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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY HANSARD 04 SEPTEMBER 2024 Vol. 50 No. 78

PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE

Wednesday, 4th September, 2024

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

PRAYERS

(THE ACTING SPEAKER in the Chair)

ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE ACTING SPEAKER

REVIEW OF STANDING ORDERS

    THE ACTING SPEAKER (HON. MACHINGURA):  I have to inform the House that Section 139 of the Constitution of the Republic of Zimbabwe states that, the proceedings of the Senate and the National Assembly are regulated by rules known as Standing Orders, which are made by the Houses individually or jointly on the recommendation of the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders.”  I wish to inform the House that the report by the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders (CSRO) on the review of the Standing Orders has been circulated to all the Members via the WhatsApp platform.  Hon. Members are therefore requested to submit their inputs on the proposed changes to the Standing Orders or any other views on the current Standing Orders for consideration by the CSRO before the final report is tabled in the House for consideration and adoption.  The inputs should be submitted to the office of the Counsel to Parliament, Office 468, 4th Floor, Parliament Building by the 18th of September 2024.

APOLOGIES RECEIVED FROM MINISTERS

THE ACTING SPEAKER: I wish to announce the apologies that I have here from Hon Ministers and Deputy Ministers who are not able to attend Parliament Business today.

Hon. Prof. M. Ncube, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion; Hon. K.D. Mnangagwa, Deputy Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion; Hon. M.N. Ndlovu, Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife; Hon. J. Paradza Deputy Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife; Hon. T. Machakaire, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training; Hon. Mupamhanga Junior, Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training; Hon. K. Coventry, Minister of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture; Hon. M. Mutsvangwa, Minister of Women Affairs, Community Small and Medium Enterprises Development; Hon. B. Kabikira, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Public Works; Hon. F. Shava, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade; Hon. K. Kazembe, Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage; Hon. T. A. Mavetera, Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services; Prof. A. Murwira, Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development; Hon. J.G. Moyo, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare; Hon. N. M. Ndlovu, Minister of Industry and Commerce; Hon. E. Moyo, Minister of Energy and Power Development; Hon. Y. Simbanegavi, Deputy Minister of Energy and Power Development; Hon. Z. Soda, Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities; Hon. Dr. A. J. Masuka, Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement; Hon. V. Haritatos, Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement; - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – Hon. Members, if you continue to make noise when the Chair is speaking, you are disrespecting me.  I will chase you out of this House - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –  Say it once more. Hon. D. Marapira, Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement; Hon. E. Jesaya, Deputy Minister of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture; Hon. R. Modi, Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce.  

         HON. MUSHORIWA:  On a point of order Mr. Speaker Sir!  Mr. Speaker Sir, our Standing Orders state that Wednesday is a question and answer session.  Mr. Speaker Sir, judging from the list that you just announced, it shows that 80% of the Ministers – [HON. MEMBERS: 90!] – have decided to absent themselves from this august House.

         I am also sure Mr. Speaker Sir, that such a failure of Ministers, and some of them have done it on regular basis, absenting themselves from Parliament every Wednesday – refusing scrutiny from Members of Parliament.  All Members here represent the people of Zimbabwe, so they want to hear us questioning the Executive.  So, if we have only two Cabinet Ministers and a few Deputy Ministers, I think, it is bringing contempt to this august House. 

         Mr. Speaker Sir, we request  - [HON. TOGAREPI: On a point of order Mr. Speaker!] – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]-

         HON. TOGAREPI:  There is no point of order when talking about an absent Minister! - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] -  Mr. Speaker, we all want Ministers to come to this House and answer questions - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –

         THE ACTING SPEAKER:  Order, order, may the Hon. Member be heard in silence? - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] -  Hon. Members, please take your seats! – [HON. HAMAUSWA: It is procedurally wrong!] –

         HON. TOGAREPI:  Mr. Speaker, there is no - [HON. MEMBERS: Let the Speaker make a ruling!] -  The Speaker has ruled, let me - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –

         THE ACTING SPEAKER:  Hon. Members, even if you want to put across a point, you do not have to do it in unison, 12 of you!  Can I hear?  Hon. Chief Whip, please sit down.  Hon. Mushoriwa, you may proceed. – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] -

         HON. MUSHORIWA:  Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.  We are saying that the absence of the majority of Ministers make a mockery of Wednesday’s question and answer session.  For Members of the Executive to continuously give apologies week in and week out, it just destroys the foundation upon which Wednesday was made for.  So, Hon. Speaker Sir, I was going to then request that given the fact that today, basically we have very few Ministers present.  Let today’s auestion and answer session be stopped because we do not have the Ministers - [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] - 

         THE ACTING SPEAKER:  Hon. Mushoriwa, what you went on to suggest is out of order but your point has been noted.  We will inform the Leader of Government Business. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – Order, order!

         HON. TOGAREPI:  Mr. Speaker, while I recognise what my other colleague has raised in terms of requesting Ministers to come and attend the question and answer session, there is nowhere in the Standing Orders that says, Ministers must, even if they have excuses.  It is allowed for them to raise excuses that you read.  So, Ministers, both individually and severally, because they sit in the same Cabinet, there is nothing that happens in any Ministry that the other Ministers do not know. - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] -  So, I think Hon. Members from the other side will only understand that when they become Ministers. - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] -  The problem is, they may not be Ministers forever.  So, I think we need to check the Standing Orders.  They say that if a Minister cannot come, they must advise the Hon. Speaker that they cannot come and they have done exactly that.  So, I think my other colleagues must understand the obligations of our Ministers.

         THE ACTING SPEAKER:  Thank you Hon. Chief Whip, that is noted. I also wish to announce to the House that Hon. Sibanda, Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development is in the House, and I also saw Hon. Mhona, Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development coming in.  Good afternoon, Hon. Minister. Questions without notice, Hon. N. Mangondo!

         HON. KHUPE:  Mr. Speaker Sir, on a point of order!  With due respect Mr. Speaker, we would request you to tell us who the Acting Leader of the House is today? – [HON. MEMBERS: Mhona! Mhona!] – [HON. TOGAREPI:  That is my responsibility Mr. Speaker.] –

         THE ACTING SPEAKER:  Hon. Members, when you ask a question, please be silent so that you hear the Hon. Member.

         HON. TOGAREPI:  Hon. Rwodzi is going to be the Acting Leader of the House. – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –

         THE ACTING SPEAKER:  Hon. Rwodzi is going to be the Leader of Government Business this afternoon.  Hon. Mangondo, please take the floor.

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

         *HON. MANGONDO: Thank you for giving me this opportunity to ask my question.  My question is directed to the Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.  Looking at food distribution in the country due to this El Nino induced drought when food aid was being given out, the first phase that was backed by ZIMVAC and it was done in April.  In June, the number of people who received food aid had increased.  People who received food aid in April and those who received food aid in June are the ones who are receiving food for phase two that we started in August.   My question is, what is Government doing so that food is distributed to all vulnerable families?  We must not continue to give the same people when a lot of families are facing hunger. I thank you.

         *THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND SOCIAL WELFARE (HON. DINHA):  Thank you Hon. Speaker, I want to thank the Hon. Member for his question.  It is true that we started distributing food in April.  When we started distributing food in April, we were given names of the beneficiaries by sabhukus, ZIMLAC had not yet finished doing assessments.  The first phase started in May to July.  When we started, we did not use the ZIMLAC results because looking at the results, it was stated that from July to September, people who were supposed to received food aid were 4 700 000.  When we started, we gave 6 100 000. 

         When we continued giving food hand-outs, we did not revert to the results because people would have been disadvantaged because by doing that, we could only give food aid to a few people.  We then resorted to the number that we had given in that first phase.  These people are the people who were considered to be vulnerable.  When this assessment was done, people had meetings with their sabhukus and agreed on the families to receive food aid.  The villagers had to agree that they were the most vulnerable people.  It was also agreed that we cannot give them food aid once and then move on to the next group because it was the group that was said to be the most vulnerable.  I thank you Hon. Speaker.

         *HON. MANGONDO:  We are having a little misunderstanding. The same people who were given food aid are the ones that are being given, each family of three receiving 7.5 kgs per month.  The number has been increased. For example, in a certain village, food aid was given to 55 people and 12 were added but this village has over 200 people and most of these people do not have food.  We all experienced drought and everyone is hungry.  What is considered when writing down the names of the people who are considered to be vulnerable? 

         There was the issue of food for work. Now, we need explanation, are people being given food according to the work they did or they are given according to vulnerability?

         *HON. DINHA: Thank you Hon. Speaker. We are agreeing that those who received food aid are the ones that continue to be given.  If you are saying the numbers have increased, that was not supposed to be the case. According to the assessment that was done, the numbers were supposed to go have gone down.  The people who were most vulnerable were less than the people who received help in April.  The people were chosen in their villages. Social Welfare officers, village heads and Government workers from DDC were the ones who had meetings with villagers and agreed on which families to help.  Those are the families who have continued to receive food aid up to date.  It is difficult because if we then give the next group, what will happen to the first vulnerable group that received the first hand-out because these were considered to be the most vulnerable group?

         *HON. NYABANI: Thank you Hon. Speaker. I want to thank the Government for giving food aid to our citizens.  Looking at our constituencies like Rushinga, Muzarabani and Mutoko, there is not even a single person who received food aid.  The whole country experienced drought and everyone is hungry.  What criteria are you using to select people because everyone is hungry?  We did not receive any meaningful rains this year, so everyone must receive food aid.

 

         *THE MINISTER OF TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY (HON. RWODZI): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I want to help by answering the question.

         *HON. HWENDE: On a point of order Mr. Speaker Sir.  My point of order is that the Minister is there and he is articulating the question so that she answers. What law did you use for you to ask the Leader of Government Business to help the Minister?  What are the duties of the Leader of Government Business?

*THE ACTING SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Member.  I will respond to your question tomorrow. What we want are answers of what you are asking.  If you are not answered you just say so.  Let the Leader of Government Business answer the question.

*HON. RWODZI: Thank you Mr. Speaker.  This season our Government did its assessment and saw that there is hunger in all the regions of the country.  The figures from ZIMVAC which were given by the Minister, when it was investigated, it was seen that new records are coming like what has been said that people are not supposed to be given food rations again.  What it supposed to happen is that people are supposed to be recorded with the help of all the stakeholders in their places then they are given their food for three months for each head, then it continues like that.  Those who were given were not supposed to benefit again and it is being recorded.

Those who have not benefited, the Government is getting there.  Let us go and work with our headmen, social welfare officers and also us as representatives so that each and every one should get what they are supposed to get because there is hunger. For those who are being given food repeatedly, that is not the way to go. It should be rectified.  I thank you.

*HON. ZIKI: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.  I want to thank the Government for giving food to the people.  My question is, there are people who did not get food on the second phase who were supposed to get food in their wards but by July 31, those people were removed from the list for not receiving their previous allocations.  So we want to know what the Government is doing. Those who did not get their three months allocation are now getting from August going upwards but going backwards, they are not getting anything.

*THE ACTING SPEAKER: Honourable, you are saying that there were people who were supposed to get food and they did not get it, so you want to know what is going to happen?

*HON. ZIKI:  Yes, Mr. Speaker.

*THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI): In short, let me say that this year food was not given on a monthly basis but for three months. Something went wrong such that not all the places got food, but it does not mean that if you did not benefit, we should go back in retrospect because the time has passed and you are alive.  So, we are giving for the next there months not to go back as if you have died.  If you are still alive, we will start where we are. 

We did our investigations and saw that there were a lot of hiccups that made it impossible for food to reach other areas because most of our food is found in Mashonaland West, so it was difficult to move food.  Mashonaland East was affected because their depot is Aspindale and there was a lot of congestion, so we increased the transportation.  Our aim is not to reward people, but we do not want people to die until we get to the next season.  Thank you.

HON. P. DUBE:  Thank you very much Hon. Speaker Sir.  Would the Hon. Minister also clarify to this House, whether the Government Drought Relief Programme is a food for work first or it is just a Drought Relief Programme in order to help people during this drought period?  This question was raised and it was not responded to.  Thank you.

HON. Z. ZIYAMBI:  Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.  I do not know where the question is coming from.  If he can clarify why he is asking that – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.] -  I am saying so because Government has been very clear that there is a drought.  We did an assessment and we know exactly the number of people we want to feed, and we have indicated that we are going to release at least 7.5kg per person per month.  So, I am not so sure what is guiding the Hon. Member to indicate like that, but it would be a very good idea for the able-bodied not to just get food while they are not doing something.  It is something that we are exploring to make sure that those that can must work, but the general principle is that there is a drought and people are going to get relief from Government.  I thank you.

         *HON. HAMAUSWA: On a point of order! The leader of Government Business explained that there were people who had not been given food and that the Government could not work in retrospect.  However, there is what is called legitimate expectation; those people knew that they would be given food by the Government.  Maybe they would have borrowed hoping when they got their allocation, they would return. 

So, my point is that it will not be in good faith on the part of the Government because the Government is on record for doing good works to the citizens where we have six million people, half of the population who are hungry.  Something should be done, we do not expect that from the Minister since the nation is facing a national disaster.

For those people who were not given, if they are not able to receive their full allocation, then at least they should give them half of it so that in cases where they would have borrowed, they should be able to return.

THE ACTING SPEAKER: Hon. Member, in your point of order, you want the Minister to respond to the question of those people who would have borrowed food stuffs whilst waiting for their allocation and what they should do.

HON. Z. ZIYAMBI: We are going to give our people on that day for three months but if there are specific cases, that will be determined by the relevant department.

 *HON. ZIKI: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.  My question is directed to the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Hon. Mhona.

 Firstly, I want to thank the work that has been done on our roads in Harare and other areas.  We are now driving on good and safe roads.  However, if I had the authority, I would not give tenders to people who do not perform.

Now that the work has been completed here in Harare, there is work to be done along the Harare-Chirundu Road which was being done by the same contractors.  When are they going to resume their road works?

THE ACTING SPEAKER: Hon. Ziki, this is not a policy question.  It is now specific to the Chirundu Road, so may you put it in writing. 

HON. ZIKI: Hon. Chair, let me repeat my question. When are the contractors who were working on our roads in Harare going back to other roads, seeing that they can no longer meet their targets? 

*THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. MHONA): First of all, I would like to thank the people of Zimbabwe for being patient and also the Members of Parliament who were patient in using detours during the roads construction – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –

I would also want to acknowledge those who were constructing the roads in Harare that yes, progress elsewhere was put to a halt, and we are indeed going to proceed with other roads like the one the Hon. Member has mentioned, Harare-Chirundu Road.  It is a very major road, those who are acquainted with our borders, it is en route to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi and Zambia.  So, as the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, we have put this on our priority cards so that those roads can be constructed as quickly as possible. 

There are about five companies that you will see on those roads, and these contractors are going to move with speed for the targeted kilometers.  However, Harare-Chirundu is not the only important road but we also have the road from Beit-Bridge to Victoria Falls.  Our contractors will also be working on those roads, revamping the 700km peg. 

We are not going to be limited there but we are also looking at Kwekwe-Lupane-Nkayi Road, and the road that comes from Bulawayo to Nkayi is going to be constructed at the same time, the 154 km from Bulawayo to Nkayi. 

As Parliamentarians, we are the ones who give the Ministry a vote allocation, so we are going to perform very well so that all our roads in the country are safe.

THE ACTING SPEAKER: Hon. Minister, the Hon. Member wanted the dates when the road contractors are going to resume construction of other roads.

HON. MHONA: Starting this week, our contractors will be on site, like the one he has referred to, the Harare-Chirundu Road, next week they will be on the roads.

         HON. ENG. MHANGWA: We are eagerly waiting for the Harare – Chirundu Road. Since you mentioned Hon. Minister that there is demobilisation that has been done and remobilisation that will be done, what is the effect in terms of extra costs and overheads that will be taken because of remobilisation and demobilisation?

         *THE ACTING SPEAKER: Hon. Member, where did you hear about demobilisation?

         *HON. ENG. MHANGWA: If you are supposed to remobilise, it means that you had demobilised.

         HON. MHONA: Let me thank my brother Hon. Eng. Mhangwa. It is not like we had demobilised in some instances. What is of paramount importance is to say to the nation we had actually stalled, not necessarily to demobilise. Basically, we are just going to accelerate the pace on what we were working on. Where we had a number of equipment on a site, we had moved that particular equipment to dedicate to a special project but works were on-going at a slower pace. I want to assure the Hon. Member that we will accelerate now that there is a need and he has highlighted a very important road that I have alluded to with speed, taking cognisance of the fact that this is a feeder road into other neighbouring countries and we will accelerate and move with speed on that particular project.

         *HON. S. MOYO: We have heard the good works when it comes to road construction. What is Government policy or repercussions if those contractors do not do a good job?

         *HON. MHONA: Yes, it is very true that the Second Republic is very different from the former, that people would do shoddy jobs and were paid but this time, if people do not do standard work, we pay only after we are satisfied that the job has been done. Do not be troubled if you find places where the road has not been constructed well. Section 298 talks about transparency and accountability. We go back to the people of Zimbabwe so that the money that they pump out does a good job. We blacklist for bad workmanship and if you are blacklisted, it means you will not get any contracts again. If you do a bad job, we ask you to do it again until we are satisfied and that is only when you get paid. We are working with the Committee on Transport and most of the time they are doing follow-ups and they update this House on the work being done. Thank you.

         *HON. TAFANANA ZHOU: On a point of order. I think the issue that we are talking about is very important and I am asking if we can have three or four people to give supplementary questions.

         Motion put and negatived.

         HON. S. NDEBELE: My question is directed to the Minister of Health and in his absentia, to the Leader of Government Business. What is the Government policy on whose responsibility it is to fuel an ambulance transferring a patient from a General to a Central Hospital?

         THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI): Mr. Speaker, I was laughing inside because there can never be a policy like that. This is purely technical and medical issues of referral of people from one institution to the other cannot be answered by a layman. The hospital makes a determination that at their level, the kind of care that is required is at another level. I thank you.

         HON. MUSHORIWA: On a point of order. I think the Hon. Minister missed the question. The question was very simple and it was saying, whose responsibility is it to fuel ambulances from a General to the Central Hospital? Is it the patient or the Ministry?

         *HON. TAFANANA ZHOU: I urge that Members on the left should read the Hansard because this question has been asked before. So, the Member should refer to the Hansard.

         HON. Z. ZIYAMBI: Mr. Speaker, I do not know why they are asking that as a policy question. The hospital administration at a particular institution and the patient’s relatives, the main objective is to save a patient. So, the situation at that particular institution will detect that the best interest of the patient should carry the day. I thank you.

         HON. DR. KHUPE: On a point of order. For times without a number, I have heard Hon. Members when other Hon. Members ask a question saying this question was asked before, can you please go and refer to the Hansard. Questions which are being asked in this House are not for Hon. Members of Parliament. Zimbabweans are watching throughout the whole country and they want answers, they do not have access to the Hansard. So, even if a question had been asked before and even if it is asked for the second time, let it be responded because those who did not hear the answer the previous time should benefit from the question again because citizens do not have access to the Hansards. Questions must be responded to. This issue of saying this question was asked before must come to an end because people want to know answers.

HON. MUSHORIWA:  My supplementary question is, Hon. Minister, can you then clarify? You said that the relatives and the hospital administration will make a decision.  We have had cases…

         THE ACTING SPEAKER:  You are not quoting the Minister.  What exactly did he say?

         HON. MUSHORIWA:  The Minister said that the relatives of a patient and the hospital administration will have to do what is best for the patient.  From that, I am asking…

              THE ACTING SPEAKER:  He says the primary objective is to save life. 

         HON. MUSHORIWA: So, the question that I am asking the Minister is to say, does the ambulance at a general hospital have to depend on such decision of the relatives and the hospital administration, or the fueling of an ambulance should be something that is actually standard, not rather for it to be defined hospital to hospital? Actually there should be a Government position or policy in terms of fueling ambulances to ferry patients from general hospitals to referral hospitals.

         THE ACTING SPEAKER:  Hon. Member, why can you not do it as a written question because it is not a policy question?

         HON. Z. ZIYAMBI:  Hon. Members are not ignorant as to who fuels Government vehicles, but I went further and said we should not waste tax payers’ money over a decision that is made at an institution with a prime objective to save life.

         *HON. MAKOPE:  My question is directed to the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education.  Our children who are in tertiary institutions go for attachments.  When it comes to teaching, they go for teaching practice but in other sectors they are having problems in getting attachments.  What is the Government policy and the Ministry doing to make sure that these students get attachments just like in teaching and nursing?  Some of them, their period of attachment lapses before they get placements.

         THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, INNOVATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT (HON. S. SIBANDA):  I would like to thank the Hon. Member for the question.  The issue of attachment brings in several ministries depending on the field of study.  On that basis, using the whole of Government approach, there are many strategies that are in place.  Some of them being issues to do with improving the industry so that it can absorb the students who are due for attachments.  So, on that basis, the Ministry through the universities or colleges, assists those students who come forward having challenges in terms of getting places for attachments.  There arises deliberate effort to engage the relevant industries using the ministries concerned.  On that basis, a lot of students have been assisted.  We have not heard challenges where students come forward to report on such cases but if there are such cases, we have an open-door policy to say students should be assisted because we should make sure that students complete their studies.

         *HON. KARENYI-KORE: A lot of children are coming to the end of their semesters without being attached to any company, what is the Government policy so that when that semester comes to an end, the parent is expected to pay school fees when they defer?  There will not be any companies to be attached to, especially Government departments and they are supposed to be attached to private institutions.  How can the Government help those children because they can not be absorbed in the Government but in private companies?  When the child defers, what is the Government supposed to do so that the parents are not burdened with payment of school fees?

         HON. S. SIBANDA:  If I understood the question well, you are saying the students have got challenges in accessing the private sector and at the same time, there are no places for placement in the public sector.  I beg to differ; the challenges that we usually have, I think this one should go to us as Hon. Members and also the parents or guardians of these students, to understand that the issue of attachment is not employment.  That is where we need to conscientise our students.  They usually shun those areas or places of industries where they are not paid, but the whole essence is for the student to go through an attachment which is part of the learning exercise.  The industry is also aware of the fact that they can submit names of students that would have been attached there so that ZIMDEF can come in, in terms of assisting the industries to give them allowances for those students, I think we have some work to do in terms of conscientising every stakeholder on understanding issues to do with attachments, the fact that it is not employment as such where students are supposed to choose and at the same time the industry should be aware that if they are to pay, they can also claim their money from ZIMDEF. I think we accept that probably there might be a gap here and there, which we are prepared to attend to. So, I submit.

         *HON. P. ZHOU:  Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir.  My supplementary question is, when it comes to this issue of attachment there are challenges that students encounter.  Some students find it difficult to pay their fees on time and when they are assessed by lecturers, they are not given results because they delayed in paying their fees.  They are then asked to defer and start again the following year. 

What is the Government’s plan so that parents are not burdened when it comes to the payment of fees?   If they delay in paying their fees on attachment, they should be assisted after paying fees late because they lose out for that year.

+HON. S. SIBANDA: Thank you for that pertinent question.  If I understood the question well, this question seeks to point out that there are students who face challenges in terms of paying fees and fees are not pegged according to what they are getting when they are on attachment. So, there must be a difference between the fees that they pay when on attachment, whether they are getting paid or not. 

The other thing that I got is that there are challenges when students are being assessed by lecturers and sometimes their attachment is not considered and students should notify universities when going for attachment.  When going for attachment, then they will be informed by their colleges whether their place of attachment is suitable or not. Whatever challenges that they go through, we request that students should inform us, they should inform the Ministry so that it can correct that.  The main purpose is that students should attain their education without going through any challenges at college. I thank you.

THE ACTING SPEAKER:  Thank you Hon. Minister.  I am taking one last supplementary and let me be gender sensitive.

+HON. GUMEDE:  Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.  My question is on students who will be going for attachment.  Why should they be charged the same tuition fees with those who will be in college?  We have noted that those who are on attachment from different universities pay varying amounts of fees – some pay three quarters of their college fees, and in other colleges they are expected to pay their fees in full. 

My request is that I want to ask the Hon. Minister to look into the issue so that when universities charge tuition fees for students who are on attachment and those who will not be on attachment, there should be a demarcation between the two and there should be regulations which guide Government or State universities so that they follow that framework.  I thank you.

+HON. S. SIBANDA:  Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.  University students on attachment should pay their tuition fees whether there is a variance or not, the point is that universities differ.  Some universities may consider the plight of students, but we cannot recommend that this should be uniform because this may result in a situation where students pay more.  We need to understand that universities have individual Acts and use their own criteria. Students must not pay fees which are beyond what is stipulated by Government. They must pay what they are expected to pay, some colleges may be lenient.  You would find that students on attachment are assessed by lecturers and there are costs in assessing students.  We cannot say that it is too much but they may not be in class but when in class, there are no extra costs unlike accommodation costs for lecturers who go for assessment.

So, I wanted to clarify that and will recommend that we leave it like that so that we preserve whatever universities are doing.  I thank you.

HON. MAVUNGA:  Thank you Mr. Speaker.  In the spirit of leaving no place and no one behind, our Government conducted a vetting exercise of war collaborators and we thank the Government for doing that.  My question is directed to the Minister of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs.  I want to find out how and when the Government will start assisting these war collaborators ana chimbwido nana mujibha when it comes to their social welfare?  Thank you.

         THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF VETERANS OF THE LIBERATION STRUGGLE AFFAIRS (HON. SEN. MONICA MAVHUNGA):  Thank you Mr. Speaker.  Let me thank the Hon. Member for bringing forward this very pertinent question.  Following the promulgation of the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Act, Chapter 17:12, it became necessary to ascertain the credentials of war collaborators and non-combatant cadres.  As such, a vetting exercise was carried out in 2022 resulting in some 110 635 war collaborators and 10 022 non-combatant cadres being provisionally successfully vetted.

         However, due to limited resources, some 93 363 individuals remained unvetted.  As such, this mid -September, we are to resume the mop up vetting and after that mop up vetting, we are to gazette the names of those vetted previously and the ones who will have been vetted this month.  After gazetting, those who will be found to be successful will be considered for their entitled benefits. I thank you.

HON. MAVUNGA: Thank you Hon. Minister for the detailed response. We know that the exercise started in 2022 and it has been quite some time. Through the whole Government approach, is it possible maybe for your Ministry to consider assisting those that were successful?

THE ACTINGSPEAKER: She cannot hear you, please raise up your voice a bit.

HON. MAVUNGA:  Allow me to bend a little bit. My line of thought was that the exercise was conducted in 2022 for those that have been successfully vetted and they are facing a number of challenges. My question is, is it possible for example, maybe to engage the Ministry of Education to assist some with school fees, engage the Ministry of Agriculture to assist some with food hampers while they are finishing the other processes? Thank you.

HON. SEN. MONICAMA VHUNGA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. Benefits can only be given to a successful candidate, so before gazetting, we cannot ascertain someone to be successful.

HON. S. SAKUPWANYA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. My supplementary question in relation to the war collaborators benefits, as we have seen with war veterans and rightfully so, their children have been afforded education assistance. Is there a Government policy whereby once the war collaborators have been vetted and given some assistance for there to be an educational fund benefit for the children of war collaborators as well considering that during the time of pre-1980, they were busy fighting for the independence of Zimbabwe and some do not have that same benefit. Is that consideration there? Thank you.

   HON. SEN. MONICA MAVHUNGA: Mr. Speaker, maybe because he is tall, his voice was not audible enough.

HON. S. SAKUPWANYA: Let me just simplify, is there a consideration for educational benefit to the children of war collaborators just as is there for the war veterans’ children in terms of education assistance by Government?

HON. SEN. MONICA MAVHUNGA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. The Act says once someone has succeeded in vetting, he is supposed to enjoy statutory benefits.  So, when we talk of veterans of the liberation struggle, we have four categories and that is the veterans, the ex-detainees, non-combatant cadres and war collaborators. Therefore, they would be entitled to their benefits. Thank you.

HON. HADEBE: Thank you very much Hon. Speaker. What assurance do we have from the Government that it will cater for the war collaborators when already failing to cater for the welfare of war veterans?

THE ACTING SPEAKER: What, can you come again?

HON. HADEBE: What assurance do we have from the Government that it would cater for the war collaborators when it is already failing to cater for the war veterans themselves?

THE ACTING SPEAKER: Is that a supplementary question?

THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI): No, it is a new question.

THE ACTING SPEAKER: It is a new question.

*HON. ZEMURA: Thank you Mr. Speaker, I want to add my voice to the contributions that have been made. Most of us war collaborators are dying.  Even after vetting and considering the papers which were corrected in 2022 – my question is, are the beneficiaries of the late collaborators going to benefit? My request is that Hon. Minister, please give us our benefits as war collaborators, those who are in Parliament and those in different portfolios because it has been a long time.  Ministers are coming and going without us being given our benefits coming and changing. I thank you.

* HON. SEN. MONICA MAVHUNGA: Thank you, I want to thank the Hon. Zemura for that supplementary question which is quite pertinent.  Indeed, those who were vetted and have not been confirmed, some are dying but I want to inform this august House that some passed on before even the commencement of the exercise.  Some even went out of the country.  Some have died but I think as a Ministry, we have a way of assisting their beneficiaries, so we are working on that. These are issues that we are discussing in this august House.  I believe that they must not be worried because issues are going to be sorted out. I thank you.

HON.  JIMU: Thank you Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Industry and Commerce. Is there Government policy to cancel copper export permit with a view to curb copper cable theft which have seen vandalisation of ZESA and Tel-One cables? Thank you.

THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI):  Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, I did not quite get the question, may the Hon. Member come again.

*HON. JIMU:  Thank you Hon. Speaker, let me ask in Shona. My question is directed to the Minister of Industry and Commerce. What is Government policy regarding the issuing of permits of those who export copper considering that copper cables are being stolen either from Tel-One or ZESA? I thank you.

  *THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI): Thank you, I got the question, it was quite clear. What the Hon. Member is asking, I believe is a process and this is not happening. We banned the issuing of permits. We also reviewed the fines for perpetrators and those who steal copper will be incarcerated for 30 years. Government will impound cars used to transport copper cables. Last year we passed this law in this august House. So, regarding copper, we do not want to give licences but to tighten screws so that we fight perpetrators who are destroying Government infrastructure. I thank you.

*HON. MAVHUDZI: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.  My question to the Minister is that copper is being stolen and this a perennial problem.  What is the Government doing in order to fight or to eradicate the stealing of copper in different neighbourhoods, especially where there are electricity power stations?  What are the steps being taken so that we catch the thieves?  I thank you.

         THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTRY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI): Thank you Mr Speaker Sir.  As Government, we enact laws with the penalties so that we allow Government law enforcement agencies to apply these laws. They do not work alone, but they work with communities.  The Hon. Member has quite a valid contribution.  We need ideas so that we curb the actions of these copper cable thieves.  As Government, we elected laws which amount to 30 years of a mandatory sentence after researching and this is a deterrent sentence which is the highest level.  We also ask Hon. Members who can come with different ideas, which we will give to our police and different law enforcement agencies so that we protect national assets. I thank you.

         HON. MUSHORIWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. My supplementary question to the Minister is that we note that there is that law to ban the export of copper. Is there any Government policy in terms of making sure that they actually check, or an arm of Government which checks the export of the scrap metals since we have seen that the export of scrap metals is happening because within the exportation of the scrap metal, that is where the copper is being hidden?

         We wanted to find out whether there is any policy because the rampant theft of ZESA cables is actually on an increase and primarily, the check is actually around the export of scrap metals and they are hiding under that cover.

         HON. Z. ZIYAMBI:  I want to thank the Hon Member, Mr Speaker Sir, for the follow up question.  Mr Speaker, the biggest problem that we have are the individuals entrusted to ensure that such traffic does not cross our borders.  In trying to mitigate against this, you will see that we are now on a drive that is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, to modernise our borders so that once we modernise our borders, it will be easier now to track down such traffic.

Like l said before, the biggest problem that we have is us human beings who have been entrusted with the job to ensure that firstly, our infrastructure is kept intact, secondly our borders are safe, but we are now employing technology and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has come up with a massive drive to ensure that we come up with new border posts.  I am aware that we are now going to do Chirundu Border Post. We will also do Forbes Border Post and I think the Minister’s intension is to ensure that we also minimise such occurrences.  I thank you Mr Speaker Sir.

         *HON. S. TSHUMA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.  My question is directed to the Minister of Energy and Power Development. I would like to know the Government policy, through the Ministry, with regards to unleaded petrol fuelled cars following the stopping of the selling of unleaded petrol, but it is to be sold as blend which is mixed with ethanol as there are some vehicles that cannot use blended petrol.  I thank you.

THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTRY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI):  Mr. Speaker, with your leave, I want to defer the question to the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development.  I think he will give a more informed and broader response since vehicles are under his purview.

         THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. MHONA):  Hon. Speaker Sir, yes, following that pronouncement and outcry from the citizenry, what I wanted to do was to allay the fears of the House and the citizenry that we were now having people conniving and purporting to be selling unleaded fuel whilst they were busy blending on their own. As a result, this is jeopardising the engines of those bonafide motorists who were thinking that they were buying unleaded fuel.

         I am sure with the advent of this policy, it therefore gives confidence to the motorists that the moment you start buying unleaded, you would know that this is now a product of the blended and what we now have as the ethanol, given the quantities that are coming though the ethanol versus the blend and for the people of Zimbabwe, now you would be assured that what you are getting is what you are paying for, unlike the current scenario where people were being misrepresented that they were buying unleaded fuel whilst they were buying another product unknown to themselves.  Thank you.            

*HON. S. TSHUMA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.  I heard the Hon. Minister saying sometimes people were being sold unleaded fuel.  Some vehicles cannot even travel for 2km if they use blended petrol.  It stalls.  We understand what the Hon. Minister is saying they are preventing, but since all the fuel is transported to the National Oil Infrastructure Company of Zimbabwe (NOIC), why does NOIC not sell unleaded petrol so that they stop private players from doing that in order to ensure that it is an authentic product since we are saying instead of blending all the fuel, all the fuel that comes through NOIC pays tax?  So I think the country still benefits from that.  I thank you.

         *HON. MHONA: thank you Hon. Speaker as well as Hon. Tshuma for the suggestion.  I believe from the Hon. Member’s suggestion, he meant to stop all the corruption that was taking place.  So, instead of misinforming or misleading this House, we will table that discussion and we will respond accordingly.

         HON. ENG. MHANGWA: I think such pronouncements are bad, they should be backed with scientific evidence to prove that unleaded, if substituted by the blend, we will not have long-term effects on the engine.  Is there a report to the effect that there is no prejudice that motorists would suffer from this change?

         HON. MHONA: Once again, another pertinent follow-up question from Hon. Eng. Mhangwa, which also requires technical guidance in terms of ascertaining the longevity in terms of the engines that we might be having.  So, I may not be in a position to debate in that particular regard. Again, I would also require and kindly request that the Hon. Minister brings that comparison to the august House.

HON. ENG. MHANGWA: What happens in the interim while he is giving a statement?  Engines are damaged, should we have to continue to have the statutory instruments while they are verifying the facts?  

THE ACTING SPEAKER: The Minister did not say he is verifying, but that he is carrying your recommendations or your suggestions to the Ministry of Energy.  So, there is no answer that he has given us.

Let me announce the presence in the House of the Hon. Minister Muswere, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] -

HON. P. ZHOU: Thank you…

THE ACTING SPEAKER: Who shouted the Minister of Propaganda? The Chief Whip, that came from your side, and who said that?

HON. MUSHORIWA:  Let me take ownership, Hon. Speaker. I withdraw that Hon. Muswere is Minister of Propaganda.

HON. P. ZHOU: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker Sir.  My question is directed to the Minister of Local Government and Public Works.  What measures has the Government taken so far to ensure that provincial councils become operational?  I thank you.

THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.  I am pleased to announce that we have now finalised the Provincial and Metropolitan Councils Bill and we are going to make sure we fast-track it, and if necessary, we may use other means to ensure that it becomes operational while the House is deliberating on it. 

I can also assure the House that it has been thoroughly dealt with and it is a very good Bill that should be able to ensure that our Provincial and Metropolitan Councils function efficiently. I thank you.

*HON. MUTSEYAMI: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.  My supplementary question is that I understand that they are finalising the crafting of the Bill by the Minister.  The Bill has been finalised but it should be brought here for scrutiny.  In the past, people were outside. What are they going to do about those people who were outside before the law was operational?

HON. Z. ZIYAMBI: Mr. Speaker Sir, I would like to say we will look into that after first of all operationalising the councils.

HON. MADZIVANYIKA: When do you think that Bill will be brought to Parliament looking at the urgency of this case?

THE ACTING SPEAKER: I heard the Minister saying if it delays, they will make other plans that whilst the provincial councils are operational, we will be scrutinising the Bill.

HON. Z. ZIYAMBI: The Bill is now ready.  The processes that are left are not in the control of the Minister.  So, the Bill is now ready and now awaits gazetting.   

HON. DR. KHUPE: Thank you very much Hon. Speaker Sir.  My question is directed to the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement. What is Government policy in regards to a permanent solution to the water crisis in Bulawayo?  My question is motivated by the fact that since 2023, Government has been rehabilitating part of 22 broken boreholes in Nyamandlovu aquifer as a way of restoring the volume of pumped water to Bulawayo to 16 megalitres per day in the prevailing water shortages.  The aquifer water has dropped to about five against a potential of 26 megalitres per day.  Some of the suburbs had to go for two weeks without water, forcing some to resort on unsafe water sources which increases the risk of water-borne diseases like cholera and diarrhoea.  I thank you.

THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI):  Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I want to thank the Hon. Dr. Khupe for the question which is very important indeed.  We have several projects that we are doing to ensure that we get water in the region.  One of the projects that we are doing is Gwayi-Shangani Dam.  Once that is complete, we will solve the problem of water.  What we have realised is that the current water shortages in Bulawayo is not because of insufficient raw water availability, but we have the water reticulation system that is now outdated.  So, we agreed that going forward, instead of having several projects scattered around the country, let us focus on one particular area and we completely refurbish and move to the other.  In our programming, we are now going to start with Bulawayo because we totally need to remove all the pipes and re-do the water reticulation in order to ensure continuous sustenance of water delivery.

So, that is the programme that is going to happen but it is not a programme that will be completed overnight. However, we have committed ourselves to say let us start with Bulawayo, even before the completion of Gwayi-Shangani and make sure that the water reticulation system is upgraded.

HON. DR. KHUPE:  Thank you very much Hon. Minister.  My supplementary is, why is Government not declaring Bulawayo a water shortage area to allow other stakeholders to come in and mobilise resources in order to deal with the crisis once and for all?

I also thank you for the issue of the Gwayi-Shangani, but I would urge you Ministers to push the Minister of Finance to adequately fund the Gwayi-Shangani project because once that happens, Bulawayo problems will be a thing of the past and there is going to be a green belt such that communities around that area will be able to grow a variety of crops and the issue of poverty and hunger will be a thing of the past.  I thank you.

HON. Z. ZIYAMBI:  Mr. Speaker, we have refrained from declaring a disaster where we feel that there is mismanagement of our local authorities.  So, it is too pronged. We are dealing with the local authority that has not been doing anything.  In fact, the majority of our local authorities including Harare, even their billing system is in shambles.  If there are a local authorities that should not be broke, they are Harare and Bulawayo but for the past 20 or so years, they have not been doing their role as city fathers and mothers.  What we are now doing is to come in and say let us now work on these systems to ensure that we upgrade them because they have failed and Government has come in.  When we feel that we need help after dealing with our local authorities, then we can do that but for now, we do not believe that there is an issue which requires us to declare a national disaster.  I thank you.

HON. ENG. MHANGWA:  Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. World-over, municipalities do not make money.  The commodity that gives money to local authorities is electricity and in our country, electricity has been taken from municipalities to ZESA. Water reticulation at bulk infrastructure level is done through grants. What is Government doing for other smaller municipalities that already have water? They have a source and the source is in abundance, but it is the treatment plants and downstream equipment that are not working.

THE ACTING SPEAKER: Is that not a new question?

HON. ENG. MHANGWA: It is a supplementary question.

THE ACTING SPEAKER: The Minister said the problem is mismanagement.

HON. ENG. MHANGWA: Which I have said it is a misdiagnosis.

HON. Z. ZIYAMBI: Mr. Speaker, you are very correct. The original question was the problem in Bulawayo not the problem in local authorities. I thank you.

HON. KAPOIKILU: Hon. Speaker, it has come to my attention that there is a proposed quick fix solution to this water crisis in Bulawayo. It involves the construction of a pipeline from Mayfair Dam to Mtshabezi Dam at an estimated cost of US$15 million. I was meant to believe that the Mayor of Bulawayo has engaged several ministries as regards to this issue. Can the Minister provide an update on the deliberations that have taken place so far?

THE ACTING SPEAKER: Is that not too specific Hon. Member. Can you make it a written question?

*HON.  MUNEMO: My question is directed to the Minister of Agriculture. We are grateful for the several boreholes that are being drilled in constituencies. What is Government policy with regards to completing work in those rural areas? There are some areas that have not been done, and what is being done to ensure that everyone else or the remaining constituencies get water?

*THE MINISTER OF LANDS, AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, WATER AND RURAL RESETTLEMENT (HON. DR. MASUKA): I would like to thank the Hon. Member for giving a very good background which shows that indeed there are a lot of boreholes being drilled in the rural areas, but his wish is to ensure that we complete that work. We also wish to ensure that the project is completed, so the Ministry of Agriculture wants to continue drilling those boreholes. Funds permitting, work will continue and the Ministry will come and testify in this House to ensure that in every village, there is a borehole and that President Mnangagwa’s policy is met.

         *HON. CHOKURURAMA:  Thank you.  May you please protect me?

         *THE ACTING SPEAKER:  Go ahead Hon. Member.

          *HON. CHOKURURAMA:  I would like to thank the President for giving us excellent Ministers who are working hard for this country.  My question is directed to the Minister of Agriculture.  The year is coming to an end and we are approaching the agricultural season.  What is Government policy of ensuring that seed is transported to the farmers so that they start working timeously according to the season? 

         *THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI):  I would like to thank the Hon. Member for the question.  The question is very good because that shows that the people he represents are very eager to start working on their fields, especially after getting the news that the focus of this season will be very positive so they want to start working on time.  So, my assurance is that Government preparations are at an advanced stage but the contractors that we work with are the ones that were distributing grain to avert starvation.  Very soon, they will be going back distributing presidential seed.  Indeed, we expect a bumper harvest this year and we expect everything to go on well. 

         Questions Without Notice were interrupted by THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. MAUNGANIDZE) in terms of Standing Order No. 68.

         *HON. CHOKURURAMA:  I want to thank… - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] -

         HON. MUSHORIWA:  I move for the extension of time for Questions Without Notice for about 10 to 15 minutes. 

         HON. TOGAREPI: I second.

         Motion put and agreed to.

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Ten minutes have been granted.

         *HON. CHOKURURAMA:  Mine is not a question but I want to thank the Hon. Minister.  This is what I want - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – I want to thank the Minister for responding in a satisfactory manner.

         HON. MUTANDI:  My question is directed to the Minister of Health.  What is Government doing to prevent the continual spread of HIV considering the high prevalence of HIV infections, especially among young women?

         THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI): On the contrary Madam Speaker, the opposite is the truth.  Our Government has done tremendously well in terms of controlling HIV/AIDS.  New recent infections are actually lower.  Not only that, the Government has come up with a programme to ensure that there is free access to anti-retroviral.  So, Government in terms of HIV/AIDS, has done a lot.  In fact, across Africa, Zimbabwe is commended for coming up with an AIDS levy and we have robust programmes to ensure that we mitigate against it.  All our antenatal mothers are screened for HIV.  We have several programmes under the Ministry of Health to mitigate against the spread of the virus.

         HON. MUTANDI:  South Africa has recently registered and rolled out a new HIV prevention injection which I believe is a good move to protect the young ones from getting infected with HIV.  Is the Ministry of Health considering this?

         HON. Z. ZIYAMBI: I want to thank the Hon. Member for that.  Madam Speaker, within the market, we have pre and post exposure medication that can mitigate against the transmission of HIV but as a policy intervention, as a Government, we have not yet had a conversation whereby we do exactly like what South Africa is doing because to the contrary, I believe that – which is my own opinion that once we do that, we are encouraging people to be promiscuous.  I think we would rather continue with our HIV/AIDS prevention programmes which have been very effective rather than giving medication that will encourage people to be promiscuous under the guise that I am protected.  I thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am.

         HON. BAJILA:   Thank you so much Madam Speaker. Hon. Minister, thank you for the responses which have been based on some of the prevention methods that are there. One of the prevention methods Hon. Minister, is the use of condoms and we are aware that internationally, those who have been helping us to get free and low-cost condoms said they are ending those programmes. How far has Government gone with respect to local manufacturing of condoms? 

         HON. Z. ZIYAMBI:  Thank you Madam Speaker.  This is very specific and it would require both the Minister of Health and Child Care and the Minister of Industry and Commerce because this is a question of injecting resources into coming up with a plant and you cannot have a policy where you force investors. We have a policy where we encourage investors, that is why I said it is specific.  We have an open policy that we want investors.  It now depends on several issues which the technicalities which the Ministry of Industry and Commerce together with the users, the Ministry of Health and Child Care might want to negotiate, but it is a good idea if we can have our own manufacturing plants, be it pharmaceuticals for the manufacture of condoms or anything, that is the thrust that we have, having to say that let us manufacture our own things. 

In fact, if you listened to His Excellency’s mantra that, “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo”, we do not build our nation by buying from others. If they stop manufacturing and supplying and say they are no longer willing to supply us, we are in trouble.  I want to thank the Hon. Member; it is a very good initiative and I believe that the question needs a follow up and you should put it in writing for both the Minister of Industry and Commerce and the Minister of Health so that it can be interrogated further. I thank you.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Bajila, can you put your question in writing so that you get a detailed response?

HON. DR. KHUPE:  Thank you very much Madam Speaker Ma’am, it is very commendable that at least there is a lot of progress in terms of HIV prevalence in Zimbabwe.  We are also alive to the fact that even the mother to child transmission has dropped.

My only problem is that there are people who are on ARVs and they do not have food. So, they end up taking those ARVs on an empty stomach, which will do more harm than good.  What is Government policy in regards to at least giving food packages to those who do not have food – who are on ARVs so that at least their lives are prolonged?  I thank you.

HON. Z. ZIYAMBI:  Thank you Madam Speaker.  This becomes again a very good and specific issue for the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare and Ministry of Health and Child Care together because the Ministry of Health and Child Care is the one that has individuals who are HIV positive and on ARVs.  Our Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare is charged with ensuring that the social needs of those indigents who cannot afford are catered for. 

I am not very sure whether the Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare is aware of such a programme where our indigents on ARVs are getting some food packages. Perhaps, with your leave Madam Speaker, if she has such a programme, she can explain. I think it is a question that needs the relevant Ministry to interrogate and see how our indigent people who are on ARVs can be assisted.  I thank you.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Hon. Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, would you want to respond?

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND SOCIAL WELFARE (HON. DINHA):  Thank you Madam Speaker, we do not have such a programme where we give HIV patients food hand-outs.  I think they would fit on the vulnerable like those who are sick because we prioritise the child headed families, the elderly and those who are sick.  I think they will fit in those categories.  Thank you.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Thank you.  Hon. Khupe, can you put your question in writing?

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

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE

PLANS TO REFURBISH CHISHOSHE PRIMARY SCHOOL IN MHONDORO

  1. 20. MUROMBEDZI asked the Minister of Primary

and Secondary Education, Government plans regarding the refurbishment of Chishoshe Primary School in Mhondoro, including the provision of staff accommodation and electrification to the school.

      THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND

SECONDARY EDUCATION (HON. T. MOYO):  Thank you very much Hon. Murombedzi for raising the issue about the refurbishment of Chishoshe School in Mhondoro, of the provision of staff accommodation and electrification of the school.  By ‘refurbishment’, I hope you refer to the repairing of existing school infrastructure such as classrooms and staff accommodation as well as the construction of new ones.

         Every year, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE); through the division called Strategic Policy Planning Research and Statistics (SPPRS), identifies and prioritises schools which need urgent repairs, rebuilding or construction from scratch; basing on the needs of the local community, population trends and learner statistics.  Treasury, through the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP), then allocates funds for the identified list of schools needing immediate attention.

         Chishoshe School is one such school that can be considered as needing attention.  As such, the ministry considers Chishoshe for PSIP. We also encourage school authorities to make initiatives of raising funds through responsible authorities of School Development Communities in order to compliment Government efforts.

         On the second issue of school electrification programmes, the ministry works with responsible authorities such as the Zimbabwe Power Distribution Company. School administration and local authorities have to apply to the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority; which makes feasibility research on existing infrastructure and distance to power lines before approving installations.  We also encourage school administration and local authorities to make their initiatives towards the installation of solar facilities in line with Government’s policies for green energy.

STATISTICS OF FEMALE STUDENTS WHO DROPPED OUT OF SCHOOL DUE TO PREGNANCIES

  1. HON. MUROMBEDZI asked the Minister of

Primary and Secondary Education to provide statistics regarding the number of female students who dropped out of school due to pregnancies from January 2023 to date and to disaggregate them according to type of schools, grade level and regions.

THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND

SECONDARY EDUCATION (HON. T. MOYO):  Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am.  Thank you Hon. Murombedzi for the question.  The Ministry collects and collates such data on an annual basis and is recorded in our Education Management Information System (EMIS) report shared with all stakeholders.  Therefore, for the year ending December, 2023, 4557 girls dropped out of school due to pregnancy, the majority of these (3 942) being from rural schools.  There were 134 girls who dropped out of primary school as a result of pregnancy, meaning that the majority of drop-outs were recorded in secondary schools. 

         The table below highlights the statistics as captured in the EMIS report for 2023.  The data is disaggregated by type of school (primary and secondary), regions (provinces), and urban/rural distribution.  It is important to note that the Ministry has instituted several measures to curb this problem, one of which is the introduction of Guidance and Counselling in schools.  Through the Education Act, the Ministry has also ensured that the legal provisions are there to enable girls who fall pregnant to continue with their education.

 

Rural

Rural

Rural

Rural

Rural

Rural

Urban

Urban

Urban

Urban

Urban

 

 

Primary

Secondary

Primary

Secondary

Province

M

F

Total

M

F

Total

F

Total

M

F

Total

Bulawayo

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

2

 

62

62

Harare

 

 

 

 

1

1

3

3

1

153

154

Manicaland

 

28

28

3

512

515

1

1

 

47

47

Mashonaland Central

 

34

34

2

557

559

3

3

 

31

31

Mashonaland East

 

11

11

6

565

571

1

1

 

37

37

 

Mashonaland West

1

13

14

2

558

560

3

3

 

124

124

Masvingo

14

13

27

7

411

418

1

1

 

41

41

Matebeleland North

1

8

9

8

373

381

 

 

 

12

12

Matebeleland South

 

7

7

2

371

373

 

 

 

13

13

Midlands

1

6

7

2

474

476

 

 

 

81

81

Grand Total

 

17

 

120

 

137

 

32

 

3822

 

3854

 

14

 

14

 

1

 

601

 

602

 

Summary

 

Primary

Secondary

Total

Rural

120

3822

3942

Urban

14

601

615

Grand Total

134

4423

4557

         HON. MUROMBEDZI: Thank you very much Hon. Minister for that response, I would like to find out while we acknowledge the efforts being made by the Ministry, the high drop out of school girls remains alarming.  Could the Hon. Minister advise this House if there are any plans to provide free vocational training for these girls, particularly in rural areas to equip them with schools that can help them support themselves and their families.

         THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (HON. T. MOYO): Madam Speaker, it is our mandate as Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, to provide technical and vocational skills to our learners according to the Heritage-Based curriculum.  We have two routes, the first route is that of students having to acquire technical skills whilst they are in form one, two and even for those that drop out there is a provision for that under non-formal education.

         According the Education Amendment Act of 2020, we do not encourage girls to drop out for reasons that they are pregnant, we encourage them to continue according to the Act. According to the law, they are allowed to be on maternity leave for a period of 2 weeks. After giving a normal birth, the girl is allowed back to the school and that is according to the Constitution. So, we encourage those technical and vocational skills to be equipped to all the students regardless of whether one has dropped out or not.  I thank you.

         HON. SHIRICHENA: My follow up question is with regards to second chance education policy. We note the alarming figures of our school drop outs.  How effective has been this policy in terms of integrating the affected leaners back into school and also considering their issues around stigma?  Is there any psycho-social support provided by the schools?  I thank you.

HON. T. MOYO: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to thank the Hon. Member for the question. We have a whole department in charge of learner welfare and learner services led by a Chief Director at head officer.  On the issue of stigma, we have done a lot of conscientisation and also, we have done a lot of dissemination of information in encouraging all the girls who fall pregnant.  It is now their right to education, so they are supposed to go back to school. I do not think we have any challenges on students who have not been - perhaps we have received a lot of criticism from their peers for going back to school.  So, precisely, quite a number of students have been accepted back and have gone back to school. 

We also have the support of our partners CAMFED where students who have dropped out if they have any challenges in terms of resource mobilisation, CAMFED provides scholarships for girls. Last December, we had a launch of US$48.8 million and of that amount from Global Partners in Education, US$80 million has been allocated to CAMFED to provide funding for such girls and that has been impacted. 

We carry out some fairs with our partners where we saw certain provinces backed all the provinces to encourage girls who might have dropped out to go back to school.  I thank you.

HON. PRISCILLA MOYO: I want to thank the Hon. Minister for those statistics.  We have heard in all this; children are the ones that are suffering because of these pregnancies.  What happens to the perpetrators, especially if they are known at the schools?  I thank you.

HON. T. MOYO: I want to thank Hon. P. Moyo, assuming the perpetrators are known and they are adults, the law will take its course.  If there are circumstances whereby an elder or an adult male has had some relations with a girl and she becomes pregnancy, if that girl is under the age of 18, the law will be applied. 

BREACH OF STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 87 OF 1992 BY COUNCIL SCHOOLS IN MBIZO CONSTITUENCY

  1. HON. MADZIVANYIKA asked the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education whether he is aware that Government and council schools in Mbizo Constituency breached Statutory Instruments 87 of 1992 by establishing School Development Committees without calling for annual general meeting elections. If so, what measures are in place to rectify the situation to ensure compliance with the law schools?

         THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (HON. T. MOYO):  It is mandatory that school authorities should run schools with the assistance of the School Development Committee members who are elected by the parent board. Statutory Instrument 87 of 1992 among other things, clearly spells out that each school shall elect a School Development Committee (SDC), a subcommittee of the responsible authority of that school whose major function would be to source for resources to develop its school and improve the welfare of the students and the teachers at the school.

         These committee members should be elected at the annual general meeting attended by parents.  That is the practice that all our schools should abide by because it is a statutory requirement. Ordinarily, we expect all schools to have such committees in place at the beginning of every year. The Ministry will carry out an investigation to establish whether there are any Government schools that are operating without School Development Committees.

         If the Hon. Member has names of any particular schools, we would be glad to share so that we expedite the process.  However, where the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education will establish that school authorities operate in violation of the Statutory Instrument, appropriate action will be taken. I submit Madam Speaker.

         HON. MADZIVANYIKA:  I want to thank the Hon Minister for the response. However, my question was very clear that all Mbizo schools are operating with unconstitutionally elected SDCs and I wish to get assistance from the Minister because the executive authorities at schools are actually crying out for help because these people’s mandate is to help source resources for development of schools, but now these people are now hindering in the day to day executive function of the school.  So all schools in Mbizo are improperly constituted in terms of the SDCs against Statutory Instrument 87 of 1992.  Your people from Mbizo Constituency need your help Hon Minister.

HON. T. MOYO:  Hon. Speaker, may I thank the Hon. Member, Hon. Madzivanyika for the question.  My response to his question is that those schools are not operating within the confines of the law.  There is need for stakeholders, parents, you as a Member of Parliament, to advise them to approach the regulator, which is the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education then corrective measures will be taken. 

May I appraise Members of Parliament that we are expecting a new Statutory Instrument on the operations of School Development Committees or school development authorities.  We were expecting that the Statutory Instrument would be out last term but because the Attorney General’s Office is overwhelmed, we hope in the third term we will get that.  It tries to deal precisely with those cases where committees would operate maybe without proper channels being followed.  Where elections are not held, somebody remains as Chairperson of an SDC for two or three years or a chairperson of a committee and yet that person does not even have a child at that particular school.  So that is the mischief we want to correct through the new Statutory Instrument we have crafted.  I hope through that we should be able to address your challenges but for now, we encourage those schools, parents to formally complain to the DSIs, PD or even write to Head Office to the Minister, then we can take corrective measures.  I thank you.  

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

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  What is your point of order?

HON. MADZIVANYIKA:  Thank you Madam Speaker.  The people of Mbizo have elected their Member of Parliament to represent their interests and they have encountered problems with regards to the operations of schools and intervention of SDCs that are not properly constituted.  They reported the matter to the Hon. Member of Parliament who is their conduit for their problems.  So when I bring these matters to the Minister, I do not expect the Minister to say let those people go and report to the departmental DSIs.  No, I am reporting at the highest level and this is why I am here as a legislator Madam Speaker.  I expect the Minister to assist the situation.

HON. TOGAREPI:  Point of order Madam Speaker.  The Hon. Member must not give instructions to Ministers.  He has to ask questions and get answers from Ministers.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Order Hon. Madzivanyika.  The Minister is right.  You cannot give instructions to the Minister.  He has given you a response to the question that you put it in writing. 

HON. MADZIVANYIKA:  Why are we asking questions Madam Speaker?

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Order!  Can you sit down. Hon. Madzivanyika, he has given you a response.

HON. MADZIVANYIKA:  Madam Speaker, no, please.  In the interest of justice…

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  If you had answers, why did you bring the issue to Parliament?  He has given you the answer.  Can you please sit down so that we proceed. 

HON. MADZIVANYIKA:  Madam Speaker…

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Order Hon. Madzivanyika!

HON. TSITSI ZHOU:  On a point of order.  Thank you Madam Speaker.  It is very important for the Hon. Member to note that the Government ministries and the schools do not write to Hon. Members.  The Hon. Minister has already responded and the response was adequate.  I thank you.

HON. MADZIVANYIKA:  Madam Speaker, please just allow me for the last minute.  When we come to Parliament…

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Order Hon. Madzivanyika! – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.] –  Order!  The Minister has responded.  Can we please proceed.  Order! 

MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION OF SCHOOLS IN ZVIMBA SOUTH

  1. HON. MALINGANISO asked the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education to apprise the House on feeding programmes in schools and also to state the measures that have been put in place to improve the situation, particularly in the following schools in Zvimba South:—
  • Urundi Primary, Niddyvalley Primary, Beatrice Kushinga, Oxford Primary, Clysadale Primary, Annandale Primary, and Strathdon Secondary all in Ward 33; and
  • Trelawney Primary Ward 34, Sutton Primary Ward 32, Kingwood Primary Ward 20, Audrey End Primary Ward 21, Woodraw Primary Ward 19, Hydock Primary Ward 22, and Kutama Primary Ward

         THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (HON. T. MOYO): Thank you very much Hon. Malinganiso for raising the important issue of the school feeding programme in various schools within your constituency. Indeed, the Government has made steps towards addressing the food deficit caused by the El Nino-induced drought by introducing the Emergency School Feeding Programme for the duration of the drought which will run together with the existing long-term school feeding programme.

         Under the Emergency School Feeding Programme, Government has put in place a response plan through which the Civil Protection directorate and the Ministry of Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare are organising the logistics to ensure that the school feeding component of the Food Deficit Mitigation Programme moves well.

           In response to the specified schools in your respective constituency, the Government of Zimbabwe has allocated a national total tonnage of mealie meal for the Emergency School Feeding Programme.  The total tonnage of mealie meal has been proportionally allocated according to the rural and urban school enrolment statistics. 

         Using this equitable distribution formula, each Provincial Education Director, and the District Schools Inspectors, DSI, are part of the distribution mechanisms through which schools are being held and chaired by the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare to track the movement of food including the collection and delivery of mealie grains to prioritise schools to ensure that schools are ready to provide meals.

         Madam Speaker, as I am responding to the question, some schools have already received mealie meal.  Specific allocations for the schools which you have mentioned are being mobilised from the province and an update will be provided as soon as they have been confirmed.

         In addition to the distribution of mealie meal, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is mobilising its structures to work through the auspices of the Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution on local resource mobilisation initiatives to guarantee that there is adequate protein, vitamins, and fats to ensure that the food that the Government has distributed is complimented so that learners receive one hot meal a day. 

         Members of Parliament are therefore encouraged to also consider supporting programmes in their local constituencies because relish is scarce and in demand. Help is also needed to ensure that food handlers are trained and that the food given to learners is nutritious and meets hygienic standards. 

         Over and above the mentioned administrative provisions, Treasury has released US$15 million dollars towards school feeding programmes.  So, it is this US$15 million that will be used to procure relish like vegetables, kapenta, beans, et cetera.  This amount has been proportionately distributed to the 10 provinces to ensure the procurement of non-carbohydrate food requirements to complement the mealie meal that is being distributed through the Food Deficit Mitigation Programme.

         At present, Provincial Education Directors are working on modalities to procure items such as beans, dried kapenta, cooking oil and vegetables.  Please be advised that the Government, through the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, began the school feeding programme in 2015 as part of its concern for children’s welfare health, and well-being.  It is coordinated by the Department of Learner Welfare Special Needs and Psychological Services which is led by the Chief Director at the Head Office and coordinated through districts and schools scattered all over the country.

         The Government has tasked the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) with the duty to avail mealie meal to schools through their local depot.  Schools then liaise with the Schools Development Committee to prepare and provide meals to the learners.  This programme is implemented at all schools, especially those in remote rural areas and disadvantaged communities.

         School authorities should liaise with their districts and the local GMBs to implement school feeding programmes.  As a Ministry, we also encourage local authorities to make their initiatives to complement Government efforts in feeding learners.  This will guarantee that we do not only provide teaching and learning services but also cater for the health, nutrition and welfare of our learners.  I submit. 

 PLANS TO RECEIVE LARGE NUMBERS OF ZIMBABWEANS RETURNING FROM SOUTH AFRICA

  1. HON. MUROMBEDZI asked the Minister of Public Service and Social Welfare to apprise the House on the plans that are in place to receive large numbers of returning Zimbabweans facing deportation from South Africa.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND SOCIAL WELFARE (HON. DINHA):  I also want to thank Hon. Murombedzi for the question.  The Government of Zimbabwe, working with International Organisation for Migration, laid a foundation for the receipt of migrants in anticipation of the return of Zimbabwe exemption permit holders from South Africa.  In that regard, there are inter-ministerial committees in place that will be activated to attend to any anticipated return of citizens.

My Ministry is finalising the renovations of the Beitbridge and Plumtree reception in support centres respectively, where returnees will be admitted and then reintegrated back into the communities where they came from.  Our capability is to handle any number of our returning citizens cannot be doubted as evidence by our acquittal during the Covid-19 pandemic where hundreds of thousands of returning citizens were successfully received and reintegrated back into the country. I submit Madam Speaker.

HON. MUROMBEDZI:  My supplementary question is, are there any plans for the returnees to be put on the food list, having seen that we are in a drought situation and they will not be having starter packs?  Is there any plan for the Government to provide starter packs for these returning residents that we are going to be anticipating?

HON. DINHA:  Thank you Hon. Member for the supplementary question. After receiving the returnees and then reintegrating them into their communities as it is time for the distribution of grains because there is drought, I think they would be considered into that programme since they will be coming home and they will be vulnerable. Thank you.

RESURFACING OF THE NKETA DRIVE TO BULAWAYO-PLUMTREE ROAD

  1. HON. A. T. MAVUNGA asked the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development to inform the House when the road from Nketa drive to the Bulawayo-Plumtree Road will be resurfaced, considering that the Bulawayo City Council has over the years failed to attend to this road.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. SACCO):  Thank you Madam Speaker and I would like to thank Hon. Mavunga.  It is true that the road in question falls under the purview of Bulawayo City Council and we acknowledge that this road is in need of rehabilitation.  Therefore, plans are in place to perform localised reconstruction in the next quarter.  However, in the interim, pothole patching will be carried out as a short-term relief for motorists.

My Ministry remains committed in ensuring an efficient road network in Zimbabwe under His Excellency, Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa’s mantra that Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo.  So, I would like to assure Hon. Mavunga that we will look into this matter and do interim pothole patching whilst we work on reconstruction in the future.  I so submit.

REASONS FOR LACK OF TRANSMITTERS FOR THE BASE STATION AT BLANKET MINE IN GWANDA NORTH

         THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY, POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES (HON. PHUTI):  With your indulgence Hon. Speaker and that of Chief Whip, I had come prepared to respond to question No. 52.

  1. HON. DESIRE NKALA asked the Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services to explain to the House why the base station located at Blanket Mine in Gwanda North has not been equipped with transmitters after almost a year of construction.

         THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY, POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES (HON. PHUTI):  Thank you Madam Speaker for your permission to proceed with the question.  The tower in question does not belong to Net One Cellular Private Ltd, but rather to Econet.  Net One however, has plans to use the same infrastructure under the infrastructure serving model for policy.  Equipment is being manufactured under the Mobile Broadband Phase 3 that was launched in 2022 by His Excellency, Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa in 2022 and Econet does not have a tower at Blanket Mine.  They are now working on installing grid power supply for the site together with ZESA and power will be available mid-September. 

Once power is sorted, we will have on air live by 30 October, 2024.  I invite the Hon. Member to keep in contact so that you are kept up to date on that task.  I would like therefore to conclude that it is important to know that operators have plans to connect most of the underserved and unserved places nationwide but the impeding factor has been funding limitations. I submit.

HON. NKALA:   The Minister has highlighted that they are working on plans to improve the network in the unserved areas.  We are seemingly seeing that site is taking too long rather and so many areas have remained behind in terms of communication.  So, what are they doing to address this challenge as we are facing it right now?

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY, POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES (HON. PHUTI):  It is not a case of de-individuation on my part, but I want to correct that the process may not be as slow as alluded to by the Hon. Member.  I am not hesitant to share with this august House that His Excellency the President, will be launching under my Ministry more than 24 base stations that have been done after a number of others that we launched last term.

Where operators are not able to access for reasons related to business, it is the responsibility of Government through the Universal Services Fund, administered through the regulatory authority of the postal and ICT sector which is POTRAZ, whose fund is meant to target underserved areas and unserved areas for the same purpose of fulfilling the integral issue of access. 

I am very proud to report to this august House that places that are in the peripherals of the country and those that are not accessed by mere reasons that operators may not go there because there is not much in terms of business sense.  We have a lot of programmes that we have done there by way of deploying this kind of infrastructure and one such case in question that can be alluded to by my colleague here Hon. Nguluvhe, is a place called Chikwalakwala.  Another is a place in the peripheries between Beitbridge and Gwanda into South Africa called Shashi.  A lot of others in Mashonaland Central and in Manicaland have been deployed as such.  I invite the Hon. Member to keep following so that probably he bears witness to those base stations when they are launched before the end of this last quarter.

WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE

MEASURES TO PREVENT AND MITIGATE EARLY CHILD MARRIAGES AND TEENAGE PREGNANCIES

  1. HON. LOVEJOY SIBANDA asked the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to inform the House on the measures taken by Government to prevent and mitigate early child marriages and teenage pregnancies in the country.

         THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION: (HON. T. MOYO):  Following the alignment of the Education Act to the Constitution in 2020, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education immediately took measures to implement the child safeguarding provisions in the Act.  Some of the issues that the Ministry is attending to are early child marriages and teenage pregnancies, which are on their own related to the health-related matters. Alongside the Education Act, the Ministry crafted the Zimbabwe School Health Policy in 2008.  The policy is about the health-related needs of pupils, and school girl pregnancy is a health issue which affects the physical health and mental health of people and therefore requiring the combined efforts of several ministries for holistic approach or whole Government approach.

         Through the whole Government approach, cases of children that fall pregnant receive holistic support package, not only from the education sector, but also health personnel, social welfare, the police, women affairs, youth and other stakeholders at local levels.  The major intervention that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has put in place for sustained response to the needs of school children who may fall pregnant is the establishment of school-based child committees which are linked up to other ministries.  Over and above, the Ministry in conjunction with other stakeholders rolled community services fairs as a campaign programme to ensure that girls who fall pregnant are afforded an opportunity to go back to school. These fairs, which started in 2020, are underway in our districts.

POSITION REGARDING CONSTRUCTION OF CLASSROOM BLOCKS AND PROVISION OF FURNITURE AT MBIZO, MANUNURE HIGH SCHOOL, CHANA, DAMBUDZO, CHANA B AND EMTHONJENI PRIMARY SCHOOLS

  1. HON. MADZIVANYIKA asked the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education to state the Ministry’s position vis-a-vis the construction of classroom blocks and provision of furniture at Mbizo and Manunure High Schools and also Chana, Dambudzo, Chana B, Emthonjeni Primary Schools where there is acute shortage in learning facilities and students have to learn while sitting under trees.

THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (HON. T. MOYO):  The construction of schools or classroom blocks is a joint activity where both the Government and the parent board have a part to play.  The central Government, through Treasury, avails resources to construct schools and in some instances, to renovate existing classroom blocks.  As you have pointed out Hon. Madzivanyika, Mbizo, Manunure, Chana, Dambudzo, Chana B and Emthonjeni schools are some of the existing schools in Zimbabwe.  These require additional blocks to augment the existing ones because of the rise in enrolment patterns.  Admittedly, this is the trend in the majority of our urban schools.  The Ministry will therefore attend to these schools as we mobilise resources through our Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP).  However, as the Ministry, we have so many schools that are in the category that Hon. Madzivanyika has made reference to.  This therefore means that we have many competing priorities within the sector.

As an alternative to our PSIP, the Government has also authorised schools to collect building levies so that schools can attend to their infrastructural development needs.  Where there is need for additional classroom blocks, schools are therefore urged to take advantage of this levy to augment Government efforts in providing the necessary school infrastructure.  However, the Ministry will continue to mobilise resources to ensure that learners have adequate, age appropriate and decent learning spaces.

MEASURES TO ADDRESS SHORTAGE OF TEXTBOOKS IN SCHOOLS IN MBIZO

  1. HON. MADZIVANYIKA asked the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education what measures the Ministry is taking to address the shortage of textbooks in schools, particularly Chana B Primary School in Mbizo where there are serious shortages of textbooks for learners.

THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (HON. T. MOYO):  The issue of textbooks is at the centre of the Ministry’s priorities.  Textbooks are prerequisite in teaching and learning.  As a Ministry, we have put in place mechanisms for our pupils to have teaching and learning materials at school level.

Basically, there are three ways put in place by the Ministry to improve the availability of textbooks in both primary and secondary schools.  The first one is through fiscus whereby Treasury allocates funds for the purchase of textbooks.  The Ministry has been getting this funding from the Treasury for some years now and we were able to purchase textbooks for some of the needy schools, especially what we call P3 and S3 schools.  These are some of the disadvantaged schools in Zimbabwe.  Chana B Primary School in Mbizo is one such school which, subject to availability of resources, can benefit from the purchase of textbooks by the central Government.

Schools without the necessary textbooks can acquire them through what we call textbook levy, where school authorities apply for a special levy to the Ministry for the sole purchase of textbooks.  Applications are done through local district education offices.  Once approval has been made, schools can purchase the textbooks.  As such, we encourage schools to also take initiatives by applying for textbook levies.  The Ministry approves such levies after considering the economic situation and parents’ ability to meet the costs.

We have over the years acquired textbooks through our Development Partners who often partner with the Ministry in sourcing textbooks for schools.  Our parents in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education often release funds to purchase textbooks which are distributed to schools.  Priority is again given to needy schools.

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

MOTION

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

         HON. TOGAREPI:  Madam Speaker, we have the response from the Minister of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs who would want to respond to the debate on the Petition from Children of War Veterans - Order of the Day Number 2.   I therefore, move that we stand over Order of the Day, Number 1 on today’s Order Paper until Order of the Day, Number 2 has been disposed of. 

         HON. BAJILA:  I second.

Motion put and agreed to.

MOTION

REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE, HOME AFFAIRS, SECURITY AND WAR VETERANS AFFAIRS ON THE PETITION FROM THE CHILDREN OF WAR VETERANS AND HEROES DEPENDENTS FORUM.

Second Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Petition from the Children of War Veterans and Heroes’ Dependents Forum on the Economic Empowerment for War Veterans and their dependents.

Question again proposed.

THE MINISTER OF VETERANS OF THE LIBERATION STRUGGLE AFFAIRS (HON. SEN. MONICA MAVHUNGA): I stand to respond to Parliament on the debate of the report of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs, Security Services and Veterans of the Liberation Affairs’ findings on the petition by the children of war veterans. 

         Madam Speaker, allow me to thank all the Hon. Members for the insightful contributions on the issues that were raised by children of war veterans.  The contributions clearly demonstrate the importance that this august House attaches to the welfare and empowerment of our veterans of the liberation struggle and their dependents.  For nearly three decades now, Government has been providing a range of benefits to our veterans and is committed to improving them from time to time.  Nonetheless, there still remains room for enhancement and engagements such as these to help shape the nature and scope of the improvement.

         I wish to take this opportunity to thank His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa, for re-establishing the Ministry of the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs.  This shows his commitment towards social protection and economic empowerment of the veterans.

         In his speech at the 2024 National Heroes Day Commemoration, he did mention the vital need for our Ministry to increase its visibility and raise more awareness of veterans’ programmes, inclusive of the benefits accruing to them as well as their dependents.  It is with this in mind that I am glad to stand before you as I respond to the issues that were raised by my fellow Hon. Members on the petition raised by children of war veterans.

Education Assistance

Mr. Speaker Sir, the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs, Security Services and Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs found out that there are inconsistencies in the legislation in that on one hand, the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Act [Chapter 17:12] provides for assistance for higher and tertiary education to heroes’ dependents while such benefit can only be enjoyed when the dependents commence studies below eighteen years.

In the majority of cases, students enroll for higher and tertiary education when they are over eighteen years, thereby failing to access support under this Act.  As rightfully pointed out by Hon. T. Pinduka, there is need to amend this Act and its attendant regulations so that it considers children of war veterans who have attained the age of eighteen years to enable them to access further education opportunities. 

Further, the current legislation provides that students who are sponsored should have commenced their studies whilst below the age of 18 years and should not have taken a break for more than one continuous year after completing their secondary education.  The assumption at the time of promulgating this legislation was that students enroll at colleges and universities immediately after completing their primary and secondary education which they commence whilst below the age of 18.  Although this is the case with the majority of the students, there are practical challenges as observed by Hon. Mhlanga, in that some students spend more than one year after completing their secondary education before they are accepted at colleges and universities.

In addition, there are also challenges when for some reason, veterans elect to pay for their children whilst attending primary and secondary education, but wish to be assisted when they enrol at colleges and universities by which time they will be above 18 years of age.

         Madam Speaker, fellow Parliamentarians, whilst Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Board, which is empowered to make decisions on statutory benefits has already increased the age ceiling to 30 years, the Ministry has commenced the process of amending the existing statutory instrument to remove the age ceiling in line with the Committee’s observations and recommendations. – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.]-

         The amendment will provide for students to be sponsored up to doctorate level if they so wish.  As suggested by Hon. J. Tshuma, the amendment will also stipulate that veterans’ children will not be kicked out of school for non-payment of fees.  Indeed, as Hon. Butau indicated, the welfare of our children is an obligation. 

Madam Speaker, the second recommendation by the Committee is that the Ministry should ensure timeous payment of school fees.  However, the major challenge is that of funding which results in delays from time to time. Notwithstanding, the Ministry is currently paying school fees for 6 395 students of which 1 401 are in colleges and universities.  We are currently in the process of clearing school fees arrears for the first term of 2024 following the recent release of funds from Treasury.

The third recommendation is that the Ministry should engage tertiary institutions to allow continuous learning while payment is being processed.  Madam Speaker, fellow Members of Parliament, the Ministry enjoys a lot of support from the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development in this regard as well as tertiary institutions themselves. The same applies to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. As things stand, we recently cleared arrears for the third term of 2023 and are in the process of clearing arrears of the first term of 2024, but students are learning.

In our interaction with tertiary institutions, we also came to understand the financial challenges that they face and have worked out payment arrangements.  However, this should not make us relax because just being chased away for non-payment of fees is in itself demoralising, embarrassing and creates a gap for the institution’s administration. 

We appreciate calls by Hon. T. Pinduka and Hon. A. T. Mavunga, for the august House to fully support the funding of the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Fund and to advocate for enough budget allocations for my Ministry in order for war veterans to get their benefits as prescribed by Section 49 of the Constitution.   I wish to thank this august House for the support it has always given to the Ministry’s budget as far as benefits for veterans and their dependents are concerned.  I also wish to thank the Government through the Ministry of Finance, Investment Promotion and Economic Development for their support, given the continued imposition of illegal economic sanctions on our country.

         Respect, Honour and Recognition for our Veterans

         Madam Speaker Ma’am, fellow Parliamentarians, the significance attached to respecting and honouring our veterans for their immense contributions to the liberation of our country cannot be overstated.  As observed by Hon. Kaitano, Hon. Mudzingwa, Hon. Maphosa and Hon. Matsunga, their sacrifices, the blood of those who perished and the efforts of those who survived are the foundation upon which our freedom is built.  This august House has discussed this matter before, yet it remains imperative to reiterate that veterans deserve our utmost respect.

         Hon. Murwira, Hon. Karenyi and Hon. Nkala rightfully observed that despite the pivotal role played by veterans in securing our independence, they are often overlooked at national events.  These occasions should serve as platforms to celebrate our heroes and heroines.  In recognition of this, my Ministry is actively collaborating with other relevant ministries to ensure that veterans receive the honour they deserve at such events, as it is the norm the world-over.  We have however, demonstrated our sincere commitment as exemplified by the prominence given to veterans during the 2024 Independence Day celebrations, and we are committed to continuing these efforts as demonstrated during the Heroes and Defence Forces Day celebrations.

         The Committee also recommended the issuance of medals and new identity cards.  The process of issuing medals has been on-going, and we are committed to continuing this process in the coming years.  We appreciate His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa, for conferring 2 000 medals across all categories of the veterans of the liberation struggle during the National Heroes celebrations.  While there is a significant backlog and substantial financial resources required to mint these medals, we are actively seeking solutions.  Similarly, new identity cards will be issued shortly.

         To further enhance the visibility and respect of our veterans in public spaces such as transport, banking halls and hospitals as pointed out by Hon. Mutokonyi, my Ministry is working on the introduction of appropriate identification and is consulting widely on its nature.  We believe this initiative will significantly encourage our people to give veterans the respect and honour that they rightfully deserve.

         Madam Speaker, the Committee recommended that funeral benefits for veterans be paid within three days of their passing.  We fully acknowledge this recommendation and are committed to ensuring timely disbursement of these benefits.  However, our primary challenge remains the availability of resources.  There are times when we run out of funds, but are in constant dialogue with Treasury to address this issue.

To enhance funeral support, we are exploring the possibility of a group funeral cover.  The current USD500.00 per funeral, converted to Zimbabwe Gold at the prevailing exchange rate is insufficient to cover the funeral expenses, often burdening the families of deceased veterans with additional costs.

Madam Speaker, our veterans have given so much to our country.  It is our duty to ensure that they are respected, honoured and recognised appropriately.  By implementing these measures, we aim to show our gratitude and uphold the dignity of those who fought for our freedom.

20% Quota on Gazetted Land and Rampant Evictions from Farms and Mines

Hon. Madam Speaker Ma’am, fellow Members of Parliament, our veterans went to war to reclaim our land.  Despite the pivotal role in the Land Reform Programme, many veterans still do not have land.  As correctly pointed out by Hon. Mananzva, veterans without land should be given the land individually to enable them to partake in economic empowerment programmes.

In addition, as observed by Hon. Matsunga, those who have the land are facing severe challenges in accessing loans from banks because they do not have collateral and tenure security. This is further aggravated by rampant evictions from their allocated land. This has triggered a national outcry among the veterans. When veterans pass on, their families are often systematically evicted as well.

As amply summed up by Hon. Hamauswa and Hon. Mutokonyi, allocated land for war veterans and children of war veterans must not be taken away from them since it is their heritage which they fought for and sacrificed their lives.

To address these pressing issues, I engaged with the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement, alongside key officials, to discuss these matters in detail. A technical committee was established to tackle these challenges and put an end to these wanton evictions.

Veterans also face similar challenges in the mining sector. In response, I held a similar meeting with the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, resulting in the formation of another technical committee to resolve these mining issues. We are hopeful that these engagements will rectify these challenges and safeguard veterans’ mining claims.

Additionally, my Ministry recommends implanting a 20% quota for veterans in the economic, social and political sectors, to ensure they receive their fair share of opportunities. The necessary amendments to existing statutes to effect this have already been initiated. We are also coming up with a specific Statutory Instrument to address all challenges holistically.

We owe our veterans not just our gratitude but tangible support and protection. It is imperative that we take decisive action to ensure that they receive unfettered access to the land and other resources they fought for and deserve.

Monthly Pensions

         Mr. Speaker Sir, fellow Members of Parliament, I sincerely appreciate the recommendation by the Committee to adjust the monthly pension of War Veterans and Ex-Political Prisoners, Detainees and Restrictees to the full salary of a warrant officer class one. This is the barest minimum. As pointed out by the Hon. Matsunga and Hon. Mukomberi, there is need to increase the amount of monthly pension payable to war veterans to levels close to the poverty datum line where an average family of five to six people need US540.00 monthly.

         Veterans deserve much more, given their advanced age and current livelihoods. The youngest veterans are sixty-three years of age and are now susceptible to age related diseases. This means that they have now limited capacity to fend for themselves and hence, the need for timeous disbursement of benefits whilst they are still alive as pointed out by Hon. Mukomberi. They deserve to be looked after.

         We are currently in consultations with relevant authorities on the upward increase of the monthly pension to ensure veterans of the liberation struggle receive meaningful pensions.

Specialised medical care units at Provincial Hospitals

         Mr. Speaker Sir, veterans and their dependents are entitled to medical treatment at Government medical institutions. Where services are not available in Government, the Ministry of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs pays for service at private medical institutions or in some instances, outside the country on referral. We recently engaged with the Minister of Health and Child Care where we discussed medical benefits.

         A technical committee comprising officials from both ministries is currently working on implementing the matters that we discussed. We are grateful that the Ministry of Health and Child Care assured us that they will prioritise veterans in their institutions. On its part, the Ministry of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs will continue to explore ways of improving access to health services by veterans. This includes coming up with a medical aid scheme as suggested by Hon. Mukomberi and Hon. Nkala which has been under consideration.

Conclusion

         Mr. Speaker Sir, fellow legislators, as I conclude, let me once again convey my deep appreciation to His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa, for establishing a whole Ministry to look into the affairs of the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle.

I wish to also thank the Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs, Security and War Veterans Affairs and this august House for their support to the Ministry of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs.

I extend gratitude to sister Government ministries for their cooperation and willingness to engage on matters relating to the welfare and economic empowerment of our veterans. Each time I have walked into their offices seeking support and assistance, this has been forthcoming.

My Ministry will continue to build on the achievements already made to continuously improve on the provisions of service to the gallant men and women who brought about the independence that we enjoy today as well as their children. I thank you.

HON. NGULUVHE: Thank you very much Madam Speaker. Before I round up the debate, let me take this opportunity to thank the Minister for the response but before I thank the Minister, let me pass our condolences on behalf of the Committee of Defence, Home Affairs and War Veterans on the passing on of the Permanent Secretary last month who died in a road car accident whom we worked with very well as we came up with this report. Our condolences.

Madam Speaker, I think we are all in agreement that the Minister’s response shows that she was actually with us. She was listening to all our debates. She was mentioning even the names of some of those Hon. Members who debated, which shows that she had an interest on the report, which is a good move and we applaud that.

Madam Speaker, this House was never divided when we were debating this motion. I applaud both sides of the House who were united that war veterans played a key role, otherwise most of us would not be sitting here in this august House. So, I applaud all the Hon. Members who contributed in the debate. We did not have any conflict; we were all united in thanking our gallant fighters. I also want to thank the children who actually brought this motion to our attention. I was jokingly telling their fathers that as a war veteran, I am surprised they are our children who are now bringing out problems to this august House. I had a privilege in the past heroes’ commemoration, I invited all the war veterans from my district for lunch and if you were to compare them with me, some of them look very old, the reason being of their welfare. We exchange views and they were happy that this august House is doing something about their welfare. My appeal to the Hon. Minister is that you have responded very well to what this House was debating on but what I have discovered is that most of the war veterans outside there know nothing on what you are doing. So, there is a need to update the war veterans.

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who contributed. The children will not find anything amiss because you covered everything that was in the prayer of the motion. Let me take this opportunity to move that this House adopts this report. I thank you.

Motion that this House considers and adopts the Report of the Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs, Security Services and War Veterans’ Affairs on the Petition from the Children of War Veterans and Heroes’ Dependents Forum on the Economic Empowerment for War Veterans and their Dependents, put and agreed to.

MOTION

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

HON. TOGAREPI: I move that all other Orders of the Day be stood over until Order of the Day, Number 26 has been disposed of.

HON. BAJILA:  I second.

HON. MAMBIPIRI: On a point of order Madam Speaker. The House has run out of a quorum.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: May the bells be rung.

[Bells rung].

Notice having been taken that there being present fewer than 70 Members, the bells were rung for Seven Minutes and a Quorum still not being present, THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER adjourned the House without question put at Six Minutes past Six o’clock p.m. pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order Number 58.

NOTE: The following Members were present when the House adjourned:

Hon. Butau D.; Hon. Chaimvura N.; Hon. Chakakura U. A; Hon. Chari R; Hon. Chiwa D.; Hon. Dhanzi A.; Hon. Jaravaza M.; Hon. Jonga W.; Hon. Kambuzuma C.; Hon. Machangu P.; Hon.  Makwiranzou C; Hon. Mandunge H; Hon. Maunganidze N. L.; Hon. Mavunga A.T; Hon. Moyo F.; Hon. Mpasi J.; Hon. Mpofu A. R.; Hon. Mudowo T.T; Hon. Mujeyi A; Hon. Mukoni; Hon. T. Mukomberi; Hon. Murwira T; Hon. Mushipe T.; Hon. Mutandi G.; Hon. Ndou T.; Hon.  Nguluvhe A.; Hon.  Nhari V; Hon. Nkani A; Hon. Nkomo M; Hon. Pinduka T.; Hon. Samson A.; Hon. Sibanda S. ;Hon. Sithole S.;Hon. Thomson B.T.; Hon.  Tshuma S.; Hon. Togarepi P.; Hon. Zhou Tsitsi.; Hon. Zhou P.; Hon. Ziki R.

 

 

 

 

 

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