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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY HANSARD 02 APRIL 2025 Vol. 51 No. 40

PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE

Wednesday, 2^nd April, 2025

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

PRAYERS

(THE HON. SPEAKER in the Chair)

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE HON. SPEAKER

APOLOGIES RECEIVED FROM MINISTERS

THE HON. SPEAKER: I have received the following apologies from the Executive as follows: Hon. Gen. Rtd. Dr. C. D. G. N. Chiwenga, Vice President; Hon. Col. Rtd. K. C. D. Mohadi, Vice President; Hon. T. Machakaire, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training; Hon. B. Rwodzi, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry; Hon. O. C. Z. Muchinguri-Kashiri, Minister of Defence; Hon. D. Garwe, Minister of Local Government and Public Works; Hon. F. M. Shava, Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education; Hon. T. Moyo, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education; Hon. S. Chikomo, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade; Hon. A. Gata, Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education; Hon. Dinha, Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare; Hon. Modi, Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce and Hon. S. T. Kwidini, Deputy Minister Health and Child Care. The Acting Leader of Government Business for today's session is Hon. Dr. Masuka.

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

HON. CHIWANZA: My question is directed to the Minister of Health. I am sure Hon. Dr. Masuka will respond…

THE HON. SPEAKER: That is not for you, that is for the Chair to decide.

*HON. CHIWANZA: These days, there are people using shisha or vapour. There was a Statutory Instrument 264 of 2002 that used to ban the sale of cigarettes to underage children but these days in entertainment centres, you find people holding these vapours or shishas, where even underage people go. Is there any law to ensure that the shisha or the vapours are banned because they are as good as cigarettes?

*THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE (DR. MOMBESHORA): Thank you Mr. Speaker. The Ministry of Health has a law that forbids drugs or intoxicating substances. However, we do not have a law that forbids cigarettes. This shisha, I do not know yet whether it is a plain cigarette or it is intoxicating. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

THE HON. SPEAKER: Order Hon. Chiwanza! Where do you get the classification that this is a substance?

         *HON. CHIWANZA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.  Since about five years ago, in restaurants, even under-age children will be holding shisha. It contains nicotine and it will have several flavours like sweets. Thank you.

*HON. DR. MOMBESHORA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I think according to the laws that forbid substances or abuse, shisha is not included. So, we will have to consider that to classify it under the correct law. What I know is that cigarettes are not allowed to be smoked in public places. We expect owners of such areas like restaurants and such entertainment centres to stop smoking of such cigarettes. I promise that we need to look into it to see what it contains. Otherwise, the initial substance will not be bad but those other additives may be bad. I thank you.

THE HON. SPEAKER: Until laboratory tests are undertaken, there cannot be any further questions. Before I call the next speaker, can I have Hon. R. Moyo to approach the Chair?

HON. NKANI: My question is directed to the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs. In view of the increasing number of our youths who are involved in the use of dangerous drugs against the high cost of rehabilitation fees being charged by private rehabilitation centres, what is the Government policy regarding increasing Government-owned rehabilitation centres which are relatively cheaper and affordable to our people? I thank you.

THE HON. SPEAKER: The Hon. Minister of Justice, can you clarify, whether you are going to be here with us because I was told you are not coming and we appointed the Hon. Dr. Masuka as the Leader of Government Business?

THE MINSITER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI): I am around Mr. Speaker. Should I decide not to be there, then I will converse with him but for now I think I am there.

THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you for the clarification.

THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the Hon. Member for the question. The Member is actually pointing out a problem that we have in society, that is drug and substance abuse. The Hon. Member then ventures into an arena where he is making a comparative study of the costing. That then does not become a policy question. It becomes an operational question. There is a national task force that is looking into those areas to say, how we then deal with harm reduction and supply reduction to be able to come up with concrete answers to answer that question.

My response would be for him to hang on a little bit. I do not have statistical figures pertaining to what he is asking, but what I can confirm is that indeed, Government is seized with the problem of drug and substance abuse and the need to deal with it holistically from supply side, reduction side to rehabilitation side. I thank you.

HON.  JIMU. Thank you Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage. What is Government policy regarding the issue of insufficient police officers at various police stations to deal with the high level of cases being reported? Thank you.

THE HON. SPEAKER: That question is more on the statistical side. I think you want to ask about policy. Can you rephrase your question?

HON. JIMU: Thank you very much. My question is directed to the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage. What is Government policy regarding the issue of insufficient police officers at various police stations? Thank you.

THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI): Thank you Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the Hon. Member for the question. I think his question is leading to somewhere. You were right initially when you said it is leaning toward statistical issues. I am not very sure what is informing him to say that there are insufficient police officers at police stations. Perhaps if he can put it in writing to say that at Glenview, the establishment is five but there is one, then we will be able to interrogate it but a general assertion that there are insufficient police officers is too broad a question, which I do not believe is correct to say we have insufficient police officers across the border. Thank you.

HON. MANDIWANZIRA:  Supplementary Mr. Speaker.

THE HON. SPEAKER: You cannot have a supplementary. I think the response by the Hon. Minister is correct. When you allege certain shortages or inadequacies, then you need evidence to prove that and that can only come about through a written question.

HON. MANDIWANZIRA: I was actually going to support the question with a policy.

THE. HON. SPEAKER: I beg your pardon?

HON. MANDIWANZIRA: I was actually going to support the question with a policy. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]

THE HON. SPEAKER: I have ruled.

HON. MANDIWANZIRA: Thank you Mr. Speaker.

THE HON. SPEAKER: The only support is to assist Hon. Jimu to ask a properly drafted written question. Thank you. Also, can I warn you Hon. Mandiwanzira, you do not address the Chair while you are seated?

HON. MANDIWANZIRA: I wish to apologise Mr. Speaker, but I had not been given the authority to speak. I was just still raising my hand…

THE HON. SPEAKER: You spoke Hon. Member.

HON. MANDIWANZIRA: I apologise.

THE HON. SPEAKER: Do not hide behind a finger that is not there.

HON. MANDIWANZIRA: No, I accept and apologise Mr. Speaker.

THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you.

HON. KANGAUSARU: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs. How is the Ministry aligning its effort with the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) ongoing rehabilitation initiatives, including the proposed foundation on prisoner integration into society and preventing offenders from re-offending due to financial hardship? I thank you.

THE HON. SPEAKER: May you repeat your question?

HON. KANGAUSARU:  My question is, how is the Ministry aligning its effort with Zimbabwean Prison...?

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Aligning what? It is not clear, the word that follows?

HON. KANGAUSARU: The re-integration of prisoners into society.

THE HON. SPEAKER: Aligning what?

HON. KANGAUSARU: Aligning the effort of integrating the inmates that have been, for example, released from prison, in order to be integrated into society.

THE HON. SPEAKER: All right. I hope the Hon. Minister understood the question.

THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI: Thank you, Mr. Speaker Sir. I will try to respond according to the way I understand the question. I hope I understood it, just like you said it. The thrust now within the ZPCS is that we remove those that would have been in conflict with the law from society so that society will remain safe and we incarcerate them. Once they are incarcerated, we start the process of rehabilitating them, with a view of ensuring that there is a smooth reintegration into society and that they do not re-offend. That is the thrust of the new Prisons and Correctional Services Act. Where there is a gap now is that ZPCS used to end when the prisoner is released.

So, what we are trying to do now in line with the new thinking, is to ensure that those prisoners that are due for release, depending on funds availability, we now want to create community correctional facilities, which are closer to the communities so that we assist with the reintegration with the community where they are supposed to go. We also want to do follow-ups once the prisoners are released to see whether the reintegration efforts are succeeding. That is what is deficient now.

In terms of the new thrust, we want to follow up the prisoners from the time that they are incarcerated to the time when they are integrated into society and we are going to bring a paper to Cabinet on how we intend to do that. It is within our plans to ensure that. To fully encompass the spirit of the new Act, we have to do that and do the follow-ups, so that we can identify the reasons why the reintegration is failing, the reasons why others are re-offending. I thank you.

HON. KANGAUSARU: Supplementary. Thank you very much for the answer that is so comprehensive and that is in line with what I was asking about. What steps are being taken to ensure that they have access to essential services, such as transportation assistance when they are being released so that they do not re-commit again the crime in order to arrive at their desired destination and temporary financial support to reach their final destination and to rebuild even their lives? I thank you.

         THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I want to thank the Honourable Member for the follow-up question.  What we now do is when those prisoners are being released, they are provided transport to their final destinations. In some instances, prisoners that we feel we need to reconcile them with their relatives or the community that they offended, we actually have visits to the communities with the prisoner before that prisoner is released to have some dialogue and some reconciliation to happen. So that is the process that we are doing.

Mr. Speaker Sir, in terms of the other support post-prison, that is no longer the preserve of prisons, to look for employment and to look for all those other issues.  What we do in prison is we impart skills so that when somebody is released, they can do bricklaying, farming, chicken rearing and even other professions. We are in the process of ensuring we do that.  As to the follow-up on whether you got employment or not, that is now not the mandate of prisons to go that far.

         HON. MATEWU:  Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the issue here that Hon. Kangausaru was trying to put across as we visited prisons last week, is that while the prisoners are grateful for the experiences and the work experience…...

*HON. TAFANANA ZHOU:  On a point of order Mr. Speaker Sir.  The Honorable Member mentioned that they visited prisons so I think he is trying to pre-empt the Committee report?

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Did you want to be pre-emptive?

HON. MATEWU: No!

THE HON. SPEAKER:  So, ask your supplementary question.

HON. MATEWU: Thank you, Mr. Speaker Sir. My supplementary question is, what is the Government doing to ensure that those prisoners who will have left the prisons get a job?  The most critical part here is the criminal record, what are you doing to ensure that employers accept prisoners who will have that criminal record but will have been corrected during their time in incarceration? Thank you.

HON. Z. ZIYAMBI:  Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.  I want to thank the Hon. Member for the question. Indeed, in prison now we are training the prisoners, trying to rehabilitate them and give them new skills.  The challenge that we have been experiencing is once they are out, you are now trained, you have a criminal record, you cannot get employment.  That is the conversation that we are now having to say we are incarcerating somebody, rehabilitating and we want that person reintegrated into society.  How does that person get reintegrated when the very same society is saying that you have a criminal record, you cannot do one, two, three and four? So that is the alignment that we now need to do even within the civil service, to say that how can we  realign the old thinking that if you have a criminal record you cannot be employed in this particular place so that we have the same thinking.

Mr. Speaker Sir, it cannot be done by prisons alone but it will need all of us, including parliamentarians to debate to say how do we align our laws with the new thinking of trying to reintegrate those that would have been in contact with the law into society. I thank you. Thank you, Hon. Minister.

*HON. NYABANI:  Thank you, Mr. Speaker, what is Government doing to discipline civil servants who may have misappropriated inputs?

THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Member, your question titivates towards some specific areas.  It is not general policy as such.

*HON. NYABANI:  What does Government do with people that steal?

THE HON. SPEAKER: That is more specific, how do you know those people? So, you would rather put your question in writing and indicate those specific instances where there was such alleged misbehaviour.

*HON. MATARA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Health. Looking at how most of the civil servants are finding it difficult to access treatment using PSMAS Medical Aid, what measures are you going to take to ensure that PSMAS Medical Aid enables them to be treated in hospitals? Thank you.

*THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE (HON. DR. MOMBESHORA): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also would like to thank the Hon. Member for the question. Yes, there was a big problem for civil servants who were on PSMAS Medical Aid.  They were struggling because they were unable to use their medical aid to access treatment.  That was caused by mismanagement of the funds by PSMAS. As a Ministry, we took measures to stop the mismanagement of PSMAS Medical Aid Society. Right now, we have interim management whom we have tasked to rectify and we stopped them from getting money to ensure that they have put appropriate measures that are effective in place.

We have since asked the Ministry of Finance to then start funding the society because we are satisfied with the measures that have been taken. We expect that by the end of this month, PSMAS Medical Aid card will be functioning properly. We regret that there was this problem and we delayed in taking measures but we have since rectified the situation.

 

HON. PINDUKA:   Thank you Mr. Speaker.  This question is directed to the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement.  The Government is commended for accelerating the solarisation of power in communities. What is the Government policy to ensure that there is adequate technical support services to the equipment that is being installed in various borehole sites across the country? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

THE MINISTER OF LANDS, AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, WATER AND RURAL RESETTLEMENT (HON. DR. MASUKA): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Honorable Member for the very important question. Indeed, the Presidential Rural Development Programme is meant to ensure that communities have access to clean, safe water all the time.

It is in this context Mr. Speaker Sir, that we have a very ambitious programme to drill a borehole in each of the 35 000 villages.  To complement this, .ZINWA leads the programme and their contractors have been encouraged to engage youths in the areas so that they are trained for the after-service maintenance. We have also put in a GPS network which we hope to activate so that we can see those boreholes that are operational and we will be able to see those boreholes that are down life and be able to activate the youths to be able to attend to that. But if there are any specific issues relating to where the challenges might have been obtained, I will gladly look into those with a view to rectifying that as expeditiously as is humanly possible.

HON. M. C. SIBANDA:  My supplementary question is to say, what is the Government policy of ensuring that drilling of boreholes is equitably distributed across the country?

HON. DR. MASUKA: Indeed, the President, His Excellency Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa's vision is leaving no one and no place behind and that must be seen in practice, which is why the 37 drilling rigs, are allocated to provinces and under the purview of the Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in the spirit of decentralisation and devolution, where a drilling schedule according to the constituency, according to the ward, relating to the agro-ecological region, starting with the drier regions, regions 4, 5, coming into 3, 2, and 1. The Hon. Member may wish to then identify whether they are in a high-priority region, which would be region 5 and followed by region 4. These are agro-ecological zones. So naturally, if you are in Region 1, the expectation is that closer to 2030, we might be in your area. But if you are in Region 5, you should expect that sometime this year, we will be there.

HON. DR. KHUPE:  I would like to find out how many boreholes have been sunk so far out of the 35 000 villages. If you do not have the information off-hand, I would request that you bring a Ministerial Statement, at least to outline how many boreholes have been sunk out of the 35 000.

HON. DR. MASUKA: There are 51 000 water points in the country, out of which 42 000 are boreholes. About 7 000 of these are dry holes. On this programme, the Presidential Rural Development Programme, we have drilled approximately 3 600.

*HON. P. ZHOU:  I would like to know what they are doing with regard to drilling boreholes where there are areas with very low water tables. How deep can they sink? How deep are they sinking the boreholes? We are talking about sustainable water from the boreholes.

HON. DR. MASUKA: Most of the machines go up to 100 metres deep but in most areas, after drilling 30 to 40 metres, you access water. Some areas like Gokwe, Midlands, Matabeleland South, where there are Kalahari sands, the water table is very low. In areas like Nyamandlovu where we supply water to Bulawayo, you have to dig deeper. We sink as deep as 135 metres. So, it depends on areas or places. There is a need for surveying first, then looking for the appropriate machines to sink. ZINWA has about three rigs that can sink up to 400 metres deep.

*HON. TAFANANA ZHOU: My question to the Minister is, the number of boreholes that he referred to, some of them were dry holes, no water was reached. Does the Hon. Minister include on the statistics, those dry holes sunk? What measures are they going to take to ensure that those boreholes are rectified as well as ensuring that those with little water are rectified also?

         *HON. DR. MASUKA:   When we talk of boreholes drilled, we are referring to those where water was reached.

HON. MADZIVANYIKA: I would like to appreciate that the Hon. Minister of Lands has indicated that out of the target of 35 000 boreholes from the 35 000 villages, they have managed to complete 3 600 boreholes. That translates to around 11% of what we expect by the target of Vision 2030, which is 35 000 boreholes. With the four years to go, is it realistic that you are going to meet that target of the balance of around 89%?

HON. DR. MASUKA: 11% success or achievement is really reflective of the meagre resources that have been allocated by Parliament for this local cause, for which I urge the Hon. Member to assist us in getting more resources to enable us to complete this task in a defined period.

The second aspect is to note that in this low pace, the resources are not matching the ambition. What we have now done with the boreholes that were drilled largely by what used to be called DDF, now it is RIDA, the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency, is to go back to this listing of 42 000 boreholes drilled somewhere in the country, somewhere in the village to be able to do a capacity test on those and the more prolific ones to then qualify for the establishment of this water point that we then call Village Business Units. We think that with the combination of accelerated resources, as is required to meet the ambition and also this programme where we are selecting those that were previously drilled, those that are prolific enough, being upgraded to become Village Business Units that with this twin approach, we will be able to achieve.  I think the most important is that the resources are available for this very noble and important cause.

*HON. NYAKUEDZWA: My question is directed to the Minister of Education. What is Government policy on schools’ infrastructure that were blown away by storms?

* THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI): Thank you Madam Speaker. Government policy is that wherever there are mishaps in every area, there is a District Development Committee that leads the Civil Protection Unit and people who have such problems have to report to that department. Then that department is the one that reports further to ensure that the situation is rectified.

+HON. S. MOYO: Thank you Madam Speaker for the opportunity awarded. My question is directed to the Minister of Local Government. When are Provincial Councillors going to be inaugurated because it has been a while without being inaugurated? What is Government policy regarding that?

* THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI): Thank you for the good question that was posed about those who were elected to lead the provincial councils. We are busy ensuring that we put in place the laws or legal requirements that will guide them in their work. There are a lot of things that we want to be sorted before they start work because we do not want a situation where there is a conflict of interests when they start working, duplication of duties and contradiction. This is a new programme with Local Authorities and Local Government. So, we first of all need to know and find out how best they can operate to avoid clashing as they carry out their duties, that is what we are busy doing.

+HON. S. MOYO: Thank you for the response from the Minister. My follow-up question, since he indicated that provincial councillors are new in our country but we have gone for some years with these provincial councillors. In previous years, we realised that provincial councillors were once on salaries when they did not do any duty. How many years should they take before they clarify this issue? Thank you.

*HON. Z. ZIYAMBI: Thank you Madam Speaker. Yes, the Hon. Member is correct that it is in the Constitution but we did not have the law and no one was put in place. It means they are still new and that is what I was clarifying, that we are working on the laws.  As much as it may have happened in the past that they were there but now we need the operationalisation of the provincial councillors. I thank you.

+HON. N. NDLOVU: My question to the Hon. Minister is, how long does it take for the law to start operating because this is the second term? Since it requires some time, why did you put in place provisional councillors when we knew that the law can only be applied after 20 years?

         *HON. Z. ZIYAMBI: As much as these people may be there but if there is no law that operationalises that, yes indeed, the elections were conducted because it was according to that law but for them to start working, there is a requisite law that is needed. Trying to answer why the delay may not be very helpful right now, my response is, we are working on operationalising it. I thank you.

+HON. N. NDLOVU: Point of clarity. My question is, how long does it take? I did not say you have delayed. How long does it take because this is the third term?

 

*HON. Z. ZIYAMBI: Whenever we agree that this law does not contradict any other facets, then I can safely agree that we have finished.

         HON. MUSHORIWA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am.  In 2021, a Bill was gazetted [H.B. 5, 2021], pertaining to the Provincial and Devolution Bill.  My question is that because that Bill lapsed and we have not seen the mention of this Bill, even in the Presidential Address.  Can the Hon. Minister give us an update or timeline upon which we expect to have this Bill in this august House?

         THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI): Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am.  Members of Parliament within the Local Government Portfolio Committee are seized with this.  So, the Hon. Member cannot claim that this august House, is not- when the consultations that are being done also include Parliament.  Parliament is part of the process that has not come to a conclusion as to the manner in which the Bill should be presented.  I thank you.

         HON. CHIDUWA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am.  My question is directed to the Minister of Industry and Commerce.  One of the key priority areas under the NDS1 is the development of leather value chains.  I wanted to find out what is Government policy with regards to the expansion of domestic markets for finished local leather products?

         THE MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE (HON. N. M. NDLOVU): Thank you very much Madam Speaker.  I would like to thank Hon. Chiduwa for the question.  NDS1 is one among the pillars of moving the economy up to the value chain.  One of the critical value chains that we identified is the beef-to-leather value chain.  I might want to start with our assessment of the performance of this value chain, as we are in the last year of our NDS1 implementation.  We have not moved as much as we would have expected.  Most of our targets are still lagging a bit behind in terms of capacity utilisation.  We should be now sitting at above 25% but we are still at close to 10% of capacity utilisation.  Similarly, with our exports of finished products, we have missed our target. We have since set up a task team, first to look at how we can strengthen this value chain and this task team is co-chaired by the Deputy Ministers of Industry and Commerce, Agriculture as well as Finance. They are looking at critical value chains, including beef to leather.

         That having been said, to answer the Hon. Member’s question, Bata as a company is on the mend and is recovering.  Their production is growing a bit.  They have begun export, they have exported around 15 000 pairs to Zambia, last year.  As Government, we have engaged our uniformed forces to make sure that they procure locally for our uniformed forces.  Maybe to inform the House, that we are making significant progress in that regard.  We continue to expand the domestic market.  We are now looking at the other sectors, particularly the mining sector, which at the moment has not been really taking much.  We are expecting  the mining sector in Zambia and we have pending discussions on the matter with my colleague Minister.

         I might also inform the House that as a policy, through the Ministry of Finance, those who would recall, in January, when the Minister announced measures to promote local production as well as promote competitiveness, Government departments, ministries and agencies have been directed to prioritise local procurement.  I am happy that even PRAZ has followed through to write to all Permanent Secretaries that henceforth, they are directed in their procurement processes to prioritise local production.  We are confident that this is the right step towards making sure that we are expanding the domestic market, not just for the leather products but for our local production as a whole.

         HON. CHIDUWA: I also wanted to find out from the Hon. Minister, since he mentioned Bata.  We have seen a proliferation of counterfeit shoes that seem like Bata shoes.  What is Government policy with regard to dealing specifically with counterfeit products, especially those that mimic Bata products?

         HON. N. M NDLOVU: Counterfeit products – it is a criminal activity and I am sure I did highlight to this House a few weeks back that we have an exercise where we are dealing with all business malpractices.  We have had a blitz since the beginning of the year, where we are working with other agencies, including ZIMRA and Immigration, through our trade measures and Consumer Protection Commission (CPC), to look at all these issues, counterfeit products where we have made significant arrests on people who are mimicking other products without relevant patents.

         What we observed, particularly with shoes is that there are companies, importing from China abusing the rebate system that they will be having, where they include a lot of shoes in the container.  You would find shoes going for USD2.00 in the market and we have had to go after this for them to indicate where they have paid duty.  I am happy to inform the House again that a lot of these have been ceased.  We will continue with the surveillance.  It is really an enforcement matter because most of the things will be criminal activities and such people if found have to face the full wrath of the law.  I thank you.

         *HON. MATINENGA: Thank you Madam Speaker.  My supplementary question is what policy is in place to assist people in the rural areas, especially with regard to the leather industry?  What is the programme with regards working with them and developing the leather industry that is coming up in this country?

         HON. N. M. NDLOVU: Thank you very much Madam Speaker Ma’am.  I thank the Hon. Member for the question.  I hope I got it correct, she can always correct me if I did not get the question correctly.  I spoke of the collaboration that we have initiated with the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development and the Ministry of Finance, Investment Promotion, Economic Development because we realised that the value chain strands across Ministries and departments.  If I got the question correctly, it is on how we are working with rural communities to empower them around the issues of the beef-to-leather value chain.  I highlighted that we have not done as much as we would have wanted to perform in this sector.  Our progress so far points to the fact that the role that the Cold Storage Commission used to play has left a vacuum, which has seen a lot of farmers whom when they are disposing  their livestock, either not capacitated on how to treat or there is simply inadequate markets, which is where we will be working closely with rural communities to try and create a system where there is proper uptake of the leather.  So, through this Committee we have initiated with my colleague Ministers that are chaired by the Deputy Ministers we will soon be giving you specific initiatives that we will be taking for each of the six critical value chains that we have assigned them to look at.  Thank you.

         HON. DR. KHUPE: Hon. Minister, what is delaying responses to requests from countries like Indonesia, which have, since time immemorial, been requesting that we export our beef to them because they are saying our beef is first-grade and is tasty? We went there with the Speaker in 2021 and they said they have been requesting that we export our beef but up to now, no beef has been exported because if we export more beef, we will have more leather products that we will process into leather bags and leather shoes like what G‘n’D used to do. 

         HON. N. M. NDLOVU: Madam Speaker, I have not really heard of such a request. I am glad to discuss this offline with my colleague Minister. I do not know if you would have information on that specific request. I am glad to look into it.

HON. CHINODAKUFA: Let me direct my question to the Minister of Home Affairs. What is the Government policy regarding deploying technology at our borders, both airports and road borders? We have noted that other countries are now ahead in terms of electrical border systems. Thank you. 

         THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE (HON. KAZEMBE): I would like to thank the Hon.  Member for such a pertinent question. The last part of the question, I think he probably wanted to say electronic border posts not electrical as such, but I think I get the gist of the question. Madam Speaker, we have done quite a lot in terms of deploying technology in our borders, both airports and road borders. Madam Speaker, as a Ministry, we came up with what we call the Ministry of Home Affairs integrated ICT system, through which we intend to computerise all our systems in the Ministry, all our departments; civil registry, the police, immigration and all the rest of it. 

         When it comes to immigration, we came up with what we call the online border management system and we have already started deploying it. If you go to some airports, I think Robert Mugabe Airport, we now have e-gates, where you present your passport, it is validated and the first gate opens, you walk into a cubicle and then the second validation takes place. If everything is above board, the second gate opens and you go through without the help of any officer and this is happening as I am speaking at the Robert Mugabe International Airport. .– [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear] – This, again, we have deployed at Victoria Falls Airport, Joshua Nkomo Airport and Beitbridge, so it is work in progress. Also, as part of this online border management system, e-visa facilities are now available, people can now apply for their visas online. That again is part of the whole system so it is a work in progress and we have already started embarking on this journey. 

         *HON. MUTSEYAMI: Madam Speaker, I want to find out from the Hon. Minister. He spoke clearly about modern security at the Robert Mugabe International Airport. So, why is it that regardless of all that security, gold is still being smuggled? How come it is still smuggled, beyond all that technology? What really happens? So, how does it go through the airport and may be caught at OR Airport? I thank you.

*HON. KAZEMBE: I would like to thank the Hon. Mutseyami for the question. I think this question is a bit different from the question that was posed by Hon. Chinodakufa on what we are doing with regard to using technology on our borders. I explained what we are doing by saying we are using electronic technology but this is a new question. I can still respond.

*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: It is not new. It is relevant. 

         *HON. KAZEMBE: Since you have ruled, Madam Speaker, let me respond. If gold is smuggled, the police are trying their best to ensure that they find out what is happening. If the Hon. Member has evidence to that effect, we will be very glad to use that information so that the police may do their job. 

         *HON. MADZIVANYIKA: Madam Speaker, there have been programmes aired that there are some leaders in this country whose names have been talked about that they are smuggling gold. Are you investigating them?

*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: That question is misplaced. That question is misplaced and it is not connected to the first question. We do not want to speak about allegations or hearsay that you get on social media which are merely rumours, only evidence-based issues. 

*HON. ZVAIPA: The Hon. Minister Kazembe spoke about the good things with regard to the use of technology at the airport where they are working hard to ensure that things move smoothly. However, with what we are seeing happening, does it mean that the technology is not working because nothing or no one is being caught? It means that it is not effective enough. Whatever they are installing, has it been used somewhere and has it been effective?

*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: This is the same question that was asked by Hon. Mutseyami and was responded to. We do not have extensions. 

         *HON. ENG. MHANGWA: My question is, the new equipment or technology that is coming, will it help to ensure that the passport is not handed over to 15 or 20 people like what is happening right now? Right now, when you pass, you hand the passport to one person and they hand it over to a tenth person.

*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Are you giving an example or it is a figure?

*THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE (HON. KAZEMBE): Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. I would like to thank Hon. Mhangwa for the important question. When I was speaking, that is what I was talking about. Maybe it was not clear. If we go to the airport right now where we have installed e-gates, you do not talk to anyone. It is still a work in progress of course. We have not finished but we have since installed the e-gates. You just scan your passport which reads the chip on the passport which is your picture and all other details. Then there is a comparison or validation through the use of a camera and it verifies all the information from the passport office. That happens very quickly within a fraction of a second. You do not talk to anyone.

It is only a machine that you talk to. May the Hon. Member go to the airport to try. You cannot use any passport except the e-passport because it is the one that has that chip. If you put it, there is verification, then the door is open and move on to the next stage. If we complete the work, this system will be linked to the police. If you are on the police wanted list, then you will be arrested within that cubicle.  It will not open. The police will simply come and take you so that you go and respond to your cases. No one will talk to you.

*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I do not know why you are standing, I have not given you the opportunity.

*HON. ENG. MHANGWA: I seek a point of clarity. My question is, I passed recently. Your passport is stamped first when you disembark from the aeroplane. Before you turn, there is someone who looks at your passport and they stamp, they pass. After that, there will be three men who will be seated. The first one takes it and passes it on to the third person. From there, you go through the gates. Then after that, that is where you get to the e-gate. What it simply means is that it is helping only the stamping process which is done by one person. Before you get there, you go through seven or eight people who dress in different clothes and they give a very questionable image to the country. That is the process that you go through before you go to the e-gates. I am talking about the first stage where you meet people dressed in jeans and overalls.

*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: The jeans and overalls that you are talking about that those people will be dressed in, is it true?

*HON. KAZEMBE: Thank you Madam Speaker, Ma'am. Firstly, I explained that it is still work in progress. There is a lot that is going to be done by the system that we are putting in place. What is on the ground right now are the e-gates and the e-Visas. In the end, people will be passing through easily. However, we are saying they will not remove people totally. There are people in various departments. Some of them, because it is a security issue, they will be looking for their issues and maybe those systems cannot be effectively addressed by the new system. That is what we are working on. I thank you.

HON. DR. KHUPE:  My question is directed to the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, the Minister reported that tourism surpassed agriculture and mining in terms of contributing to the GDP, where it raked in 15 percent in 2024, which is very commendable and positive for the country. My question is, what is Government policy in regards to constructing a seven-star hotel in Victoria Falls, like the Jumeirah and the Beige Arab in Dubai so that it attracts celebrities from all over the world? For the reason that if celebrities come, you know, we will rake in more money and this hotel is going to be able to attract more people to come in. We also need a big mall there because Victoria Falls is the beacon of tourism.

What is Government policy in making sure that you build this seven-star hotel, you know, you build in this big mall? Once this happens, employment is going to be created. Citizens in Victoria Falls, you know, their livelihoods are going to be changed because more employment is going to be created and more money, more revenue inflows are going to be realised by the country. I thank you.

THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI): Thank you, Madam Speaker. I want to thank Hon. Khupe for the question, just to clarify that it is a percent increase, not in terms of the actual contribution. If you realise last year, in terms of agriculture because of drought, the percentage growth decreased. Now we expectits growth to even surpass tourism because of the good rains. So, even in terms of mining, we are saying the percentage of growth, not the contribution to GDP.  Nevertheless, as regards the second question, that is the thrust that Government is doing. You realise that through the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Sport, we are now constructing stadiums there in Victoria Falls. We are encouraging even the private sector to come and build new hotels. Putting new accommodation facilities in Victoria Falls.

That is the Government policy, to try and find partnerships to encourage the private sector to say let us go to Victoria Falls. We recently declared it. It is now our new city, actually.  It is one of our youngest cities. All that was done to ensure that development goes to Victoria Falls. So definitely, what Hon. Khupe is advocating for is the policy of Government to ensure that we develop Victoria Falls. I thank you.

*HON. MATANGIRA:  Thank you Madam Speaker Ma'am. 

In the rural areas, there are very few secondary schools. What is Government policy on places that were allocated Government secondary schools against private schools, where grounds are being given out for private schools by councils? I so submit.

         *THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Order, order?  May you please stick to one language next time Hon. Member. 

         THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI):  Thank you Madam Speaker.  The prefacing of this question is not statistically correct to say that we have fewer secondary schools and there is no development of secondary schools in rural areas.

Madam Speaker, during the early years of our independence, we had such a scenario.  The Government had a deliberate policy of ensuring that we had secondary schools in rural areas. Perhaps, if he has a specific question that he wants to address, or specific areas, he can re-couch the question so that we can actually unlock what he wants to say but to say that we have a shortage of secondary schools as a widespread phenomenon, it is not a correct assertion. If he has got statistics, then he can put that in writing to say that in Mashonaland Central, we have so many primary schools and we have so many secondary schools.  We have a deficit of so many learners who are failing to go to secondary schools. Then the Hon. Minister can respond to that specific question.  I so submit Madam Speaker.

*HON. MATANGIRA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I will now speak in Shona and stop code-switching.  This is happening, we have seen it happening. A ground that was reserved for a Government school, preference was given to private investors in 2008.

*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Order, order, you have repeated. – [*HON. MATANGIRA: Inaudible interjection.] -  Hon. Matangira, may you please resume your seat.  The question seems to be specific, put it in writing please. – [HON. MADZIVANYIKA: Supplementary!] - Supplementary on a question that needs to be written?

*HON. MADZIVANYIKA:  May you please allow me to pose a supplementary question to the Hon. Minister?

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  You may proceed.

*HON. MADZIVANYIKA:  Thank you. Madam Speaker, we have an economic blueprint called National Development Strategy One (1) which is supposed to run up to the end of this year.  The document states that Zimbabwe must construct 3 000 schools. My question to the Hon. Minister is, we are now almost at the end of NDS 1. Where are we? I thank you.

*THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI):  

Thank you Madam Speaker. It is a very good question. It refers to Government policy in the blueprint, that question about how much we have asked.  So, that is part of the NDS 1 evaluation. I cannot give that offhand.  May the Hon. Member put the question in writing?  I thank you.

*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Hon. Madzivanyika, may you please put your question in writing. – [HON. ENG. MHANGWA: On a point of order Madam Speaker Ma’am!] – Hon. Mhangwa, point of order.

*HON. ENG. MHANGWA:  Madam Speaker Ma’am, with regard to boreholes, we were told but when it comes to schools, why can we not be told?

*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Hon. Mhangwa, the rules of this House are that you have to ask policy questions.  When it is something that needs research, you have to put it in writing. Did you understand that? Yes, the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has specific figures, although that question must be put in writing.

HON. DR. MUTODI:  Thank you Madam Speaker.  My question is directed to the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development. Although this is a null hypothesis, the regression for agricultural production Hon. Minister, as a dependent variable of the supply and price of a unit price of fertilizers has shown a significant relationship particularly that crop farming is driven by fertilizer supplies.

What form of an arrangement has the Hon. Minister put in place to ensure a sufficient supply of fertilizers in the country and the reduction of unit prices of fertilizers for the various components?  Thank you Madam Speaker.

MINISTER OF LANDS, AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, WATER AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. MASUKA):  Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am.  I thank the Hon. Member for the very important question that hinges on the aspect of agricultural production and productivity. The question perhaps ought to be appropriately directed to industry where fertilizers are manufactured. That notwithstanding Madam Speaker, I will try and contextualise and provide some additional information about the constraints and perhaps what from a whole of Government approach is taking place.

The established fertilizer manufacturing capacity in the country is 1.4 million metric tonnes a year from primary to quaternary production. The fertilizer demand for agriculture is 780 000 metric tonnes made up of 400 000 metric tonnes of basal fertilizer and 380 000 metric tonnes of top-dressing fertilizer. The current supply of basal fertilizer is less than 50% of our requirement necessitating imports.

The current supply of top-dressing fertilizer is less than 30% necessitating further imports. This then adds to the costs of importation, logistics and the mark-ups that have to be put in. Government, has responded in two ways, Madam Speaker.  The first is increased localisation of the manufacture of fertilizer through the formation of an inter-ministerial committee to accelerate raw material extraction at Dorowa through to ZFC and Windmill that is for basal fertilizer and also to look at other alternatives for top dressing fertilizers including coal to fertilizer and those experiments are now at an advanced stage. We also have Sable Chemicals which is the sole AN manufacturer and supplier. It has now received 11 million from Afreximbank to try and capacitate it to increase this production from the current 72 000 metric tonnes annually to more than 120 000.

         All these are the internal local enhancements of production which will ultimately lower the cost of fertilizer. In the short-term, we have opened up for importation of top-dressing fertilizers by farmers and established corporates and the window is to import 250 000 metric tonnes of top dressing, Ammonium Nitrate and urea to the 25^th of November this year.  Fertilizer constitutes 30 to 30% of the total cost of production per hectare. Any reduction in the cost of fertilizers will improve the viability, profitability and sustainability of agriculture, making agriculture a business and as a agro-based economy, this has ripple effects on the economy. Thank you.

HON. DR. MUTODI: I want to thank the Minister for a very comprehensive response. I wanted to know how effective has been his budget for fertilizer procurement?

         HON. DR. MASUKA: May I request the Hon. Member to repeat the question. I did not get the last part of that question.

HON. DR. MUTODI: I am asking on the budget utilisation on fertilizer procurement. In view of the fact that this year we had a wet season which was very significant, but there were problems of shortages of fertilizers across the country because of limited supplies.

HON. DR. MASUKU: Thank you, Madam Speaker. This seems to be very specific. I do not know for which schemes. We grow and produce crops under five schemes. The first is the Presidential Input Scheme, Pfumvudza/Intwasa, mainly for maize and also for cotton. The second is the National Enhanced Agricultural Productive Scheme, which is Government-enabled, Banks-enabled, CBZ, AFC and NMB. The third is the Private Sector Financed Scheme, where they contract and purchase. The fourth is the ARDA Scheme, which is Government enabled. The fifth and last is the self-financed, where we all send money to our mothers, brothers in communal areas and banks for fertilizers and they self-finance.

So, without knowing the specifics that the Hon. Member is referring to, it will be difficult to indicate which of these schemes. I did indicate that there is a shortfall in terms of local production for basal, a shortfall in terms of local production for AN, for which we have ramped up imports to be able to meet this supply. If there were specific supply gaps, I would gladly wish to know those so that we can prepare more adequately for the next summer season. Thank you.

 HON. MADZIVANYIKA: Madam Speaker, the cost of a 50-kg dollar bag of fertilizer produced in Zimbabwe is far much more expensive than that one produced from outside the country like Zambia and South Africa. What plans are there to make sure that that vital input is produced locally at a relatively lower price so that our agricultural products become competitive on the international market? I thank you.

HON. DR. MASUKA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I thank the Hon. Member for the question and I think it is more appropriately directed to the Minister of Industry and Commerce where the production and maand nufacture for fertilizers takes place. As Agriculture Minister, I am as hurt as the Hon. Member because I am purchasing expensive fertilizer for which I will require a higher price for my product in order to be viable. This is the interest of agriculture in all this and which is why we are part of this committee to ensure that the product that we purchase for production is appropriately priced and perhaps benchmarked with those destinations, jurisdictions that he has mentioned.

I hope that as we increase capacity, we will be able to lower the overhead cost per unit which will then ensure that the cost will be more comparable and favourable. My view is that if fertilizer costs can come to around 15-17% of the total cost of production, that will make agriculture more competitive. Thank you.

HON. NJANJI: Thank you Madam Speaker. I would like to ask our Minister, in terms of preparations or in terms of preparedness for the winter cropping as a country, where are we now? Thank you.

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: It is a new question but I will allow the Hon. Minister to answer it.

THE MINISTER OF LANDS, AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, WATER AND RURAL RESETTLEMENT (HON. DR. MASUKA): I thank the Hon. Member for the question. Well, we were talking about fertilizer, and now we are talking about winter preparedness. We are very prepared. The plan is to put 120,000 hectares of wheat under the five growing schemes, presidential inputs, ARDA, private sector, Government enabled, the NEAPS and private sector financing to produce 600,000 metric tonnes of wheat, of which 360,000 will be our domestic consumption. We have a surplus and we hope that we will be able to start exporting and exporting in earnest.

We also have a plan to produce 8 750 hectares of potatoes, Irish potatoes, because those have also become a staple for 15% of our population. We also have a plan for barley production. This is purely under Delta Corporation for malt, for use in their own brewing and also for export into the region. The expectation is that we will be able to produce on 6 750 hectares. All the inputs are largely in place. We do have a small shortfall in terms of wheat seed, but I think farmers will be able to use retained seed. So, we have very good preparations. We are tracking on a weekly basis, 21 enablers for this season, inclusive of power, finance, pests, payments and everything else. Thank you Madam Speaker. Thank you Honourable Minister.

*HON. MATANGIRA: Thank you, Madam Speaker Ma’am. My supplementary question is with regard to preparedness of the Minister of Agriculture. I would like to thank the Ministry. They have since delivered tractors in the rural areas because wheat has a very small window for success. My question is, the tractors are there, but there are no discs…

HON. MADZIVANYIKA: The Hon. Member’s question is related to the issue of the price of fertilizer versus the implication of agricultural output. The Hon. Member is bringing up the issue of tractors which are completely different. I suggest he puts that as a different question in writing. Thank you.

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Madzivanyika, that is not your duty, it is my duty. I am sorry Hon. Matangira, that is a new question. Please, may you put it in writing?

HON. C. MOYO: Thank you Madam Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Energy and Power Development. What is Government policy with regard to ZESA inspection and re-inspection fees pegged at USD25 per account holder countrywide? Thank you.

THE MINISTER OF ENERGY AND POWER DEVELOPMENT (HON. J. MOYO): Thank you Madam Speaker. The Hon. Member is asking about the statutorily required inspections by ZESA. They are in the statute. The amounts which they want to charge when they flighted it was to indicate their intention and we are still going through with them to see whether that intention will be afforded by the people. The fact of the matter is that the inspections are required and we are discussing with ZESA the levels of payment for those inspections. I thank you.

HON. ENG. MHANGWA: Considering that the norm for inspection is usually 20 to 30 years for a household, is the frequency of 10 years, 5 years and 3 years proposed fair and necessary? I so submit.

HON. J. MOYO:  Thank you Madam Speaker. The fairness is captured in the statutes and as Minister, I am responsible for ensuring that they do that which is in the statutes. If the statutes do not require us to inspect for 30 years, that is what will be enforced.

I thank you.

^*HON. MADZIVANYIKA: Supplementary. Thank you Madam Speaker. I do not know whether it is Government policy with regard to re-inspection. They continuously do re-inspection. We do not have electricity and they charge USD25 when the electricity is not there. Is that Government policy charging us for goods that are not there? I thank you.

^*HON. J. MOYO: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to thank the Hon. Member. No one will be inspected when there is nothing. The gadgets that are there are the ones that will be inspected. I thank you.

^*HON. MANGONDO: Thank you Madam Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.  It is about the expected bumper harvest. We thank God for the sufficient rains. We also thank the Government for the Pfumvudza programme. Since we are expecting a good harvest, what is Government doing so that farmers who get their maize bought much quicker and receive their payments much earlier? In addition, still on the bumper harvest, what is Government doing to stop the importation of maize? Since those who are importing are not keen to buy local maize because they say it is more expensive, we have sufficient harvest or grain expected, who is going to purchase our grain?

^*THE MINISTER OF LANDS, AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, WATER AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. MASUKA): Thank you Madam Speaker. The question is two-pronged. I will start with the last part. Yes, we are glad that this year we received good rains even if the season started late and we are expecting a good harvest. As Government, we have begun assessing the expected hectarage. We are expecting 1.8 million hectares of maize. So right now, we have seen that indeed, the crop grown is good enough and we expect the harvest. That is what we are assessing right now in terms of yields. After that, then as Government, we put measures in place when to start expecting the crop to be harvested. We are expecting that to happen this week.

If we get that information, then we will be able to make a decision on the licences that we have issued to importers of grain. They were assisting us very much during the drought season, so we would tell them when to stop importing because we have information on what we are expecting to get as a yield and so much expected to be within our grain silos. If we were to do that by merely judging on what we see on the field without the proper assessment, it may be wrong.

I think that will assist the first question. For those who are importing grain, we now want them to buy grain locally. We cannot have a country that prioritises importing. We should be able to sell our goods and actually export them. Government has good plans to ensure that we purchase all the grain that is supposed to be bought by Government. We have five sectors that grow crops. Government buys from two sectors. Firstly, Government buys from those that are assisted through the Pfumvudza /Intwasa programme. Government also buys from ARDA, which is for the strategic grain reserves. The contractors are supposed to buy on their own. What banks grow through AFC, CBZ, they are supposed to buy on their own. Self-financed farmers can then sell where they find profitable.

The Minister of Finance and Economic Development and Investment Promotion, in partnership with our Ministry issue three prices. First, the planting prices that is before we grow, as we move close to expecting the yield, we have the pre-planting price. Last week we went to the President, Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa with Minister Mthuli Ncube and we were given the prices of grains. GMB has that price and they will give it to Pfumvudza and ARDA. Treasury now knows what grain to expect so they set aside money to be able to purchase the grain.

Let me take that opportunity to say to farmers, we are sorry that Government has not paid all the grain but plans to pay all the outstanding balances immediately.

         *HON. MANGONDO:  I would like to thank the Hon. Minister for the clear response but I am saying the Government did the first assessment and now it is on the second assessment. I am sure they now have an idea of what is going to come out. With regards to what I said about those who are importing and are refusing to buy from farmers we have grain right now that will hinder the farmers from planning and growing wheat especially if they have to finance their operations on their own.  Mr. Speaker Sir, if only the Government could come up with a plan from the first assessment instead of continuously spending our money outside the country yet farmers do not have a market for their grain. I do not think it is helpful.

Mr. Speaker Sir, what can Government do to ensure that farmers sell their grain because some already have their grain and they want to go into wheat production. I thank you.

*HON. DR. MASUKA:  Thank you, Mr. Speaker.  I said we saw the first round of crops, livestock fisheries assessment. First of all, it is about area assessment. For example, for maize, we want 1.8 million metric tonnes, 1.4 for human consumption and 400 000 for stock feed.  Looking at where we are coming from, we calculate the amount of hectarage that we want so we say 1.8 million hectares. When we go to the first assessment, it is to look at the crops because by then the crop will not have any yield.

Right now, the crop has some cobs although he is saying some are ready for harvest.  That is what we need to ensure that we make our calculations on the expected yield. For the grain millers and those who produce stock feeds we want 40 000 to 50 000 tonnes.  We do not know with regards to those who have since harvested we can only get that information by end of this week. We do not know whether they will be able to provide sufficient grain.   Mr. Speaker Sir, by the end of this week, we can then make our calculations on the expected yield. Then we can reduce the import. The Hon. Member said there are some people do not want to buy from our farmers. Mr. Speaker Sir, we need that information and we need the names of such people or companies since we are the ones who licence them to import. For example, we tell them to buy from local farmers such an amount for you to be able to earn an import licence but if there are unscrupulous dealers who only want to import and do not want to buy from the local farmers, I will be very glad to get that information so that we deal with them.  Let me say by end of this week, we expect that information. Mr. Speaker Sir, if the Honourable Member can wait for a few days, we will be able to get the proper information on that. Thank you.

         *HON. CHIDUWA: My supplementary question to the Minister is with regard to good prices for maize that they may sell. There is what is called ZIMEX.  Is it working well to ensure that farmers get good prices?

*HON. DR. MASUKA: It is no longer ZIMEX. We removed it because of the Warehouse System Act. It is now Zimbabwe Commodity Exchange, which is a market where anyone can sell their commodities freely.  It is an auction system. It has been operating for a long time. It does not have all the requisite equipment but they can now purchase products from farmers including livestock. We also expect them to buy more.  Now they have 48 products that they can purchase. We expect them to buy even horticulture projects. It is meant for those who fund their operations.

If somebody did their work using loans from AFC, ARDA or CBZ, they are supposed to sell to them but with the prices, they are determined by supply and demand. As Government through GMB, we have a price that we call cost plus planning, pre-planting and marketing. Maize is being bought for USD 376 per metric tonne. We expect all farmers to give us estimated costs and we put 15 percent additional as cost plus so that farmers can continue doing their business that way.

*HON. KUKA:  I would like to thank the Hon. Minister for saying that maize is now being bought at USD376. Since they said Government is going to buy from Pfumvudza farmers; how much is Government expecting to buy from the Pfumvudza grain because some of the farmers who may not have grown under that may think of taking their grain to Government and Government may not be able to buy that? So how much are you expecting from the Pfumvudza and from the open market?

         *HON. DR. MASUKA: Let me repeat myself. We have five methods or programmes of farming. Firstly, the Pfumvudza/Intwasa Programme and Government buys from those farmers as well as from ARDA. The rest will sell to those who assisted them in their growing. I also said, ZimStats is leading a programme of ascertaining expected yield. That is what will tell us how much you expect from ARDA, from Pfumvudza and from the bank's programme. That is what will assist the Ministry of Finance to ensure that the Government can buy at a good price. Let us be patient enough and let us be patient for a few days. We will be able to have all that information and we will be able to respond, adequately.

*HON. NYABANI: I would like to thank the Hon. Minister for the expected yield which is good but I heard the Hon. Minister saying Government has crops that they buy after assisting the farmers. My question is, after explaining what happened last year that you were buying from farmers and you were unable to pay them, for now, it is still outstanding. Right now, how prepared are we to buy and pay adequately without leaving out balances so that in future, farmers can sell their produce without a doubt that they will not be paid adequately?

*HON. DR. MASUKA:  People are worried that we are approaching the winter season, especially for wheat. Yes, some people were not paid. We bought crops at USD43 000 000 and we were promised by Treasury that the USD10 000 000 outstanding will be given to us by the end of this month.  We were also assured that Government revenue is adequate. So right now, we expect that we will not spend much in terms of importing crops. We are waiting to pay the outstanding balances to farmers. I am sure in the near future, we will be able to evaluate whether this is what is obtaining.

Questions Without Notice were interrupted by THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER, in terms of Standing Order No. 68.

         The Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion having stood up to move a notice of motion.

HON. MADZIVANYIKA: On a point of order. I thought maybe it was prudent for the Minister to give the notice first so that we are well prepared. The notice was not given as far as I am concerned.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. NGULUVHE): If you listen to what the Minister is going to say, you will still have time to ask him questions.  I have already announced that time for Questions Without Notice has expired. We have agreed with the both Chief Whips to move on – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] -  I am aware we will get there. Are you chairing?  – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] - No. I am saying we will get there. We will go to the next question – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – Hon.  Members, the Hon. Minister is only giving notice that he wants to move a motion. I do not understand why you are making noise.

The Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion read the notice of motion.

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE

RE-OPENING AND REOPERATIONALISING OF COLD STORAGE COMMISSION

1. HON. ENG. MHANGWA asked the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development to inform the House on the latest developments in terms of the re-opening and re-operationalization of the Cold Storage Commission (CSC) and to state whether there are any plans to pay out arrears to pensioners and laid off workers who are currently living in abject poverty?

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF LANDS, AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, WATER AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. HARITATOS): Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir. Good afternoon to you all. I would like to inform this august House that the CSC is still under corporate rescue and all creditors will be paid as per the scheme arrangement order.  With all the legalities, pensioners are now getting their NSSA payouts which had once stopped. Most laid-off workers were paid severance packages and only those who refused to accept the severance packages did not receive any payouts. Workers are owed outstanding salaries, which are part of the CSC creditors. For the benefit of the House, CSC was transferred to the Mutapa Fund and now falls under them.

HON. ENG. MHANGWA: Supplementary. Thank you Minister for the brief response. There were a couple of underlying issues with the movement from being State owned to Bolstad and from Bolstad now back to Mutapa. What happens in the process in terms of what was owed to those who briefly worked for Bolstad, those who were sent home through the three months’ notice and the demutualisation that happened before that?

HON. HARITATOS:  Honourable Speaker, again CSC is now under the Mutapa Fund and my assumption is that if there are any outstanding dues, Mutapa Fund will prioritise this but I can no longer say because as I mentioned, it has now been transferred under the Mutapa Fund. What I can do through you, Hon. Speaker Sir is that I will follow up since it must be an issue and we want clarity. We want closure because the CSC is very important for us to function. So, this is neither ours nor their problem. This is our problem together and I will take it upon myself personally to discuss this with the CEO so that a proper position can be given but unfortunately, now it is not in our hands as a Ministry. It is now in the hands of the Mutapa Fund.

HON. ENG. MHANGWA: As a matter of clarity Mr. Speaker. The reason why we brought up this question as a specific question and not as a policy question is the anticipation from the CSC stakeholders and the anticipation from the people of Chinhoyi who strongly rely on CSC as a source of income. It is the fact that when the Minister comes, it is under his Ministry though the shareholder is now Mutapa. There was ample time to research adequately and come back with a comprehensive answer. Will we get a comprehensive answer from him or do we need to ask another question to get more?

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. NGULUVHE): Thank you but I am sure the Minister is reassured that he is going to go and carry out more research and come back to the House. So, let us give him time.

HON. MUTSEYAMI: When the Hon. Minister will be coming to present the response, on what platform now and how will he do that bearing in mind that the question is raised today and enough research was supposed to be given and he had ample time to answer the question and with reasons that he has given? When he comes up with the response, on what platform is he going to respond?

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: I am sure the Minister was very clear that there are issues concerning the issue of Mutapa. So, I think that is the issue which he must go and liaise with his colleagues so that he can come and answer issues concerning his Ministry.

HON. G. K. HLATYWAYO: Point of order. What we are asking Hon. Speaker is that, is he going to come back to Parliament under the written question platform or is he going to give a Ministerial Statement, on what exactly will be the platform.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: We will ask him to bring a Ministerial Statement.

CLEARANCE OF SALARY ARREARS FOR COTTCO AND CHIREDZI DEPOT EMPLOYEES

3. HON. MAKUMIRE asked the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development to inform the House what Government's plans are to ensure that COTTCO, Chiredzi Depot employees' salary arrears are cleared.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF LANDS, AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, WATER, AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. HARITATOS): Thank you Mr. Speaker and thank you to the Hon. Member for the question. It is regarding COTTCO specifically Chiredzi depots. With regards to the payments of COTTCO employees' salary arrears at its Chiredzi depot, I would like to inform the Honourable Member that COTTCO has approached financial institutions for loans, cotton purchases and working capital which includes salaries and furthermore approached customers for pre-financing facilities.

COTTCO will be able to start clearing arrears once these financial arrangements are in place. It is important to note however, that these arrears were actually caused by the drought year and therefore drought mitigation is extremely important going forward. I would also like to inform the House that COTTCO is in fact a privately owned company with Government shareholding only at 37%.

HON. CHIDUWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I wanted to find out from the Hon. Minister. One of the areas where we had problems with COTTCO on the clearance of areas is the problem of wrong phone numbers that were captured for farmers. I wanted to find out how far you have come with regard to the closing of those gaps especially on wrong phone numbers.

HON. HARITATOS: Thank you to the Hon. Member for the question. We shared some good times in the past years so I do know the answer to it as well as he does, I am sure. Hon. Speaker, the background behind it was the migration. When we were now migrating from cash basis transfers to mobile transfers that being the NetOne platform and the Econet platform. The problem arose that farmers would come to us as Ministry and complain that there was a delay in payment or that they had not received payments but meanwhile, in our books, the payment had been made. This was because of a mismatch or maybe problems with a different phone number, possibly the correct phone number but a problem with the name. So, I am since informed and I think this was about three years ago if not four years ago.

I am informed that proper evaluation and audits were done and we have corrected this. So, the arrears that I was referring to in my response were specific for a depot. In terms of the payment modalities and everything else with the specific beneficiaries, it is now a thing of the past.

COMPLETION OF THE GWAYI-SHANGANI DAM

4. HON M. C. SIBANDA asked the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development to inform the House on the progress made towards the completion of the Gwayi- Shangani Dam and the subsequent commencement of water supply to Matabeleland region.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF LANDS, AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, WATER, AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. HARITATOS): Thank you very much for the question. It is a very important dam and a very important question for us. Construction of the Gwayi-Shangani Dam is currently at 70.8 percent completion. The dam height has been constructed to 39 metres out of a total height of 72 metres. Other pertinent works include construction of a 10-megawatt mini hydro power plant whose civil works are 20 percent complete and a pump house whose foundation excavations have been completed.

The Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion has allocated sufficient resources to complete the dam at the end of the 2025 budget year. We pray that the releases will be done on time. Implementation of the water supply and irrigation components of the project commenced in 2021 with the award of contracts for civil works for the pipeline to 11 different contractors and another contract for the supply of pipes to FlowTite Company in South Africa.

There is indeed remarkable progress on three pump stations out of the six pump stations that will deliver water to Cowdery Park Treatment Plant. The treatment plant contract was also awarded to a contractor who has since been mobilised to site. Thank you.

HON. M. C. SIBANDA: I really want to appreciate the response given by the Minister but my follow-up question is that given that the dam has reached that level of construction which is about 70 percent like you mentioned. Does the Government have strategies and programmes in place to ensure that the nearly 445 families that are affected will be the key and the main beneficiaries during the relocation exercise? Sometimes you find that the people who have been around that place will be relocated to a very faraway place.

HON. HARITATOS:  Thank you, Mr. Speaker Sir.  I would like to thank the Hon. Member for the supplementary question. I think you have hit the nail on its head, and that is exactly a priority of ours. Yes, the dam is definitely a massive project, has a fundamental impact on the country, especially the Matabeleland as well as the Bulawayo region.  Unfortunately, the negatives are always there in terms of having to now remove people and find alternative land. What we have found is that we have maybe made some errors in the sense that, with other dams, we have to completely remove people and put them a distance away. So, the error was not removing them, but putting them at a distance. The error was removing someone from the area where he or she should have actually benefited and putting them where we felt they were safe but unfortunately, they did not benefit. With this one in particular, as well as the dams that we will be constructing in the near future, for example, Kunzvi Dam, the beneficiaries, unfortunately, are disadvantaged in the sense that the land that they were maybe cultivating on is now going to be underwater. We are prioritising them to ensure that they are given prime land, to ensure that whatever irrigation development comes, they are the beneficiaries. They will hold the percentage of whatever irrigation.

We will also go as far as to get our other team to be able to manage the irrigation schemes and put them under the Rural Development 8.0 programme, including the village business units. They are going to be prioritised and this is now policy within our Ministry. I thank the Hon. Member for the fantastic question and we believe that we are doing the right thing.

*HON. NYABANI: Thank you Mr. Speaker. Do we have any plans for those people who reside in those areas to benefit from the irrigation schemes? As a nation, we are constructing a lot of dams and people are dying of hunger.  They cannot have access to such a resource to benefit and ensure that they have irrigation. If we have constructed a dam we have to ensure that we have irrigation that benefits people.  

HON. HARITATOS: Hon. Speaker, unfortunately, we have something that is affecting our country and that is climate change. Now climate change requires us to be able to build dams, for example, to provide irrigation development, but these go hand in hand.

Therefore, we cannot say we are just going to develop irrigation schemes without actually building dams. These have to be done together and that is why on our books, this year we have two major dams, the Gwayi-Shangani Dam as well as the Kunzvi Dam.  In addition to that, we also have irrigation development. In this country we are blessed, we have the capacity to irrigate 2 million hectares of land using the current water bodies.  We have approximately 10 600 water bodies in our beautiful country, yet our functional irrigation is only 217 000 hectares of that.

So, we are only a little bit higher than 10% of our capacity as a country. Hence there is no doubt that irrigation development has to be fundamental for us to truly mitigate against climate change. As a medium-term goal, as a Ministry we have set just under 500 000 hectares of irrigation development. That means in the next five years or less we must take our irrigation from 217 000 hectares of functional irrigation to 500 000 where 350 000 of that must be specifically for cereal cropping. Only with that can we truly be food, fiber, oil and nutrition secure as a country.

However, it would be a fundamental error, to ignore the potential of continuing to grow our water bodies and to continue to grow our irrigation capacity. A lot of water that comes through our country is wasted. It goes to the oceans.  We need to be able to dam that water, through weirs or major dams so that we can bring water to communities that do not have those dams. While we are saying we are enjoying the 10 600, there are communities that a lot of water just passes through. So, we need to continue on this but again, we do it concurrently. Irrigation development as well as the building of dams. The limiting factor must be the budget?  Going forward, we must prioritise the low-hanging fruits and the high-potential areas because always financial inabilities will always be the hampering factor.

HON. BONDA: Thank you, Mr. Speaker Sir. I just wanted to ask about the timelines.  It is stated here that the Gwayi-Shangani Dam is meant to be completed in 2025, which is this year. Down the line, we are almost maybe about eight months to the end of the year 2025; that was set that the dam will be completed. Are we still in line?  Are we still towing the target that we are going to complete the Gwayi-Shangani Dam this year, 2025?  If not, is there a statement to be issued to update the nation about this pertinent national project and also give a little bit of hope to the people of Matabeleland? I thank you.

HON. HARITATOS:  Thank you, Mr. Speaker Sir for the concern and the supplementary question from the Hon. Member. Anything that we do within our Ministry is very much attainable. It is doable. The Gwayi-Shangani Dam is budgeted for until completion, in the 2025 Budget that was approved by this Parliament.  What needs to be done is the releases have to be done on time. If the releases are not done on time, unfortunately, it is outside of our purview. It is not what we can do.  We can make promises. We want to keep to the timeline. If the money comes, we will do our best.

The contractors are on site. They have every intention, every incentive for them to complete the work. They want to continue and move on.  This is a dam that is so fundamental. I have personally visited it more than 20 times and I know the impact it has on the community. I know how important it is for the communities, not only of the Matabeleland provinces but also of Bulawayo, where 276 kilometers of reticulation will bring water from a beautiful dam called the Gwayi-Shangani Dam to Bulawayo to finally end the water woes of the southern region. This is fundamental within our Ministry, within the Government of Zimbabwe. Now, what really needs to happen is that the releases have to be done on time. The other impediment with regard to this specific dam is that if we are only given rather, for example, two million dollars, this means no changes at the Gwayi-Shangani Dam. We require four million US dollars for the dam to be raised another two metres. Every two metres costs four million US dollars. If you are given three million nine hundred thousand, it still cannot be raised until we get the full four million. Not part of it because of the type of dam that we are building. The releases cannot be in drip and drops. They have to be in multipliers of four million and above.

 I think the oversight role that the Portfolio Committee plays is wonderful. I think we need to help each other as a Ministry, as well as the Portfolio Committee, together with us Parliamentarians, to just continue to encourage Treasury to prioritise at all costs, the completion of the Gwayi-Shangani Dam in the year of 2025. I thank you.

Hon. Members having wanted to ask more supplementary questions.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. NGULUVHE): I had ruled that, that was the last supplementary question.

HON. DR. KHUPE: On a point of privilege Mr. Speaker.  I would like to thank the Minister for speaking passionately about the Gwayi-Shangani Dam. He has, you know, expressed their intentions very well. I am also happy that the Minister of Finance is sitting over there. At the same time, I am happy that Gwayi-Shangani Dam was budgeted for until completion. What only remains is the disbursement of funds. We hope and trust that the Minister of Finance will disburse funds so that by the end of 2025, Gwayi-Shangani is complete.  Issues to do with water in Bulawayo, Hwange, Binga and Lupane will be a thing of the past and will help that greenbelt, such that the livelihoods of people will be changed. I thank you.

HON. MADZIVANYIKA: On a point of order Mr. Speaker Sir.  I just wanted the Hon. Minister to confirm whether the additional two metres for Gwayi-Shangani Dam requires four million US dollars. Thank you.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. NGULUVHE): Sorry, I have made a ruling that no more supplementary questions. -[HON. MADZIVANYIKA: It is a point of order] -No, your point of order is overruled.

POLICY ON ISSUANCE OF LAND TITLE DEEDS

5. HON. MADZIVANYIKA asked the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development to explain to the House Government policy regarding the issue of new Land title deeds which allows farmers to sell the land which they did not pay for.

         THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF LANDS, AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, WATER AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. HARITATOS): There is no Government policy that allows beneficiaries to sell land. They can only sell land that they have applied for, paid and received title deeds for, the land in question. Furthermore, they should have been given a certificate of no present interest, which gives Government first rights of refusal before they sell the land. Thank you Mr. Speaker, Sir. 

         HON. MADZIVANYIKA: My question was changed, though, but let me just follow that line. We are receiving information Mr. Speaker, that the new title deeds are bankable as well as transferable. When you talk about transferability, literally you are meaning selling. You can transfer by sale. So, the Hon. Minister is saying that the beneficiaries are not allowed by the new policy to sell. Is that correct because the title deeds are bankable, they are transferable? Maybe I missed the Hon. Minister. 

         HON. HARITATOS: Mr. Speaker, the Hon. Member is referring to two different questions on the Order Paper. There is question five and question six. Question six refers to transferability. If you would like, I can read them concurrently. I do not mind. The question that he had asked in question five was, I will read just the last part, which allows farmers to sell land that they did not pay for. So, the idea is that you are allowed to sell land that you have paid for. So, I will repeat. 

         You can sell land that you have applied for, paid and received the new title for. That is the land that you can sell but I think your question may be, through you, Mr. Speaker, kind of mixes the beneficiary of the land reform as well as the beneficiary of the new title. Specifically, the new title, one can purchase and one can sell as long as a certificate of no present interest is issued but if you are a beneficiary of land reform, you cannot sell that piece of land because you are leasing that land from Government. You do not have title for that land. 

         So, these are the two categories, Mr. Speaker Sir and then, if you will allow me, with regards to transferability, which is the next question. I do not know if I can proceed Mr. Speaker. 

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. NGULUVHE): Hon. Madzivanyika, you are the one who has asked the two questions. The question is, are you answered in question number five?

HON. MADZIVANYIKA: Yeah, Mr. Speaker, there is a problem with the question. I think the question was changed because the first question talked about the request for the Ministerial Statement on the whole issue of this new land reform and title deed situation. That was the original question.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order Hon. Madzivanyika! Who changed it?

HON. MADZIVANYIKA: I do not know. 

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: So, let us not talk of somebody...

         HON. MADZIVANYIKA: Mr. Speaker, I have got the email document. So, what I may want Hon. Speaker, I do not know if you can allow me, with your indulgence. Can we maybe allow the Hon. Minister to bring a Ministerial Statement? Then we drop these questions so that when it comes, we have many questions that need to be answered. If that can please you Hon. Speaker. Probably, you might allow us to give us, say, maybe two weeks’ time to bring all of this data or bring a Ministerial Statement.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: So, you mean if he brings the Ministerial Statement, question number five and six will be done?

HON. MADZIVANYIKA: Questions four and five will be done.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Hon. Minister, any problem with that?

HON. HARITATOS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.  What

we are doing is the first of its kind. I think for us to really make justice or do justice to the new title, I welcome a Ministerial Statement where Members of Parliament can ask as many questions as they want. This is something that is not a secret. It is something that will really transform our country, will really put us in a position that we need to be, not only by raising funds but also giving people the security of tenure that they have been asking for, also, the transferability and the bringing in of the private sector. 

         So, there are many, many beneficiaries but in large Mr. Speaker, with great pride, we will bring a Ministerial Statement, should you rule that we should because we want Zimbabwe to know what we are doing and be part of the transformation of our country. 

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Minister. You just bring the Ministerial Statement to this House. So, we are done with you Hon. Madzivanyika.

         HON. MADZIVANYIKA: Sorry Mr. Speaker, I just want to, if you can allow me, maybe the Hon. Minister can tell us the time that he is comfortable with, without necessarily putting pressure on him. It is very important. This is a very important subject.

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: He will bring the Ministerial Statement Hon. Madzivanyika. That is fine. He will bring it as soon as possible. Hon. Madzivanyika, we are done with you.

PROVISION OF POTABLE WATER TO HWANGE RURAL DISTRICT

7. HON. BONDA asked the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development to update the House on the plans that the Government has put in place to provide potable water to Nkandebwe, Simangani, in Ward 10, Hwange Rural District Council.

         THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF LANDS, AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, WATER AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. HARITATOS):

Mr. Speaker, the Zimbabwe National Water Authority or ZINWA is currently implementing a PSIP-funded programme called the Rural Water Supply Development. This programme entails the resuscitation of former village water supply schemes and developing of new rural water supply systems through identifying suitable water sources and constructing water treatment plants, storage reservoirs and reticulation systems. 

         This programme has seen the resuscitation of water supply schemes such as the Masase in Mashonaland East Province and construction of completely new water supply stations like Bomba Business Centre in Midlands Province, Gokwe South District. The Simangani community, together with the communities along the Zambezi River will benefit from this programme and the water source will be the Zambezi River. Supplying clean water to rural communities is indeed part of Vision 2030. 

         We have seen in many places around the country that boreholes sometimes yield little to no water and therefore reticulation, although expensive, can solve our water woes. I thank you, Mr. Speaker.

HON. BONDA: Mr. Speaker, forty-five years down the line from Independence, Nkandebwe has never had any potable water. Gwayi-Shangani is a project that is going to take about 300 kilometres from the source to Bulawayo and Nkandebwe from the Godly given source of water, the Zambezi, is less than 15 kilometres and 45 years furthermore, why is the Government actually having challenges to supply the water to the communities along the Zambezi with plenty of available perennial water bodies? The constitutional right to water is not actually being adhered to in this area. Now, my question is, is there any budget, as the Minister is promising that the DDF and all those other institutes under the Ministry will provide the water? Is there a budget that has been set aside to do such? I thank you. 

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: That sounds like a different question Hon. Bonda. Yeah, it is a different question.

HON. BONDA: No, Mr. Speaker Sir, with your indulgence, I asked why the Nkandebwe area is not having potable water. So now, maybe the Minister, to sort of give hope to those people, he should actually mention that there is a budget that is set so that they get to know that they will get some water at least 45 years later after independence.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: I will let him answer but how can you just say there is a budget whilst we did not pass it here?

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF LANDS, AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, WATER AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. HARITATOS): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I apologise, maybe my response was not clear Hon. but I did mention that under the PSIP-funded programme called the Rural Water Supply Development, this is a big programme and this is the programme that we are targeting area as you mentioned. It is part of it. The challenge is the amount of money that is allocated and the amount of requirements. Some reticulation, you know the length of reticulation is quite substantial. Like I mentioned, the Gwayi-Shangani being 276 kilometres, some of which are fairly close kilometres. It is just depending on the village and the proximity away from the water body.

We would want to do the entire country, Mr. Speaker Sir but we are limited by our finances. We want to give hope and as I read it in my report, I think this community is definitely one community that will benefit from our Rural Water Supply Development. This falls under our WASH programme in our Department of Water. I also would like to correct the Hon. Member Mr. Speaker Sir that DDF does not fall under us. This is a completely different department, so whatever budgets they have, we cannot take them under us and pretend that it is us doing their good work but definitely these are areas that we have identified. What we would like to encourage our Hon. Members of Parliament is that in specific areas, like this is a specific ward, if you feel that water issues, which by the way you are correct and are enshrined in the Constitution of Zimbabwe, if you feel that water-related concerns are there in your specific constituencies, please bring them to us. We do not mind to look at them on a case-by-case basis. Should the budget and Treasury favour us with some money, we definitely could put some resources. For now Mr. Speaker Sir, we are prioritising the drilling of 35,000 boreholes, one in every village, so that we can upgrade those to Village Business Units. As I mentioned and referred to in my previous answer, some places unfortunately can drill and drill and these boreholes continue to yield little to no water. So definitely, reticulation is part and parcel of the success story but it is not only about reticulation, it is also about ensuring that that water is clean, because we are talking about potable water, which means it must be consumed.

It is quite a comprehensive programme and we believe that the entire country has to benefit, but the challenge is when? We are very dependent on Treasury on this like I mentioned Mr. Speaker Sir, that should individual MPs have specific areas of concern, we can definitely look at them on case-to-case. Thank you.

APPRAISAL ON THE EVICTION OF WOMEN FROM THEIR PLOTS IN SANYATI

8. HON. MUROMBEDZI asked the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Resettlement to apprise the House on the alleged evictions of women from their allocated plots in Ward 13, Village 19, Nyamuziwa in Sanyati as a result of corruption and gender discrimination by the Village Development Committee.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF LANDS, AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, WATER AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. HARITATOS): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir and thank you to the Hon. Member. This question is specific to Ward 13, Village 19 in Nyamuziwa in Sanyati with regards to a Village Development Committee. The Hon. Member may have to appreciate the following: Firstly, the Ministry recognises women as land applicants and beneficiaries in their own right. In fact, under Model A2 vetting, while the male applicants scored five on gender, the female applicants scored ten, which is double. Land committees have been instructed to allocate women's land in their rights and such allocations should be indicated on allocation schedules. Noting how women were being dispossessed of land after the deaths of their husbands, the Ministry now encourages succession to be done within six months of the death of the tenure holder.

The Ministry is also issuing tenure documents jointly to both spouses to safeguard women mainly. It has never been Ministry's policy that anyone including women, be targeted for eviction from land legally allocated. I wish to advise the House that under the current policy guidelines, the Ministry can reallocate land under the following categories:

• Vacant land,
• Abandoned land,
• Multiple farm ownership,
• Large farms that are grossly underutilised and
• Derelict land.

I have checked on the specific matters cited by the Honourable Member and established the following Mr. Speaker Sir:

 There is a woman by the name Nyamuzihwa, who was a beneficiary of the Nyamatani Old Resettlement Scheme. She is said to have abandoned her plot and the village head (not the Ministry) had repossessed the plot. The House may want to know that in terms of the land administration structure, village heads do not have the authority to allocate or dispose of land to or from beneficiaries. The local councillor, Mr. Wadesango, intervened with this matter and Mrs. Nyamuzihwa got her plot back. I would like to thank the Hon. Member for this question, which helps us to protect our land beneficiaries and ensure full use of the allocated land to achieve food security from household level. I thank you.

UTILISATION OF ZAMBEZI WATER FOR IRRIGATION

8. HON. BONDA asked the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development to update the House on the progress made in utilizing Zambezi water for irrigation in Msuna, Makwa, and Sidinda areas.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF LANDS, AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, WATER AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. HARITATOS): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir and thank you again to Hon. Bonda for the question regarding utilising Zambezi water for irrigation in Msuna, Makwa and Sidinda areas. Irrigation development remains the most fundamental intervention in order to mitigate against climate change. Msuna is a 15-hectare irrigation scheme, currently non-functional. All the pumps are not working and they need to be replaced. Our team is checking on the specifications as well as the costs thereof. Makwa is a three hectare irrigation scheme, which is operational and utilising borehole water. It is seven kilometres from the Zambezi River. In order to utilise water from the Zambezi River, the irrigation scheme has to be expanded and has the potential to get to 10 hectares. The team is on the ground visiting and will carry out assessments.

Sidinda is a one-hectare garden established by the Smallholder Agricultural Cluster Programme. It is operational and utilising bore water. It is about nine kilometres from the Zambezi River and can be expanded to 40 hectares. The team again is visiting and will carry out assessments. In order to enjoy the economies of getting water from the Zambezi River, all the schemes will have to be expanded. Otherwise, these schemes have a risk of not being sustainable and viable in the long run and therefore economies of scale are fundamental. Thank you.

HON. BONDA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Cognisant of the Village Business Units that are mushrooming nationally, why is it that Simangani, with all the godly given water bodies, this initiative of our VBUs is not kick-starting in those areas because the water is there, it is perennial? We just need pumps, just to pump water onto the land, just maybe a kilometre away from the Zambezi. Why is it that the Ministry is not considering so seriously providing those VBUs to alleviate the poverty and the drought since that area is in Region 5 and is drought-stricken? I thank you.

HON. HARITATOS: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. On the contrary, the entire province is actually Region 5 and is actually high on our beneficiary list. The challenge is that the VBU design is designed to take water from a borehole. The challenge here is not that the water is not accessible, it is that the borehole needs to be drilled to fit into the design of the VBU. When you are now reticulating water, this falls under irrigation development. It is slightly different to the VBU in its sense. It is a different programme, but nonetheless, that falls within the Ministry. What we need to do, as mentioned previously, is now to do a proper assessment and see specifically what potential can be done but taking into consideration that if it is for potable water, it can be done at all costs.

When it comes to a business, it must be a business because it has to be sustainable and viable. We also do not want our farmers to be footing a bill that is in excess of their produce and really that means that we are planting, so to speak, our farmers into poverty. We need to really look at that from the business point of view and if the reticulation costs too much in terms of supplying the water because someone has to bear the costs of that in terms of the farming community, then that is where now the boreholes will be an alternative. Nevertheless, the area itself is quite dry and this is where the challenge is. I will re-look at it Hon. Speaker Sir, so we can see how we can utilise as much as we can so that we can have the maximum impact. Yes, the water is in the Zambezi, but like I mentioned, this is something different to a Village Business Unit.

Nonetheless, this constituency falls right in the centre of where we are prioritising. We believe that it is just a matter of time and we should be able to drill as many boreholes as we can in the area. At least one per village and install complete Village Business Units where we can use that now to transform the communities, to bring them into the upper middle income that President Mnangagwa is talking about, for them to be able to ensure themselves as well as the village at large they are truly nutrition secure. Thank you.

APPRAISAL ON THE IMPORTATION BAN FOR 10-YEAR SECOND-HAND VEHICLES

11. HON. BONDA asked the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion to appraise the House on the importation ban for 10-year second-hand vehicles at a time when the local Motor manufacturing industry is not fully functional to meet the local demand.

               THE MINISTER OF FINANCE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENT PROMOTION (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE):  Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.  Again, I thank Hon. Bonda for the question. I did attend to this question last week, Mr. Speaker Sir. My response was that it has been wrongly directed at the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion.  It is really for the Minister of Industry and Commerce because it pertains to the motor vehicle sector and the gap in demand or excess demand that the market is showing. So, I really still suggest that it be directed to the Minister of Industry in the Commons and I am sure they will be able to give an adequate response.  I thank you.

INFORMATION ON THE 2% IMT COLLECTED FROM MOBILE MONEY TRANSFERS

           HON. C. HLATYWAYO asked the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion to inform the House how the 2% IMTT collected from all Mobile Money Transactions was used.

            THE MINISTER OF FINANCE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENT PROMOTION (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.  I thank Hon. Hlatywayo for the question, which pertains to the usage of the 2% IMTT tax that was collected on mobile transactions. The funds collected on the IMTT tax have been used in various Government programmes to support welfare programmes, especially the social protection programme and then the infrastructure development and some service delivery enhancement programmes.

              So, we have tended to really focus on the issue of social welfare as well as infrastructure development in the use of the IMTT tax.  I thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. 

          HON. JAMES:  Supplementary! Thank you very much.  Could the Hon. Minister give us details? How much was collected? How much was channelled to each of those areas that he has mentioned?

          THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. NGULUVHE): I am not sure that they have those statistics. Actually, you should have asked him before but we can ask the Hon. Minister if he has got the statistics.

        HON. PROF. M. NCUBE:  I thank the Hon. Member for the question.  I do not have the exact figures here with me. I thank you.

DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED SALE OF POST OFFICE SAVINGS BANK

15. HON. MADZIVANYIKA asked the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion to give details about the proposed sale of the Post Office Savings Bank (POSB) to Hebrews Investment Group and to elaborate on whether due process was followed.

         THE MINISTER OF FINANCE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENT PROMOTION (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE):  Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I thank Hon. Madzivanyika for the question, which pertains to the POSB transaction with potential investors, Hebrew Investment Bank Group.

I must say that the Ministry has not been approached by investors regarding this transaction. We will wait to hear from them if this is a serious offer.  So far, we have not been approached, so we have no information as a Ministry.  I also hasten to say that the Central Bank has actually issued a public statement to say they too have not yet been approached by these investors who would want to invest in POSB. I thank you.

HON. MADZIVANYIKA:  Supplementary!

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  What is your supplementary Hon. Member? 

HON. MADZIVANYIKA:  My supplementary question is just to seek confirmation from the Hon. Minister, that the Hon. Minister is aware of this transaction. Then I rest my case.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  I thought that his response was very clear. – [HON. MADZIVANYIKA: Inaudible interjection.] – That is what he responded Hon. Madzivanyika. – [HON. MADZIVANYIKA: Inaudible interjection.] – He did, he did. No, no, no. – [HON. MADZIVANYIKA:  On a point of order, Mr. Speaker Sir!] - He responded that he has not received anything. So, what do you want him to respond?

HON. MADZIVANYIKA:  No, Mr. Speaker. The word confirmation is a follow-up question.  He just has to say, confirmed.  Full stop, that is a follow-up question.

HON. PROF. M. NCUBE:  I am not aware of the transaction.

PAYMENT OF PENSIONERS AFFECTED BY DOLLARISATION IN 2009

16. HON. MADZIVANYIKA asked the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion to update the House on the progress made regarding the payment of pensioners whose pensions were affected as a result of dollarisation in 2009.

THE MINISTER OF FINANCE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENT PROMOTION (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE):  I thank you very much. This question pertains to the payment of contractors for the work that they do for Government and the nation. As Government, we acknowledge of course that we have been in arrears, in terms of payment to contractors particularly, those in the transport sector and infrastructure development, including the water sectors. This is due to obviously, cash constraints that we face.  I must say that generally, we have a good relationship with these contractors. Most of them Mr. Speaker have been empowered. If you go back, let us say seven years ago, when we came in as the Second Republic, most of these contractors did not exist. They almost were created from scratch and capacitated and empowered through these Government infrastructure programmes. So, they too are grateful and they work very well with Government but of course, if you are in arrears, you are in arrears. Those arrears ought to be settled. We have been settling these arrears bit by bit and we keep going on and keep encouraging them to take on new work and they are doing that while we settle these arrears.

I can confirm that for example, over the last couple of weeks, we settled something like USD30 million for the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Road for example. We settled that amount.  Then, within this USD30 million about USD15 million went to the five contractors that are onto this road. The other 15 covered the Greater Harare roads in the Mt. Hampden area under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme. So, we continue to work with these companies. They are our partners as a Government and they are always happy to work with Government and we continue to settle the arrears. When it comes to other sectors such as the water sector, recently we settled something like USD35.2 million towards dam construction projects. Again, there is progress here.

In some of the other sectors, we settled as much as USD17 million  in arrears. You can see that we continue to settle our arrears with these contractors. We also keep asking them to do more because this is what contributes to service delivery and economic growth. This is just an example of what we are doing in terms of settling these arrears. Going forward, we also are keen to come up maybe with a more systematic approach or programme for each creditor, where we agree as to how we will settle the remaining amount and we are consistent in that payment plan.  We want to develop payment plans for each of our major contractors so as to settle those arrears in full but we continue to work and trudge along with them forward on our infrastructure development programme. I thank you.

HON. MADZIVANYIKA:  Thank you Mr. Speaker. Thank you Hon. Minister for the response. However, it appears the payment that you are paying, the USD30 million, the USD25 million and so forth, vis-a-vis the outstanding debt that you are supposed to pay to these contractors appears too big. It is a daunting task. We are saying this Hon. Minister because we have been receiving complaints, particularly from the Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association. They were complaining about the pace at which you are paying vis-à-vis the development that we expect to see on the ground. My issue is, what you are paying now, the payment that you are making, is it sustainable, considering the huge gap that we need to complete because it appears that the amount is so big now? Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.

Questions With Notice were interrupted by THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER in terms of Standing Order Number 68.

HON. PINDUKA:  Mr. Speaker Sir, I move that time for Questions With Notice be extended by 30 more minutes.

HON. C. MOYO:  I second.

HON. PROF. M. NCUBE:  Thank you very much. Hon. Madzivanyika.  His comment was comparing what he thinks is a very large debt arrear compared to how much we are paying.  As I said, we have payment arrangements with these contractors. We have a very constructive relationship with them and we will continue on the current payment programme but I also seek to improve that programme so we can be more consistent. We already owe the contractors. They are doing some good work and they are doing further work. The relationship continues. We will continue paying until we clear these arrears. There is no difficulty in terms of clearing the arrears. Thank you.

HON. CHIDUWA:  Thank you Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to find out from the Hon. Minister.  He confirmed that Treasury is in arrears but what we have seen is, there are many small contractors who are owed. Some are owed via devolution projects. Is there a deliberate policy on the part of the Ministry to make sure that you expunge the arrears for small players, especially given that the Government wanted to empower some of these players? It is part of the deliberate policy of the Government for empowerment but now they are owed, some over two years or over three years. My question is, do you have a deliberate policy to give priority to the small players so that you can expunge the arrears for the small players?

HON. PROF. M. NCUBE:  I thank Honourable Chiduwa for that comment. I think in a way, he is making a proposal which I actually like, which is that perhaps, we should have a policy of targeting the smaller players who need to survive or whose survival may be threatened ahead of the larger players who have better capacity to survive some of the delayed payments. I think we will look into this proposal. Certainly, it is a very good proposal. We will look into it as Treasury.  I thank him for that.

HON. ENG. MHANGWA:  Thank you finally Mr. Speaker, for recognising me. What is the effect of the low payments in terms of the time the contractors take on the project and the effect on the overall cost of the project? If it takes long to pay, the resultant effect is they are longer on the project and it costs more in terms of the project and it may accrue interest and penalties.

HON. PROF. M. NCUBE:  Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Indeed, delays could cause us to incur extra costs. This comes with delaying payments of course. We try to negotiate with the creditors not to levy too heavy penalties on these delayed payments and interest because after all, we have a relationship. They also recognise, as I said earlier, that we are in an empowerment programme. We empowered them. Some of them did not even exist before the Government came up with this Emergency Road or Transport Infrastructure Development Programme. So, they recognise that and they are accommodative to Government. They are not really charging us too much in terms of penalties. Thank you very much.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  We will defer question number 18 to 26.

RESURFACING OF THE ROAD THAT LINKS BEITBRIDGE-MPHOENGS AND PLUMTREE BORDER POSTS

33. HON. M. NDEBELE asked the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development to inform the House of the progress made in the resurfacing of the road that links Beitbridge- Mphoengs and Plumtree Border posts.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. SACCO): Mr. Speaker Sir. Beitbridge-Mphoengs and Plumtree border posts are linked by Beitbridge-Gwanda, Gwanda-Mapisa, Mapisa-Mphoengs and Mphoengs-Plumtree roads. There is also a 14-kilometre stretch from Mphoengs to the border post itself.

Allow me to report on the status and planned maintenance activities of the above roads as follows. The Beitbridge-Gwanda Road, which is 195 kilometres in length, is not specifically included in the PSIP budget for 2025. However, there is a running ERRP2 contract that commenced in 2022 for 20 kilometres rehabilitation, where sadly works have been suspended for over a year due to non-payment of outstanding IPCs.

 

The Treasury has been making efforts to clear this amount but it has not been enough to enable the contractor to remobilise and resume work. It has therefore been included in the budget for the ERRP2 extension and once the programme resources are availed, this project will be revived and completed. It is worth pointing out at this stage that Beitbridge-Gwanda is part of the Beitbridge-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway Rehabilitation and Upgrade Partnership with Bitumen World that was approved by Cabinet on 1^st October 2024.

The partner is currently working on the draft concession and this is expected to be finalised for approval in the second quarter of 2025. In the interim and drawing resources from the Road Fund, routine maintenance allocation will be made towards pothole patching and edge brake repairs, being carried out between chain edges 115 kilometres to 172 kilometres.

Hon. Speaker Sir, on the Gwanda-Mapisa Road, which measures 60 kilometres, five kilometres of this road have already been upgraded to a wide surface mat. A tender was flighted last year and is soon to be awarded for upgrading another 10 kilometres of this road to a wide surface. Plans are in place to grade the worst sections of this road in June after the independence venue roads in that province have been worked on.

 On the Mapisa-Mphoengs Road, which is 89 kilometres in length, this is a gravel road that passes through St. Joseph's Mission and Brunerpeg.  A grader will be sourced from RIDA, and maintenance grading is expected to commence in May. On the Mphoengs-Plumtree Road which is 92 kilometres in length, the road comprises 62 kilometres of tarred section and 30 kilometres of gravel road. Pothole patching is currently ongoing and 10 kilometres of maintenance grading is being done in preparation for Independence Day celebrations to be held in the province.

About Mooing Border Post, the 14-kilometre stretch of road, this gravel road to the border post is in a very poor state and will be graded immediately after the grading of the bad sections on Mphoengs-to Plumtree by the end of the second quarter. I so submit, Mr. Speaker.

 

HON. M. NDEBELE: Thank you so much for answering. However, what worries me a lot is that there is a slogan that says, this new administration does not leave anyone behind but on my side, I feel that Matabeleland South has been left behind for several years. Nothing is being done to the roads that I have mentioned. All these border posts are generating a lot of money for Matabeleland South and the country as a whole. Why not give first preference to do the routine grading of these roads?  As I speak now, these roads have not been graded for the past years, even just grading and not tearing. Thank you.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. NGULUVHE): Hon. Ndebele, I thought the Minister had responded. However, if he feels like he wants to add, I thought he had given us an update on what they are doing on those roads.

HON. SACCO:  I would like to thank Hon. Ndebele for his follow-up question. Yes, it is indeed the policy of the Second Republic, led by His Excellency, the President, Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa, that we should leave no one and no place behind and that is why I have taken on board your concerns.

 

I think I had indicated the programme of works, but we have taken on board your concerns that border posts are sources of revenue for the Government and therefore should be prioritised for routine grading and maintenance.

However, I would like to touch, Hon. Speaker Sir, on the fact that as the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development, we are working on internal capacity, where we are purchasing equipment for our maintenance units, as the Ministry, for all our provinces, purchasing equipment like trucks and graders, as well as asphalt plants, to allow us to do a lot of this routine maintenance ourselves. This is happening shortly and therefore this will increase our internal capacity to do routine maintenance.

 I would like to assure Hon. Ndebele that we are going to look into these issues. I so submit.

HON. M. NDEBELE: I would like to ask the Minister if he can assure us on the points to Plumtree Road. A day or two I was in communication with the superintendent of the area and she mentioned the struggles she has got for fuel. Can the Minister assure us that fuel will be released before the preparations for the Independence?

HON. SACCO: My response was that portal patching is currently ongoing and 10-kilometre maintenance grading is being done as we speak.  We have an arrangement as the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development where we work with ZINARA to get fuel for routine maintenance whether it is for the Department of Roads for local councils or RIDA for all road authorities. We are assuring you that fuel routine maintenance will continue. It is a continuous process we will give preference and prioritise the works on this road. I submit. 

REHABILITATION OF MHONDORO SKYLINE ROAD TO CHEGUTU

34. HON. MUROMBEDZI asked the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development to apprise the House on whether the rehabilitation of the Mhondoro Skyline Road to Chegutu is prioritised during the 2025 financial year.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. SACCO): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.  Chegutu – Mubaira Skyline is a primary road in Mashonaland West Province, 104 kilometres in length and is a vital link between Mhondoro Ngezi and Chegutu districts, where a number of key economic activities in the province such as farming and mining are heavily reliant on this route. The road is a wide mat from the zero-kilometre peg to 2.8 kilometres. It is a narrow mat from 2.8 kilometres to 13 kilometre peg and a wide mat from the 59 to 61 kilometre peg with the remaining 88 kilometres being gravel.

When the 2025 budget bids were submitted the intention of the Department of Roads was to reconstruct and upgrade the wide mat another 10 kilometres within the worst sections between the 3-kilometre peg and 59-kilometre peg.

The allocation for this road in the budget is ZIG 75 million which currently translates to just below USD 3 million which can do at most 4 kilometres of reconstruction. Given the 56 kilometres of very poor sections, resources will focus on re-gravelling and re-grading commencing May 2025 after the rainy season is over. This will make the road trafficable, pending the availability of funds for the proposed upgrade. I submit.

REHABILITATION AND UPGRADING OF THE BULAWAYO-TSHOLOTSHO ROAD

35. HON. L. SIBANDA asked the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development to inform the House of the Government policy regarding the rehabilitation and upgrading of the Bulawayo-Tsholotsho Road.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. SACCO):  Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, allow me also to thank Hon. Sibanda. The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development has, with other SADC Member States, adopted the SATCC standards for the design and construction of regional and primary roads. The Government has also been undertaking a programme of rehabilitation and upgrade of the lower class of roads informed by the conditions where we have increased traffic loads.

Accordingly, Bulawayo-Tsholotsho is one such road that is earmarked for an upgrade over its 100 kilometres in phases of 10 kilometres at a time. The road has been allocated ZIG 75 million in the 2025 budget and given that 88 kilometres of this road is in a very bad state. Resources will be prioritised towards securing fuel to re-gravel and re-grade the stretch to make it trafficable. Plant and equipment for this will be provided by Umguza Rural District Council, Tsholotsho RDC and RIDA for works which will be done ahead of the Independence Day celebrations. I thank you

HON. M. C. SIBANDA: I want to thank the Minister for the response pertaining to the Tsholotsho- Bulawayo Road which is our regional road.  Given that they are doing about 10 kilometres it therefore translates to about 12 years to complete the road because of the level of damage of the road, because the road is not there. I  want to find out from the Minister if they can engage other private players so that the road  is constructed faster within a short time. 

HON. SACCO: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank Hon. Sibanda for your proposal and we will look into the proposal as the Ministry and advise you accordingly. Since private-public partnerships depend on the viability of projects, traffic flow and many other variables. We do take on board your proposal and we will look into it and come back to you. I so submit.

+HON. S. NDEBELE: My supplementary question is from the original question asked by Hon. Sibanda.  While we are waiting for everything that you have in your programme so that you can be able to perform your task; in the situation of Tsholotsho Road is it not possible that you can clear the road or grade the road so that we can be able to use it currently? It is better for the road to be a dusty road currently rather than to be in this state of being a tarred road with potholes and we are not able to use the road.

HON. SACCO: I will go back to my initial response which was that in view of the amount of money allocated in the budget for this particular road which is 75 million ZIG and given that the length of the road is 88 kilometres, which is in a very bad state, resources will be prioritised towards securing fuel to re-gravel and re-grade this stretch to make it trafficable. Plant and equipment for this were provided by Umguza Rural District Council, Tsholotsho RDC and RIDA for works which will be done. So the response is yes, we are working on re-grading and re-gravelling this stretch due to the finances that are available. I thank you.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  With the concurrence of the House, can we jump over some of the questions to give a chance to those Ministers that are present to respond?  Also, please try to reduce the number of supplementary questions to two only.

POLICY REGARDING NETWORK COVERAGE IN REMOTE AREAS

45     HON. L. SIBANDA asked the Minister of Information, Communication, Technology, Postal and Courier Services to inform the House on the Government policy regarding network coverage in remote areas such as Tsholotsho North in view of bridging the digital divide.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION, TECHNOLOGY, POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES (HON. PHUTI):  The Government is committed to enhancing telecommunications access in underserved regions through several strategic initiatives.  One of the key mechanisms is the creation of the Universal Services Fund (USF), which supports projects aimed at extending telecommunication services to unserved and underserved areas.  This fund enables the deployment of infrastructure where commercial operators may not find it economically viable to invest.  Additionally, Statutory Instrument 137 of 2016, which encompasses the Postal and Telecommunications Infrastructure Sharing Regulations, aims to facilitate infrastructure sharing among telecommunications license holders.  The objectives of these regulations include eliminating unnecessary duplication of infrastructure, maximising the use of existing facilities, minimising public health and environmental impacts, promoting competition and ensuring sufficient telecommunication infrastructure across the country.

The Zimbabwe National Policy on ICT (2022-2027) addresses the supply-side challenges by emphasising the effective sharing of existing infrastructure both passive and active.  This strategy has led to the rollout of USF base stations in remote areas where commercial operators would typically not deploy due to business considerations.  For Tsholotsho District Network Coverage, we currently have nine existing base stations that service Tsholotsho District namely: Dhlamini, Sipepa, Zibungululu, Pumula, Jimila, Madhlangombe, Tsholotsho, Tsholotsho transmedia and Gotshane.  On our plans for base stations, we have Nkunzi Q3 in 2025 and Tshibizina Q4 in 2025.

In conclusion, while I will need additional time on the specific issue regarding operators currently servicing Tsholotsho North, our commitment remains strong to ensuring that all citizens have access to reliable telecommunications services.

BARRING OF MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT FROM CARRYING OUT THEIR LEGITIMATE DUTIES.

66     HON. MADZIVANYIKA asked the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage to confirm whether he is aware of acts of sabotage and discrimination against some Members of Parliament who are consistently barred from carrying out their legitimate parliamentary duties such as feedback meetings in their constituencies by the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE (HON. KAZEMBE):  Mr. Speaker Sir, may I thank the Hon. Member for the question?  It is really unfortunate and sad if what the Hon. Member said is true.  However, I have engaged the Commissioner General of the Police, Commissioner Stephan Mutamba who has reiterated that Members of Parliament are free to engage with police establishments and structures as long as due protocols are followed.  This will assist in maintaining discipline and accountability in the Zimbabwe Republic Police.  In this regard, may I urge the Hon. Member to plan, coordinate and give Police Commanders adequate notice and communication in order to enable proper arrangements to be made for the effective undertaking of parliamentary duties without any hindrances.  My office has also implored the Commissioner General of Police to alert Provincial and District Commanders on the need to engage parliamentarians to smoothly coordinate services or assistance that they require from the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

HON. MADZIVANYIKA:  This is a very important question Mr. Speaker because I am a victim of such circumstances.  I have applied three times, twice in 2024 but I could not get the clearance.  The reason being that the police are busy with schedules elsewhere.  I applied again in 2025 on 1^st March, 2025 to have a meeting on 10^th March but the response that I got was that the Zimbabwe Republic Police is busy preparing for Independence which is scheduled for 18^th April, a month later.  So, Mr. Speaker, as one deployed by Government, a Member of Parliament for that matter, representing the legislative role, my mandate is to meet the people who gave me the mandate to be here.  So, if I am not allowed to meet those I am supposed to meet, I think something is amiss.  Can we have a position from the Minister to the effect that parliamentary work should not be a problem?  We cannot continuously and consistently say that we have got manpower problems.  We did indicate that we had our own manpower for safety but they went on to say come to our meeting and we got to the meetings but they just dilly dallied and at 4p.m, the meeting could not proceed. 

Mr. Speaker, I am sure you know that you spend a lot of money and time preparing for such meetings then the last minute you are told that the meeting has been called off.  I think we need to have that kind of arrangement from the Hon. Minister.  Can we get an assurance in this House that this is the position because other Hon. Members are doing it elsewhere? Even in my neighbour constituency, they are having their meetings. It is only me and I need the protection of the Hon. Minister and the protection of the Speaker of Parliament. Thank you very much. I think this is an issue which you can take directly to the Minister.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: I hear you Hon. Madzivanyika but I think this is an issue that you can take  directly to the Minister if it is a particular issue because I thought if it is affecting you personally, I am sure the Minister will welcome you in his office and discuss over the issue. However, I can give the floor to the Minister to respond.

HON. KAZEMBE: Mr. Speaker Sir, as I have mentioned earlier on, the idea and the policy is that we ensure that gatherings take place in an orderly manner and we protect the citizens. This includes the Member of Parliament. So, if there is a particular issue or circumstances surrounding what he has mentioned, I am available and will deal with that matter. What I can promise the Hon. Member is that police treat everybody in the same manner. There is no one who is above the law regardless of political affiliation. If there is a particular case that the Hon. Member is alluding to, my door is open. We can look into that and I can assure him that remedial action will be taken if such a thing is happening. I thank you.

*HON. MADZIVANYIKA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Let me use vernacular. The challenge is that some of my fellow MPs in the constituencies close by, you see them holding their meetings. If you are declined to hold a meeting the previous day, the following day you see other Hon. Members holding their meetings…

*THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: I have discovered that you have the view that you have to go and meet the Minister physically so that you discuss. The Minister has agreed to say you, go to his office and you will just discuss with him.

HON. MADZIVANYIKA: My point of clarity; is it not possible for the Minister to give a ruling in this august House? It helps every Member who is in here. There is nothing wrong with me going to meet the Minister. I would suggest that the Minister gives a ruling in this august House. I thank you.

HON. KAZEMBE: Thank you Hon. Madzivanyika. The assurance which I can give you now is that the police officers do their duties according to the law. If you discover that they are misbehaving somewhere somehow, come to my office and then we can discuss. I thank you.

HON. BONDA: I would like to give contribution to improve the system on how we are actually doing our conduct feedback in the constituencies. I think if it has to do with removing the system whereby they say…

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order. Order! That is a different question from what has been asked.

HON.  BONDA: It is the same issue to do with the feedback. Whenever we are holding some feedback, we book a meeting that comes like a rally. Sometimes we might intend to hold a public hearing regardless of political affiliation but some of the people who intend to attend the meeting will be turned away.

Hon. Matsunga having stood up on a point of privilege.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: All those who want to speak, please wait until the Minister has responded.

         HON. MATSUNGA: Okay Hon. Speaker. I wanted the issue which is almost the same.

         *HON. KAZEMBE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. The law says if we have a certain gathering to a certain number, we must notify the police officers regardless of the purpose of the gathering. If we only have a certain number that surpasses the number that is required, we simply have to notify the police officers. If they want us to change the law, they will start it from here but as we speak, the police officers will stick to the rules and laws. I thank you.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Members, unfortunately, we have actually gone beyond the time which we had extended by 30 minutes.

WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE

COMPENSATION OF FORMER FARM WORKERS WHO LOST JOBS AND PROPERTIES IN THE LAND REFORM PROGRAMME

2. HON. C. HLATYWAYO asked the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development to inform the House what Governments plans are regarding the compensation of former farm workers who lost their jobs, investments on property during the fast-track resettlement programme and land reform.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF MINISTER OF LANDS, AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, WATER, AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. HARITATOS): I would like to thank the Hon. Member for this question. As the House is aware that the Government has entered into an agreement with the Former Farm Owners (FFO) to pay them compensation for improvements on the acquired farms, the agreement is known as the Global Compensation Deed where the Government is committed to pay USD3.5Billion.

In terms of the law Statutory Instrument of 2002, the former farm owners are acquired to cleared with the Minister of Labour that they paid their workers terminal benefits. It is therefore a mandate of the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare to ensure that former farm workers are paid their terminal benefits. On the Ministers part, we require the Labour Clearance Certificate from each former farm owner as part of the requirements to process payment of compensation.

INFORMATION ON THE AIDS LEVY RAISED IN THE 2024 FINANCIAL YEAR

13. HON BAJILA asked the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion to inform the House on the AIDS Levy raised during the 2024 financial year and how the funds were expended.

         THE MINISTER OF FINANCE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENT PROMOTION (HON. PROF. MTHULI NCUBE):  Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.  The AIDS Levy is administered through the National AIDS Council Act Chapter 15:14 of 2000.  The Council falls under the Ministry of Health and Child Care.  I thank you.

CONFERENCE OF CITY STATUS TO CHITUNGWIZA MUNICIPALITY

27. HON. MAZHINDU asked the Minister of Local Government and Public Works to apprise the House whether Government has plans to:
28. Confer Chitungwiza Municipality with a City Status considering that it has developed exponentially in the last two decades; and
29. Release more state land for urban planning and expansion of the urban centre.

THE MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS (HON. DR. D. GARWE): a) It is important to note that the First Schedule (section 14) of the Urban Councils Act [Chapter 29:15] on matters to be considered for City status considers the following:

1. The size and density of the population taking into account the proportion of population living in flats and private homes.
2. The extent of which the municipality provides employment opportunities for inhabitants of the municipal area and surrounding areas and the variety of employment opportunities provided.
3. The total valuation of property as shown in the valuation roll and the ratios of the values of industrial, commercial and residential property.
4. The extent to which the municipality caters for the requirements of the community by the provision of such local services as firefighting service, ambulance services, public parking etc.
5. The extent of the influence of the municipality as a national centre for commercial purposes, industrial purposes, mining purposes, agricultural purposes, administrative purposes and financial purposes.
6. The extent to which the municipality is a centre for a state services, such as law courts – Police stations and prisons etc; road, rail and air communications; postal and telecommunications services; the dissemination of information by means of radio, television, newspaper and magazines; tourism and tourist facilities, including hotels, motels and caravans; the standard of marketing and shopping facilities and the range of specialist, professional, banking and other financial services provided.
7. The standard of marketing and shopping facilities and the range of specialist, professional, banking and other financial services provided.
8. The extent, quality and variety of cultural amenities, educational facilities and recreational facilities provided.
9. The historical associations, length of existence and geographical importance of the centre.
10. The armed forces stationed in or around the municipal area.
11. The religious significance of the centre.
12. The growth rate of the municipality with reference to population valuation of building, commercial and industrial and industrial facilities and other provisions.

Mr. speaker Sir, Chitungwiza was officially established as a town on 1^st January, 1978 as a dormitory suburb of Harare (by the amalgamation of Seke, Zengeza and St Mary`s). It was created in the 1950s and early 1960s as a self – contained urban settlement helping with rural to urban migration. It gained municipal status in 1981. Whilst Chitungwiza is the third largest urban centre in the country, Chitungwiza Municipality has numerous development challenges. The local authority is not a water authority and relies on City of Harare for water supply. Chitungwiza Municipality has a total water requirement of 80 mega – litres, but supply from City of Harare has been significantly reduced, leading to water shortages and reliance on boreholes and other unsanitary sources.

         The municipality has a limited piped water network coverage with an insufficient conveyance capacity. Chitungwiza sewerage is treated at the Zengeza sewage treatment works, which comprises a 36MI/d (BNR) plant built in the late 1990s with Japanese aid. Both treatment plants are currently not working. The pipes are of various materials and in different states of functionality. Only about five mega litres can be accounted for, the rest are released into water bodies. Some of the areas do not have piped reticulation as approximately 32 000 properties are not listed in the local authority`s database. The Local Authority requires substantial effort in the following: - regularising informal settlements, improving water treatment capacity and waste water treatment capacity.

1. Speaker Sir, like with all other cities and towns, the Ministry continues to address the urban expansion needs of Chitungwiza Town by facilitating the preparation of the required plans and subsequent land handover processes. It is worthwhile to note that the expansion requirements for Chitungwiza Town were recently in the Chitungwiza Master Plan prepared in 2024 in accordance with the National Call – to – Action Blueprint.

ESTABLISHMENT OF A DIGITAL INFORMATION CENTRE IN CHIPINGE SOUTH

46. HON. CLIFFORD HLATYWAYO asked the Minister of Information, Communication, Technology, Postal and Courier Services to inform the House what plans are in place to establish a Digital Information Centre in Chipinge.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION, TECHNOLOGY, POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES (HON. PHUTI):  The Ministry is establishing Digital Innovation Centres (DICs) across all provinces in the country to provide ICTs to rural and marginalized areas.  The following DICs were established in Chipinge District: Checheche, Chibuwe, Chipinge town, Mt Selinda and Tongogara Refugee Camp.  To reinforce these efforts, the Ministry is also working on a project to provide Free Public WIFI hotspots under the Presidential Internet Scheme to ensure the availability of internet connectivity to targeted areas across Zimbabwe.  Community Members can connect to the internet if they have the smart devices to use.  This initiative is expected to be more effective as it has a bigger footprint than the physical Digital Information Centres.

IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPUTER OR ICT LEARNING PROGRAMMES IN BORDER AREAS IN CHIPINGE

47. HON. C. HLATYWAYO asked the Minister of Information, Communication, Technology, Postal and Courier Services to explain to the House what Government is doing to implement computer or ICT learning programmes in border areas in Chipinge, particularly in Makoho Primary, Chinyamukwakwa Primary and Secondary, Mahenye Primary and Secondary, Mabee Primary and Secondary, Chisuma Primary and Secondary, Maparadze Primary and Secondary and Mutandahwe Primary and Secondary schools.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION, TECHNOLOGY, POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES (HON. PHUTI):  The Ministry through the e-learning programme, is setting up computer labs and providing internet connectivity in schools around the country.  The need is huge but the financial resources are limited.  However, every effort is being made to ensure equitable distribution of the available resources.  Key considerations for a school to be equipped with ICT gadgets include the availability of power and the ability of the school to provide suitable infrastructure to ensure the security of the ICT gadgets.  Among the schools mentioned above, Chisuma Primary school was resourced with 10 laptops in November 2024.  The other schools will be considered as more resources become available.

         On the motion of HON. KAMBUZUMA, seconded by HON. C. MOYO the Senate adjourned at Two Minutes past Six o’clock p.m.