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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY HANSARD 16 OCTOBER 2024 Vol. 51 No. 06

PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE

Wednesday, 16^th October, 2024.

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

PRAYERS

(THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair)

ANOUNCEMENTS BY THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER

APOLOGIES RECEIVED FROM MINISTERS

         THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I have got a list of Hon. Ministers and Deputy Ministers who have sought leave of the House.  Hon. Gen. Rtd. Dr. Chiwenga, Vice President; Hon.Col. Rtd. K.C.D. Mohadi, Vice President; Hon. K. Coventry, Minister of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture; Hon. E. Jesaya, Deputy Minister of Sports Recreation, Arts and Culture; Hon. W. Chitando, Minister of Mines and Mining Development; Hon. A. Gata, Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education; Hon. Dinha, Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare; Hon. M. N. Ndlovu, Minister of Industry and Commerce; Hon. R. Modi, Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce; Hon. E. Moyo, Minister of Energy and Power Development; Hon. D. Marapira, Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement; Hon. Dr. Mombeshora, Minister of Health and Child Care.

         HON. MUSHORIWA: On a point of order Madam Speaker.  My point of order arises from the speech that was made by the President when he delivered his State of the Nation Address (SONA) to this august House.  He called Members of the Executive, especially Ministers, to take this House seriously.  Today, you have just read to us the number of Ministers that are actually absent, on a day which is reserved for Parliamentarians to ask questions to the Ministers.  I urge you, in the same spirit that the SONA was delivered, that a message be sent to the leader of Parliamentary Affairs, Hon. Ziyambi Ziyambi, that his colleagues in Cabinet need to treat this House with the dignity it deserves.  The people that we find in this august House are people that were elected by the citizens of Zimbabwe.  Naturally, they send us to ask questions and when the Ministers decide not only to come to this Parliament but also to disobey and disregard even the words of their leader, it puts this House into disrepute.  I thank you.

         HON. TOGAREPI: Point of correction.  His story is fine, we would want to see Ministers coming but their leader – the President is your leader too.

         THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Mushoriwa.

         HON. MUSHORIWA: Madam Speaker, with all due respect, from my colleague, part of the reason why I said that is, the President is the leader of the Executive.  He specifically, if you go through that SONA, in other words if you read the sentence where he talked about…

         THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Mushoriwa, I just want to hear from you that is it, that the President is not your leader also? Hon. Mushoriwa, Order! Hon. Mushoriwa, I am waiting for your response.

         HON. MUSHORIWA: Madam Speaker, I was speaking from the purview of Parliament and the Executive.  I am a Parliamentarian - [HON. TOGAREPI: The President is part of the Legislature.] -  There is no doubt that the President is the President, the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces.  He is the President of Zimbabwe; that is the reason why he came to deliver the SONA.

         THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: He is your leader too. - [HON. MUSHORIWA: Yes.] – Thank you very much, you can take your seat.  Hon. Mushoriwa, you have raised a very valid point of order.  I am sure the leader of Government Business has taken note of that. 

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

         ^*HON. CHINODAKUFA: Thank you very much Madam Speaker, good afternoon.  I would like to know the Government plan with regards to accidents in the mines, what measures are in place to ensure that there are no accidents in mines?

         THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF MINES AND MINING DEVELOPMENT (HON. KAMBAMURA):  Thank you Hon. Speaker Ma’am.  I want to thank the Hon. Member for that question regarding accidents in the mines.  As a ministry, we go around educating miners the proper ways of mining and how they can protect themselves through support systems which would ensure that mines do not collapse.  Especially during the rainy season, we do not encourage people to do small scale mining because this is a dangerous time but we also urge large scale miners to have proper equipment so that they are safe.  We also urge small scale miners to ensure that they have First Aid teams which would react promptly when there are accidents. 

         As a Ministry, we are also prepared for accidents which come during the rainy season so that we respond as a matter of urgency.  I thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am.

         HON. MATEWU:  Thank you, Madam Speaker.  The danger in mines is not just the collapsing of some of those mines.  According to the National Prosecuting Authority, there has been at least 500 murders by artisanal miners in the last four years.  What is your Ministry doing to those mines where people are being killed weekly to ensure that does not happen?  What safety mechanism have you put in place to ensure that people do not continue to lose their lives in the mines?  I thank you.

         HON. KAMBAMURA: Thank you Madam Speaker, thank you Hon. Mateu for the question.  I tend to concur that truly it is not only about mine collapse that is causing accidents.  Some cases of gassing that are also occurring where people, after drilling and blasting, go back into the mine before the stipulated time has lapsed.  As a Ministry, our Department of Mining Engineering and our inspectors are going around to do awareness campaigns and also to educate our miners of safe mining standards. Above that, through the School of Mines, we are conducting some education campaigns and also the School of Mines is issuing out some certificates in small scale miners so that we have people at least who have technical expertise. 

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

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: What is your point of order Hon. Matewu?

         HON. MATEWU:  The Hon. Minister is not answering my question.  He is talking about certification, about drilling and so forth, I am talking about murders. People are being killed; they are killing each other in mines.  What are you doing as a Ministry to ensure that does not happen, not what you are responding to?  I thank you – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]-

         THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Please may we have order Hon. Members?

         HON. KAMBAMURA:  Thank you Hon. Speaker Ma’am.  I have indicated that; firstly, we need to be proactive, that is, our people need to be aware of safe mining standards that are expected by the Ministry.  We have noticed that a lot of accidents are happening.  When people are killed, we have to come up with measures to avoid that from occurring.  So, as a way of measures, we are doing some awareness campaigns and also training our people on safer methods of handling explosives, safe mining methods and also the school of mines is training people about Small Scale Mining.  If our people are equipped with the right technology, we avoid these mining accidents.  We are discouraging people from going underground, especially on those mines that are not safe and all those mines that are disused because some of them would be harboring dangerous gases which are very toxic.  So, these are the measures that the Ministry is doing.  I thank you. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]-

         THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Members - Order Hon. Mapiki. 

         ^*HON. HAMAUSWA On a point of Order Madam Speaker.

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: What is your point of order?

^*HON. HAMAUSWA: Madam Speaker Ma’am, the question which was asked by Hon. Matewu was not answered. I am talking from experience.  There are people known as Mashurugwi who fight and kill each other before we go to the gasses. People are dying and killing each other, that is what we want to know, the Government policy in resolving this.

^*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Hamauswa, what you are saying might be true but I do not think that Ministry of Mines are the ones who are responsible for charging and convicting those murderers.

^*HON. HAMUASWA: We said what is Government policy in the country of Zimbabwe. This issue is very pertinent…

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I did not give you the opportunity to speak.

^*HON. MAPIKI: Thank you Madam Speaker. I want to thank the Hon.  Minister for the answer. My follow up question in supporting what the previous speaker asked. There is a new mining technique called in situ or heap leaching where more chemicals are being used. Those who are doing research are saying that they pollute water for those who are using underground water. Some of them are using mercury and when the mercury flows into rivers and consumed by fish, it becomes cancerous. Those miners delegate children to burn gold and in the process, these kids breathe the smoke from mercury, at the end of the day they suffer from lung cancer.   So, what is the Government policy in resolving the issue of chemicals like mercury in mining?

HON. KAMBAMURA:  Thank you Madam Speaker. I also want to thank Hon. Mapiki for raising that question that has something to do with mercury that is used in mining and also the new ways of mining like heap leaching.  As he mentioned, these chemicals end up flowing into the rivers thus polluting our waters.  As Government, we are working together with the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife to ensure that our miners are mining within the mining regulations to ensure that they are using environment friendly ways of handling their chemicals like, for example, cyanide so that it does not flow into rivers and water sources where people drink water.

Last weekend we had a programme in Manicaland where we were going around with EMA and the police officers looking into these issues in a bid to educate our miners that they must make sure that they do not dispose the mercury into the rivers because they kill aqua life. The mercury is also poisonous to our livestock. As a country, we signed the Minamata Convention where we desist from the use of mercury and use other ways to harness gold. Right now, we are in the process of making sure that we no longer use mercury. We are going around the country teaching people other ways of harnessing the gold without using mercury.

We also discovered that there are some other people who are mining at their homesteads using cyanide. We are saying that those people who are putting mines at their homesteads must be arrested because it is illegal. We are going around with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage and Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife to assess the situation and encourage people that they must desist from using mercury and other chemicals which are harmful. If we go back and revisit those areas to assess and find out that they are still using the illegal chemicals, we are going to recommend that they be arrested.

         *HON. T. SHUMBA: In addition to the accidents which are being caused by the miners to the environment, what is the Government policy in making sure that they fill the pits that are being left by miners to protect the lives of human beings and animals?

* HON. KAMBAMURA: It is not the responsibility of the Government only, to make sure that the miners fill the pits after mining.  There is a law which says when someone has been given a licence to mine, the person must outline the ways he or she is going to rehabilitate the area as it was after mining.  The issue of rehabilitation is another way used as a check-up when a miner comes back to pay for licence.  The first thing before renewal is to inspect to make sure that where the miner was mining, was the land rehabilitated.  We also have officers from the Ministry of Mines who look into the issue; they are being encouraged to educate people to fill pits and rehabilitate their areas so that accidents which involve humans and wildlife are alleviated.  

HON. CHIDUWA: My question is directed to the Minister of Information, Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services.  What is Government policy regarding the registration of sim cards by service providers before those sim cards are used? 

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY, POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES (HON. PHUTI): Indeed, it is policy that sim cards be registered by mobile network operators before use by individuals.  This is also a means of combating crime and managing to track perpetrators. Statutory Instrument 95 of 2014, section 31, states that no service providers are allowed to operate before the sim card is fully registered.  It also states that all service providers should have full details of their customers and the owners of those sim cards before they are used.  To answer his question, it is not permissible that users be made to use their sim cards when mobile operators do not have full details of their registration.

HON. CHIDUWA: When you travel to other countries, I have noticed that it is very difficult to register sim cards but here sometimes you just buy these sim cards from vendors but not registered.  Are there any penalties for mobile network operators where they sell sim cards and allow them to be operational without them being registered?

HON. PHUTI:   In my earlier response, I highlighted that it is a breach to operate without full registration.  The Hon. Member’s follow up question raises a concern that also makes a call to the Ministry and the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority in charge of the sector, to be able to clip title on issues such as these.  If there are instances where lines may have been accessed so easily, I think it is a breach that needs the Ministry and the regulator to then assist in making the registration process be as procedural as regulated by the S.I and the law.

*HON. MAPIKI:  I am happy about the response given by the Minister that there must be registration of identification particulars.  Is there any law which is there to protect our names from being used, for example when someone uses your name to register whilst you are not aware; is there any law to protect us from the crimes that will be perpetrated through that?

*HON. PHUTI: The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa signed the Cyber and Data Protection Act and this must begin to work.  It is a law that was not signed from the Eighth Parliament until the Ninth Parliament.  It was passed during the end of the Ninth Parliament.  The Data Protection Centre begun at the end of the year or by the end of the term, which we are now finishing.  This centre is at POTRAZ.  POTRAZ is an organisation which is fit, with all facilities to make sure that they are going to look into that law and how it is going to be executed.  Yes, there is a law which protects the data for individuals so that it is not used unlawfully.  I am also inviting other Hon. Members of Parliament so that we look into the issue of data protection because that is where we are migrating as a country – something which is going to be expensive more than oil in this whole world is data.  I am promising him that POTRAZ is doing something concerning the issue of making sure that all those who have something to do with other people’s data must be registered with POTRAZ so that when they breach the contract which has been signed by their providers which they are supposed to provide services to, they are going to face the wrath of the law.  All those who are going to be using data and have got your details, they must be registered with the Data Protection Centre so that they know what they are doing with the individuals’ data. 

HON. GANYIWA: Is there any Government policy regarding the co-operation with other countries because we see that people are using foreign lines to commit crimes, either through cyber bullying of individuals or denigrating or misinforming people which then causes destabilisation of the security of the country? Is there any co-operation with other countries so that we can follow up on such people who commit crimes hiding behind foreign cellphone numbers that are being used to commit crimes especially on WhatsApp groups?

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY, POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES (HON. PHUTI): Our country this month is celebrating a cyber security awareness month. We have been working with law enforcers, the academia and people from all walks of life, to sensitise our people on the importance and centrality of issues to do with cyber security. Because internet is flawless and may not easily have boundaries, it therefore becomes very difficult to be able to combat crimes related to cyber security except if we take it very seriously as a nation and individuals to protect ourselves from cyber abuse.

I take note of his concern of people who do cyber bullying on other people using foreign registered numbers. This is something that falls within the cyber security space and I challenge that there be a way through which Cyber Security Department in the Ministry works together with law enforcers like the police or Interpol, to trace if ever there is a possibility or need to apprehend perpetrators.

HON. M. MAVHUNGA: My question is directed to the Minister of Local Government and Public Works. On the 21^st to 23^rd August, there was a training that was conducted by the Ministry, of all chairpersons of councils, councillors and mayors. My concern has arisen from the certificate of attendance that was issued out there which contains a logo of the ruling party on one side and also signatories who are functionaries of the ruling party. Is it now Government policy where members of the opposition are actually trained on the values and ethos of the ruling party?

THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI): I want to thank the Hon. Member for a very good question. The party called ZANU PF has a registered school called Chitepo School of Ideology where all Zimbabweans are free to attend the ideological lessons about this country and other courses that they offer. There is no law that says any other person, be it a human being or a juristic person, cannot have a school. The councils saw it desirable to be trained in ideological lessons and they voluntarily partook in those lessons. Certificates were duly issued by those authorised to be signatories to the certificates upon completion of the course. I thank you.

HON. M. MAVHUNGA: Is the Hon. Minister confirming that the ideology that is actually taught at Hebert Chitepo School of Ideology is a ZANU PF ideology?

HON. Z. ZIYAMBI: I can see a lot of interest from the Hon. Member to know about that ideology. I am kindly referring him to the school so that he can be told what the ideology is about rather than speculate. I thank you.

*HON. C. HLATYWAYO: I rise on a point of order. May the Minister answer the question as asked by the Hon. Member that -is the ideology being taught there a ZANU PF ideology or not? The Hon. Member did not say that he wants to go to the ideology school. He asked if it is the ideology of ZANU PF. That is what we want to hear.

*THE HON DEPUTY SPEAKER: The Minister said even you as an Hon Member, are free to go and hear for yourself what type of ideology it is.

HON. MUSHORIWA: In respect to the provision of our Constitution [Chapter 17] and also the Public Finance Management Act, I want to know whether it is permissible for local authorities to use taxpayers’ funds to attend trainings which have nothing to do with the local authorities per se.

HON. Z. ZIYAMBI: The first point that I have to raise is that this august House has a supervisory role. If they believe there are issues that are outside their oversight role, they can raise it in that fora. Secondly, the councillors that attended belong to various parties and those that believe that their councillors were not supposed to attend were supposed to whip them not to attend. Thirdly, the councillors and the councils themselves looked at the curriculums and saw it that the curriculum was fit enough for the purpose. I thank you.

         *HON. MAPIKI: I want to thank the Leader of the House for answering the question properly.  We have seen that the School of Ideology is being done in America and other countries.  The School of Ideology in Zimbabwe is not called ZANU PF School of Ideology, but it is called Chitepo School of Ideology.  Is it not possible to have a law that compels all the councils to go to the Chitepo School of Ideology and those who fail to go to the School of Ideology, their councils must be dissolved? Thank you. 

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

         *THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Can you allow the Hon. Minister to respond to Hon. Mapiki’s question? 

         *HON. Z. ZIYAMBI:  Thank you Madam Speaker.  I think it is a very noble suggestion.  I am going to discuss the issue with the Minister of Local Government that at Parliament, there is an issue that has been raised that all councils and all people must be taught about the country’s ideology.  I also suggest that even all of us here in Parliament must go to the School of Ideology so that we know the history of our country.  Thank you.

HON. TOGAREPI:  On a point of order Madam Speaker.  I think we are here to do serious business.  We have so many service providers including hospitals, schools and so forth, you go where you want to get the service.  There are many services that are done by juristic people like ZANU PF, individuals, we have people who have schools here in Parliament.  You send your child where you want your child to go.  You can do marketing at the University of Zimbabwe, Midlands State University or anywhere.  If these people who went to the Chitepo School of Ideology are not happy, they would not have gone there in the first place. I think we do not have to waste time because those people benefited a lot.

*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Let us have a new question, this issue has been exhausted – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –

*HON. GANYIWA:  Thank you Madam Speaker for giving me this opportunity to ask my question.  Since the beginning of this week, there are showers of rains across the country, what we call bumharutsva and most of the farmers are undecided on what they are going to do in terms of farming, whether to plant or not to plant.  Is there any Government policy to make sure that seeds are being disbursed to farmers timeously because right now we are experiencing sleepless nights from people?  They want to hear if they are going to get seeds because the bumper harvest is from timeous planting. 

*THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI):  Thank you Madam Speaker.  I also want to thank Hon. Ganyiwa for asking a pertinent question regarding rains.  I know most of the farmers are now agitated in terms of how they are going to farm, since they are yet to receive the seeds.  I want to say, two weeks ago, the President notified the Minister of Finance to disburse money to the service providers in terms of seeds and fertiliser.  The money is amounting to 30 million.  If things have gone well, in Buhera, the Minister is in the midst of launching the Presidential Scheme for this year. This programme is going to be done in all other areas.  Yes, farmers may be agitated since the rains have started. 

Madam Speaker Ma’am, let us also put into consideration that we had an El Nino induced drought where the Government was making sure that it secures food to make sure that everyone has got food and there is no hunger.  At the same time, we were trying to make sure that we get money to buy agricultural inputs so that farmers can go back to their farms and plant timeously and get bumper harvest.  This year we are expecting to have good rains.  The Meteorological Service Department is notifying that we are going to receive enough rainfalls, hence everything is in order.  Thank you.

*HON. MUCHEMWA:  Thank you Madam Speaker.  We have seen a document stating that everyone who is going to receive inputs should have a certified copy of the national identification card.  We are the ones who represent people from the rural areas.  We see that it is not easy for an elderly person to get a certified copy because they need money for them to do the photocopying and also the photocopying machines are far away from their homesteads.  How best can you solve that so that people can get seeds and other agricultural inputs without requesting for certified copies of IDs? 

*HON. Z. ZIYAMBI:  Thank you Madam Speaker.  The policy says that everyone must be given agricultural inputs and those responsible for distributing the inputs are the ones who are supposed to deal with the logistics.  It is not Government policy but I think that it is the policy of those who are responsible for distributing the inputs and I think it is a way off trying to minimise the issue of corruption.  They must work with the village heads, each and every family member or the people living in different societies in rural areas know each other, otherwise the Executive did not tell them to do it that way. 

*HON. KARENYI:  Each and every year, we see that people receive agricultural inputs, seeds and fertiliser, some of them are not using those inputs for the intended use.  What is Government doing to make sure that there is audit that if someone has received seeds from Government, that person should show where he or she has planted the seeds and what he got from the harvest? Most of them just collect the agricultural inputs and sell them in the streets.

*HON. Z. ZIYAMBI:  Thank you Madam Speaker.  Let me thank the Hon Member for the supplementary question.  What she is saying is very true and as Government, this year was declared a state of disaster, so all people are getting assistance.  However, after this rain season, we will not do the audit as you suggested because we might lose a lot of resources.  All we will do is look at all the areas in Zimbabwe to see if there were rains and if some people managed to harvest after the rain season.  If that is the case, we will not give assistance except only to the vulnerable households that we know will always need assistance.  As for those who will have sold their inputs, no assistance will come their way.  So, everyone will be removed from the social welfare list as they are able to fend for themselves.

*HON. NYABANI:  My question is directed to the Leader of Government Business.  I would like to know what plans Government has put in place to announce next season’s GMB prices.  If people know the prices, then they will be encouraged to grow more crops as they work with the money that they will get for the crops.

*HON. Z. ZIYAMBI:  Madam Speaker, Minister Muswere who is the Government spokesperson alluded to this issue yesterday and I am not sure what type of response Hon. Nyabani is requesting for because the Minister went into detail on the issue of prices.  So, I will ask Hon. Nyabani to speak to Hon. Muswere so he can get all the details again.

*HON. JONGA:  Thank you Madam Speaker. I would like to start by thanking Government for promising to have network connection in all provinces. What are Government’s plans to ensure that network connectivity reaches all corners of the rural areas where the generality of the population resides?  I thank you.

*THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION, PUBLICITY AND BROADCASTING SERVICES (HON. DR. MUSWERE):  Thank you Madam Speaker.  Let me also thank the Hon. Member for the question.  Government has many plans pertaining to network connectivity to all provinces.  This is being done through the licencing framework which ensures we have community radio stations.  From there, we have plans for the whole country called Zim Digital project.  We have started with the digital infrastructure masterplan, which tells us where we need to put everything dependent on where our population is.  The paper has been done and approved.  Currently, we are focusing on implementation of Zim Digital second phase, which will be done country-wide but this will be done within a period of two years.  So, if there are some places without radio and television transmission, we think in two years, they will all have access to radio and television transmission.  Licencing framework is there, which allows us to licence other broadcasting players.  We also have what we call convergence, which is between ICT and broadcasting.  This means that the broadcasting of News Master Plan also covers the broadcasting of news as we work together with ICT.  We have reached a point where we are 95%+ mobile penetration.  So, we are once again working with the Ministry of ICT on the Master Plan and we will achieve ubiquity of information looking at the country of Zimbabwe.  So, in the next two years, we look forward to have covered the whole country.  I thank you.

         *HON. MAMBIPIRI: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. I want to thank the Hon. Minister for his response. My question is on the licences that you gave to about 14 areas. The problem is that there are no waves. What is Government policy in making sure that the community registrations continue to take place since they are facing financial difficulties? Thank you.

         *HON. DR. MUSWERE: Thank you Madam Speaker. I thank the Hon. Member for asking that follow up question. First and foremost, I want to explain that the licences which we are giving to community radio stations differ. A community radio station covers a certain geography of a country. It is not a commercial radio station.

         There is a difference between a public broadcaster, a commercial radio station and a community radio station. Commercial radio station focuses more on the issue of businesses. Community radio stations focuses on things which happen in a certain community. The Broadcasting Act gives us the opportunity for broadcasting services fund. That fund is put in place to make sure that we help those who are in community radio stations. These community radio stations are going to help us in terms of heritage based programmes focusing on making sure that we are preserving our heritage, our culture, our way of living and our languages.

         For example, there is a radio station called Vukalanga. Most of their content is being spoken in Kalanga. It is focusing on making sure that they are preserving the culture of Kalanga and also preserving the language of Kalanga and their way of living. The other issue which you have mentioned is now focusing on the issue of national strategic direction and media sovereignty that it is very important at community radio stations. A community radio station must be owned and programmed by the people of that community, not by people from outside. Media sovereignty is very important for us as a nation.

*HON. CHIGUMBU: I want to thank the Minister for the programme of community radio stations. My question is, what is Government policy to protect the radio stations in making sure that they broadcast news from all political parties, not the radio stations which focus on news from one political party like what is happening now?

* HON. DR. MUSWERE: Thank you Madam Speaker. I also want to thank the Hon. Member for asking that question. We do not have a policy which says broadcast for a political party. When they are broadcasting, they are following the Constitution of the country. Which party is he referring to because he must speak the name of that political party so that we know which one it is? He should also mention what is being said so that if the name of that political is this political party, has it got an office and who is the political leader of that political party so that we make sure how best we can help this political party? May the Hon. Member mention which political party is not being covered?

         HON. J. MAKUVIRE: Thank you Madam Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Health and Child Care. Government has confirmed two cases of M-pox virus in Gweru and Harare respectively over the weekend. What measures have Government put in place in order to prevent the spread of the virus in the country?

         THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE (HON.  KWIDINI): Thank you Madam Speaker and I want to thank the Hon. Member for that question. In order to know Government position for the M-pox cases which have been confirmed to be in Zimbabwe so far, Zimbabwe is one of the countries which is very prepared in all sorts of these pandemic diseases, like COVID before. We were prepared and we kept on preparing such that we do not have such cases prevailing.

         In terms of M-pox, the first cases were detected in neighbouring countries and Zimbabwe is one of the countries which came up with a preparedness plan to make sure if we have these cases in Zimbabwe, we know what is supposed to be done. This disease usually enters through the entry ports, which are our borders and airports. Since we heard about that disease, we had our surveillance teams which keep tracking and also screening the people who were travelling from other countries to come in the country so that we know if there are these symptoms from the people who are travelling.

         Since these cases were confirmed, the Ministry and Government at large, because it will no longer be the Ministry’s mandate but as a holistic approach of the whole Government such that we make sure that all these infected people are in isolation where they are restricted to move so that they may not spread the disease. There are several trainings which are being done in all areas of Zimbabwe, especially in the district hospitals including the village health workers. They are now trained to see and quickly identify the signs and symptoms which were mentioned which presents the M-pox.

         Right now, there is what we call contact tracing for those cases which have been confirmed on the people whom they have met and that is family members and everyone, they have been contacted and tracked to make sure they do not have those signs and symptoms which present the M-pox. So, as a country right now, we are very sure and we can assure the nation that each and every measure is being taken to make sure that there is no spread of this disease.

         I can say in this House, it is now the mandate of the Members of Parliament also to go back to our constituencies to spread the gospel of what is being discussed here, especially in prevention. These diseases may be overcome by prevention strategies, that is to avoid too much contact and exchanging clothes. All sorts of things which cause people to come in contact with those are the preventive measures and personal hygiene is one of the things which can cause the prevention of the spread of this disease. So, I can assure this august House that the Ministry is prepared to make sure this disease will not spread. I thank you. 

         HON. MUROMBEDZI: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am.  I should like to thank the Hon. Minister for that response.  I would like you Hon. Madam Speaker, to remind the Hon. Minister that on 11^th September, 2024, this august House requested the Minister of Health to bring a Ministerial Statement with regards to this disease called M-Pox This House needs to be properly appraised on the state of preparedness of this country with regards everything that he is talking about.  So, I respectfully remind him of his obligation to this House and the people of Zimbabwe as we need to hear a comprehensive approach and response to the pandemic that we are facing.  I so submit.

         THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Deputy Minister, I am sure you have taken note of that.

         *HON. GWANGWAVA: Hon. Speaker Ma’am, I want to find out from the Hon. Minister, what strategy is in place with regard to such pandemics as M-Pox.   In the past when we faced an outbreak of COVID-19, we noted that without a budget, it was very difficult to handle.  Some who were working in close proximity with patients were promised to be paid during the COVID-19 pandemic.  So, what plans are in place to cater for healthcare workers who will be dealing with this pandemic?  I thank you.

         *HON. KWIDINI: Thank you Hon. Speaker Ma’am.  I thank the Hon. Member for that question.  Let me start by saying that when someone is employed, they sign a contract, which says that they would be doing their best, whether it is hot or cold.  It is like someone who goes to war, who do not need just motivation but go to work because they are supposed to go to work and are paid.  What is important is that we need PPEs.  We will need things that will protect people because if we focus on incentives more than the key things like PPEs, indeed a token of appreciation is something which is not mandatory.  You do not need a token of appreciation to do your job.  I thank you.

         HON. TOBAIWA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am.  My supplementary question is, what is the long-term plan regarding the recurring pandemics.  It appears as if they are here to stay. After COVID-19 and the advent of climate change, do we have a strategy in response to these pandemics?

         HON. KWIDINI: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am.  I would like to thank the Hon. Member for the question.  You said what is happening, if pandemics come in different ways and different conditions because - let us take for example, no one knew there was such a condition or a disease called COVID-19.  What happens with these pandemics? We approach them as they come because we do not actually know.  We cannot foretell, after M-Pox, what is actually coming so that we can prepare for it?  What we simply do is we are aware that there is a preparedness, may be fund or team to say if anything comes on the way, how do we tackle it?  We cannot prepare for a pandemic which we do not know.  Sometimes we may prepare for something which may not come.  So, for this actually, when targeting M-Pox, how best can we prevent this pandemic not to spread?  After this, as what we did in COVID-19, we managed to contain it such that now, yes, it can be there but it is no longer dangerous, like it was in the beginning. 

As M-Pox, now we have seen where it was diagnosed first, they have tried to contain it.  That is why you even seen the rate of deaths is decreasing.  Like in Zimbabwe, we are very happy that if we all come together and make sure we spread the gospel of this pandemic, we are going to witness no deaths on that.  The matter is let us all come together and try to educate our people in terms of prevention.  I thank you.

         *HON. MAKUMBE: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. My question is directed to Minister of Mines and Mining Development.  What is Government planning to do with regards to the protection of villagers, where we find people coming in villages and taking over family homes, including their cemeteries where relatives are buried, claiming that the place is now their mining space?

         *THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF MINES AND MINING DEVELOPMENT (HON. KAMBAMURA): Thank you Madam Speaker. The Constitution says; when people are given mines, they should be given in places where there are no schools, no dip tanks, dams and family cemeteries. If there are applications that are done in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, we send a team to investigate the area so that they determine whether there is need to give licences to people in such areas. Maybe there are people who go behind the Ministry, they come, connive with officials and then corruptly obtain licences which are not above board.  If there is such an area where people were given mining claims in cemeteries, please notify us. I thank you.

*HON. P. MOYO: Thank you Madam Speaker. I want to direct my question to the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education. I want to appreciate the food that is being distributed in schools. My question is that they are given food but there is no relish and parents are asked to pay monies to buy relish. What is the Government doing to cushion parents who are in the rural areas, who do not have money? - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –

HON. P. MOYO: If the question was asked, I was not in the House.    

*THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI): Thank you Madam Speaker. The question was asked but the answer is that schools are going to be capacitated so that they will be able to buy relish. The Hon. Minister is in this House, he has gone out but something is being done in that regard. I thank you.

*HON. P. MOYO: Indeed, you are saying that the money was deposited but we find parents are being told to pay this money together with tuition fee.  What is the Government doing to make sure that information gets to parents so that parents stop paying since some have already paid?

HON. Z. ZIYAMBI: Thank you. The Hon. Minister is in the House but the response is, when they are given the mealie-meal and they want children to learn whilst they are well fed, there is nothing wrong for parents to pay for the relish whilst waiting for Government provision. 

Please allow me to say that the Hon. Minister of Primary and Secondary Education is in the House. May we allow him to respond. The question is that the money you spoke about has not been disbursed, so please may you respond Hon. Minister.

THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (HON. T. MOYO): Thank you Madam Speaker. Let me thank the Hon. Member for that question. We were given

15 million dollars towards the feeding programme. We were also given mealie-meal over 27 000 tonnes.  In Harare, all schools have benefited.  We have a challenge with schools that are in the rural areas, the issue being funding for transportation of this food but I believe that we will be receiving it soon.  So, we divided the $15 million by 10 provinces.  We instructed every province to buy relish and put it in schools.  As I am speaking, we spoke to our officials from Primary and Secondary Education that the PED and the procurement committee would buy relish and distribute it to the districts so that every school benefits. The headmasters are aware and I believe that they got that communication.  I thank you. 

         HON. DR. KHUPE: Thank you very much.  Hon. Minister and Madam Speaker Ma’am, there is the Presidential Borehole Drilling Programme which is currently in place.  Why is it that boreholes are not sunk in all schools?  Particularly those in rural areas so that once those boreholes have been drilled, drip irrigations will then be put in those schools. With drip irrigation, you use a small piece of land, little water and the yield is very high. So, if they could do two hectares, they will have relish for the whole year and all the time.  With drip irrigation, you can do three crops per year. They can have drip irrigation on two hectares and once you finish one hectare, then you move on to the other hectare. They can grow tomatoes, cabbages, spinach, potatoes, you name it, for them not to run out of relish. I think it is more than enough to feed a school.  I would like to implore Government to drill boreholes in all the schools.  I thank you.

         HON. T. MOYO: Hon. Speaker Ma’am, may I thank Hon. Dr. Khupe for the question.  Her question has been addressed through the Presidential Borehole Scheme.  A number of schools are having boreholes being drilled right away.  We have so many rigs in all the ten provinces that are busy drilling, not just at all the schools but including the villages as well. It is the President’s wish that 35 000 boreholes be established in all the villages in Zimbabwe.  We are also emphasising on the schools business units where after drilling a borehole, then drip irrigation is installed so that schools can generate food through the nutritional garden. 

         Besides the Presidential Borehole Scheme, we also have SIG-WASH where our development partners are supporting the drilling of boreholes through providing funding to the tune of $5 000.  Quite a number of schools have received those funds.  I maybe able to share with this august House the beneficiaries of those projects.  So, we need to commend the Government for the Presidential Borehole Scheme and also for public-private-partnerships in terms of drilling of boreholes.  I thank you Hon. Speaker Ma’am.

HON. MATINENGA: There is concern that people with hearing challenges are being left out in fully participating in national development. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is focusing in improving ear and hearing care services. The aim is to preserve hearing across all ages.  Universal new born hearing screening programmes are one of the initiatives recommended by WHO.  My question is directed to the Minister of Health and Child Care. Does Zimbabwe have a policy framework to address the issue of new born hearing screening?  This is in light of the fact that if you delay solving the problem, you may not be able to make corrective action. 

HON. KWIDINI:  I will try to tackle the question briefly but I would request the indulgence of the House that the Hon. Member puts the question in writing because it needs some researches to come up with proper answers. 

Since she was referring to WHO, yes as a Ministry, we have policies which cater for each and every disease which may arise in each and every country using the guidelines from the WHO because some of these conditions are not very common in some of the countries but nevertheless, we always have a policy which caters for that. 

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. MACHINGURA): Hon. Matinenga, be so guided.

HON. MATINENGA:  Supplementary Mr. Speaker Sir. I also want to know if there are any policy measures in terms of making people aware of the issues to do with hearing impairment because like cancer, some people especially those in the rural areas, may not be aware that there can be corrective action which can be taken.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  I will indulge the Minister but that is not the question that you asked initially.

HON. KWIDINI: We have a policy which deals with health education.  This health education covers everything in terms of all conditions which can affect people.  Like the one of hearing impairment, especially in children because there are conditions which are supposed to be detected on pre-registration where we encourage pregnant women to go and register for their pregnancy so that all the conditions which can affect new born babies can be screened during pregnancies.  This period and each and every condition has got its own way of health education to be given to the people so that it is prevented.  When a condition comes up, it means it is a complication which shows that there is a leakage which has happened before.  If we all know that each and every condition has prevention education which is given by the health experts in terms of that condition – that is why I have said particularly on the one which she has mentioned, that is hearing impairment; she can put it in writing then we can come with actual answers but the policy is actually there which encompasses health education which gives more information to the people about the health problems.

HON. MUKOMBERI:  My question is directed to the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion in relation to the Government policy available to stimulate demand for our local currency ZiG so that it becomes a currency of choice by both traders and individual consumers.

THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI):  It is a fact that when our ZiG was introduced, the amount that was introduced in circulation was less than the USD.  It was about 20%. In order to stimulate the use of ZiG, we require 50% of the taxes to be collected in ZiG so that all the companies, if you choose because we still have the multicurrency to trade in the USD at the end of each quarter when you are remitting your QPD, you have to look for the ZiG.  We believe that it will encourage companies to accept the ZiG.

Secondly, progressively, we put in the Finance Bill measures to ensure that when we are collecting taxes, we are going to encourage Government departments as we increase our reserves, to back up the currency to stimulate the use of the ZiG in terms of paying council rates and all other taxes.  We are putting in measures that will ensure that we stabilise the currency without flooding the market with our currency before we build confidence that will ensure that progressively as we move towards the mono-currency, our currency will be acceptable.  This is what we are doing to ensure that the acceptability of our country is improved and it becomes a currency of choice. I thank you.

 

HON. MUKOMBERI: I want to thank the Minister for a sound and complete answer. I want to ask the Minister if there are any measures in place to monitor liquidity concentration especially when Government pays those contractors who hold a lot of local currency in their hands, does the Government have measures to monitor how they are going to offload balances in their process to recoup their intended value in foreign currency?

HON. Z. ZIYAMBI: Actually, that was the whole idea behind bringing in ZiG and having it backed in our reserves, be it of gold or forex. The currency that is in circulation in terms of ZiG at the moment is around ZW10.6bn and our reserves that are backing up this currency are around USD400 million. If you do the mathematics and if Government wakes up today and say we want to dispose of our reserves and buy back the ZiG, the rate at which that will wipe up all the ZiG will not be more than 23.5 per US$.

We know the amount of currency that is in circulation. When payments are done by Government, we know exactly what we would have paid and we know the effect that those payments can have. That is now under control and we are not paying more than what we believe the market can absorb. I thank you.

HON. MADZIVANYIKA: My supplementary question to the Minister is, in terms of encouraging demand for the ZiG, how best can you deal with this issue of inconsistence in your pronouncements. On 8 March 2024, the Governor of RBZ indicated that the currency is going to be backed by gold and a basket of foreign currencies and also that the interbank exchange rate will be determined by inflation differential between ZiG and USD as well as the price of gold. The question therefore is, how best can people desire to have the ZiG as a store of value under the circumstances where the value of gold is rising and the exchange rate is losing value? How are you going to deal with this contradiction to allow people to want to keep ZiG as the store of value?

HON. Z. ZIYAMBI: The idea that the currency was pegged to gold is his own idea. The statement was that our currency is going to be backed by reserves that consisted of gold, USD and other precious minerals. There is a difference between backing and pegging. Pegging is not allowed in the monetary field. That is the reason why in my earlier response I said the amount of ZiG in circulation and the amount of reserves that are backing that currency, if Government was to buy back all the ZiG, the rate can never be above 23.5. This notion that it was pegged, I think people must take it out of their minds. When we introduced it, we said we do not want to peg the exchange, but rather we want a willing buyer willing seller scenario.

HON. MADZIVANYIKA: On a point of order. I am holding the document which was produced by the RBZ on the 8^th of April. I can show you what the Governor said about the issue of the determination of the exchange rate. It is here on point number 17. What the Hon. Minister said is inconsistent with what was said.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Madzivanyika, if there is anything that you think is different from what the Minister has said, can you please put it in writing –[HON MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]- the Minister has explained the difference between pegging and backing. If you think that the answer did not match the question that you have in your computer, can you put it in writing and he will attend to it?

HON. MADZIVANYIKA: Thank you Mr. Speaker.  I thought the document is a public record. I can show you this once and for all. We want Government to make sure that its actions are consistent with its pronouncements. I thank you.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: The Minister has heard you.

HON. TOGAREPI: You have already answered the Hon. Member because he has a document that we do not have. I think it is unfair to some of us.

*HON. HAMAUSWA: I want to thank the Hon. Minister for the response which shows that taxes would take around 50% payments in ZiG. I wanted to find out when the programme would be rolled out like the payment of number plates for cars, passports and other things using ZiG currency. I would like to know what Government plans are regarding payments in ZiG and when it is going to be done.

HON. Z. ZIYAMBI: When we build our reserves and royalties come in, we will also increase the money supply in terms of ZiG. Once things stabilise, what he wants will happen. I thank you.

*HON. MAPIKI: I want to direct my question to the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare. I want to know how far Government has gone regarding payment for the children of parents who went to Wenera because a message was received from South Africa that the money was remitted to Zimbabwe and there was vetting which was being done. How far have the discussion gone with South Africa for those who worked in South Africa between 1972 and 1978.

THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI): Wenera is in South Africa and the question is very specific to the extent that if the Hon. Member can put it in writing it does not only involve our Ministry of Public Service and Social Welfare but it also involves Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other diplomatic relations that are required to ensure that even if we are to get that money, we get it.

If the Hon Member can put it in writing, it will allow the inter agencies and Government departments to have a look at it and then we can bring a comprehensive answer. I thank you.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon Mapiki be so guided.

         *HON. MAPIKI: I have taken note Hon. Speaker but the Social Welfare Department gave that instruction that there will be vetting and vetting was done and they are still waiting for their money.  That is why I had asked that. 

         *THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Hon. Mapiki, when you put it in writing, the Leader of Government Business will take it to the department of Social Welfare so that you have a comprehensive answer.  I thank you. 

         Hon. Maphosa having asked a question in Ndebele.

         THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE (HON. SANYATWE): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, I did not understand the question, I do not have headphones - [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections] –

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Hon. Members, the Minister is answering to the Chair and you are not in the Chair. Thank you.  Hon. Minister, I will ask the Member to repeat the question.

         HON. ZEMURA:  On a point of order Mr. Speaker Sir.  I want to assist the Minister.

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Please go ahead.

         HON. ENG. MHANGWA:  I think we have got people who are employed specifically to translate, it is not the duty or the role of the other Member to translate. 

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Okay, I get it Hon. Member.   Hon. Minister, did you get the headphones so that I ask the Member to ask the question again?  Hon. Maphosa, please proceed and sorry for that.

         +HON. MAPHOSA:  Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir, my question to the Minister is that in Matabeleland South where I come from, an accident occurred.  In the accident, 22 people died as a result of a car accident and their dead bodies were carried by a truck and this was displayed in social media.  The dead bodies were not covered by tents and those who know the people could identify them individually.  When police officers attend such incidences, they carry the dead bodies using steel containers, which was there during the Smith era before I was born.  Such coffins are carried using open trucks and when it is raining, you would find that they will be soaked and the police officers are forced to empty the containers. 

Mr. Speaker Sir, when such accidents happen and police officers take the injured to hospitals, the doctors take protective clothing which protects them but the police officers are exposed, they will be wearing masks and gloves without any protective clothing.  When the police officers get soiled or dirty by such accidents, they have nothing to use as alternative clothes.  So, the question is, is it not possible for us as Zimbabweans to have body bags which will be used by police officers for such events and also when they are exposed to a lot of blood, is it not possible to get such PPEs for them?  I thank you. 

* HON. SANYATWE: I want to thank the Hon. Member for that question.  Firstly, everyone has a right to be ferried in a decent manner.  My request is that the Hon. Member said a lot which needs to be looked into.  The issue to do with hygiene of the police officer who will be providing that service, the service of carrying the dead bodies, putting them in coffins, I want to request the Hon. Member to put this in writing.  This will enable the Ministry to bring a proper and detailed response after engaging with the Ministry of Health and other ministries on protective clothing.  I thank you.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Maphosa, you are being asked to put the question in writing. Hon. Minister, the challenge that Hon. Maphosa has is to do with the containers that are used or the steel caskets that are used which are archaic and some are not being carried properly; they are just lumped into a truck.  Also, healthcare workers have protective clothing but the police officers do not have protective clothing.  I wanted to put things into context – [HON. ENG. MHANGWA: Inaudible interjection.] -

  THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Can the Hon Member who shouted, please stand up so I can see you and you withdraw your words?

HON.  ENG. MHANGWA: I withdraw all my words but I am still concerned.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Are you a Minister Hon. Engineer?

HON.  ENG. MHANGWA:  I am sorry Hon. Speaker, that is why I am swallowing my words.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Member, if you withdraw your words, do so without any condition.  I want you to withdraw unconditionally.

HON.  ENG. MHANGWA:  I withdraw my words Hon. Speaker. - [HON. HAMAUSWA: Inaudible interjection.] -

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Hon. Hamauswa, I am going to ask you to leave the House if you continue doing what you are doing.

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

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE

PLANS TO INSTALL CONNECTIVITY BOOSTERS AND TRANSMITTERS IN BINGA SOUTH CONSTITUENCY

1. HON. CUMANZALA asked the Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services to inform the august House the Ministry’s plans regarding the installation of relevant connectivity boosters including network, radio and television transmitters in Binga South Constituency to enable people to receive information transmitted through radio, television and other forms of media in order to create more informed, educated and engaged society.

  HON. DR. KHUPE:  On a point of order Mr. Speaker Sir.  The Minister of Health was just telling us about M-pox and that we need to take precautions but I saw the Deputy Minister shaking hands with Ministers here.  I think this must be stopped as it may lead to the spreading of M-pox.

  THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  I think the Minister has taken note of that.

  ^THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY, POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES (HON. PHUTI):  Issues of radio and television transmitters fall outside the mandate and purview of the Ministry of ICT and I suggest and humbly submit that it be addressed to the relevant Ministry which is the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services. 

The Ministry of ICT, with the Universal Services Fund and several initiatives, has rolled out network coverage programmes to remote and uncovered areas in Zimbabwe.  It is important to note that the Government only comes in to complement programmes of the mobile network operators who have their WEPS rolled out by way of their plans and would not normally want to build base stations and sites in remote areas where they may not recoup their investments.     

The fund is not a big one and therefore, it may not cover all areas simultaneously apart from the construction of base stations which are technically called towers in the language.  The Ministry’s mandate extends to cover a wide spectrum of other programmes and that includes the following: e-health, e-learning, e-government, community information centres which we now call digital centres, promotion and support of ICT innovations.  Members of Parliament are therefore encouraged also to approach mobile network operators with proposals for their areas to be considered for coverage. 

However, concerns regarding network coverage in Binga South Constituency are well noted.  Let me also add that last week, His Excellency the President launched a programme where the Ministry was unveiling 246 LTE Base stations, 20 base stations on 5G as well as 14 relocated towers by the Universal Service Fund, which brings to a total of more than 300 base stations.  I thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.

*HON. CHIDZIVA: My supplementary question is in those areas which you discovered that they do not have electricity and for people to ensure that they learn, why can we not implement the solar system? I thank you.

         ⁺HON. PHUTI: In my response I would say the programme of electrifying Government institutions and properties in those schools, this programme is for a certain ministry but we have realised that where ICT knowledge is needed, we find out that most of these areas are not yet electrified. We have now developed a programme that we have hybrid electrical solars so that they can enhance the provisions of power especially where there are boosters. It is all difficult as the mandate of ICT that looks into schools and we end up putting solar panels.

         We need Government ministries to cooperate with each other. We need an ICT roll out plan with schools and the Ministry of Energy can go ahead of us to provide electricity for computers and other ICT gadgets. It is also prudent for me to ensure that we have got an initiative where Zimbabwe is a signatory to this programme, where we agreed that there are a number of schools that are going to receive ICT equipment. We also have knowledge that they will also be assisted with solar panels and that we are going to provide the power for these electricity gadgets. Thank you.

 PLANS TO INSTALL RELEVANT CONNECTIVITY BOOSTERS AND TRANSMITTERS IN BINGA SOUTH CONSTITUENCY

2. HON. CUMANZALA asked the Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services to apprise the House on the plans by the Ministry to install relevant connectivity boosters including network, radio and television transmitters

in Binga South Constituency, particularly in Pashu, Siadindi, Sinamagonde, Chibila,Mabobolo, and Chinonge wards to enable people to access information and create an informed, educated and a knowledgeable society. Mabobolo, and Chinonge wards to enable people to access information and create an informed, educated and a knowledgeable society.

         THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY, POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES (HON. PHUTI): Thank you Hon. Speaker. I came to this august House prepared with answers that I have already provided. I have not been assisted to take note of other questions that come from the same Hon. Member but when I look at the questions, they seem related and satisfied by answers that I provided. However, because they are written questions, I humbly seek your indulgence and the concurrence of the Hon. Member to allow me to go and satisfy other demands of his questions.

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Cumanzala, your Minister seeks your indulgence to go and look at the questions that you brought in up to Question No. 3.

         HON. CUMANZALA: Thank you Mr. Speaker, I concur with the Hon. Minister.

EFFORTS TOWARDS REHABILITATING SPORTING FACILTIES IN WARREN PARK CONSTITUENCY

23. 23. HAMAUSWA asked the Minister of Local Government and Public Works to apprise the House on efforts being implemented to rehabilitate sporting facilities in the Warren Park Constituency, specifically Warren Park Recreational Area located at the turn off towards Police Station and Kambuzuma Road.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS (HON. KABIKIRA): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. The facilities are on the City of Harare 2025 budget and are among those earmarked for rehabilitation in the 2025 fiscal year. I submit.

MEASURES TO ENSURE SUSTAINABLE EXTRACTION OF GRAVEL IN WARREN PARK

24. HON. HAMAUSWA asked the Minister of Local Government and Public Works to inform the House the measures being taken to ensure that extraction of gravel in Warren Park Hills is done in a sustainable manner which benefits the local community and alleviating health hazards.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS (HON. KABIKIRA): In response, the private companies are expected to abide by operating procedures as given in the Gravel Pit Management Manual. Regarding time of operation, methods and extent of excavation and the use of given access roads and the points of entry, the City of Harare has officers on the ground that ensure there is adherence to the provisions of the manual. Additionally, companies pay royalty fee which is meant for gravel pit rehabilitation and maintenance of access roads to the gravel extraction points.

The City of Harare is responsible for the above, collection of royalty fees for that purpose. Water is sprayed on the access road to suppress dust. Excavations are done in flood profiles to avoid deep pits which are a hazard to lives and environmentally unfriendly. Currently, all water pools have been closed at Warren Park Gravel Pit. Residents benefit from improved infrastructure as a result of quality gravel used for road construction and rehabilitation amongst other benefits. I submit.

         *HON. HAMAUSWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I also want to thank the Minister for his response.  Looking at what is happening in Warren Park, it is now a national disaster because the pits which he referred to as the ones closed are still there. I am kindly asking the Minister, in my supplementary, since his Ministry is the one that caters for what would be happening in the council offices. Did he assign some of his workers to go and investigate on the situation at Warren Park?  Those pits are still there and also, there are other people who are now constructing their houses going close to the pits which are as deep as five metres. 

         To end my question, I am going to ask the Minister whether he is aware that there are people who died in those dangerous pits? Can he kindly assign some people to go and visit the place?

         * HON. KABIKIRA:  I am very happy for the explanation that he gave here concerning things on the ground.  It is my wish and just like what he said, that I have to assign some ministry representatives to go and see what exactly is on the ground and see a way forward on such a situation.  As I got feedback from the research done, it shows that those pits were covered.  Just like what is in my manual here which says there is a certain fee which is being paid by those people who are extracting gravel from there and should be channelled towards covering those pits.

         Like you said Hon. Member, there is nothing wrong.  We will simply assign a team to go on the ground and see how best we can move  forward.  I was not aware that there was an incident which happened where some people lost their lives.  I thank you.

         HON. NKALA:  My question to the Minister is according to Section 13. If there is any exploitation of any natural resource, people of the area should be benefiting? We are seeing this happening in numerous areas.  However, I would like to ask on behalf of Warren Park.  Is there any benefit that these people are getting from the exploitation of the resources around their areas? – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] - 

         *THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Nkala, you were making noise that is why you failed to understand the response from the Minister.  The Minister simply said the good quality of gravel which is coming from there.  I think those are some of the benefits coming from there.  I thank you.

         HON. NKALA: I think when we look at the roads only, we are not actually looking at what Section 13 requires.  We are looking at a broad spectrum where people are benefiting fully from the exploitation of their resources in form of other amenities, not only the section of roads.  There are other issues that these people may wish to benefit from the exploitation or from these people who are exploiting the area.  So, we can even look at the issues like football grounds and development of other sport amenities for the community to benefit. 

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  So, I was expecting your question to say, apart from good roads, what other benefits are the people of Warren Park getting?

         HON. NKALA:  Thank you for that highlight.

         *HON. KABIKIRA:  Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir and the Hon. Member for the supplementary question asked.  I would like to say, as of now, the benefits which were being channelled towards the residents in Warren Park are the benefits which I said we have to do with the good quality gravel which they are getting from there. Just as you said, I do not think that it is something bad for people to create a committee from within Warren Park residents. The committee will simply come, have an interface meeting with those who are getting the gravel and then give their plea and add things that they want apart from good gravel. I thank you.

*HON. HAMAUSWA: On a point of clarity Mr. Speaker Sir. We expect such written questions that when responding, the responses should be in line with those questions asked. On the issue of roads which is mentioned, if you go to Warren Park, you discover that they do not have roads in those areas. Those roads which are being serviced are benefitting the people. I am kindly asking and thanking what was said by the Hon. Minister.  Those people from Warren Park can create a committee. I was humbly asking, if it is possible for us to be happy with his responses. The Minister should have promised us that he is going to liaise with the City of Harare and those other players within  to observe the way in which gravel is being extracted which should then benefit those residents in Warren Park.

We got a good response from the Minister but it is far from what is happening in Warren Park. I am kindly asking that, you do more research through his Ministry. I thank you.

*THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Hamauswa, the Minister agreed that what he brought from his office is a bit different from what is on the ground at Warren Park.  The Minister promised that if he moves away from here, he will then do investigations on the ground. He also encouraged that those from the council should engage those residents in Warren Park. I thank you.

PROGRESS TOWARDS THE REHABILITATION OF MUFAKOSE COMMUNITY LIBRARY

25. HON. HAMAUSWA asked the Minister of Local Government and Public Works to update the House on the progress made towards the rehabilitation of Mufakose Community Library.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS (HON. KABIKIRA): Thank you so much Mr. Speaker Sir. Let me also thank the Hon. Member for asking the question. Some minor repairs have been done including replacement of gutters. The library is operational as we speak. I thank you.

         *HON. HAMAUSWA: My supplementary question is, do you have any plans or arrangements which are being done by the council through your Ministry, for Mufakose library to have a well-presented reading area and internet for school children and parents within the area. If you look behind the library, the yard is quite big.  They do not have chairs, they do not have shade for people to read and they do not have internet there. I thank you.

         * HON. T. MOYO: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir and I also want to thank Hon. Hamauswa for the supplementary question. Yes, it is very true what he explained to say there is a big area behind the library where they need to have chairs and Wi-Fi or internet. I humbly accept that and I will take that to our office and sit down as a team and see what it is that we can do.  Also, what he said to do with the internet, we will kindly look into that. I thank you.

         HON. MUROMBEDZI: On a point of order Mr. Speaker, that question number 40 has been attributed to me but I am not the one who submitted it.

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Your point of order is noted. So, it is not you.

         HON. MURERI: Hon. Speaker, I think it is my question number 40, it is for Hon. Mureri.     

POLICY REGARDING USE OF SCHOOLS FOR POLITICAL RALLIES

40. HON. MURERI asked the Minister of Primary and

Secondary Education to apprise the House on;

1. a) The Government policy on the use of school premises for political rallies
2. b) What the Ministry is doing to ensure that children do not participate in political rallies?

            *THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY

EDUCATION (HON. T. MOYO): Hon Speaker Sir, you omitted

question 39.

             THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: You replied to that one. Hon Sithole was not in the House and I asked you to submit the written response but Hon. Mureri is in the House, so you can proceed with his question.

              *HON. T. MOYO: Thank you Hon. Mureri for asking this

 Question. In June 2021, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education signed the Global Call for Safe Schools Campaign which, among other issues, sought to ensure the safety of school children at schools by preventing the use of educational premises for political activities. Therefore, the Ministry’s position is that school premises should not be used for political rallies.  The Ministry is guided by Section 200 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, which stipulates that office bearers in the Public Service should be politically neutral and thus, should not publicly involve themselves in politics whilst still in service. I submit Mr. Speaker Sir.

         *HON. MURERI: Thank you Hon. Minister. My supplementary question to the Minister is; all what you read, I have understood but it is quite different from what is happening in those schools. These school premises are being used. A few months ago, we discovered that in Nyanga, those school premises were being used when people were holding their rallies. So, we are kindly asking to say what steps are you using for those Headmasters or for those from SDCs…

         HON. TOGAREPI:  Point of order Hon. Speaker.

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: What is your point of order?

         HON. TOGAREPI: The Hon. Member had ample time to prepare his question. He should have mentioned specific schools in the question. Now, he is generalising Nyanga a big district and is he saying every Nyanga school is used for political rallies or something or he is telling us his fact of those meetings?

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Chief Whip. Hon. Mureri, you ask general questions during Questions Without Notice. But those with notices should be more specific. So, if you have a burning specific question, put it in writing so that the Minister can prepare an adequate answer for you. Now, you asked for a general direction on political rallies on school yards and participation of school children which the Minister has answered you on. If you now have a specific issue, can I ask you to put it in writing?

         *HON. MURERI: Hon. Speaker Sir, this is not a specific question. This is what is happening in the whole country where political rallies are being held on school premises.

         *THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Mureri, are you saying that this is happening in the whole country? Nevertheless, you are not a Member of Parliament for the whole country. If you know what is happening in the whole country, just put it as specific question. Put it in writing so that the Minister will respond to you. I thank you. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –

WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE

COMMISSIONING OF INFORMATION CENTRE AT SILALATSHANE, INSIZA SOUTH CONSTITUENCY

4. HON. S. SITHOLE asked the Ministry of Information, Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services to inform the house when the ministry is going to commission information centre at Silalatshane in Insiza South Constituency.

THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY, POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES (HON. DR. T. MAVETERA): Silalatshane Community Centre (CIC) now rebranded Digital Centres in Insiza District, is among the CICs that were recently handed over to ZIMPOST for operationalisation. The other CICs handed over to ZIMPOST in the province are Tshelanyemba (Matobo District), Manama (Gwanda District) and Mawebeni (Umzingwane District). POTRAZ was asked to provide the CICs with connectivity and ICT gadgets.  

OWNER OF ODAR FARM AND REGULARISATION OF THE SETTLEMENTS

26. HON. CHIKOMO asked the Minister of Local Government and Public Works to clarify the status of the following:
27. Who the real owner of the land in Southley Park (Odar Farm) is?
28. When the regularisation of houses built on that land will be done?
29. What plans are there to regularise this settlement?

THE MINISTR OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS (HON. D. GARWE): a) Southley Park (Ordar Farm) is owned by Pinnacle Property Holdings and Government is currently in the process of finalising compensation to Pinnacle Property Holdings.

1. b) The issuance of regularisation permits for the houses built at Ordar Fram (Southley Park) should be done when the co-operatives approach the local authority with requisite offer letters for the stands concerned in accordance with the approved layout plan. This is applicable to Ordar Farm where layout plans were prepared and approved and are generally being followed.
2. c) Mr. Speaker Sir, My Ministry will therefore be updating on the drone survey that has been carried out to establish the level of non – compliance at Ordar Farm. Following that, the Ministry will arrange for the relocation of the non – compliant households and where necessary, the redesign of the layout plan. The formal allocation of stands will then follow and thereafter, the facilitation of the collection of development charges and the actual servicing of the area.

MEASURES TO ADDRESS ANOMALIES IN MONDE VILLAGE NEAR VICTORIA FALLS

27. HON. BONDA asked the Minister of Local Government and Public Works to inform the House the measures being taken by the Ministry to address anomalies in Monde Village near Victoria Falls where communal land is being sold online by traditional barons from Harare and the council endorses to regularise the sale of such stands.

THE MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS (HON. GARWE): Mr. Speaker Sir, I wish to clarify that Monde Village is not part of Victoria Falls; it falls under Hwange District, although it is in close proximity to Victoria Falls. We have determined that the land in Monde Village has not been sold by land barons, as alleged. Should any land barons be found selling land unlawfully, we will investigate and take appropriate action.

Currently, villagers in Monde have been reported to sell land to individuals from other area. To our understanding, the local authorities have not sanctioned these transactions. This issue has proven challenging, as villagers often claim to have parts of their land to relatives which is not illegal.

To rectify this situation, the office of the District Development Coordinator has engaged the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) to conduct awareness campaigns. These initiatives aim to inform communities about the legalities surrounding land sales, the associated costs and the penalties for violation, thereby deterring potential offenders. 

PLANS FOR THE PROVISION OF WATER TO MUTOTOTI PRIMARY SCHOOL AND CLASSROOM BLOCKS FOR THE SECONDARY SCHOOL

39. HON. S. SITHOLE asked the Minister for Primary and

Secondary Education to inform the House of the plans that the Ministry has put in place to provide water for Mutototi Primary School and classrooms for the Secondary school in Insiza South Constituency Ward 11. 

THE MINISTER FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY

EDUCATION (HON. T. MOYO):  The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is committed to the provision of safe water and coordinates with the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement for the Borehole Drilling programme.  Our department of Strategic Policy Planning Research and Statistics (SPPRS) coordinates the provision of water and sanitation under WASH programmes.  Funding comes from Government and development partners.

         As a Ministry, we also encourage Public-Private-Partnerships (PPPs) in which private players can assist Government in the provision of safe water at schools.

         The question of providing classrooms at Mutototi Primary School is also of major concern. Through the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) and other development partners, we provide funding for the construction of classrooms at school.  Every year, our department of Strategic Policy Planning Research and Statistics (SPPRS) identifies needy schools in which new classrooms may be built or old ones repaired.  Schools like Mutototi Primary School in Insiza South Constituency Ward 11 will be considered next time when disbursements are being made.

         Meanwhile, we encourage School Development Committees (SDCs) to make their initiatives by applying for building fund through our districts.  This will go a long way in complementing Government efforts in the construction of classrooms.

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

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: I believe that the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education has got an issue he wants to appraise you on, which you have asked him before. Let me give him the floor with your indulgence Hon. Minister.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES

THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (HON. T. MOYO):  Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir. This is a response to a motion which was debated in this House and it was moved by Hon. Bajila on indigenous languages, opportunities and challenges associated with these indigenous languages.  I will begin with the preamble Mr. Speaker Sir.  The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is dedicated to answering the national call for the establishment of a prosperous and empowered middle income society by 2030, primarily through robust human capital development.  Our mandate encompasses the provision of equitable, quality inclusive, relevant and competence-driven education at the infant, junior, secondary and non-formal levels.  This mission is intricately linked to redefining the role of Zimbabwean languages in fostering national development, thereby aligning with His Excellency, the President, Cde, Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa’s vision 2030.

Mr. Speaker Sir, Hon. Members, I would like to reflect on the evolution of indigenous languages in Zimbabwe.  In 2012, our nation joined the global community in commemorating the 20^th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on Minorities which was unanimously adopted in 1992.  This Declaration mandates that States protect non-dominant groups across all spheres life.  Zimbabwe ratified this Declaration in the context of widespread marginalisation and neglect of minority languages, often overshadowed by dominant and foreign tongues.

Article 4 (3) (4) of the Declaration emphasises the necessity for states to ensure that minorities can learn and use their mother languages for development.  I commend the Government of Zimbabwe for taking this critical step.  Following this commitment, the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act, 2013, recognised and guaranteed the official status of 16 official recognised national languages including the Sign language.

Preservation and Promotion of Indigenous Languages

The indigenous languages of Zimbabwe, as enshrined in our Constitution, are vital for national development and the realisation of Vision 2030.  The Ministry if actively strengthening the foundational base of the Infant Module by implementing indigenous languages as the medium of instruction in schools.  As Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, we have a policy called (ZELP) Zimbabwe Early Learning Policy where it is written in black and white that students in their infant education from ECD A up to grade 2 are supposed to be taught in their mother language. Significant progress has been made, with the Tonga language being taught and examined at Grade 7 in Matabeleland North, Midlands Mashonaland West.  Recent examinations showed a national pass rate of 66.2%, an improvement from 57.1% in 2020. Similarly, the Tshivenda language became examinable in 2019 in Matabeleland South, achieving a pass rate of 71.6% in 2022 – a 5.5% increase from 2020.  The Nambya language also taught and examined in Matabeleland North, recorded a 73% pass rate in 2022, up from 39.5% in 2020.  The Xichangani language has been assessed in Masvingo since 2019, with a notable pass rate 73.5% in 2022, improving from 11.1% in 2021.  The Kalanga language examined in Matabeleland South, achieved a pass rate of 74.1% in 2022, while Sesotho, also taught in the same region, recorded a pass rate of 74.6% compared to 56.3% in 2021.  In total, seven indigenous languages, including Shona and isiNdebele, are taught in schools.

Sign Language

In accordance with the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the Curriculum Framework for Primary and Secondary Education recognises Zimbabwe Sign Language as one of the indigenous languages. It serves as the medium of instruction and communication for pupils and teachers who are deaf or hard of hearing and is to be examined as a distinct subject.  The Infant ZimSign Language syllabus is currently in the syllabus interpretation training stage for teachers, with the remaining levels set for completion within this calendar year.

Uptake of all 16 Official Languages

The Ministry is focused on increasing the uptake of all 16 official recognised languages within the school system, ensuring that curriculum content is accessible to all pupils, regardless of their linguistic background.  We acknowledge that utilising indigenous languages as a medium of instruction will significantly enhance learning outcomes and promote a strong connection to cultural heritage.  The integration of local languages in education will contribute to improved literacy rates and reinforce cultural identity among Zimbabwean citizens.

I am honoured to outline the various ways in which indigenous languages are preserved and promoted while identifying opportunities and synergies that can prevent these languages from extinction, thereby safeguarding our culture, values and norms.  The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is committed to preventing the erosion of these invaluable resources.  Our languages enable the transmission of thoughts, values and ethics across generations, fostering our ethos of hunhu/ubuntu.  Therefore, I challenge all stakeholders to promote multilingualism within our vibrant nation.

I commend the Government of Zimbabwe for its unwavering support in ensuring that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education develops a coherent policy framework that empowers teachers to utilise pupils’ mother tongues as the primary medium of instruction at the infant and junior levels.   Our policy promotes measures that allow educators to engage with pupils in their indigenous languages throughout the learning process.

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2008 as the International Year of Languages, appointing UNESCO as the lead agency.  The 2002 edition of the Atlas of the World’s languages in Danger of Disappearing reported that approximately half of the 6000 languages spoken globally are endangered.  UNESCO has noted a dramatic increase in the rate of language disappearance over the past 30 years.  In response to this alarming trend, my ministry is implementing proactive measures to ensure that no language within Zimbabwean borders faces extinction.

Challenges

Despite our progress, several challenges persist in the preservation and promotion of indigenous languages. Language polarisation due to cultural decay and the influence of social media.  If you are not careful, Hon. Members, social media can affect and contribute to language polarisation. Another challenge is that of inadequate documentation of languages. You may notice that of the 16 officially recognised languages, our authors are not doing enough in terms of documentation and publication of books in those officially recognised languages that I spoke about, like Nambya, Tonga, and many others. 

Then another challenge, is the pressure of globalisation, rapid technological advancements, budget constraints affecting cultural festivities, the rise of certain religious movements leading to diminished interest in traditional cultures.

Then I will move on to solutions. To address these challenges, I encourage civil society organisations, private enterprises and individuals, including libraries and museums, to complement Government efforts by developing digital interactive language platforms.  The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education will continue to: -

• support innovative digital solutions for capturing and

teaching indigenous languages;

• implement language policies informed by community

collaboration;

• facilitate initiatives that preserve and promote indigenous

languages;

• encourage participation in indigenous language teaching

and learning;

• develop indigenous language resources using culturally

sensitive digital technology;

• promote both traditional and contemporary indigenous

arts;

• support the transmission of cultural heritage and

knowledge through languages and arts projects;

• create curriculum activities such as the school-based

projects to restore indigenous language cultures;

• utilise community resources to teach heritage languages;
• provide language engagement programmes that strengthen

community language use;

• encourage active participation from pupils in their heritage

languages;

• assist local communities in developing resource materials

and best practices for teaching heritage languages;

• develop mother tongue-based curriculum in primary and

secondary education;

• reflect indigenous knowledge systems and values in

educational curriculum;

• and finally, create programmes to facilitate learning and

maintaining indigenous languages in students' mother tongues.

What are the opportunities? We also recognise several opportunities that can enhance our efforts through advancements in digital technology, availability of skilled personnel, a vibrant multicultural society, strong Government support, media policies promoting the dissemination of national indigenous languages, integration of indigenous languages and minority content into the curriculum, initiatives led by the First Lady, Dr. Auxilia Mnangagwa in promoting cultural recognition.

As I conclude, Mr. Speaker Sir, I pose the question - are we doing enough to support indigenous languages? If not, I urge each of you to consider how you can contribute. While we have made significant strides, a concerted effort is required to fully realise the ideals of the 1992 Declaration.  I commend Her Excellency, the First Lady of Zimbabwe, Dr. Auxilia Mnangagwa, for her relentless efforts in advancing the recognition of our indigenous languages, cultures, traditions, values, and norms through initiatives such as Gota/Nhanga/Ixhiba programme and many other initiatives. As a ministry, we support these initiatives, and we continue to collaborate with other Government sectors to translate national documents into minority languages, revamp the education curriculum, and raise public awareness.

Hon. Speaker, Hon. Members, I extend my gratitude for your unwavering support in ensuring the survival of our indigenous languages.  Tatenda, Siyabonga. – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Thank you Hon. Minister.  The Hon. Minister has responded to debates that were in this House on a motion tabled by Hon. Bajila on indigenous languages.   Are there any points of clarification? – [HON. BAJILA: Yes Mr. Speaker!] -

HON. BAJILA:  Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the Hon. Minister for his response and paying attention, particularly his identification of issues surrounding the motion and how best we can promote our languages.

I just have, at least for now, one question that I would need clarity on. The Hon. Minister speaks to Government plans and the programmes for

1. t505-515                     16^th October, 2024

Language polarisation due to cultural decay and the influence of social media.  If you are not careful, Hon. Members, social media can affect and contribute to language polarisation. Another challenge is that of inadequate documentation of languages. You may notice that of the 16 officially recognised languages, our authors are not doing enough in terms of documentation and publication of books in those officially recognised languages that I spoke about, like Nambya, Tonga, and many others. 

Then another challenge, is the pressure of globalisation, rapid technological advancements, budget constraints affecting cultural festivities, the rise of certain religious movements leading to diminished interest in traditional cultures.

Then I will move on to solutions. To address these challenges, I encourage civil society organisations, private enterprises and individuals, including libraries and museums, to complement Government efforts by developing digital interactive language platforms.  The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education will continue to: -

• support innovative digital solutions for capturing and

teaching indigenous languages;

• implement language policies informed by community

collaboration;

• facilitate initiatives that preserve and promote indigenous

languages;

• encourage participation in indigenous language teaching

and learning;

• develop indigenous language resources using culturally

sensitive digital technology;

• promote both traditional and contemporary indigenous

arts;

• support the transmission of cultural heritage and

knowledge through languages and arts projects;

• create curriculum activities such as the school-based

projects to restore indigenous language cultures;

• utilise community resources to teach heritage languages;
• provide language engagement programmes that strengthen

community language use;

• encourage active participation from pupils in their heritage

languages;

• assist local communities in developing resource materials

and best practices for teaching heritage languages;

• develop mother tongue-based curriculum in primary and

secondary education;

• reflect indigenous knowledge systems and values in

educational curriculum;

• and finally, create programmes to facilitate learning and

maintaining indigenous languages in students' mother tongues.

What are the opportunities? We also recognise several opportunities that can enhance our efforts through advancements in digital technology, availability of skilled personnel, a vibrant multicultural society, strong Government support, media policies promoting the dissemination of national indigenous languages, integration of indigenous languages and minority content into the curriculum, initiatives led by the First Lady, Dr. Auxilia Mnangagwa in promoting cultural recognition.

As I conclude, Mr. Speaker Sir, I pose the question - are we doing enough to support indigenous languages? If not, I urge each of you to consider how you can contribute. While we have made significant strides, a concerted effort is required to fully realise the ideals of the 1992 Declaration.  I commend Her Excellency, the First Lady of Zimbabwe, Dr. Auxilia Mnangagwa, for her relentless efforts in advancing the recognition of our indigenous languages, cultures, traditions, values, and norms through initiatives such as Gota/Nhanga/Ixhiba programme and many other initiatives. As a ministry, we support these initiatives, and we continue to collaborate with other Government sectors to translate national documents into minority languages, revamp the education curriculum, and raise public awareness.

Hon. Speaker, Hon. Members, I extend my gratitude for your unwavering support in ensuring the survival of our indigenous languages.  Tatenda, Siyabonga. – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Thank you Hon. Minister.  The Hon. Minister has responded to debates that were in this House on a motion tabled by Hon. Bajila on indigenous languages.   Are there any points of clarification? – [HON. BAJILA: Yes Mr. Speaker!] -

HON. BAJILA:  Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the Hon. Minister for his response and paying attention, particularly his identification of issues surrounding the motion and how best we can promote our languages.

I just have, at least for now, one question that I would need clarity on. The Hon. Minister speaks to Government plans and the programmes for ensuring that indigenous languages are mediums of instructions for ECD-A to Grade 2. Our sister countries, particularly the Republics of Rwanda and Kenya are now teaching ICTs at all levels in Kinyarwanda and kiSwahili. We seem to be pushing our languages only for the infant levels of learning when our sister countries here on the African continent are now teaching everything that is examinable in indigenous languages so that the people of those countries can be able to comprehend complex phenomenon without having to relate or resort to a foreign language. Does Government have plans to ensure that we can be capable of teaching absolutely everything that is examinable in indigenous languages?

         HON. MUTOKONYI: I want to thank the Hon. Minister for responding to the issues raised, particularly where he highlighted that the Ministry is going to create a policy framework to come up with digital solutions regarding the indigenous languages. Also, the Hon. Minister highlighted the improvement in terms of the indigenous languages pass rate. This is an indication that as a country, we are actually doing much in terms of ensuring that the indigenous languages are made a medium of instruction.

What is also important Mr. Speaker is, particularly in the secondary to tertiary education, when he crafts the policy, may it focus in that area? I am quite aware that in the higher and tertiary institutions right now, we are seeing a lot of other languages like foreign languages being taught in higher and tertiary institutions. So, probably together with the co-Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, may they also input policy on indigenous languages as a medium of instruction more in the tertiary education?

HON. KARIMATSENGA-NYAMUPINGA: I just wanted to add on this policy that will be crafted that sign language is actually cross-cutting in indigenous and western languages. Just to say to the Minister that I hope as he crafts the policy, the sign language is going to be included so that it starts from ECD up to PhD. Just to say maybe before they start it in schools, there is need to include it in the training institutions for teachers to make sure that we get enough teachers to deploy to all schools to teach sign language.

HON. MUTSEYAMI: Thank you Mr. Speaker for according me this opportunity. I just want clarity from the Minister as to what kind of investment he is putting in terms of motivational aspects to those who are supposed to invest in terms of the books in our indigenous languages. Hon. Speaker, if you may pardon me, I will switch to another language.

*We have a challenge, for example, I can use a language such as Ndau, authors in Ndau and Shangani are very limited and even the people that buy these books through the Ministry are very few. There are no resources and financial motivation is not enough to encourage people to author books in these languages. We need to promote these languages so that they remain relevant languages. This is where I want us to understand if you are really eager to promote and preserve our languages for the next thousand years are that coming. If we do not have anywhere where it is documented, how is it going to be preserved and presented? This is where I want to understand the Minister. Do you have a budget that is earmarked to promoting the use of these languages?

*HON. SHAMU: I want to thank the Minister of Primary and Secondary, Hon. Moyo for coming to this august House to explain on the issue which was raised by Hon. Bajila. I would like to kindly say this is exactly what we expect ministers to be doing just like what Hon. Moyo has done.

Secondly, I remember around 1999, there was what was called Literature Bureau which was closed as people said it was no longer functional. It had a very important role of literature, writing down on various books and it used to motivate a lot of authors in different languages. They had support. For example, in Ndau we notice that that is the period we had a lot of books that were published. Is Literature Bureau now back?

On the issue of doing research, do we have any steps which are being taken by the Ministry to support and motivate authors on how we can preserve our local languages, mainly focusing on the broadcasting stations here in Zimbabwe? Most people are now speaking in various other languages which you will be shocked to say where did they bring those languages from without promoting these words which are being used just like those rockets? People never used to have these rockets. Those radio presenters like Mandizha could have such words to support this information. People could have dictionaries to help express but right now, you cannot find a dictionary on various languages. What is happening and what is the Ministry doing?

*THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. MACHINGURA): Before I give Hon. Mashonganyika the floor, I would like to say Hon. Moyo you heard everything which has been said. The whole House is applauding on what you did today. We had such a debate and you came in to present your response. It was a prayer for this august House to say all this knowledge from you be spread to other Ministers to follow suit. I thank you.

*HON. MASHONGANYIKA: I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education for what he has done and also applaud Hon. Bajila for bringing such an important motion. We have respect that you decided to come back and explain deeply on what the Government is planning to do in line with the local languages.

How would you take it if we go back to adult literacy just like what we used to do after the liberation struggle? We used to have adult education where people were being taught to read and write. This assisted people to write their names when it came to elections and voting and it helped a lot. I am kindly asking if the Government has got such programmes whereby people will learn our local languages and ensure that we have a law which adults will be learning without paying anything. 

If you look at countries like China, they were never oppressed by other countries. Why? Simply because they respected their local language. So, us, we are discovering that as Zimbabweans, we are failing to understand some of the languages. Why can we not just learn those languages so that we have a deep understanding on those languages so that we can come up with idioms and other deep ways of expressing the dignity of our language to be taken forward?

His Excellency is simply saying we do not have to leave anyone and no place behind. This simply means that we are leaving out other people with very important points or deep knowledge on what they think the nation has to be directed but they are failing to express all those things in the English language. So, it is very nice for us to build our country with our culture and everything expressed. I thank you.

*THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Mashonganyika, we were looking at the Minister's presentation, seeking clarification on that. So, were you trying to say that to the Minister, to say if the parents taught this local language, they would not fail in the future?

*HON. MASHONGANYIKA: Yes, I would like to thank you, Mr. Speaker.  That is exactly what I wanted to say. I thank you.

HON. TIMBURWA: Thank you, Mr. Speaker and many thanks to the Minister for this initiative. My follow-up clarity is pertaining to whether there are any measures in the policy that he is working on, where we are going to have our tertiary technical subjects, for example subjects like Engineering, Physics, Aviation, being learned in our vernacular languages.

Why I am asking and following up is, if you travel around, you realise that in countries that learn these particular subjects in their vernacular languages, the rate of comprehension is high. I believe in our country if we have that kind of a modality where we can learn some of these technical subjects in our vernacular languages, people who are slow like myself will be able to participate and also become experts in those areas. I thank you.

HON. KAPOIKILU:  I would like to thank the Minister for his detailed response. He really tried to pay attention to detail and this is very commendable because very few Ministers come into this House.

However, Hon. Speaker, what I was expecting from the Minister's response was for him to recommend certain amendments to our laws or the Constitution in line with Hon. Bajila’s prayer in his motion. This is what I was expecting. As it is right now, yes, he gave recommendations, but as far as the law is concerned, the status quo is going to remain.

*HON. TOGAREPI: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have my observation from what the Minister explained. The Government is trying so hard for people to respect our languages. However, if you look into the ECD grade, the way children are being taught for them to go to another level, they are being taught in English. If you look closely, you would think that for a child to be rated as capable, those children should be speaking the English language.

Do you have a curriculum for those children in ECD grade? If you meet those youngsters, they cannot actually pronounce words in Shona. They are only speaking in English. Thank you.

HON. T. MOYO: Hon. Speaker, may I thank the Hon. Members who have raised their issues, seeking clarification on some issues.

Some of them appreciated the motion that was raised by Honourable Bajila and the response that I have done representing the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.

I will begin with the issues raised by Hon. Bajila, who has observed that ICT in countries like Kenya and Rwanda is taught in Swahili and many other disciplines, especially in East Africa. So, his question is, what are the Government's plans to formulate the teaching of several languages in our officially recognised language?

Hon. Speaker, this is an issue which was raised when we had a conference, there was a conference two years ago in Victoria Falls.

 Those who were in the Ninth Parliament would remember that there was a conference that was officially commissioned by our President, Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa in Victoria Falls. The issue of officially recognised languages is spearheaded by the Ministry of Sports under Minister Coventry. So as the Ministry of Primary, we are supporting the Ministry of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture.

It is our dream, however, that one day, all the languages will be taught in our indigenous languages. When we talk of all the languages, I am saying Physics must be taught in IsiNdebele, Ndau, Shona, and Nambya, that is our dream as Zimbabweans.  What is needed is the legal framework to operationalise that.  So, I want to call upon the Portfolio Committee on Primary and Secondary Education, supported by the Committee on Sports, Recreation, Arts, and Culture, to come up with, or perhaps we can initiate a Bill from the Executive where we are moving that all the subjects from ECD, all subjects should be taught in our indigenous languages, Mathematics, History, Geography, all subjects should be taught in our indigenous languages.

It is work in progress, Hon. Speaker but with the excitement and also with the zeal shown by our Hon. Members, I think this can be attained.  So, we need to find a way to make sure that we come up with perhaps a Bill to change the legal framework so that we would say anyone who does not have an indigenous language should not train in our colleges.

I know one college, Mkoba Teachers College, you cannot train as a teacher when you have not passed one indigenous language, whether it is Tonga, Ndebele or Shona. That is the policy. We can also come up with a legal framework where we are saying for you to be employed in Zimbabwe, you must have at least an indigenous language. For you to get a place to study at any university, you need to have at least one or two indigenous languages. That is a legal framework that we need to work on so that we become progressive. Just like in the same manner of what happens in China.

Chinese teach their students in Chinese, all degrees are done in Chinese, the same with Koreans, same with Japanese. I think that is the same style which we need to embrace.

Hon. Mutokonyi, thank you very much for your comments.  You wanted to ask on policy of indigenous language as a language of instruction.  That is the same comment on what Hon. Bajila has observed.  Hon. Nyampinga, it is a suggestion and it is a very good suggestion where sign language must be included from ECD up to PhD.  It means even training of teachers.  Every teacher should have skills of sign language.  I think that is a welcome development.  We support this as Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.  Thank you Hon. Nyamupinga for that suggestion.

Hon. Mutseyami, thank you for focusing on Ndau, reviewing syllabus in support of the heritage-based curriculum.  We have a budget for the publication of books.  So authors will be paid by the Ministry.  We have received support from Government.  We have also received support from UNESCO.  UNESCO has a budget exceeding 600 000 which is paid on incentivising book authors, especially those who are working on books relevant to the curriculum, but I also want to believe that anyone who may write, whether it is a novel or it is a set book, needs to be incentivised.  I think that is very important for us to preserve our indigenous languages.

Hon. Shamu, thank you very much.  You said the Literature Bureau was closed.  It is true it was closed, but we want to resuscitate the Literature Bureau so that our authors may also receive financial incentives for their publications.  Hon. Mashonganyika, thank you so much for what you said.  You said after the liberation struggle, that is when people were being taught as adult education.  We also have what we call non-formal education.  Even those people who are grown-ups are allowed to come to Primary and Secondary Education. They are coming to learn.  They are going into various towns, even in rural areas we have such programmes. So, you were mainly focusing on the tribes to say we have to maintain our cultures.       We would like to thank you so much and we expect that if we look into our Constitution, there is a need to have an amendment whereby we have to ensure that such ideas are being taken into cognisance.  This is a welcome development like I said earlier on. Thank you very much.

Hon. Kapoikilu, again it is the same issue.  He recommends that the laws need to be changed.  I agree with that.  Hon. Chief Whip, Hon. Togarepi, it is true.  Most of the ECDs, especially in urban areas cannot speak Shona, they cannot speak Ndebele.  They speak English eloquently.  The same applies to the so-called trust schools.  They do not even write indigenous languages at ‘O’level.  They concentrate on English.  They can actually prefer to do French or those European languages.  I think this is something that needs to be corrected.

At ECD we have a Zimbabwe early learning policy which says learners in their infant level should be taught in their mother language but that is not happening.  I think we need to come up with a policy as Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to compel those ECD centres or schools that are enforcing students to be taught in English language whilst they are in ECD to teach in their mother language.

The other challenge lies with the parents.  Visit some of the homes especially in towns, they do not speak indigenous languages.  They speak English all the time.  So, I do not know what we can do, Hon. Members, to address this challenge so that we can preserve our indigenous language.

Hon. Speaker, I want to thank Hon. Members who participated and sought clarification.  I want to appreciate all their comments.  They are so important.  Their comments were very important, very indispensable.  Thank you so much.

On the motion of HON. TOGAREPI, seconded by HON. NYANDORO, the House adjourned at Seventeen Minutes to Six o’clock p.m.