need to know how those dams can be protected so we can continue with irrigation.  How are you protecting them against siltation?

         *HON. DR. MASUKA:  Thank you Hon. Nyabani for the question.  It is posed each and every week.

         THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: It is very true, but last week it was about how to remove the sand and this week it is how you can protect it from being silted.

         *HON. DR. MASUKA:  Thank you Madam President.  The issue of sand comes from the activities we do in those areas.  Deforestation, cutting trees for our gardens and building as well as constructing in veld areas.  EMA has come up with plans to guard against siltation.  In our Ministry, we also have directors who are doing conservation so that we come back to contour ridges and stop the soil from being washed away into the rivers.  Also removing sand from those dams is very expensive as compared to protecting against siltation.

         *HON. MAKUMIRE:  Thank you Madam Speaker.  The Minister of Lands talked about a very good thing that they are now doing reorganisation instead of relocation.  There are some other places targeted by Government for irrigation and cattle feed.  Does the issue of reorganisation apply to those areas or you are going to resettle those people?

          HON. DR. MASUKA: Thank you Hon. Makumire for the question. I think this question is particular, so I think the Hon. Member should put it in writing because it is specific. If a question is specific, it does not come into this portion. I thank you.

         HON. SHIRIYEDENGA: My question is directed to the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare. Taking note of the dire working conditions and poor salaries for civil servants, civil servants have not enjoyed collective bargaining in terms of Section 65 of the Constitution and the International Labour Organisation, Conventions 89 and 98. We also note that collective bargaining mainly in Zimbabwe relies on the outdated Section 141 of 97 which does not promote inclusive dialogue and does not provide binding decisions. My question therefore is, when will Government align labour regulations and institute collective bargaining among civil servants in line with Section 65 of the Constitution in order to cushion civil servants against the economic hardships and poor working conditions? I thank you.

         THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND SOCIAL WELFARE (HON. DINHA): Thank you very much Madam Speaker and I want to thank the Hon. Member for the question. The Government, business and labour are always meeting from time to time, that is the Tripatite Negotiating Forum. I think if you put your question in writing, I will give you a comprehensive answer of collective bargaining. I thank you.

         HON. SHIRIYEDENGA: On a point of clarity. I know the issue of working conditions and poor salaries has been discussed. My issue concerns the fact that we have not had a comprehensive response to the poor working conditions and the salaries relating to the collective bargaining. The fact that she said there is a Tripatite Negotiation Forum sitting, we are not getting effective responses from the Minister regarding salaries and the working conditions.

         HON. DINHA: Can you specify on the poor conditions because I do not know what you are talking about when you refer to poor conditions.

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON TSITSI ZHOU): You requested to be given a comprehensive response which she has agreed to do. With your indulgence, let us allow her to give you that written comprehensive response.

         HON. MUTOKONYI: My question is directed to the Minister of Information Communication Technology. Postal and Courier Services. Given the digital era that we are in, what is the Ministry doing to regulate the disruptive technologies, the Artificial Intelligence and internet in as far as the security of the nation is concerned?

         THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY, POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES (HON. DR. MAVETERA): Thank you Hon. Mutokonyi for that question, which is very important considering the new digital order that we have upon us. Artificial Intelligence, definitely as a country, we really need to adopt and we are already coming up with an Artificial Intelligence Policy to provide for regulations that will give us a safe environment for us to operate in. Again, we have realised that there is need for us to come up and upskill our staff, especially when we are talking about the public sector. It is quite important that at least we can then be able to see how they can adopt and utilise Artificial Intelligence.

As much as it maybe, we are learning a lot from Artificial Intelligence and at the same time, Artificial Intelligence also has to learn a lot from us. As a country, we have also realised that in terms of training, definitely we need to make sure that we upskill, reskill in terms of the public sector and that is a must. We need to make sure that we protect our citizens like the Hon. Member has said. In that way, we are coming up with a Security Operations Centre which we have put in place to make sure that we can be able to detect any other cyber security attacks that can come through, especially with us being able to utilise Artificial Intelligence. What we are hoping to do, is to conclude on our Security Operations Centre which is going to enable us to track and see what will be happening in the Artificial Intelligence space.

         HON. MUTOKONYI: With regard to the digital infrastructure that is going to ensure all what she has said will happen, what is also the Government position with regard to that?

         HON. DR. MAVETERA: I really want to thank the Hon. Member for that follow up question. It is quite important. Definitely, there is never a time you can speak of us being able to deploy any of Artificial Intelligence programmes without us having the requisite infrastructure. So, in terms of that, definitely we need to look at that infrastructure and also even connectivity and data which we have always spoken about in this august House. If you look at the consumption of Artificial Intelligence programmes, you will realise that they consume a lot of data. So, it is important that we have access of data since it is our national backbone. We need to make sure we enhance it so that at least we have got more fibre connectivity in the country.

We also need to make sure that we deploy more base stations. In that way, we make sure that at least our connectivity is quite in place. We are also looking at us upgrading our National Data Centre. Our hope is for us to make sure that at least we have a data centre hoping that by the end of next year we can be able to do it. If there are any other innovations that could come through, we believe we can be able to utilise that. We are working together with the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education in terms of us utilising their Higher Performance Computing Centre because we believe that there is need for us to investigate and do a lot of research and development for us to adopt Artificial Intelligence going forward. It is a collaborative way that we need to adopt and at the same time, it is a whole of Government approach that we need to work for us to make sure that we are going to adopt and be in line with other jurisdictions in the whole world.

         HON. KAUNGAUSARU: What measures has our country put in place to protect our digital sovereignty and prevent data breaches?

         HON. DR. MAVETERA: Initially, what we have done in terms of the policy - we have got our Data Privacy and Protection Act that we have put in place whereby it has already set the tone in terms of the legislation that is needed by knowing what is supposed to be happening, especially in the cyber space. There are a lot of attacks that are happening and it is important that at least in terms of the legislation, we have put that in place.

         Secondly, like I have said, there is need for us to invest more in our Cyber Security.  We are going to be commemorating our Cyber Security month in the month of October, whereby we will be having a lot of events to make sure that at least we create the Cyber Security awareness to all citizens of Zimbabwe.  That is quite important, we really need to invest more, especially in terms of us coming up with applications that are going to make sure that we are protected in terms of Cyber Security. 

         Again, we really need to equip our security operations centre so that we will be able to make sure that at least nationally are going to protect every citizen in terms of any issues that any cyber attacks that can occur in the Cyber space. 

         HON. MATEWU: Thank you Madam Speaker.  Artificial intelligence should not only be seen in the realms of security but actually artificial intelligence should be seen, like what other countries are doing in terms of medical science, robotics, agricultural economy, what is the Ministry doing to ensure that we harness artificial intelligence for the benefit of the economy of this country?

         HON. DR. MAVETERA: Thank you very much Madam Speaker.  Let me thank Hon. Matewu for that question. As a country, definitely we need to look at use cases that we have that we can make sure that we deploy artificial intelligence.  For example, what he has asked, in terms of health, as a country, we are realising that there is now need for us to be able to make sure that at least we engage into tele-medicine.  I am sure you have seen our First Lady launching a cytogram ambassador of health.  She launched tele-medicine booth.  I think she has launched four now. 

         Already, she has shown us what we are supposed to be doing.  We are also doing as a Ministry in terms of making sure that at least we do tele-medicine as well as tele-health.  Like you said that it is not only to do with security, I totally agree with you, it is not just about security.  We are utilising artificial intelligence in agriculture.  You will see that there is need for us to come up with innovative ways, let us see, let us be able to detect any diseases coming through.  We need to be able to be utilising it.  Even in terms of also against any chemical we might have.  This is what we are going to be doing. 

I still feel it is not only today, we have come up with a plan which is going to make sure that in terms of us being able to adopt artificial intelligence, we come up with case studies.  In these case studies, we have taken mining, agriculture, health and also education.  I am sure you have seen it but it is quite important that we went on and launched virtual classrooms which we believe that this is the way to go and definitely we have to digitalise operations. We need, at the same time, to also make sure that we are utilising artificial intelligence as we go.  All I can say is yes, I agree with you. Let us continuously be able to do this and we are still pushing on doing that. 

         Like I have said before that we really need to learn from others.  Let us see use cases, everyone does not really understand what we are supposed to be doing but it is a matter of us trying and then seeing how best we are going to take this forward.  I know we are going to get there.  As Zimbabwe, we are unapologetic about us adopting artificial intelligence and we are going for that.

         HON. MUKOMBERI: My question is directed to the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education.  What is the Government’s position in relation to conducting of holiday lessons by schools, especially for examination classes, as we are approaching August school holiday?

         THE MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, INNOVATION, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. MURWIRA): Thank you Madam Speaker.  First of all, the policy of Government is to try and educate our students and make them pass so that we can utilise their brains for national development.  It therefore, means that when we provide them with opportunities to get more lessons, especially during the time towards examinations, so the Hon. Minister of Primary and Secondary Education has recently announced that students will be allowed at some time in August to have their extra lessons. All the rules have been set, which are the school rules to make sure that they are able to do it in a conducive environment.  So the policy is to give them extra time during the holiday and it is going to start this August. 

         HON. MAPFUMO: What is the policy of Government in relation to those who undertake these extra lessons at the backyards of their homes, thereby causing, especially the girl child to risk.  As the Minister actually indicated the conducive environment in the school environment. 

         HON. PROF MURWIRA: Thank you Madam Speaker.  I want to say that we are not here looking at criminal activities.  We are talking about students going to their schools not to back yards.  Those ones who are going to back yards, it is not allowed to go to back yards.  Our policy talks to the people who are within the school infrastructure, who would be putting on uniforms with teachers that we know, that will be looking after our children to learn.  Those ones who are going to backyards and facing abuse, I am sure that it can be reported to the next police station.  Thank you.

         HON. P. NDUDZO: Thank you Madam Speaker.  My question is directed to the Minister of ICT, what is the progress in migrating to E-Government to ensure that Government services are available online and what has been done to ensure that Zimbabweans can access these online services from anywhere in Zimbabwe.

         THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY, POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES (HON. DR. MAVETERA): Thank you Hon. Speaker.  In terms of E        -Government, what we have done as a Government is we have initiated what we are calling enterprise architectural modelling which is seeing us being able to make sure that at least we come up with a plan which is going to make sure that we digitise all Government departments.  What we have also done is that we have already started this so that we can then be able to come up with a framework.  What is needed is for us to be able to come up with a model which is also a framework of how we are going to make sure we institute this. We have realised that it is important that we also learn from other jurisdictions.

 We are using the case of Estonia, which has been known very much in terms of E-Government.  We are working together with the E-Government unit which we believe that it is also going to assist us in making sure that we are able to implement. Where we are now, as asked by the Hon. Member is that right now, we are getting facts and also the data that is needed so that we at least we can then be able to come up with this model.  Then the next part of the question is what are you doing to make sure that you get connected.  Definitely we need to make sure that at least we set favourable infrastructure which is needed.  Infrastructure in terms of us making sure that our national data centre is up to the task so that at least we make sure that our data is protected.  I think the other previous question was to do with data sovereignty.  Definitely we need to look at that whereby at least we can house our own data locally here in Zimbabwe.  It is important that we have to come up with a way that is also making sure, even the way that we communicate we will be able to do this.  You will realise in terms of E-mails, right now we have done about 10 ministries which we have already gone on the .gov domain, which was previously now when they used to be using Gmail, it is important that at least now they are using .gov domain.  We are hoping that we will be able to make sure that all ministries will also be able to use the .gov domain.

         However, this is a thrust that we have that at least we push towards the digitilisation of all Government departments and all ministries.  That is what we are doing to make sure that this is put in place and that will be able to be done.  I thank you.

         HON.  CHIGUMBU:  Thank you so much Madam Speaker.  I would also want to thank Hon. Minister for the initiatives to implement e-governance.  What are steps have you taken to implement password management policies as you are implanting e-governance programmes.  We have recently heard some issues where some ministries have failed to access important platforms due to the issues whereby the super users of those platforms have died without revealing their passwords.  What are you doing as a Ministry to ensure that we have proper password management policies as you are implementing your e-Government programmes?

         HON. DR. MAVETERA:  Thank you very much for that question. That is very important.  This is why we were talking that definitely, for us to be able to make sure that all these initiatives really come to pass, we need to make sure that our cyber security is very much intact.  I am sure that is a very high technical issue but of course, policy wise we are saying we need to make sure that we will be able to make sure that is not done.  I agree with you, we have heard instances, if a person dies, they die with all the passwords then you will now need to start tracking them which is a problem.

         What you then need to do as we go, since I said right now, we are still on the modelling and I am sure that is one of the key issues that we need to invest more on. Definitely, we will be able to upraise you as we go but this the plan that we are undertaking. Of course, firewalls and being able to make sure that we can be able to protect in a way, that has to be done but all I can say is as much as it is highly technical, the policy is so clear. We want to make sure that at least we institute everything in place to make sure that we are protected and all the passwords are protected. That we will be able to do but of course, the technical modalities, I am sure as we go, we will be able to unpack how we are going to be doing it. Thank you.

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: We have about 49 questions on the Order Paper, so Hon. Ministers on the Order Paper, we appeal that you remain and respond to the questions which were directed to your Ministries so that we get answers and some of the questions have been on the Order Paper for too long.

         HON. T. CHIKOMO: My question is directed to the Minister of Local Government. What is Government policy on people staying in peri-urban areas in terms of regularising their stay in those areas?

         *THE MINISTER OF LANDS, AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, WATER AND RURAL RESETTLEMENT (HON. DR. MASUKA): Thank you Hon. Member for the question that those people who are staying in peri-urban areas, what is Government policy concerning their stay. The Government of President E.D Mnangagwa, in the past two years came up with a programme of looking at those areas surrounding our cities. Some people settle there legally while some illegally. His aim was to resettle these people and that the areas would be serviced. The law is there but the Government policy is that our people should be settled well. What I want to refer to is how we can settle these people properly. A lot has been done and our urban planners looked at it. This is still work in progress and the results will be seen in due time.

         *HON. T. CHIKOMO: In the past five years, the President visited these places and he said, for example places like Southlea Park, Churu Farm and Ushewokunze, these areas should be regularised. So, for five years up to now, what is hampering progress on these areas because the President gave a go ahead that they be looked at with speed.

         HON. DR. MASUKA: Thank you for the supplementary but because you have mentioned a place it means that the issue has to be investigated.

         *HON. MANGONDO: My question is directed to the Minister of Youth Empowerment. Looking at giving our youth skills so that they are able to sustain their livelihoods, especially those who would have dropped out of school. What is Government policy to see that VTCs are countrywide so that they are in each and every constituency because many children are dropping out of school on a yearly basis? What is happening in the existing VTCs so that they can be improved to be able to enrol a lot of children and add more courses?

         THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF YOUTH EMPOWERMENT AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING (HON. MUPAMHANGA): I want to thank the Hon. Member for the pertinent question. The Ministry responsible for youth has 45 vocational centres and satellite centres. Yes, it is true that our vocational training centres are not found in all constituencies but we work hand in hand with local business people and church leaders so that we improve our vocational training centres. On top of that, we have outreach programmes in areas where we do not have training centres. We go out there, meet the people and teach children skills. I thank you.

Questions Without Notice were interrupted by THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER in terms of Standing Order Number 68

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE

*THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: I once gave an announcement pleading with the Hon. Ministers, who have questions on the Order Paper that they should remain behind and have responses to their questions that we have today. Thank you.

HON. MANGONDO: On a point of order, I was suggesting that if the question could have been finished given that part of it was answered and he had asked for the supplementary question, Madam Speaker. I am requesting for an extension of time. Thank you.

HON. MUTOKONYI: I second.

HON. MAKUMIRE: I object.

*THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: There has been an objection – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – Order, order. Let me plead with you Hon. Members that if a question is answered fully, it will help us. Yes, we can object. If there is an objection, there is an objection. It is just a plea that if it is possible, let us just finish the question – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – Order, order.

Question No. 1 having been deferred

HON. BAJILA: On a point of privilege Madam Speaker…

*THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Members, when we want to work and put spanners in the wheel, it will not help us.  We asked those who have questions to remain behind.

HON. BAJILA: Madam Speaker, the specific question by Hon. Hlatywayo, has been on the Order Paper for quite a long time. The Minister of Foreign Affairs never comes to the House. Is there anything that your office can do to get us the Minister of Foreign Affairs to come to the House, because the question has been there forever?

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Bajila. You have raised this important point. For the first time, we are going to communicate with the Hon. Minister to ensure that this question is responded to. I thank you.

EFFICIENT AND TRANSPARENT DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD HAND-OUTS

10. HON. MUROMBEDZI asked the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare the mechanisms put in place by Government to guarantee the efficient and transparent distribution of drought relief food hand-outs to the intended beneficiaries without any pilferage.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND SOCIAL WELFARE (HON. DINHA):  Thank you for the question Hon. Member.  I would like to inform the House that the Government has a mandate of ensuring that deserving food insecure people are reached with assistance. In order to reduce issues of inefficiencies and pilferages of grain…

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order Hon. Minister. Hon. Member next to Hon. Nyathi, please can you approach the Chair. Please proceed Hon. Minister.

HON. DINHA:  Thank you Madam Speaker. In order to reduce inefficiencies and pilferages on grain meant for beneficiaries, the Ministry has put in place various mechanisms and these include: -

The establishment of Drought Relief Committees from national to sub-national levels, which have a mandate to supervise and monitor all grain distribution processes;

The involvement of traditional leaders in the entire distribution process. Traditional leaders, that is chiefs, headmen and village heads are key in all the processes of food distribution. Hence they are there to identify and receive any grievances to do with any mismanagement regarding food distribution;

The adoption and use of the Food Deficit Mitigation Strategy Manual, an implementation guide which gives a step-by-step process to be undertaken from the registration of beneficiaries till the last mile of acquitting by all stakeholders, including the beneficiaries themselves.

There is also full involvement of all community members in the food distribution process. Food distribution is for the community.  Anyone can be a whistleblower where anomalies are observed and the law will take its course as evidenced by cases that are before the courts. Then there is also capacitation of the workforce involved in the drought relief programmes. The officials involved in this programme received capacitation, that is training of trainers for supply chain management which include tracking of trucks, e-management of all the processes from the initial processes of targeting registration, distribution and acquitting of the disbursements done. 

         The aim of this capacitation being to improve efficiency, transparency and reduce pilferage of food aid.  Another mechanism is that there is no truck carrying grain that is allowed to live the Grain Marketing Deport to the distribution point without being escorted by a Police Officer.  This is meant to safeguard the food that is intended for the vulnerable people. 

         Lastly, at the distribution points, we have also put in place measures to ensure that grain is delivered and distributed on the same day and during daylight.  Thank you.

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Can I request Hon. Members that we can only have one supplementary question from the question so that we cover a lot of ground.  I know you may be burning due to this burning issue but let us move on. 

         HON. BAJILA:  On a point of order Madam Speaker, specifically the Minister and the Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development were in this House.  They have questions on the Order Paper, they are no longer in this House.  May we have a ruling from you specifically with respect to Ministers who left while we were watching them that they were here.  We might need to move further, the Minister and the Deputy Minister were here, we have questions for them, they both left.  These questions will be on the Order Paper forever, you are making good rulings for us to clean the Order Paper but if Ministers are coming to the House and just walk out, a few minutes after your ruling, it is bad. 

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Order Hon. Bajila, you rightfully said that I actually requested Hon. Ministers to stay and respond to questions.  I have taken note of that request and I am going to communicate through our Administration likewise. 

         HON. MAKUMIRE:  On a point of order Madam Speaker.

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Hon. Makumire, please take your seat.  We have had a point of privilege and I have made a ruling. We want to allow Hon. Murombedzi to give her supplementary question and we will get a response.  If we get one point of privilege and a point of order, we are not going to be progressive in this House.  Please take your seat so we allow Hon. Murombedzi to make her supplementary question. 

         HON. MUROMBEDZI:  Thank you very much Madam Speaker.  I would like to thank the Hon. Minister for that answer. I would like the Minister to know that the policy is very good on paper but that is not what is happening in our communities. Maize is being stollen Madam Speaker.  For example, in Mhondoro, 50 bags of maize were stolen and recently in Masvingo, in Gutu East 170 bags of maize were stollen.  This is maize that is meant for relief, this is maize that is meant for the vulnerable of which a cup of grain might be a difference between life and death for someone. 

         I would like to pose a question to the Minister that can they not come up with a more watertight distribution channel which is not porous.  Maize is not reaching our communities, bags are being stolen along the way. I so submit. 

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  As you indicated, there are cases where maize is being stolen, an example and that becomes specific. Therefore, if you have such information, it needs to be channeled to the Zimbabwe Republic Police and corrective measures should be taken because like you rightly said, every cup is essential …

         HON. TOGAREPI:  On a point of order Madam Speaker. I think the Hon. Member is correct, these are specific questions, she then give specific examples, it is still okay, that applies only to questions without notice but if it is a question with notice, I think you should allow the Minister to respond.

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Well noted Government Chief Whip.

         THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND SOCIAL WELFARE (HON. DINHA):  As I have said, there are guidelines that we have put as a Ministry that are to be followed during the distribution of maize.   If there are any defaulters, you are the ones that are on the ground.  I think you should report those cases to our Ministry so that those people can be arrested.  As I have said in my presentation, there are cases that are before the courts of people who had defaulted, who stole maize, wheat and so forth. So we urge you to report so that the perpetrators can be punished. 

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Hon. Tshuma, we need to cover a lot of ground, the Chair has already made a ruling that we are going to have a follow-up question from the questioner.

BACKLOG FROM THE BASIC EDUCATION ASSISTANCE MODEL IN SCHOOLS

11. HON. MADZIVANYIKA asked the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare to inform the House on measures put in place by Government to address the backlog in payments from the Basic Education Assistance Module in Schools, and to state the steps being taken to ensure that these funds are disbursed timeously.  

THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND SOCIAL WELFARE (HON. DINHA):  Thank you Madam Speaker.  I refer to the question by Hon. Madzivanyika.  In view of the outstanding tuition fees and levies payments for BEAM beneficiaries, the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare is collaboratively working with the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion to ensure that outstanding school fees arrears are settled.

 

         The Ministry has so far submitted a comprehensive request to Treasury for the release of BEAM funds citing the total amounts owed to schools across the country.  However, it is important to note that special schools for children with disabilities were prioritised and received payments during the first term of 2024.  To avert future challenges the Ministry is lobbying Treasury for timely disbursements of funds in accordance with the BEAM calendar.  Adding on to that, the Ministry has since decentralised the administration of BEAM to sub-national tiers of Government.  Data capturing functions were allocated to all the ten provincial offices to enhance efficiency in the capturing, verification and pay sheets generation within a devolved structure.  Moreso, a new electronic management information system has since been developed and is ready to go live.  This BEAM online solution will significantly improve the BEAM business flow and real time submission and processing of payments by the Ministry.  I so submit.

          HON. MADZIVANYIKA:  Thank you very much Hon. Minister for the comprehensive response.  My follow up is, when do you think you can ensure that the backlog is cleared in light of the fact that all the eight Government and Council schools in my constituency are owed as far back as 2021 in terms of BEAM?  When do you think you can regularise this?

           HON. DINHA:  Thank you Madam Speaker.  It is true that there are some schools that are owed as far back as 2021.  We have since engaged Treasury so that they can give us all the arrear funds.   The figure is around US$46 million.  Right now, Treasury allocated us $50 billion, but the amount so far released is $30 billion.  So, we await Treasury to avail the funds.

       THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  We are going to defer question numbers 15 to 32.

          HON. MADZIVANYIKA:  On a point of order Madam Speaker.  I do not know how we are going to treat this because I saw that the Minister of Industry and Commerce was here and then we are now forced to defer when he left after you made a ruling.  What is the recourse Madam Speaker because we cannot come to sit here and sit for leaving, yet they are fully aware that today is question time?  These questions have been deferred from the 29^th May.  The Minister always comes and leaves.  I do not know how you can assist us in light of the circumstances.

            THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Well noted Hon. Madzivanyika.  It is actually worrisome after having announced that the Hon. Ministers with questions on the Order Paper should stay and respond to these questions.  We are going to communicate again with the Minister of Industry and Commerce through our administration so that they can give us a written response as well as to come and respond to these questions.

IMPLEMEMENTATION OF WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS ON ROADS

34. HON. BAJILA asked the Minister of Transport to apprise the House on whether Government has plans to implement weight restrictions on roads as part of its strategies to manage and maintain good roads, thereby increasing their life span.

         THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. SACCO):  Thank you Madam Speaker.  I heard Hon. Bajila was misrepresenting the truth that I had left the House.  But I do not think I need his permission to go the gents unless that is a new rule.  I thought Hon. Bajila would actually commend us for responding timeously to questions.  In response to the Hon. Member’s question, the Ministry has with concern observed the movement of a number of vehicles namely; trucks on routes that connect the country’s ports of entry.  Such corridors include the Beit Bridge-Harare-Chirundu Corridor, Harare-Nyamapanda, Plumtree-Harare-Mutare and the Beit Bridge-Victoria Falls roads as well as the routes serving mining towns and major industries.  In light of this and in conformity with regionally accepted standards, the upgrading of these roads will include the design and installation of modernised static and weigh in motion weigh bridges as we move forward.  I so submit.

MAINTENANCE AND REHABILITATION OF THE ROAD TO THE HOMESTEAD TELECOMMUNICATION BASE STATIONS IN WARD 3 OF MATOBO RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL

35. HON. BAJILA asked the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development to inform the House what Government plans are regarding the maintenance and rehabilitation of the road to the Homestead telecommunication base stations in Ward 3 of Matobo Rural District in Matabeleland South Province.

         THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. SACCO): The Homestead Telecommunications Base Station in Ward 3 is part of the road network managed by Rural Infrastructural Development Agency (RIDA) in Matabeleland South Province, Matobo District. The road is also part of RIDA’s 2024 Annual Road Maintenance Plan. RIDA currently has two functional graders in the province which are responsible for maintenance grading and these are shared by way of rotation around all seven districts in Matabeleland South. The one responsible for carrying out road maintenance grading in Matobo District is currently in Bulilima and it will be transferred to Matobo District upon completion of the ongoing works in Bulilima.

INTRODUCTION OF PUBLIC-PRIVATE-PARTNERSHIPS FOR ROAD REHABILITATION

36. HON. BAJILA asked the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development to inform the House what Government plans are regarding the introduction of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) for the rehabilitation of the following roads:

•      Gwanda-Maphisa-Plumtree Road;
•      Bulawayo-Nkayi Road;
•      Beitbridge-Victoria Falls Road;
•      Bulawayo-Maphisa-Manama Road; and
•      Bulawayo-Tsholotsho Road.

         THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. SACCO): The Government has taken a stance to adopt a model where Government invites through a Public Private Partnership as an alternative means of mobilising resources for infrastructure development and at the same time ensuring technological transfer. Given that the PPPs involve a substantial amount of investment by the private partner, the projects availed by Government for PPPs should be bankable and attractive for purposes of the private partner realising return on investment. However, notwithstanding the above I wish to report on my Ministry’s plan as follows:

   1.   Gwanda-Maphisa-Plumtree: In 2022, 5km of the road was upgraded to surfacing. Initially we had planned to do 10km but due to delayed payments and the then movement of the exchange rate, the contract had to be terminated mutually as contractor cited incapacitation. The remainder of the road (10km) has been included in the programme for the extended ERRP2.

   2.   Bulawayo-Nkayi: 2km of surfacing out of the 14km contracted under ERRP2 were completed in March this year. The contractor is in the process of procuring more bitumen to surface the next 3km which is ready. The contract was expected to run for 6 months however, due to delayed payments from Treasury, the contractor is now expected to complete the remaining works (9km) by the end of September subject to certificates being honoured. The scope works involve the upgrading from narrow mat to wide mat inclusive of two shelverts and two culvert crossings (1200mm dia). The remainder of the road (10km) has been included in the programme for the extended ERRP2.

   3.  Bulawayo-Maphisa-Manama: Shoulder gravelling was done for 23km of the 33km narrow mat was carried out and pot patching and verge clearance for 114km. in the 2024 work programme 10km will be tendered out for the upgrading of the road to surface standard from 45km to 55km pegs.

   4.   Bulawayo-Tsholotsho: 5km of the narrow mat was upgraded to a surfaced wide mat in 2022. The remainder of the road (40km) has been included in the programme for the extended ERRP2. An advert for tendering 10km of this road was flighted in the Government Gazette on Friday 12 July 2024.

SURFACING OF THE HARARE-MHONDORO-MUBAIRA-CHEGUTU ROADS

37. HON. MUROMBEDZI asked the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development about the progress made on the surfacing of the Harare-Mhondoro-Mubaira-Chegutu roads.

         THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. SACCO): Allow me to respond to the question raised by Hon Murombedzi as follows:

         Chegutu-Mubaira-Skyline is a secondary road that traverses and connects Chegutu and Mhondoro-Ngezi Districts in Mashonaland West Province. The road is 104km which is predominantly gravel with 2km from Chegutu and 7km from Mubaira business centre surfaced. My Ministry carried out sport graveling and maintenance between 66km and 86km peg in 2021.

Furthermore, in 2022 motorised grading was carried between 90km and 103km peg to improve trafficability of the gravel road.

         To date, my Ministry has constructed a 3x4 square metre shelvert bridge across Svisva River at 104km peg where previously there was no bridge. What existed before the bridge was a slab on the river bed that would easily flood during the rainy season preventing both pedestrians and motorists from crossing until the water subsided.

         HON. MUROMBEDZI: I would like to thank the Hon. Minister for that response. I want to find out how far they have gone in the preparation for the resurfacing of that road before the onset of the rainy season.

         HON. SACCO: I would like to assure the Hon. Member that we have taken on board your concerns and we are going to look into the issue. I would not want to tie myself down to a timeline. So allow us to look at your road as a priority and we assure you that work will be done. I so submit.

CONSTRUCTION OF SPEED HUMPS AT HIGH RISK SPOTS

38. 38. HON. BONDA asked the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development whether there are any plans to construct speed humps to reduce the speed at high-risk spots such as Cross Mabale, Cross Dete, St. Mary’s, and Old Gwai River Hotel and also to state what the expected deadline would be.

         THE DEPUTY MINISTER TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. SACCO): The section being referred to by the Hon. Member is along a major regional road which is the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road, in the Hwange National Park area.  Caution should be exercised throughout this portion as it passes through the game reserve.  Whilst the area is not densely populated, in terms of pedestrians and vehicle traffic, there are junctions and access cross roads that cross Dete, St Mary’s and Old Gwai River Hotel, where ramble strips can be considered to calm traffic.  Research is being carried out on the junctions in question by my Ministry through the relevant departments to assess the major cause of accidents and determine the extent to which rumble strips can be installed.  This is work in progress and we have already instructed our technicians on the ground to do a study of the space concerned. 

PLANS TO RE-ESTABLISH LAY-BY BINS ALONG HIGHWAYS

    39. HON. MADZIVANYIKA asked the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development to explain the plans in place to re-establish lay-by bins along highways in order to address challenges of littering by

motorists.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND

INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. SACCO):  Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. Hon. Members will be aware that Government is currently rehabilitating the Harare-Beitbridge and Harare-Chirundu Highways, commonly referred to as the North South corridor, in line with SITCC Standard Guidelines agreed by SADC Member States.  Due to limited resources some rehabilitation has been on the carriageway itself, there were plans to ensure existing lay-byes are resuscitated and bridges repaired and or replaced, especially at points of natural and historical interest.

Due to the vandalism and crimes such as mugging that have

become prevalent at remote lay-byes, there are plans by my Ministry to invite private sector players to develop state of the art and modern truck stops and ultra-city centre and motels along highways to serve motorists in a safer environment.  The recently approved PPP to rehabilitate and upgrade old Gwanda road in Matabeleland South is one such project where modern facilities will be incorporated in the scope of works.  We are looking at such a model on other roads going forward. 

HON. MADZIVANYIKA: I would like to thank the Hon.

Minister for the good answer.  However, Hon. Minister, I am concerned about the danger which litter is causing to wildlife and domestic animals.  Most of the people park at those lay-byes and then they dump those plastics with salt and so forth.  So domestic and wild animals are dying because of that situation.  How far does it take for the Minister to correct that situation before it gets out of hand?

HON. SACCO: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am.  Thank you

 Hon. Madzivanyika for your supplementary question.  I understand that litter is causing hazard to livestock and also wild animals along our roads. I believe that there is need for collaboration between the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development as well as the Ministry of Environment to look at ways on how this waste management can be contained.  Also, my appeal to Hon. Members in this House as well is to educate our communities around the importance of waste management and salts where communities can make money out of waste.  Waste can be sorted at source and recycled as a means of income for our communities.  I believe there is need for collaborative effort between ourselves as Ministry of Transport but with other relevant Ministries as well to see how we can deal with this scourge.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: I would

 like to thank the Minister of Transport, the Minister of Energy, the Minister of Public Service, those are some of the Ministries that have been coming to respond to questions.  Can we clap hands for these three Ministries? –[HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –

EMPLOYMENT OF LOCAL COMMUNITY RESIDENTS IN PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

41. HON. D. MOYO asked the Minister of Public Service,

 Labour and Social Welfare to inform the House what Government policy is regarding the employment of local community residents in public infrastructure projects and other Government Employment programmes.

   THE DEPUTY MINSTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE,

LABOUR AND SOCIAL WELFARE (HON. DINHA): Thank

you Madam Speaker.  Let me inform the House that my Ministry through the Department of Employment Services and Promotion is tasked with the responsibility to coordinate employment promotion in Zimbabwe in line with the target set in the National Development Strategy 1.  This Department of Employment Services and Promotion has two major functions, which are employment services and employment promotion respectively.

         In relation to the employment services’ functions, the department provides employment opportunities nationwide by offering, search assistance to job status, placement services, registration and regulation of private employment agencies.  On the employment promotion side, the department focusses on promoting employment initiatives that are sustainable and aimed at improving the livelihoods of the vulnerable.  In carrying out its mandate, the department is guided by the national Employment Policy 2001, which is currently under review, whose overall objective is promote and secure sustainable pool productive and freely chosen descent employment for all under conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity.

         Employment of local community residents in public infrastructure projects and other Government programmes is offered through my Ministry’s employment offices, which are available in all the 10 provinces of Zimbabwe.  Registration of job seekers is ongoing and placement is based on a first come, first serve basis.  As such locals are advised to register with the department.  Allow me to cite an example of the ongoing Harare-Chirundu Highway upgrade project.  It is important to note that a Provincial Employment Committee was established so as to ensure that locals from this province are employed during this ongoing upgrade.  The Provincial Employment Committee, consists of the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, who is the Chair of the Committee.  The traditional leaders, who will be there to identify their community members for job placements.  Employment officer from my Ministry - that is the Ministry of Public Service, who is responsible for the registering and placement of job seekers from that local community.  Also, the Ministry of Transport representatives.

         To ensure that no one is left behind, as road maintenance reaches a particular area, for example, when it reaches Nyabira moving to Banket, Chinhoyi and so on, placements will rotate according to members in that area.

         In relation to other Government employment programmes, the employment of local community residents is prioritised. It is key to note that it is the community members themselves who are identifying natural resources available in their respective communities that they can utilise as capital for projects. These projects we then employ the very same locals, for instance, for Umguza Agricultural Project Employment Promotion Programme, which is being carried out in Matebeleland North Province. In this particular project, the Government offers technical support and provides starter packs to the locals to then run the beekeeping project. I so submit.

WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE

RENOVATION OF VENGERE STADIUM IN RUSAPE

8. HON. SAGANDIRA asked the Minister of Local Government and Public Works to inform the House what plans the Ministry is putting in place to renovate sports stadia at local levels, particularly Vengere Stadium in Rusape.

THE MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS (HON. GARWE): Madam Speaker, Ma’am, Vengere stadium is in the approved 2024 budget for repairs and maintenance and Council is mobilising resources for its maintenance any time soon. Currently, Council was prioritising preparation of Valuation Roll and Masterplan, as instructed in the Call to Action Blueprint.

CONSTRUCTION OF HOMES BY RESIDENTS UNDER THE NYATSIME HOUSING SCHEME IN CHITUNGWIZA

9. HON. MAZHINDU asked the Minister of Local Government and Public Works to inform the House on the measures being taken by Government to ensure that those residents who brought stands from Chitungwiza Municipality under the Nyatsime Housing scheme in 2007 can build their homes.

THE MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS (HON. GARWE): Madam Speaker Ma’am, I would like to thank the Honourable Member, for asking the above question and I wish to advise that, the area under Nyatsime Housing Scheme falls within a zone jointly managed by Chitungwiza Municipality and Manyame Rural District Council. At law, the Minister of Local Government and Public Works may, in terms of Section 224 of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:15), as read with Section 83 of the Rural District Councils Act [Chapter 29:13], establish a Joint Committee to look into the joint management of land or an area of joint interest.

The Manyame-Chitungwiza Joint Committee was established through Statutory Instrument 211 of 2021, (cited as the Manyame-Chitungwiza Declaration of Joint Committee) to jointly manage Braemar, Longlands, Cawdor, Edinburg, Tantallon and Dunnottar farms (areas under Chitungwiza Municipality and Manyame Rural District Council), inclusive of the Nyatsime area.

Whilst queries are duly directed to the Ministry, and the two Local Authorities in question (Chitungwiza Municipality and Manyame Rural District Council), the delays in addressing the issues emanating from Nyatsime are primarily due to the dormancy of the Manyame-Chitungwiza Joint Committee. This Joint Committee was established in 2021 with the primary purpose to handle issues emanating from management of the six farms Braemar, Longlands, Cawdor, Edinburg, Tantallon and Dunnottar, which fall within shared territory of the two councils. It is evident that the Joint Committee has not been dealing with issues such as the Nyatsime case, let alone siting, as expected.

Whilst the Ministry stands ready to support the Joint Committee, it is the obligation of the Joint Committee to resolve issues raised by beneficiaries of the Nyatsime Housing Scheme since they fall within the boundaries of the farms stated in SI 211 of 2021.

To this end, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has since instructed the Mayor of Chitungwiza and Chairperson of Manyame Rural District Council to resuscitate the Manyame- Chitungwiza Joint Committee and ensures it functions in accordance with SI 211 of 2021.

CONSTRUCTION OF MUDA DAM IN CHITUNGWIZA

12. HON. MAZHINDU asked the Minister of Local Government and Public Works to inform the House what the Ministry’s plans are regarding the construction of Muda dam, which will help ease water shortages in Chitungwiza.

         THE MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS (HON. GARWE):  Madam Speaker, let me start by thanking the Hon. Member for asking the question.  However, you may need to redirect the question to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development who are responsible for dam construction.

FEES AND RATES CHARGES TO RATE-PAYERS IN CHECHECHE GROWTH POINT IN CHIPINGE SOUTH CONSTITUENCY

13. HON. C. HLATYWAYO asked the Minister of Local Government and Public Works to apprise the House on why rate payers in Checheche growth point in Chipinge South Constituency are charged exorbitant fees and rates as compared to other Rural Local Authorities.

          THE MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS (HON. GARWE):  Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the Hon. Member for asking the above question.  However, the question lacks clarity as to what rates are being alluded to since the language used is comparative.

REASONS WHY LUPANE STILL RESORTS TO THE OUTDATED SEWER SYSTEM

14. HON. NKOMO asked the Minister of Local Government and Public Works to explain to the House why Lupane town still resorts to the outdated sewer system, which comprises septic tanks, a situation which is more of a major health hazard and needs urgent attention.

         THE MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS (HON. GARWE):  Madam Speaker, Lupane Local Board is planning to construct a conventional sewer reticulation system.  All the necessary surveys and designs were done by Engineering consultants and some of the materials to kick start the project have been procured, which is an indication that Lupane Local Board is serious about implementing this project.  However, these efforts are being hampered by the following:

          Inadequate funding for the project; and For the past few years budgetary provisions for the sewer were made hoping it would be funded through IGFT (Inter Governmental Fiscal Transfer) but unfortunately since its inception the Local Authority has never received full allocation of the funds, hence the project has been rolled over for years now.

COMPLETION OF THE HARARE-WEDZA ROAD

          33. HON. MAZHINDU asked the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development to inform the House when the construction of the Harare-Wedza road will be completed as it has been outstanding for almost 10 years now.

         THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. MHONA):  Madam Speaker, From Harare to Mutare, the length of the road is 70.6km to Wedza.  Initially, the road was constructed as a narrow mat with a surfaced width of 3m.  However, with the increased traffic there is need to widen the road to a wide mat.  The upgrading of the 10km peg which stretches from Wedza to Fells road was implemented between 2016 and 2019.  A further 2.5km was constructed between 2019 and 2020.  Since the commencement of ERRP2, the road was listed as one of the priority projects.  As such, the rehabilitation of 22.2km of the outstanding 33km up to Mushandirapamwe was tendered out and awarded to a contractor in 2022.  To date, 13.5km has since been completed and opened to traffic and the contractor is working on the remaining 11km.

ESTABLISHMENT OF LAY-BY BINS ALONG HIGHWAYS

 

DELAYS IN THE REHABILITATION OF ROADS IN BINGA DISTRICT

40. HON. CUMANZALA asked the Minister of Transport and

 Infrastructural Development to explain to the House reasons behind the inordinate delays in the rehabilitation of two roads of national significance in Binga District, namely:

•    Cross-Dete- Binga Town tarred road, which has not undergone rehabilitation for over 15 years; and
•      the 15km stretch from Gwai River to Lusulu via Lubimbi road, which has remained unsurfaced since the early 1980s.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND

INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. SACCO): The Cross-Dete-Binga Road is a priority to the Ministry, in 2007 10km of the road was resurfaced. During the ERRP programme the whole route was rehabilitated. In 2023 with the assistance of Kamativi Mining Company, 3km of the road was constructed near the Kamativi area.

The Gwai-Binga road is the alternative route to Binga town via

 Kariangwe Mission hospital but due to limited financial resources only the Cross Dete-Kamativi-Binga Road is surfaced to date. However, during the ERRP 2 phase the whole route was regraded and regravelled to make it trafficable and the route is continuously being graded with the assistance of Muchesu Mine. Plans are there to upgrade it in phases of 10km. however, it should be noted that the upgrading of roads in the province is being prioritised according to the volume of traffic that each road is carrying.

ELECTRIFICATION OF LUPANE

42. HON. NKOMO asked the Hon. Minister of Energy and Power Development to inform the House when Lupane, the provincial capital of Matebeleland North, will be electrified?

THE MINISTER OF ENERGY AND POWER DEVELOPMENT (HON. E. MOYO): I thank the Hon. Member for the question.  Mr. Speaker Sir, the Ministry’s response is as follows:

•     Lupane, the provincial capital of Matebeleland North is already electrified through the Gwayi 33kv feeder from Hwange bulk supply point.
•     Line construction is underway for low density residential areas.
•     Other residential areas like Mtshibini (200 houses, shops) and Lobengula (400 houses), designs for reticulation are underway
•     To cater for future expansion (growth rate estimated at 5%), a 33/11kV substation will be constructed by 2026.
•     Further growth will be catered for by a 132133kV substation to be constructed by year 2030.

ELECTRIFICATION OF SCHOOLS IN LUPANE

43. HON. M. NKOMO asked the Hon. Minister of Energy and

Power Development to inform the House when the Ministry will do the electrification of schools in Lupane so that the zero-pass rate in Lupane is addressed.

THE MINISTER OF ENERGY AND POWER DEVELOPMENT (HON. E. MOYO): I thank the Honourable Member for the question.  Allow me Mr. Speaker Sir to respond as follows;

•      Lupane has a total of 141 schools (114 primary, 37 secondary). Of these, 34 schools including administration blocks and school cottages are completely electrified.
•     Construction of power lines outside Lupane Centre to cater for Schools is ongoing under REA Projects. Somgolo and Makheekhe schools were recently completed.
•     Other schools have had solar systems installed through REA and Development partners collaborating with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.

RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AND MAINTENANCE OF POWER LINES IN PUBLIC PLACES

    44. HON. M. NKOMO asked Minister of Energy and Power Development to explain the following;

     a) What is Government Policy in regard to rural electrification and power sustainability in rural areas?

     b) What Government Plans are regarding the maintenance of power lines in public places?

THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. E. MOYO): The Ministry through the rural Electrification Agency (REA) collects 6% on all electricity sales made by ZETDC and other retailers. The Rural Electrification Fund (REF) is used to provide access to reliable electric power supply for rural dwellers, irrespective of where they live and what they do, in a way that would allow for reasonable return on investment through an appropriate tariff that is economically responsive and supportive of the average rural areas. REF hands over the network to ZETDC for operation and maintenance to bring about efficient grid expansion and total access strategy.

The REF establishment was done through section 88, sub section II of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act of 2005 to complement ZETDC by providing support for the development of the on and off grid sectors for the power / energy sector to thrive by:

1.      Achieving more equitable regional access to electricity
2.      Maximising the economic, socio and environmental benefits of rural electrification subsidies
3.      Stimulating innovative approaches to rural electrification, provided that no part of the REF shall be used as subsidies for consumption.

Funds are used to promote cost effective expansion of electricity access in un-electrified rural areas, using renewable off grid and on grid electrification solutions through partial one-off capital subsidies and technical assistance to ensure access to reliable and affordable electricity with the ultimate goal of improving the living standards, socio-economic and environmental conditions of rural dwellers. REF offers discount on all rural electrification applications quotations;

1.          50% discount on group schemes
2.         40% discount on individual electricity applications

The Ministry has managed to achieve the following through the collaboration of ZETDC and REF in the rural community:

Summary of Solar Status as at June 2024

Solar Micro Grid	Mobile Solar Units	Total
486	437	923

 

Status on Biogas Digester Plants as at 30 June 2024

Number of Biogas plants	Number of Domestic Biogas Plants	Total number of Biogas Commissioned
107	159	266

 

       ZESA is doing its best in all lines in public places. However, shortages of funding’s have led to delays in maintaining some lines. Power lines in public places are maintained for clearance of bush and grass through local communities. These communities come through their community leadership to sign contracts for maintenance of lines in their jurisdiction. ZESA pays the community for the maintenance work, at a rate agreed between ZESA and the community.

On the motion of HON. TOGAREPI, seconded by HON. KARENYI, the House adjourned at Nine-Minutes past Five o’clock p.m.