- Version
- Download 52
- File Size 409.64 KB
- File Count 1
- Create Date February 16, 2022
- Last Updated February 16, 2022
SENATE HANSARD 16 FEBRUARY 2022 VOL 31 NO 20
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Wednesday, 16th February, 2022
The Senate met at Half-past Two o’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF SENATE in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF SENATE
PETITION RECEIVED FROM THE NOBLE HANDS TRUST
THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE (HON. SEN. CHIEF CHARUMBIRA): I have to inform the Senate that on Monday 14th February, 2022, the Parliament of Zimbabwe received a petition from Noble Hands Trust requesting Parliament to approve the ratification of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human Rights and People’s Rights on Persons with Disabilities in Africa and enact legislation that protects and promotes the rights of People with Albinism. The petition has since been referred to the Thematic Committee on Human Rights.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
HON. SEN. MUZENDA: I move that Orders of the Day, Numbers 1 and 2 be stood over until the rest of the Orders of the Day have been disposed of.
HON. SEN. TONGOGARA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH: DEBATE ON ADDRESS
Third Order read: Adjourned debate on motion in reply to the Presidential Speech.
Question again proposed.
*HON. SEN. SIPANI-HUNGWE: First of all, I would like to congratulate you Mr. President and Hon. Members of this House by saying the Lord has kept us safe and we are now in the year 2022. The previous year was a very difficult one as we lost quite a number of Members of this House. I would like to express my condolences and grief for the loss of those whom we lost in the previous year and those we continue to lose.
I would like to contribute towards the motion that was raised by Hon. Senator Kambizi. I would like to thank our Hon. President who touched on a number of issues but I will just focus on two issues. I would like to talk about COVID-19. With regard to COVID-19, a lot of preventative measures were taken into place. A lot of things were done. If you look at what happened in other countries, we see that quite a number of people died. Despite the fact that in this country we also lost a number of people, our leadership was proactive and made sure that they looked for the vaccine in order to protect us from the pandemic as a nation.
He also touched on issues of water. Even in the previous year, a lot of dams were constructed. This indicates that a lot of work is being done. He also touched on the issue of roads. A lot of work is being done on the roads. Other projects have not been completed but they are being worked on. We thought that we could not reconstruct our major roads on our own, for example Harare-Beitbridge but we have managed to construct it using our local workmanship.
There are Bills that have not yet been passed and His Excellency emphasised that these should be passed. He gave a task to both Houses to make sure that all the outstanding Bills are passed. I just want to express my gratitude to the President. He is a hard worker and he also wants us to be like him. I thank you.
HON. SEN. MUZENDA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. TONGOGARA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 17th February, 2022.
MOTION
CURBING GENDER BASED VIOLENCE AMONG COMMUNITIES
Fourth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the increase of gender based violence since the outbreak of COVID-19.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. CHIMBUDZI: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. TONGOGARA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 17th February, 2022.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE VIRTUAL 49TH PLENARY ASSEMBLY SESSION OF THE SADC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM
Fifth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Report of the Virtual 49th Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. MUZENDA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. SIPANI-HUNGWE: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 17th February, 2022.
MOTION
CONSTRUCTION, UPGRADING AND REHABILITATION OF THE ROAD NETWORK IN THE COUNTRY
Sixth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the importance of sound road network.
Question again proposed.
*HON. SEN. TONGOGARA: Thank you very much Mr. President for giving me the opportunity to contribute towards the motion raised by Hon. Sen. Mabika and the seconder.
As we all know, for us to have progress in our country, we should have well established roads. It is now a thing of the past for people to travel on foot. For a country to be developed there is need for an established road network for ease of access to destinations. If the roads are bad, there is no progress at all. This year we had a lot of rainfall and a number of roads were washed away. For example in Muzarabani, roads were washed away. Inasmuch as we love the rain, it came in its heaviness and washed away the roads. We remain thankful to His Excellency for the announcement on taking over the rehabilitation of roads after seeing that as a result of the heavy rains, most of the roads were damaged and washed away.
We are thankful for Government on undertaking the task of rehabilitating intercity roads. Mr. President, when roads are repaired, we have reduced accidents. In most cases, most of the accidents occur after hitting potholes. However, we remain grateful when we hear that Government has tasked itself with the rehabilitation of roads in the country. If the devolution funds are disbursed, it is my humble request that the local authorities focus on repairing roads in the rural areas. You will see that many people walk long distances in an effort to access health services. Some of them even die on the roads on their way going to seek help from hospitals. Most of pregnant women in rural areas fail to reach their destination to seek health services.
It is my wish that the devolution funds that are being channelled to local authorities are put towards roads rehabilitation so that it becomes easy for people in the rural areas to move from one point to another. The work at hand is huge and the country is big on its own and funds may not be enough to cover all those projects. If there happens to be any private companies, investors and those who have the country at heart who understand fully that a country is developed by its citizens, it is possible and we can succeed in rehabilitating those roads. I thank you Mr. President for the opportunity that you have given me. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. CHIRONGOMA: Thank you very much Mr. President for this opportunity to contribute on the motion which was raised by Hon. Sen. Mabika and all those who supported. A country is defined as a country because of accessible roads. Firstly, I would like to thank His Excellency, Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa for declaring a national disaster on all the roads in the country and he gave power to the Minister of Transport. I would like to thank him for the work that he has done. When the Ministry was assigned this job, you could see that the job was done wholeheartedly, even the nation saw it that the Minister is hard working.
If you travel on the Beitbridge-Harare road, you can see that great work was done on this particular road. That is not the only road but a number of roads that link rural areas and big cities were well repaired. This is a great job and we are grateful. Even the DDF roads were repaired. We are grateful for the great rains we received this year but despite that, we see that roads that had been rehabilitated and roads that were still to be repaired continue to be damaged. The Minister has not stopped working on the roads. Roads were fixed in all the provinces.
We would be happy as motorists if roads are fixed. It is my wish that we have good roads in the country. We have big lorries in the country that carry cargo around the country using these roads. Most of the goods used to be carried by railway but now we have seen a decrease in that. I do not know how he is going to fix the issue of lorries on our highways. They continue to use these particular roads. It is my wish that there be policy or legislation that directs lorries to use particular roads so as not to damage already fixed roads. Those roads were constructed for use by light vehicles but lorries and haulage trucks also use these roads and damage them as the roads have no capacity to withstand the heavy trucks but small cars. We would like to thank His Excellency who led this initiative and gave authority to the responsible Ministry to do the work. With these few words, I would like to thank you Mr. President.
HON. SEN. M. R. DUBE: Thank you Mr. President for giving me this opportunity to also contribute to this motion which was brought in by Hon. Sen. Mabika. It is a pertinent motion indeed and there is nothing we can do without roads. Roads are there for us to relate well with our neighbours. Without roads it is difficult to engage with neighbours. Roads are pertinent and we should support each other through the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development so that we can build economic relations with our neighbours.
However, because of the rainy season, there are damages on these roads. Most of our roads were repaired but because of rains, we now have potholes and as a result, vehicles have their suspensions broken when they ride through those potholes. It would be important that after every rainy season, we attend to these roads. We also have haulage trucks which damage our roads. If you look at the Victoria Falls Road to Zambia, it was repaired but because a lot of haulage trucks ride through that road, it does not take long for the road to be damaged again. As said by another Hon. Senator, some of these roads are meant to be used by small vehicles. It is important that rural roads be taken care of all the time. Rural roads should also be attended to as well. Some places do not even have transportation like buses because of the bad state of roads. It is important that such roads be repaired. We have rains and our roads are damaged by these rains. It is important to attend to these roads.
We are aware that people vandalise the road network like the railway line and there is need to re-examine that to help the situation because trains carry a lot of passengers. We thank the Government for the rehabilitation of the Beitbridge-Masvingo Road, we hear that it is now a very good road. We are grateful to His Excellency, a listening President. If we look at my constituency, the Tsholotsho Road, that road had been damaged but now it is being repaired. Yes, because of COVID-19, the pace is slow; it could have been repaired had it not been for COVID-19. There was nothing to be done about that because of the natural disaster we were facing then. We implore you to continue to repair these roads. Even those which were repaired before but now damaged by incessant rains should also be attended to.
This is a very important motion. Roads are our life and everything that we get, we access through roads. We use roads to access hospitals, schools, export and import and so on. This motion is important and it is pertinent that as Members of Parliament, we should always look at the roads and put it to the attention of Parliament so that damaged roads can be repaired quickly. Some roads have been repaired but because of rains, the roads are damaged again. This motion brought in by Hon. Sen. Mabika is very important. Roads are as important as water; no one can travel where there is no road. I stood up to support the motion and I thank the Hon. Member for bringing this pertinent motion. I thank you Mr. President for the opportunity.
^HON. SEN. MALULEKE: Thank you Mr. President for giving me this opportunity to add my voice to the motion on roads. There is no country which is good without proper roads. I also thank the Hon. Senator who raised the motion, Hon. Sen. Mabika. A country with people also needs proper roads and to have friends who visit us, there is need for proper roads. For all economic activities to be a success, it is necessary to have proper roads.
At one point in time, I felt bitter as we travelled with a Committee from Harare to Mutare, the road infrastructure is good from Harare to Victoria Falls, the road infrastructure was good again but when it comes to our Masvingo-Harare-Beitbridge Highway, it was in a bad state. Every week there was an accident happening. I had many questions as to why our road was not being attended to or refurbished by the Government. However, they said the Government is the one which is there in Masvingo. We thank our President, His Excellency, Hon. Mnangagwa who saw it fit to rehabilitate this road. When I was travelling here to Harare, I used a small car but I did not have any challenges since the road is very good. There are still a few detours but generally the road is very good.
Let us give His Excellency a round of applause for he worked very hard. Hon. Members, let us work hard to improve the infrastructure of our country. There is no other person who is going to come and improve our country. When we go back to our constituencies, let us work hard and improve our economy. Let us encourage even the councils to work hard in improving the road infrastructure and all other activities which need their attention.
Councils must work hard to improve road infrastructure so that we can be able to boost our economy. Let us work to develop our country. There is no one who is going to come from another country or continent and develop our country. This country needs its citizens to develop it. We must also develop the schools to the extent that our children learn here in Zimbabwe rather than going to other countries seeking education. This can only be achieved if we dedicate ourselves to work hard for the betterment of our country.
Last month there was an accident involving a bus and a haulage truck and many people were injured because the road in that area is not good. Hence, there is need for us to work hard to improve our road infrastructure. His Excellency is also complimenting the work of rehabilitation of roads by providing buses to ferry people to different areas but these buses need proper roads. Let us encourage each other to work hard for the socio-economic development of our country. I thank you Mr. President.
**HON. SEN. NYATHI: Thank you Mr. President. I would like to applaud Hon. Sen. Mabika for bringing up the motion in this House. This motion is very relevant because in the country, when there is no road network, there can be no development. Our roads are dilapidated.
I come from Matabeleland region and there are no roads. We actually travel by the grace of God, especially at crossroads or intersections. I heard somebody talking about the Masvingo Road, I have not been to that area. If possible, the work that was done can also be done on Victoria Falls Road because it is very bad. There are huge ditches where a Honda Fit can be totally covered if it falls in. What is worsening the situation is haulage vehicles that are now over using that road. If only the railway transportation can be resuscitated to minimise loads being transported by road. Our roads are being destroyed even if they are repaired, they are quickly degraded. I do not know whether it is the quality of the material being used which is no longer durable.
Roads are very important for people’s livelihoods, including agricultural produce or ferrying the sick to hospitals. Right now it is difficult to use roads even for the sick. They cannot be transported by rail, so that is why I am applauding Hon. Sen. Mabika for the motion because she is a woman who is particular about people’s welfare. The Hon. Senator realised that roads are in a bad state, including gravel roads, they are not being repaired. I speak on behalf of Matabeleland where I come from- there is no single road that is in good condition. As we speak, the Victoria Falls-Bulawayo Road is in a bad state.
We understand that there are works being done, but let us be honest, there is no visible roadwork happening. For some of us who travel by road for long distance, you have to repair your car every day. I wish Government or the responsible Minister could come and discuss this matter. School children travel by road in most cases and drivers are no longer careful along those roads. That is why we hear of accidents every day; it is because of bad roads. We would like to see a lot of progress on roadworks. Since we are at the beginning of the year, by the end of the year, we would like to witness that progress in all provinces so that people can travel safely. That is a very good sign of development in our country. With those few words, I would like to thank you Mr. President
HON. SEN. MABIKA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. SIPANI-HUNGWE: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 17th February, 2022.
MOTION
ENACTMENT OF LAWS THAT CULMINATE IN DETERRENT SENTENCES BEING METED OUT TO CULPRITS FOUND COMMITTING CRIMES THAT DAMAGE THE ENVIRONMENT
Seventh Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on grave and rapid environmental damage.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. CHIRONGOMA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. MATHUTHU: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 17th February, 2022.
MOTION
ENACTMENT OF LEGISLATION THAT UPHOLDS THE RIGHTS AND WELFARE OF CHILDREN ACCOMPANYING INCARCERATED MOTHERS IN PRISON
Eighth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on challenges faced by children with incarcerated mothers.
Question again proposed.
+HON. SEN. A. DUBE: Thank you Mr. President for awarding me this opportunity. I support Hon. Sen. Chirongoma’s motion. This is a very important motion which pertains to children with incarcerated parents who now act as if they are also incarcerated. It is something that we do not take note of.
THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF SENATE (HON. SEN. CHIEF CHARUMBIRA): Order. Our records show that you have contributed on this motion before. If it is not true, you can correct us. You contributed on 23rd November 2021.
*HON. SEN. MABIKA: Thank you Mr. President. I would like to thank Hon. Sen. Chirongoma for moving the motion. The issue of children whose mothers are in prison is painful. It is difficult for children and the environment they grow up in. The children suffer abuse in different forms. There are children whose breadwinners have been imprisoned. Automatically, these children face challenges with food, clothes and school fees. We see these children coming across difficult scenarios because it is very difficult to make ends meet as children.
These children are involved greatly in anti-social behaviour because there is no one nearby to reprimand them. They can also suffer depression. Whilst they attend classes, you can actually notice that the child is absent-minded. They cannot concentrate in class because back at home there is no one to render them social support. As a result of parents going to prison, most of the children cannot finish their studies because there is no one to pay for their school fees. Their upbringing is not very good. No one is there to play the parental role in their lives. No one is there to mould these children and give them direction. So, we see these children are ashamed to walk in the communities because some will laugh at them because of their situation. This destroys their ego and they lose confidence. This has got effects on their mental health and upbringing as children. Growing up without parents nearby is a very difficult situation for children.
It is my humble plea that we do something about these children who are left behind whilst their mothers go to prison. It is my wish that children are united with their parents so that their lives are not ruined growing up alone. Thank you very much Mr. President.
HON. SEN. CHIRONGOMA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. A. DUBE: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 17th February, 2022.
On the motion of HON. SEN. MUZENDA seconded by HON. SEN. TONGOGARA the Senate adjourned at Half past Three O’clock p.m.