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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY HANSARD 19 FEBRUARY 2025 VOL 51 No. 26

 

PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE

Wednesday, 19^th February, 2025

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

PRAYERS

(THE HON. SPEAKER in the Chair)

ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE HON. SPEAKER

CANCER, NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES AND WELLNESS CAUCUS

         THE HON. SPEAKER:  I wish to inform the House that all Hon. Members who are interested in joining the Cancer, Non-communicable Diseases and Wellness caucus are invited to a meeting scheduled for Wednesday, 26^th February, 2025 at 1200 hours in Special Committee Room No.1 on the Ground Floor.

NON-ADVERSE REPORT RECEIVED FROM THE PARLIAMENTARY LEGAL COMMITTEE

THE HON. SPEAKER:  I also wish to inform the House that I have received a Non-adverse Report on the Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill [H. B.  10, 2024] from the Parliamentary Legal Committee.

APOLOGIES RECEIVED FROM MINISTERS

THE HON. SPEAKER:  I have received apologies from the Executive, the list is rather long – [AN HON. MEMBER: Verengai varipo.] – You want to save my energy, no, in terms of procedure, I have to announce them.  The Hon. Gen. Rtd. Dr. Chiwenga, the Vice President; Hon. Col. Rtd.  K. C. D. Mohadi, the Vice President; Hon. Prof. M. Ncube, the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion; Hon. K. D. Mnangagwa, the Deputy Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion; Hon. T. Machakaire, the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training; Hon. Mupamhanga Junior, the Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training; Hon. O.C.Z. Muchinguri-Kashiri, the Minister of Defence; Hon. Levi Mayihlome, the Deputy Minister of Defence; Hon. M. Mutsvangwa, the Minister of Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development; Hon. D. Garwe, the Minister of Local Government and Public Works; Hon. Mazungunye, the Deputy Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs; Hon. W. Chitando, the Minister of Mines and Mining Development; Hon. P. Kambamura, the Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development; Hon. F. M. Shava, the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development; Hon. E. Moyo, the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare; Hon. M. N. Ndlovu, the Minister of Industry and Commerce; Hon. Modi, the Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce; Hon. J. G. Moyo, the Minister of Energy and Power Development; Hon. Hon. Vangelis Peter Haritatos, the Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement; Hon. D. Marapira, the Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement. 

                 Hon. Professor Murwira is the Acting Leader of Government Business.  Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, are there functions happening somewhere or your colleagues have gone outside the country, I wonder?

     THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE (HON. PROF. MURWIRA): Thank you Hon. Speaker. I am sure that some are on their way and others are attending an ICT function.

         THE HON. SPEAKER:  Nonetheless, the Hon. Professor, there is no excuse for Deputy Ministers not to be here.  I am aware that His Excellency, the President has indicated that deputies must take active roles in their ministries. One of them is to be in Parliament if the substantive Minister is unavailable, the Deputy Minister must be here.  You will convey the message.

HON. PROF. MURWIRA: We are guided Hon. Speaker Sir.

THE HON. SPEAKER: Nonetheless, we shall proceed with the Hon. Ministers who are here and I hope you will be able to spread your questions.

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

HON. NKOMO: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. My question is directed to the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development. What is Government policy on providing footbridges in affected areas where if it is raining, children cannot go to school?

THE HON. SPEAKER: Contingent measures for impassable bridges.

THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT (HON. MHONA): Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir and let me also thank Hon. Nkomo for that very important question. Maybe what I also need to brief the august House on is the issue to do with the road authorities under our purview which are four. One, is the department of roads, the local authority which are cities, Rural District Councils and Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA), which was formally known as District Development Fund (DDF). Normally in our rural constituencies, we will have such footbridges and even low-lying bridges that are under the purview of RIDA or under Rural District Councils.

However, it depends with what kind of infrastructure there is, where we send our provincial road engineers to assess before we expose whether our kids or those who will be crossing over that river, to make sure that whatever structure we put on that particular section will be actually reinforced. So, to answer Hon. Nkomo, yes, together with the local Member of Parliament of that particular area or councillor, if there is a particular bridge, we are amenable so that we send our team and engineers to guide accordingly. Thank you.

HON. GANYIWA: Is there any immediate measures to address some bridges that were swept away with the floods during this rainy season across the country?

HON. MHONA: Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir. We know that with the advent of the Second Republic, there was the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme two of which the statutory instrument was promulgated in February 2021, and it has been extended to the 31^st of December, 2026. It will take charge of such occurrences where we have disasters. If you have witnessed the incessant rains that we have received as a country, a number of bridges have been swept away and we will actually use that facility to attend to such bridges.  I thank you.

*HON. KUKA: Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir. I want to understand from the Hon Minister, the different plans that will see the demarcation of bridges through barricades because you would find that the barricades are now damaged, most barricades along our roads are now damaged.

HON. MHONA: Thank you Hon. Speaker and I want to thank Hon. Kuka for that question which is deep. Indeed, it is true. In most of our bridges, we have such bridges that the Hon. Member alluded to and we call them demarcation parapets, not barricades. Sometimes such parapets are destroyed by cars which accidentally bump onto the bridges. At times, it is because people steal the barricades. So as responsible citizens, we need to look after our bridges. You would find that, sometimes, some people steal the barricades for reuse. After researching, we decided that we are going to be using concrete to curb the issue of pilfering or stealing of barricades. In such areas, I want to urge motorists to be cautious. I thank you.

*HON. KARUMAZONDO: Thank you Hon. Speaker. My supplementary to the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development is that we appreciate the good work that you are doing. I want to ask about other plans of completing bridges that are not complete, which were given to contractors and are still pending. I thank you.

* HON. MHONA: Hon. Speaker, sometimes the budget might be strained. It is the same budget that we draw from the fiscus. So, sometimes we might take time to complete some projects. I am glad that the Hon. Member spoke about Marambapfungwe where the Hon. Member is the respective Member of Parliament (MP). So, this is a particular question referring to a specific area and the question might need to be put in writing. However, I want to respond saying that the Ministry is seized with completing all incomplete projects but I believe that this august House voted for the annual budget and as we have started 2025, we are going to be receiving allocations from the budget despite the allocation that we anticipated as a Ministry. However, we will continue doing a good job. I thank you.

HON. S. SAKUPWANYA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir and good afternoon. My question to the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services is, on Monday, there was a show that was aired on ZTV called First Ladies Africa, a good show as it was, had a clip in it where it conducted open hearts surgery on live television. In that short clip, others would consider it as graphic content. However, when the show was aired, there was no warning to state that there was going to be graphic content displayed in this particular episode, no any parental control feature, giving the ability for parents to be able to safeguard their children from watching such gruesome content on primetime TV, nor was there any blurring of the images of that clip where the open-heart surgery occurred? My question therefore is, what is the Government policy with regards to censorship that allows for the parents to be able to be protected or warned in advance before such graphic content is shown on live TV?

         THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE (HON. PROF. MURWIRA): Thank you Hon. Speaker, Sir. I wish to thank the Hon. Member for asking the question on the issue of warnings before graphic content is shown. Hon. Speaker, our policy as a Government is to make sure that we protect our citizens from negatives such as graphic content, just warnings before that. If there was a miss which happened on that particular day, it does not reflect Government policy. It reflects an error. I thank you. 

 

         *HON. MATAMBO: My question to the Hon. Minister is, there is the informed consent process and I want to ask what Government did to inform the nation and to seek for informed consent of the patient who participated in the open-heart surgery? 

         HON. PROF. MURWIRA: Hon. Speaker, I am sure that all due process was followed. However, the issue of not forewarning, we admit it might have been an error. Therefore, if it is particularly about this case, then maybe the question can be in writing but the Government policy is very clear. It is there to protect its people, citizens and residents of this country from negative content. So, if it is about the policy, it is very clear. If it is about a particular incident, we could get more detailed information about that particular incident.

         HON. KUKA:  On a point of order. The Minister of Health is in the House and I believe that it would be more appropriate to have the Minister of Health responding to questions.

 

THE HON. SPEAKER: The question was posed to the Minister of Information and not Minister of Health. It has nothing to do with a surgical procedure. 

         HON. PROF. MURWIRA: So, in terms of protection against negative content, the laws are there and the regulations are there. What we are saying is, if on that particular day that warning did not come, it does not reflect Government policy. It reflects an error but if there are particulars that have been known about that incident, then it can be put in writing and a detailed answer can be brought before this House. 

         HON. MALINGANISO: Mr. Speaker, what I want to enquire from the Minister is that, in case of such errors, is there a policy where those that would have been exposed to trauma can be compensated? Thank you.

HON. PROF. MURWIRA: Hon. Speaker, I think if there was anybody who was offended and there is a legitimate case around that point, I am sure they can approach the authorities. I think the answer will come from that process. 

 

         HON. MUSHORIWA: Mr. Speaker, in the absence of the Minister of Finance, I would like to defer to my next Hon. Member to ask the question because my question is specific to the Minister of Finance. Thank you.

THE HON. SPEAKER: Yes, thank you very much for your indulgence. That was what we agreed yesterday. The Leader of Government Business is here. Yes, welcome. There is an issue, Hon. Minister regarding the delayed issuance of the Constituency Development Fund after I think three promises have been made. If you could alert the Hon. Minister of Finance to prepare as to why those promises were not fulfilled. Thank you. 

         HON. MUROMBEDZI: Mr. Speaker, following the incident that happened in one of our tourist areas in northern Zimbabwe in which an eight-year-old boy was found after five days surviving in the wilderness, the story generated a lot of global attention and a lot of journalists wanted to come to Zimbabwe. My question to the Hon. Minister of Information and Publicity is, what is the Government policy with regards to the accreditation of international journalists in relation to the time that the accreditation is supposed to come out, given that the journalists would want to come to Zimbabwe and report the stories when they are hot, as well as marketing our tourist areas? I so submit.

THE HON. SPEAKER:  I am not sure whether I find the relationship between the missing young boy and the accreditation of journalists. Would you like to explain? Please, with your indulgence Hon. Member, can you explain? 

HON. MUROMBEDZI: Mr. Speaker, there is an eight-year old boy who went missing in Matusadona who stays under Nyaminyami Rural District Council. So, he spent five days in Matusadona and was found after five days living in the wilderness. The story went viral and it attracted a lot of attention from international journalists. They wanted to come to Zimbabwe to cover the story within the days that it happened but they could not because of specific items that they needed to actually because of the timeframe of the accreditation. I wanted to ask the Honourable Minister on the Government policy in relation to the accreditation and the timelines in which the accreditation is supposed to come. On this one, it was actually a miss on ourselves to come and cover our tourist destination when the story was still hot.

         THE HON. SPEAKER: The problem with that question is that I am not sure whether you got the correct source of the accreditation process. How did you compile that information?

         HON. MUROMBEDZI: Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir. There is actually one media house that contacted me and I got their letter and submitted it to the Ministry. They said it takes 30 days.

         THE HON. SPEAKER: Are you the MP of the area?

         HON. MUROMBEDZI: Hon. Speaker Sir, yes, I am from Mashonaland West and I broke the story and the journalists were contacting me together with the MP for the area.

         THE HON. SPEAKER: Well, I think your question Honourable Member, with all due respect, titivates towards a hypothesis. So, I do not think it will be fair to put it across to the Minister. Thank you.

         THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI): Mr. Speaker, I was saying accreditation of journalists is when we have a conference and it is done through Foreign Affairs. They submit their names and accreditation is done on time. If you want to come and cover stories in Zimbabwe as a correspondent, you then have to apply for a work permit. We do not have a scenario where, on an ad hoc basis, a journalist says I want to come and cover a story. Foreign Affairs and our foreign policy does not allow that. If those journalists are interested in working in Zimbabwe, they can contact Foreign Affairs and be linked to Immigration and get work permits to work in Zimbabwe.

         THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Minister but nonetheless, we do not want to discuss issues based on hearsay because what you are informing us here is hearsay. There is nothing written by the journalist himself or herself. I think what the Hon. Leader of Government Business said covers the response accordingly. There is no supplementary. How can you ask a supplementary question when we have explained the procedure? Thank you.

         *HON. S. TSHUMA: Thank you Hon. Speaker. I want to direct my question to the Minister of Social Welfare. Last year in this august House, we had time to get clarification from the respectable Minister of Social Welfare and the Minister of Agriculture regarding distribution of food and they explained that no one was going to lack food. However, the situation on the ground is that there are some areas which have not yet received grain since August last year. I would like to know what the challenge is which is delaying the distribution of this grain. I thank you.

         THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, please do not be sarcastic, that is unparliamentary. Honourable Minister, please proceed.

         *THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND SOCIAL WELFARE (HON. M. DINHA):  Thank you very much Hon. Speaker. Indeed, this was said in this august House that no one is going to be left behind and no one is going to experience hunger. The distribution of food was done but last year we faced a challenge of transportation of the maize grains. This challenge was sorted out and I believe that everyone is now receiving their allocation. We started the fourth blitz from the 1^st of February 2025. The distribution of grain is going on very well and I believe that those who are sourcing for transport are also getting maize. We are at 8% now in terms of this last distribution in the fourth blitz which is currently underway. I thank you. 

         THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Minister, may you please stick to one language and speak proper Shona, thank you.

         HON. S. TSHUMA: Thank you Hon. Speaker.  I want to thank

the Hon. Minister for that response but it is not quite clear because the

Hon. Minister seems to be saying that the last phase of maize

distribution but when I asked my question, I was referring to August and also this particular term. The question then is that some were skipped during the August phase. You would find that sometimes people end up into debt and I want clarification on that because some might still be waiting for their allocation. I thank you.

         HON. M. DINHA: Thank you Hon. Speaker. What happens is that the Hon. Member is saying in August but you would find that all leaders have the task of ensuring that people have received their allocation. Hon. Member, you are supposed to communicate with the Ministry that there are some people who have not received their allocation. If you do not communicate, then you will not have that information. A lot of Members of Parliament call the Ministry informing us and we act accordingly. We have not received feedback that there are some people who have not received their allocation. I thank you.

         THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Tshuma, I think take note of the response by the Hon. Minister.  If there are specific areas, I think it is better to ask a written question because the policy is clear, distribution of drought relief must leave no place behind.

         *HON. MURAMBIWA: Thank you Hon. Speaker for giving me the opportunity to pose my question.  I wanted to ask that at one point, I asked for clarification regarding transport but now you would find that people are sharing a dollar each per bag. People are being asked to pay for transportation by transporters.  Where they do not contribute their dollars, then they do not receive their Pfumvudza allocation.  You would find that for a 2kg packet of beans, you pay a dollar after having shared 2kg from 10 kg.  So, is it Government policy for people to pay such amounts for social services?  I thank you.

        * HON. DINHA:  Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir.  I do not know whether the Hon. Member is still speaking of distribution because we have never distributed beans.  It is not Government policy for people to be denied food because they have not paid for transportation.

       HON. J. TSHUMA: Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir.  My supplementary question goes towards the same issue of food distribution but because of the urban set up that was agreed upon that the urbanites will be given money to be able to buy mealie-meal instead, as I speak right now, ever since November, people have not been receiving that money.  I want to find out from the Minister what is hindering the disbursement of the money that is supposed to be given to the people so that they are able to then buy mealie-meal towards feeding themselves during this hunger period?  I thank you.

       HON. DINHA: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir.  I think the cash transfers are under way.  This February they will resume.  This February, I think our Ministry was in Epworth …

      THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Minister, tarisai kuno, address the Chair.

        HON. DINHA: Our Ministry was in Epworth, monitoring the cash transfers that were done by World Vision.  So, the cash transfers are underway.  If there are areas that were not given.  They will be given in due course.

      *HON. MUTSEYAMI: On a point of order Hon. Speaker.  The issue of food distribution to different areas is not unique to Hon. Tshuma but this is happening in different constituencies.  Through your office Hon. Minister, I think you need to go and carry out proper research so that you can bring a Ministerial Statement with full information, then Hon. Members of Parliament would be able to ask their questions because this is a universal problem.  It is not a problem which is being faced by one constituency.  I thank you.

        THE HON. SPEAKER: Deputy Minister, if you can liaise with the substantive Minister, so you can bring a Statement to give the House a comprehensive Statement about food distribution?

         HON. J. TSHUMA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.  My question is directed to the Minister of National Housing. My question is in relation to social houses like the Matapi Flats in Mbare, the Makokoba Flats in Bulawayo, Iminyela Flats and such places that were initially made for families temporarily that were seeking accommodation but now they have become permanent structures…

       THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Member, ask a question on national policy regarding housing provision.

        HON. J. TSHUMA: I just gave an example but it is a national issue to say a lot…

        THE HON. SPEAKER: No, do not comment on my comment, that is not permissible.  I have guided you, so act accordingly.

         HON. J. TSHUMA: I stand guided Mr. Speaker Sir.  What is Government policy on those kinds of houses that are now almost inhabitable?  They have no proper ablution facilities, no running water and no electricity.  What is Government policy towards resuscitating or rehabilitating those houses so that they become habitable?  I thank you.

       THE MINISTER NATIONAL HOUSING AND SOCIAL AMENITIES (HON. SODA): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.  Allow me to thank the Hon. Member for asking such a question.  We have embarked on a plan to renew those houses to bring them back to a condition where they will be properly habitable.  To respond in short, we will renew those houses and ensure that the facilities that support the houses are put back, like he has mentioned, the issue of the toilets and other supporting facilities.  All that will be renewed but all that is dependent on the availability of resources which this House will provide to us.

HON. MATEWU: Thank you very much Madam Speaker. It is well and good for the Hon. Minister to tell us that those facilities, houses will be refurbished and the ablution facilities and everything else will be renovated too. Can the Minister give us a specific timeline when this can be done? Can we also know if this has been budgeted for in the 2025 budget and if not, where is he going to get that money?

HON. SODA: Thank you Madam Speaker. Urban renewal is what is being pursued but you will notice that most of the urban settlements are under the local authorities and as a policy of Government, this is what I was just articulating that there will be urban renewal. As for the specific budgets, those have to be provided for by the respective local authorities. I thank you.

HON. JAMES: Thank you very much Madam Speaker. The original question referred to flats that needed refurbishment, the Minister referred to houses. I just want to confirm that he also means these flats that need urban renewal.

HON. SODA: Thank you Madam Speaker. Flats are also houses, so when I spoke of urban renewal with regards to houses, flats are also included.

HON. MAKUMIRE: My supplementary question to the Hon. Minister is, what is the model that Government is going to adopt for this urban renewal process?  Is it redesign and rebuilt or it is only refurbishment?

 HON. SODA: Thank you Madam Speaker. This is a project that will be undertaken as a whole of Government approach. As such, the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities will collaborate with the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works and this is a very specific and technical question as to how the… – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]-

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Members, please may you give the Hon. Minister a chance to respond.

HON. SODA: Madam Speaker, this will be on a settlement-by-settlement approach because the question was whether there is going to be reconstruction, refurbishment and this will be particularised to a settlement depending on what would have been ascertained by our technical people. Thank you.

HON. O. SIBANDA: Good afternoon Madam Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement, what Government policy is on purported privatisation of water provision in urban areas?

THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI): Thank you Madam Speaker. I want to thank the Hon. Member for the question. I think if there is a decision that was made, which allows our people to have safe and potable water, it is to transfer the availability and provision of water to the private sector so that it is managed efficiently. Our local authorities have dismally failed to ensure that we get clean and potable water.  The billing system is in shambles and I am sure all of us agree. So the thrust really is to improve on efficiency in terms of collecting revenue so that we do not have to depend on a monthly basis from the fiscus to fund the water purification. I think that is the trend world-over where private players who have capability come in and complement what local authorities and Government are doing. I thank you.

HON. MAKUMIRE: Thank you very much Madam Speaker. The privatisation of municipal water has been tried the world-over.  I will give a specific example of Kojabamba in Bolivia and in France and it can bring efficiency in terms of water supply. As you know private players only exist to maximise profit…

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: And the question is? Ask your question Hon. Member?

 HON. MAKUMIRE: What measures have been put in place by the Government to ensure that even low-income earners have access to clean and potable water? Thank you very much.

HON. Z. ZIYAMBI: Thank you Madam Speaker. I want to thank the Hon. Member for the follow up question and I am very happy that he is conceding that it will allow efficient provision of water. Government is there to put policies and regulations to ensure that citizens are protected and that is going to happen. I thank you.

HON. DR. KHUPE: Thank you Madam Speaker. On a related matter with regards to water because water is life.  I am very much alive to the fact that it is Government policy that water must be harvested. My question is, since God has blessed us with a lot of water, there are gallons of water which are wasting away. What is the Ministry doing in making sure that they harvest  that water so that when rains go, we will not experience what we experienced during the other season. Thank you.

HON. Z. ZIYAMBI:  Thank you Madam Speaker. I would want to thank the Hon. Member for the question. Zimbabwe is blessed with plenty of water and we have a lot of water bodies that are under utilisation. The direction of Government now is ensuring that we develop irrigation capabilities. Our problem is not of lack of water. Our problem is lack of irrigation capabilities. Once that has been developed, then we should be able to feed ourselves without the need of rain fed agriculture. We have several water bodies and that is now the thrust. If you hear the Minister of Agriculture speaking, his emphasis is on developing our irrigation capability so that we will become food self-sufficient.

Madam Speaker, I want to allude to the fact that we had a severe drought this past year and because of our irrigation capabilities, we had substitution of maize with wheat. That wheat is an irrigation plant. I think we are satisfied in terms of our water bodies. I thank you.

HON. ENG. MHANGWA:  Thank you Madam Speaker. The Water Act is explicit to say the responsibility of water resides with the President who then delegates to the Minister of Water. Given the above and the fact that the process of privatisation did not include competitive bidding, what measures and roles would be played by the private player?  Will the private player take the whole cycle or will it be limited to several sections and protect other areas to keep it cheap?

HON. Z. ZIYAMBI:   Thank you Madam Speaker. I want to thank the Member for the question. I am not sure whether there is a question there. He makes reference to the Water Act and what he then describes is not related to what he said because he makes reference to the President being the custodian of the water and delegates powers to the Minister. I am not sure where there is a conflict with the law by giving a private player. The President is the custodian of almost everything in the country.

HON. ENG. MHANGWA:  Madam Speaker, may I be allowed to clarify?

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Please go ahead.

HON. ENG. MHANGWA:  Hon. Minister, the question was on the role that the private players will play. Are they going into the whole chain, from the processing right through to the tap?  Are they going to be the ones who will, at the end of the day, give someone the receipt? If they are in the whole chain, what measures are there in the absence of competitive bidding to ensure that water remains affordable?

HON. Z. ZIYAMBI:  Thank you Madam Speaker. The Hon. Member wants me to come with the agreement and mention specifications. I am here to spell out the policy that private players will be players in the water provision industry. As to be specifics, whether he is going to buy a pump and pump into that reservoir, put so many chemicals, pump it then to meter, I think those ones are very specific.

The Hon. Member is free to call the Minister of Agriculture to come and give a statement with all those details or in Committee.  Then that can be answered adequately. My job is to ensure that I spell out policy that indeed, we are going to do this but for the specific technical details of how it is going to be up to metering, to say who is going to issue a receipt or who is going to make a follow up if something goes wrong, I think it is not what I am supposed to do. I thank you.

HON. ENG. MHANGWA:  Madam Speaker, precisely, the reason why he is saying Ministerial Statement is because he knows he is not adequately answering to what is needed in this case. If it is the way forward, let us have a Ministerial Statement. I so submit.

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  It is okay Hon. Mhangwa. The responsible Minister will bring a Ministerial Statement.

*HON. MURAMBIWA:  Thank you Madam Speaker. I want to direct my question to the Minister of Transport. Let me start by appreciating the good work that the Hon. Minister is doing together with his team at the Ministry in rehabilitating the nation’s roads. Because of heavy rains, we have seen some roads being damaged again. Some of the roads are in a bad state. Some roads lead to schools and hospitals and teachers cannot access their schools. What interventions does the Ministry have in terms of correcting the situation regarding roads that are stopping people from reaching their workplaces? I thank you.

*THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. MHONA):  Thank you Madam Speaker. I want to thank Hon. Murambiwa. It is true, the rains have been good, have come in abundance but our roads are being affected indeed. However, responding to the Hon. Member’s question, for us to expedite our duties with fortitude, we need to work together with Rural District Councils, RIDA and other departments. Most of these roads sometimes need re-gravelling, some just need to be graded. We need to put our heads together. We do not have to look at who is responsible for that particular road, whether it is RDC, RIDA or the Department of Roads.

As a nation, we need to come together and take advantage of the Road Rehabilitation Programme, which will culminate in the refurbishment of the different roads that have been destroyed by the rains. Instead of waiting for the question and answer segment, you are free to come to our offices at Kaguvi Building to submit these issues and we will attend to them.

*HON. KARIMATSENGA-NYAMUPINGA:  Thank you Madam Speaker. The Ministry is aware that it is the rainy season. The question is, what is the state of preparedness of the Ministry? The detours that were put when the roads were being refurbished sometimes suffer because of rains. The Ministry should have a contingency plan. Does the Ministry have such contingency plans?  I thank you.

*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Thank you Hon. Nyamupinga. When asking questions, do not codeswitch. In this case, you mixed Shona and English. Please stick to one language Hon. Member.

*HON. KARIMATSENGA-NYAMUPINGA:  Thank you Madam Speaker.

         HON. MHONA: Thank you Hon. Speaker and I want to thank Hon. Nyamupinga. It is true the state of preparedness is quite important regardless of whether it is the Ministry of Transport or whichever Government ministry.  I want to say that we rely on the allocation which we get from budget and which is approved by Parliament.  I want to say that when we discuss these issues, please consider the Minister of Transport in terms of allocations.  This is quite important because this money comes from the Blue Book.

We often have accidents in major roads and to prevent this we rely on the Road Rehabilitation Fund. We do not just wait for such as a Ministry, we have the Triple P programme and we work together in terms of refurbishing these roads.  When rains come, like cyclones, these days we now have to rehabilitate our roads taking into account climate change and the devastating effects of climate change. We need to find ways of maintaining our roads. 

Most roads which are washed away during the rainy season are dust roads, where we face these challenges.  I am glad that the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Transport has highlighted their challenges during the budget allocation so that we can get an allocation to work on these things.  I thank you.

HON. KANGAUSARU: Thank you Madam Speaker.  My supplementary question to the Hon. Minister is that, given the poor state of the roads in our nation, particularly in the villages or in the rural areas which are vital for farmers and traders, what immediate and long-term measures has the Government implemented to rehabilitate these roads to improve accessibility and economic activity in the country, especially in Hurungwe East?  I thank you.

HON. MHONA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am and I want to thank Hon. Kangausaru, with your indulgence. What the Hon. Member has asked is precisely what has been asked in Shona.  So, basically if he wants me to then say it in English, it is the same question that was posed by the Hon. Member. However, I will try to address it.  We have got four road authorities.  The main one being the Department of Roads which falls under the Ministry of Transport, we have local authorities that superintend over cities. At the rural areas we have got rural district councils that take charge of our rural roads, mostly dust roads.  We have RIDA which was known as DDF which also operates mainly in rural communities and they take charge of other roads and bridges. 

In terms of the short-term measure, like I indicated, we need to actually work together as the local leadership, the councillors, the Members of Parliament and the Rural District Councils so that we mobilise resources. In most cases, they do have equipment, what they do not have is fuel. So, in the shortest possible time, we need to mobilise fuel so that we attend to the damaged sections whether the roads need to be re-gravelled or to be graded. In terms of the long-term plan, we are saying the Rural District Councils in terms of devolution funds again, and through the Ministry, we are procuring equipment so that each particular Rural District Council will prioritise the type of equipment that they need so that we buy through ZINARA.  I thank you.

^<HON. C. HLATYWAYO:  I thank you Hon. Speaker Ma’am, on the issue which was raised regarding the roads that were damaged by the rains. My question is, what time does Government need or the Ministry, to coordinate with road authorities because there are some roads that were damaged for a long time now and these roads are still to be repaired?  Some were affected by cyclones that came in the early 2000.  When will Government or the Ministry address this issue?  I thank you.

* HON. MHONA: Thank you Hon. Speaker and I want to thank Hon. Hlatywayo who asked quite an important question regarding the different cylones that have come and gone.  I want to go back to the issue that we only have one allocation that we get from the fiscus during the annual budget and this is where we draw money for rehabilitating our roads.  Looking at areas like the Eastern Highlands where we face cyclones normally, we have a challenge that cyclones normally leave destructions of properties and road infrastructure. 

As a Ministry, we are seized with reviewing the different roads province by province.  I want to promise the nation that we cannot solve all the problems in one day but we are going to be looking at the different roads throughout the country. I thank you.

HON. JAMES: Thank you Madam Speaker, Hon. Minister, perhaps you can enlighten us on the policy of how ZINARA funds are distributed and perhaps this might be one of the problems that rural councils and urban councils cannot maintain the roads properly because they never know how much they are getting.  May I just suggest that the ZINARA funds be distributed on a pro-rata basis depending on the populations within each council? I thank you.

HON. MHONA: Thank you Madam Speaker, let me thank Hon. James.  Indeed, ZINARA funds were problematic in terms of how they were disbursed and I want to thank that over the past four years, in terms of upholding our supreme Constitution as mandated under Section 298, accountability and transparency, we then said to ZINARA, you need to broadcast your disbursements quarterly so that those road authorities will know what is coming under their purview. We will not have such problems that we are facing now – alas other local authorities, rural district councils were getting the funds and diverting to other pressing commitments.  We have been doing it traditionally that every quarter we broadcast it and print.  I am sure the Hon. Member can be a testimony.  If he has not come across that advert, we are broadcasting quarterly so that they know what they are doing and at the end of the day, you will also be amenable to furnish each road authority what has been disbursed from ZINARA as mandated. I thank you.

         ^*HON. MUSWEWESHIRI:  Thank you Madam Speaker, good afternoon.  My question is directed to the Minister of Health and Child Care.  What is Government policy with regards to the number of people who are being diagnosed of HIV and AIDS, looking at the pronouncements by the Government of President Donald Trump which opposes vision 2030?  I thank you – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –

         ^*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: His question is good, it is just a question of semantics, just give the Hon. Minister a chance to respond – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –

         ^*THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE (HON. DR. MOMBESHORA): I would like to thank you Madam Speaker and the Hon. Member that posed the question. We are facing a challenge with HIV and AIDS pandemic, which is affecting a lot of people in the country.

         Our Ministry of Health and Child Care is seized with dissemination of information to different areas, particularly in the rural areas through information centres found in schools, traditional courts and other local leaders.

         Madam Speaker, we also use village health workers and health care personnel who have the database of those who are suffering from the pandemic. All these stakeholders are playing a critical role in information dissemination informed by the relevant Government departments.

As a nation, we have made strides in educating our population about HIV and AIDS through the 95/95/95 approach. This implies that 95% know that they are infected and 95% are being treated. Those who are aware of their status are also partaking in preventive measures and if we continue doing that, it means we will be able to prevent the transmission of HIV and AIDS.

In response to the question regarding the executive order which was given by His Excellency, President of the United States of America, indeed the executive order affects us because we had a lot of beneficiaries who were receiving different forms of medication in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

As Government, we are engaging the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion with the view that our Ministry could get more money which would be channeled towards HIV and AIDS interventions. Our Ministry will be approaching the Parliament of Zimbabwe for support during the supplementary budget.  There are other organisations and healthcare personnel who have been receiving funding from USAID. We have doctors and nurses who were employed in clinics where the HIV positive people were being treated and these healthcare personnel lost their jobs because of the order.

We are therefore seized with scouting for replacements. The other challenge that we are facing pertains to vehicles and motorbikes which were used by healthcare personnel to access remote clinics. Motorbikes which were used to transport blood samples were also affected by the executive order. This has culminated into a situation where our Ministry is in the process of requesting for extra funding to cater for such key personnel. 

In short, this is what we are doing as the Ministry of Health and Child Care in fighting the transmission of HIV and AIDS. I thank you.

^*HON. NYABANI: Thank you Honourable Minister for the response.  My question is, in the past, our ancestors never used these modern medicines.  They were using traditional medicines. All the medication that you are talking about originate from plants or trees.  What is Government policy with regards to manufacturing these medicines? Instead of procuring from outside, we can make them ourselves. We can use locally manufactured medicine, making use of knowledge from the traditional healers as well.  I thank you.

^*HON. DR. MOMBESHORA: Thank you Hon. Speaker.  I want to thank Hon. Nyabani for that question.  It is true, in the past we used to rely on traditional medicines. The Ministry of Health and Child Care has a department which deals with traditional medicines and I would like to urge Hon. Members who might have a database of traditional healers who are known for treating such illnesses so that their methods may be examined to come forth. If it is proved that they are effective, then the Ministry would consider using them because we are more interested in protecting our people.

Traditional medicines as well as modern medicines have side effects, therefore it is important to test under laboratory conditions in order to determine whether such medicines work or not. It is quite important to carry out research until our healthcare experts are satisfied that indeed such medication is effective. We cannot just dismiss traditional medicines, please bring them and we put them to test to determine their efficacy.  I thank you. 

^*HON. KARENYI-KORE: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am.  I got what the Hon. Minister said with regards to the efforts being taken to ensure that people are confident. What I know is, right now in the country, there is chaos, people are panicking. If people on ART default their medication, it is retrogressive to their health. Right now, do we have adequate ARVs until the time when we are going to discuss the budget review on that because many people are panicking over possible defaulting?

         *HON. DR. MOMBESHORA: We sat down and assessed the type of medicines that we need. It is not correct that all medicines were coming through USAID, I think it was 31%.  We have medicines to take us up to end of June but by June, we will have replenished.  People should not panic, there is enough medication and medication will be available forever. 

         *HON. KARIMATSENGA-NYAMUPINGA:  I understood what the Minister said but the problem is with communication. How is that message going to be transmitted to people so that they are confident and they continue taking their medication knowing that there is enough medication? I heard people saying they are budgeting for the medication, instead of taking for example three tablets, they end up taking one trying to save the other tablets for future use in case there is a total shortage.  How is that information going to be transmitted to people that medication will be available forever? 

         *HON. DR. MOMBESHORA:  You have raised a very important point.  We also urge Members of Parliament to convey the same message to the electorate. You are there to assist us as a Ministry as well. 

         Hon. Matewu having stood up to contribute.

         *THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: We have had three supplementary questions.

         *HON. MAKUMIRE:  On a point of order Madam Speaker, since this is a serious issue affecting majority of the people, may you allow us to ask two more supplementary questions?

         THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Granted, Hon. Matewu, you can ask your supplementary question.

         HON. MATEWU: Thank you very much Madam Speaker for your indulgence.  We are collecting 3% AIDS levy and I have noted that this year we are double-dipping from the civil servants, we are collecting 3% in ZiG and we are also collecting 3% Aids levy in US dollars.  This was not there before, can the Minister clarify how much his Ministry is receiving for AIDS levy both in ZiG and US dollars and then quantify the funding gap that has been left by the withdrawal of USAID?  

         *HON. DR. MOMBESHORA:  I cannot specify the figures; it depends with the number of people who will have contributed to the fund that very month.  Mid-year, that is when we find out from the AIDS Council the exact amount that they have collected but I cannot give you the exact figure.  We normally use USD50 million, some is used for training and some is used in hospitals for other purposes.

         *HON. GWANGWABA: My question to the Hon. Minister is, yes, we are talking about ARVs but what we know about AIDS is that there are opportunistic infections such as pneumonia as well as diarrhoea. What is Government policy in terms of providing other drugs such as cotrimoxazole because as we speak, some of the hospitals have no drugs such as paracetamol? Health personnel are just putting on uniforms and going to sit there?

*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Your question is now different Hon. Member. 

HON. BATITSA:  My question is directed to the Minister of Environment and Wildlife.  What is Government strategy for addressing climate change and its impact on the country? 

THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE (HON. PROF. MURWIRA):  Thank you very much Hon. Speaker and I would like to thank the Hon. Member for the question.  First of all, we know that climate has been changing and records show that we are drying up but at the same time, there are uncertainties of our climate from season to season.  To this end, Government policy has been to, first of all, enact a policy on climate change to react to this scourge of climate change. 

In agriculture, our main response as a Government was to introduce what we call climate-tailored agriculture where crops are grown as per requirements of an agroecological region.  This means that those that do well in dry areas are grown in dry areas, crops that do well in wet areas like maize are grown in wet areas.  One of the main issues that has all been done is to do the issue of Pfumvudza/Intwasa, this is where people dig holes to preserve moisture, put manure in there and make sure that moisture conservation techniques are preserved.  This has succeeded a lot in boosting our food security.

The other issue is to make sure that we do construction of dams to impound water, also to develop irrigation schemes. Like what has been said before this 2025, we increased the hectarage that was under irrigated wheat in order for us not depend on rain from the sky. This is another measure that we have used to react to the issue of a changing climate. So, Government is also part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC). Meaning that we are aware of this, we are linked internationally and we are acting locally about this issue.

Government is seized with this matter and the Acts that are there to preserve the environment like the Environmental Management Act are there to safeguard our environment in which we leave so that it can sustain us for generations to come. I thank you.

*HON. NYAKUEDZWA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. My question is directed to the Minister of Local Government and Public Works. What is Government policy on village heads who are selling peri- urban land, for example, Domboshava, Seke, Nyabira and if you go to Rusape there is Chesa Farm. All these areas that I am talking about, village heads have settled more than 10 000 people who are taken to chiefs, the village heads want their own money,  who also write documents going all the way to chief where they are also charged. What is Government policy with regard to this issue?

*HON. PROF. MURWIRA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am, I would like to thank the Hon. Member for posing that question. If there are village heads selling land, we call them land barons. It is illegal, with regard to law, they are supposed to be arrested, that is Government policy or that is the law. If there is anyone with concrete evidence like what the Hon. Member alluded to, these people must be arrested, that is Government policy, I thank you.

*HON. MUNEMO: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. My supplementary question is the Hon. Minister is saying if these people are known, if we were to drive around these people can be clearly seen. Even Government employees who are in charge of this know very well that such people are settling illegally. They wait until these people finish building their homes, then they start to destroy their houses. What is Government policy in terms of preventing such issues from happening before people lose their funds and resources they would have spent on constructing on such illegal lands? I thank you.

         *HON. PROF. MURWIRA:  Thank you Madam Speaker Ma`am. I would like to appreciate the question posed by the Hon. Member, the issue that he is raising is that there are people that work for the Government and local authorities who may know what is happening and all that. That is what we call corruption and that is why we have laws that deal with corruption, which must prosecute those people who does corruption. The question again is, is there such law? The law is there. Firstly, they are not supposed to sell land illegally. If they do that, they will be prosecuted. Secondly, people who see people selling land illegally and just keep quiet are also involved in corruption, they will also be arrested. Corruption is illegal, selling land is illegal. All these things lead to prosecution. Anyone who sees such things happening must report to the nearest police station so that the judiciary system may assist in that area and so that those people may go to where they belong, which is the jail.

         *HON. MANANZVA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma`am. My question is on Government measures because what is causing the issue of many houses being built on illegal land is because there are shortage of houses. What is Government policy so that people get places to build houses to live in that are cheap? What is Government policy with regards to reducing lack of accommodation where people end up losing money or resources by building on illegal areas? I that you.

*THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE (HON. PROF. MURWIRA):  Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. The Government has a Ministry of National Housing and Hon. Minister Soda is in charge of that ministry. There are a lot of policies that are meant to ensure that accommodation is availed at affordable prices, as well as servicing such areas or land. With your indulgence Hon. Speaker, may the Hon. Minister Soda, give the details on that policy? I thank you.   

         *THE MINISTER OF NATIONAL HOUSING AND SOCIAL AMENITIES (HON. SODA): Thank you Madam Speaker. Yes, it is Government policy according to the Constitution. Government must provide accommodation which includes housing and that housing should be affordable. So, Government from time to time, services such areas that may be deemed good or habitable. The aim is to provide stands that may be affordable to the majority of the population. That is Government policy, to avail houses or stands that are affordable. Government intervenes by identifying such land so that it is then serviced and availed at affordable prices. There are a lot of such areas where accommodation or stands are being availed. 

         We also get private developers who provide accommodation but it may be higher than what Government provides. The Constitution says on availability of resources, Government is supposed to do that work. So, if the resources are limited, that is when you discover that there will be slow progress and all those people expected to get accommodation and stands may not get them timeously. That is why we were requesting for review of funds allocated to our Ministry during the budget. So indeed, we got a small Vote compared to what we were expecting this year. I thank you. 

         HON. JAMES: Thank you Mr. Speaker. Hon. Minister, can I ask - will the land barons you mentioned be forced to contribute to the off-site and on-site development on these settlements when they are regularised?

HON. SODA: Land barons will not be asked to make any contribution except that they will be directed to go to prisons. Thank you Mr. Speaker. 

         HON. KARIMATSENGA-NYAMUPINGA: My point of privilege Hon. Speaker is, do not make us feel like we are being discriminated in this House. I was up on a supplementary before so many male MPs were up and I was never picked but anyway, be that as it may, I wanted to say to the Leader of the House, this issue of selling land in the rural areas, I think  it needs a ministerial statement. 

The issue of saying the one who sees someone selling should report on this; all that has failed to yield results. Seventeen years ago, I stood in this House raising this same question and no one was brought to book about this issue. Now, because of diseases like cholera and the like, these people are just selling. I sell one acre, the one acre sells half an acre, the half an acre sells a quarter of an acre…

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. NGULUVHE): Hon. Member, you asked for a point of order. Now, you are debating.

HON. KARIMATSENGA-NYAMPINGA: I just wanted to raise my point of having a ministerial statement in this House Hon. Speaker. 

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Thank you. I just want to correct you that it is not that we discriminate women. I think you are aware that it is two to one. This side has already asked two questions, so we were bound to move to the other side. It is not that we are discriminating.

         HON. CHINODAKUFA: My question goes to the Minister of Agriculture. What are the initiatives being taken by the Government to promote rural development agenda in marginalised areas? Thank you.

THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE (HON. PROF. MURWIRA): In terms of rural development, as required by Section 13 of the Constitution on National Development, the Ministry of Agriculture is undertaking several projects which are related to production. These include irrigation schemes and the matter of village business units as a way to commercialise or to make agriculture a business. This also includes issues of making sure that all areas are doing production according to the climate envelopes of these regions.

By doing so-  because one of the problems that has been facing this country is in terms of food availability and therefore, development is the issue of what we call maize caused poverty, where even areas that are not suitable for maize, people are forcing maize to grow and it is working for years.  With new agro-ecological tailoring of our production system, you find that the Ministry of Agriculture has been making in-roads in boosting production within all areas of the country, especially areas that are experiencing drier conditions. We believe that this actually is contributing to the rural development that starts with food production and availability of food. I thank you. 

         HON. KARIMATSENGA-NYAMUPINGA: When I requested for the ministerial statement on the communal lands policy, you did not respond to it. You just moved to the next question. I do not know whether we are going to have it or not. Thank you Mr. Speaker.

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: You mean the issue of Ministerial Statement?

         HON. KARIMATSENGA-NYAMUPINGA: Yes, Mr. Speaker Sir.

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: It has been noted, we will ask them to bring the Ministerial Statement.

There is someone who has parked a Toyota Hilux, white in colour with no number plates, just after the Directors’ parking. It has blocked a Senator there.

HON. L. NCUBE: Thank you Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Health and Child Care. What is the Government’s policy with respect to availability of baby health cards at maternity clinics, considering that zero to five-year olds have no baby cards to track a child’s growth and immunisation sequence of vaccinations? Thank you.

THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE (HON. PROF. MURWIRA): Thank you Hon. Speaker. I wish to thank Hon. Ncube for the question on Government policy on health cards for children. The policy is that we should track the growth of our children and that card is an important way of recording this information. However, if the question is about whether they are available or not, it is a different question which actually is about making sure that there is enough funding for them to be available. There is no policy in adequacy about this issue. The policy is there, the cards must be there. If they are not there and there are specific places where they are not available, I think it is important to report that issue so that the policy can fit in to make sure that those cards are available. The Government policy is, funds might not be adequate or information might not be adequate on the unavailability of cards in certain areas. But in terms of availability and adequacy, the policy is there. I thank you.

         HON. L. NCUBE: It is a year without these baby cards and it is an outcry in most centres within the country. That is why I brought the question.

         HON. PROF. MURWIRA: Thank you Hon. Speaker. I hear very clearly what the Hon. Member is saying in terms of unavailability in a certain location, which I think can be addressed using the policy. The policy says they should be available. They might not be adequate at a certain place which can be budgetary or can be informational but this can be redressed when that information is made available. So, I repeat, there is no policy inadequacy. There might be goods inadequacy but not policy. Policy is there, the cards will be there. However, if they are not there because of unavailability, that is a question that can be addressed Hon. Speaker. I thank you.

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

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE

SCRAPPING OFF OF THE MANDATORY THIRD-PARTY INSURANCE

18. HON. G. K. HLATYWAYO asked the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development to inform the House what plans are in place to scrap off the mandatory third-party insurance since it is not benefitting motorists.

HON. BONDA: Mr. Speaker Sir, on a point of order.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: What is your point of order?

HON. BONDA: I am standing up and raising a red flag about the two Ministers of Trade and Commerce who are never in the House. At one point, we actually almost forgot how they look like. If you look at the Deputy Minister, he left us with a credit that he was going to answer some of our questions the following week and he has left the House. I have got a question that is on number one and this question is from the last session. It is now in this session and the same ministers are never in this House. I thank you.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Thank you Honourable, I think the Leader of the House has taken note of your concern.

THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. MHONA):  Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Let me thank Hon. Hlatywayo for that very important question. There is no plan to scrap off the insurance. I have been in this august House several times where we are saying we need to come up with a road accident fund and in fact, we intend to tap into this third party insurance as a pool to support the funding of this road accident fund. We will be here again and as we will be deliberating on the Bill, you will see that it will be one of the sources where we are going to be mobilising for the third party insurance. Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir.

COMPLETION OF HARARE-CHIRUNDU ROAD

19. HON. ENG. MHANGWA asked the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development to inform the House on the following;
20. a) the progress made regarding the completion of the Harare- Chirundu Road construction project;
21. b) the expected timeline for its completion;
22. c) the benefits which the local economy of Chinhoyi can expect beyond infrastructure;
23. d) the clauses in the contract which compel the contractor to sub-contract certain portions of this project;
24. e) the possibility of hiring of equipment locally to procure materials from local quarries and other clauses to enhance the town economy in the process as a multi-million dollar project passes the town which has potential to improve the economy of the provincial capital of Mashonaland West Province;
25. f) the project steering set up including local leadership attending project progress meetings to ensure that the project is done on time and that the people of Chinhoyi are not prejudiced.

         THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. MHONA): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.  Let me also thank Hon. Eng. Mhangwa for that very detailed question.  I will answer respectively as addressed by the Hon. Engineer, starting with (a), works on the Harare-Chirundu Road, rehabilitation and upgrading are underway.  To date, at least 11 km has been completed and open to traffic. 

As you know, we start measuring our roads from the Harare Main Post Office, which is signage zero.  As you know, it is the same road, which touches Second Street, into Nemakonde, up to Mapinga.  That is the first section of the road where the contractor has already started and has opened 11 km right up to the round about at Westgate and will be continuing.  What I want to add to this particular question relating to the completion, we cannot tap into the fiscus to complete this entire project, lest it takes time to complete.  So, we are finalising on a funding modality to fund the whole stretch, which is Harare to Chirundu.  Very soon we will be finalising that funding model, where we want to address various sections simultaneously so that we do not start and stop.

         On part (b) the Government, through my ministry, acknowledges the importance of this critical trade corridor, hence efforts to expedite the works are underway with a target to complete the project in 18 months.  Like I indicated, it will be earlier than 18 months because we will be having the funding for almost three quarters of the road as we start working on the road. 

         (c )  Chinhoyi is set to benefit so much from the project through economic revamp of the town as a consequence of the project passing through the town, economic spill overs are expected through employment creation, reduction of transport costs and improved access to markets through a good wide road network.  Further, the expansion of road infrastructure in the form of highways shall create new opportunities for local businesses and households and ultimately, spillover effects through relocation of business, higher incomes of households and increase in tax revenues for Government as well as boosting economic activities in the affected localities.

(d) The Government maintains a liberal approach on Public-Private Partnerships entailing, not dictating to contractors whom to work with nor to sub-contract. Furthermore, should the contractors’ sub-contract, they remain liable for any issues that may arise on those portions of the roads that have been subcontract.  Therefore, it remains their prerogative to make sure that they uphold the quality that we desire in the ministry.

(e) The contractors priced for equipment and materials in the Bill of Quantities, therefore if the local suppliers offer competitive rate, the contractors are free to hire locally, should there be any additional equipment that they require.  However, I will reiterate that Government maintains a liberal approach on whom the contractor can engage in doing business.

(f) During every stage of the programme, Government has put in place structures to monitor progress of the project, wherein, the Office of the Provincial Road Engineer will be present at all progress meetings.  I urge the Hon. Member to be present when such meetings are called for.  I thank you.

         HON. ENG. MHANGWA:  Thank you Hon. Minister Mhona for the comprehensive responses.  You have mentioned that there is alternative funding.  Does this not include the 88km that was made provision for in the budget or it is additional 88km that is in The Blue Book?  Secondly, it is the only time possibly in the next few years where Chinhoyi has such a big project passing by and for quarries that are around, is it not prudent that there be active negotiation with parties so that it is remise that someone would carry quarry and other materials that are locally available from Harare and we miss that opportunity?  Is it not prudent that such a move is done?

         HON. MHONA: Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir.  Let me thank Hon. Eng. Mhangwa for that very important follow-up question.  In terms of the budgeted amount in the Blue Book, like I indicated we are talking of 350 km stretch of the road.  The approach that we want to partake on this particular project is not just to operate within the confines of what has been budgeted.  We want to do the road so that we do not stop. 

         So, if we wait for what has been allocated in the budget only, it means we will operate and also wait for another allocation.  In addition to what has been provided for, we are going to make sure that there is funding to actually cover the entire stretch of the road.  This is what we have been doing as a Ministry, to think outside the box, not only to wait for the fiscus.  I think this will also buttress the point that what is in the budget will augment the initiatives that we are taking as a Ministry.

         In terms of supply of quarry, I do concur with the Hon. Member.  Yes, the locals must benefit but these are initiatives again, like I indicated, it is a business transaction.  So, there is no way we can impose ourselves, to say you will take from a particular client who has got the quarry.  I therefore engage the Hon. Member to say, this is high time you also facilitate engagements in your constituency, to make sure that those contractors who are working, engage them so that they also consider buying from those that you know have got quarry in their back yards.  I am in a position to also relate to the contractors that yes, we have got local suppliers. Work with the local suppliers whenever they need aggregates.  Thank you.

         HON. MALINGANISO: Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir.  The Minister alluded to the fact that the Government employs a liberal approach to who the contractors can engage.  How is it in sync with the Government’s devolution agenda, where resources or developments within localities ought to benefit those within such a locality? 

HON. MHONA: Let me thank the Hon. Malinganiso. Indeed, we said it is a deliberate approach but we have been advocating as a Ministry to say contractors, if you are working in a particular community, you must recruit from within and we are talking of general labour. But when it comes to expertise in a particular area there is no way we can impose to say - at times that kind of expertise might not be available within that particular community. So, in terms of general hand and general workers, we are encouraging contractors that they must take from the local communities where they pass through so that we also enable the citizens to enjoy from such kind of project passing through their communities. Thank you.

PAYMENT OF ALLOWANCES TO MINISTRY OFFICIALS WHO DID MOBILE REGISTRATION IN MUREWA DISTRICT

20. HON. ZEMURA asked the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage to explain to the House why it has taken long to pay outstanding allowances to ministry officials who were doing mobile registration for primary documents in Murewa District.

THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE (HON. KAZEMBE): Mr Speaker Sir, I want to thank the Hon. Member for asking such an important question in this august House. The Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage through the Civil Registry Department conducted a nation mobile registration exercise from 1 May 2024 to 31 July 2023 in preparation for the harmonised general elections. Members of staff who participated in the mobile civil registration exercise were drawn from all provinces and districts across the country. To date, partial payment of allowances was made and the remaining allowances are yet to be paid.

In 2023, Treasury committed to settle the arrears over a period of two months November and December but the commitment was not honoured. At the beginning of 2024, the Department again engaged Treasury on the matter. Treasury committed to pay USD 9,791,265.00 over a period of three months, starting March to May 2024. Treasury released the budget in July 2024 and the Civil Registry Department processed the payments on SAP system and submitted the documentation to Treasury for cash disbursement. To date, Treasury has only disbursed USD 2,948,145.00 leaving a balance of USD6,843,120.00. The ministry therefore, awaits cash disbursements from treasury. I thank you.

STATUS OF STAFF VACANCIES AT PUMULA DISTRICT REGISTRY OFFICES

21. HON. S. MAHLANGU asked the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage to inform the House the status of staff vacancies at Pumula District Registry offices in Bulawayo and to state how Government will resolve the challenges being encountered.

THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE (HON. KAZEMBE): Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to thank the Hon. Member for asking such an important question. Pumula sub-office now known as Mzilikazi started operating in 2024 with an establishment of four processing officers and one office orderly. The Public Service Commission approved staff establishment for Mzilikazi office as follows: - 1x Registrar, 10 x Processing officer and 1x Office orderly.

Currently one Registrar and nine Processing Officer posts are filled. One processing officer retired. Mzilikazi registry is operating from offices that were housing Pumula sub-office. The office has two rooms only, not adequate to accommodate a full complement of the approved establishment. The department secures a stand for Mzilikazi office and construction of the offices has been stalled by shortage of financial resources.

In the interim, the office is manned by one Registrar and two processing officers who are issuing out an average of fifteen birth certificates a day. The seven processing officers are operating from Bulawayo District Registry and Bulawayo Provincial Registry assisting in capturing birth registrations that come from Mzilikazi/ Pumula District Registry which has not yet been computerised.

In response to the concerns, the department is transferring two processing officers back to the sub-office and the establishment will be as follows: 1x District Registrar, 4 x Processing officer and 1 x Office Orderly.

The remaining five processing officers will remain attached to the computerised Bulawayo Provincial and District offices to cater for the Mzilikazi office services, whilst looking for an alternative to house the full complement approved for the office. I thank you.

⁺HON. S. MAHLANGU: Thank you Mr Speaker Sir. I would like to applaud the Hon. Minister for the response. It is true that we have one district officer responsible for birth certificates as well as IDs. The Pumula Housing District now has solar system installed we thank the Hon. Minister. We hereby request for the increase of offices, people are in the open when it rains but we need shelter. Whilst that office is a sub-office it is also a district office, now we look at people that are coming from peri-urban areas like Methodist and St. Peters. It is easier for them to get birth certificates and IDs on time. I thank you.

HON. KAZEMBE: Hon. Member, the concerns are noted.  Like I said, the intention is to build bigger premises which can accommodate more staff, however, we pray that we get funding as soon as possible but the concerns have been noted.

HON. G. HLATYWAYO:  On a point of privilege Mr. Speaker Sir.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: What is your point of privilege?

HON. G. HLATYWAYO: Hon. Speaker I am a little bit concerned as an Hon. Member, the Ministers are not taking this House very seriously. I put forward some questions since March 2024 and specifically to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and he was actually here with his deputy but they have since left the House. These questions have not been answered since March 2024 and I find it to be very difficult if we are taking the issues of this country very seriously, I think Ministers need to come to this House and answer the questions that we are asking as Hon. Members. Some of the questions will actually get to the point where they are overtaken by events because they are not answered and I am very concerned by this issue and I think you need to address it as the Chair. Thank you.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Your point is taken. I thought both the Minister and the deputy were here. Chief Whip can you take note of the concerns raised. Who is the Acting leader of the House?

HON. KAZEMBE: We have taken note Mr Speaker Sir.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Thank you Minister.

Hon. Bajila being absent in the House

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: I think if you put a question, you should also be serious Hon. Members because you put a question, the Ministers are here prepared and you are not there.

PROVISION OF ADEQUATE PERSONNEL TO CURB CATTLE RUSTLING BY ZAMBIANS

23. 23. HON. BONDA asked Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage to explain to the House the measures that the Ministry is putting in place to provide adequate personnel to curb cattle rustling by Zambians in the following areas: Lumbora, Chezya, Sidinda and Matetsi.

THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE (HON. KAZEMBE):    Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. May I start by thanking the Hon. Member for the question? I wish to inform the House that stock theft remains one of the country’s crimes of concern which also affects all of our neighbouring countries. This comes against the background where livestock occupies a central role in the social and economic livelihood of our people. For this reason, the Zimbabwe Republic Police has engaged in joint operations, including joint investigations to combat these stock theft activities along our common border. Joint investigations are where there two countries. Zimbabwe and Zambia identify that there is surge of stock theft in their area and engage one another and carry out investigations using intelligence gathered from the locals, then the two agree to carry joint operations in identified areas of concern to arrest the cattle rustlers. This is what is happening between the ZRP and their counterparts in Zambia.

Mr. Speaker Sir, I also wish to inform the House that the areas highlighted by the Hon. Member, Lombola, Sidinda and Matetsi fall under the policing area of Jambezi Police Stations, Victoria Falls whilst Cheziya falls under Hwange Police Station. I would like to admit that the areas are adjacent to the Zambezi River and are prone to stock theft by unknown criminals. Some of whom are suspected to be foreign nationals. In response to this development, the Zimbabwe Republic Police in Matabeleland North Province has deployed a contingent of police officers for anti-stock theft operations. The contingent has been carrying out patrols from the Msuna area in Hwange to Sikumbi in Jambezi. Due to these deployments, we have since seen a decline in stock theft cases in these areas.

The House may want to know Mr. Speaker Sir that since January 2024, two cases involving the theft of two cattle in Msuna were recorded at Hwange Police Station. No recoveries were made. During the same period, Jambezi Police Station recorded three stock theft cases where 25 cattle were stolen in Sidinda and Lombola.

Mr. Speaker Sir, in an effort to address the challenge of stock theft in the afore-mentioned areas, the Zimbabwe Republic Police is implementing a raft of strategies with the participation of the communities themselves. These include among others, strengthening and involvement of neighbourhood watch committee members to monitor the movement of stock in their respective areas; invigoration of village anti-stock theft committees; use of crime liaison committees comprising of chiefs, village heads, local police, veterinary officers, councillors, Ministry of Health and local authorities. The police have also spearheaded the creation of chiefs’ compounds. This is a place where stray stock is kept while waiting for the owners to reclaim them. In addition, the ZRP continues to work with communities in improving the flow of information between the police and members of the public through the use of suggestion boxes, informants and hotlines.

Mr. Speaker Sir, as a Ministry, we endeavour to ensure that adequate numbers of police officers are always deployed in our communities to effectively combat crime, stock theft included. To this end, Hwange Police Station has a total manpower of 79 police officers. In addition to these, six are deployed at Sibankwazi Police Post while three Support Unit members are stationed on a rotational basis at Msuna Base, specifically for anti-stock theft duties. Sibankwazi Police covers Cheziya area. On the other hand, Jambezi Police Station has a total of 31 police officers and of these, six are deployed for anti-stock theft duties at Sidinda, Makara in Lombola and Sikumbi bases.

I wish Mr. Speaker Sir, to assure the House and the Hon. Member that the police are seized with delivering their constitutional mandate enshrined in Section 219 (1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. I also wish to reiterate that the police also stand ready to work with all stakeholders to ensure a crime free society for our citizens.

Furthermore, I would like to reiterate that Hon. Members are free to approach officers commanding districts, provinces as well as officers in charge of police stations within their constituencies on all policing matters such that problems affecting citizens are addressed in time and efficiently. I thank you Mr. Speaker.  

**HON. BONDA: Mr. Speaker Sir, I would like to applaud the Minister for telling the truth about stock theft with regards to the areas that he referred to. I want to ask the Hon. Minister, from Jambezi to Msuna, it is about 120 to 140 km. That is where the patrol car is parked, which is the borderline between Zambia and Zimbabwe. What is Government policy with regards to providing transport to the police that are supposed to patrol the border area because by the time the car rushes from Jambezi to Msuna, the Zambians would have crossed to Zambia with cattle? What efforts are you making to ensure that the police are provided with vehicles for patrol? I thank you.

HON. KAZEMBE:  Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I would like to thank the Hon. Member for the pertinent supplementary question.  Indeed, there is need to increase mobility in those areas, not just those areas but throughout the country. We have had challenges with transport for quite a while as police but I am glad that we have a programme which is spearheaded by the President himself, where we are receiving vehicles in batches as and when resources are available. I am sure you will bear testimony that last year we received two batches of vehicles courtesy of measures put in place by the President. We hope and trust that we will continue to receive those vehicles, especially this year. We look forward to receiving more batches. Last year, I think we received a total of more than 600 vehicles in one year. Considering the challenges we have had in the past, I think we are moving in the right direction and hope that this year, we will receive more and such areas will get priority. I thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  We will defer Questions 24 up to 50 and go to Question 51.

BENEFITS FROM ELECTRICITY BEING GENERATED AT THE HIPPO VALLEY AND TRIANGLE SUGAR MILLING COMPANIES TO CHIREDZI TOWN AND ITS SURROUNDINGS

51. HON. MAKUMIRE asked the Minister of Energy and Power Development to inform the House to inform the House Government’s plans to ensure that Chiredzi Town and its surroundings benefit from the electricity that is being generated at the Hippo Valley and Triangle Sugar Milling Plants?

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF ENERGY AND POWER DEVELOPMENT (HON. SIMBANEGAVI):  Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I would like to thank the Hon. Member for the question. Allow me Mr. Speaker Sir to respond as follows:

Triangle and Hippo Valley Estates both have bio-gas fired generators which are operated from the months of April to November each year. Triangle generates 25MW against their own demand for the milling plant and estate of 30MW, giving us a shortfall of 5MW. Hippo Valley Estate generates 15MW against their own demand for the million plant and state of 15MW. This means that the energy that they generate is adequate for their own consumption. During the months of December to March, both Triangle and Hippo Valley Estate rely on power from ZESA.

I would want to advise the House that both Triangle and Hippo Valley Estate have advanced plans to develop solar plants. As such, these plants to provide power supplies to Chiredzi Town and the surrounding areas will be crafted and implemented as surplus power becomes available from both Triangle and Hippo Valley Estate generators. It means the Hippo Valley community can only benefit once the solar plants have been implemented. Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.

EMPLOYMENT OF TEACHING ASSISTANTS ON TEMPORARY BASIS FOR ECD TO GRADE 3 CLASSES

53. HON. MUROMBEDZI asked the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education to explain the Government policy on employment of teaching assistants on temporary basis for ECD to grade 3 classes, specifically for Marigumura Primary School in Mhondoro.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (HON. GATA): Thank you Hon. Member and I want to thank you Hon. Speaker Sir.  Hon. Speaker Sir, over the years, the Ministry had been getting the services of what we call para-professional teachers, which I believe the Hon. Member is referring to as teaching assistance.  These were engaged by our School Development Committees (SDGs) to alleviate the shortage of teachers in our schools.  The School Development Committees were given the mandate to do so by the Ministry on temporary basis.  Once employed, these teachers could later be replaced by qualified teachers deployed to their school. The contracts of these para-professionals were between the schools and the members concerned and they were only contracted; subject to the availability of funds to pay them by the schools.  We have even extended that to other levels/grades that could be experiencing critical shortages in schools.

However, in the event where the district has declared the existence of vacancies for such posts, the ministry engages the Public Service Commission (PSC) to engage qualified teachers.  As a ministry, we have gone public on the shortage of teachers at ECD and other science learning areas.  We are grateful that our request is receiving attention from the employer (PSC).

With respect to Marigumura Primary School in Mhondoro, the school has a total enrolment of 47 pupils for ECD A and ECD B.  We have one para-professional who is assisting an ECD qualified teacher who is at the school at the moment.  All other teachers from Grade 2 to Grade 7 are qualified, and there is no reason to have para-professionals at those grades.

HON. MUROMBEDZI: Thank you very much Hon. Speaker. Considering the importance of quality education in early childhood development, how is the Ministry ensuring that the employment of these temporary teaching assistance, especially at Marigumura Primary meet the required standards in terms of teacher to pupil ratio, equality and learning outcomes for ECD to Grade 3 learning? Thank you.

HON. GATA: I think this is a specific question again about Marigumura Primary School.  Like I indicate, in the ECD department at Marigumura, there is only one para-professional teacher. What we do basing on the Public Service Commission, we have put that post up and they will recruit for us.  So, the para-professional teacher will help us at the moment while Public Service Commission is making a way.  I thank you.

HON. DR. KHUPE: Thank you Hon. Speaker, my question is, do we have enough qualified teachers in Zimbabwe such that when vacancies arise, they will be filled by qualified teachers or there is a deficit?  Are our colleges not meeting the target of qualified teachers?  I thank you.

HON. GATA: Thank you very much Hon. Speaker.  Thank you Hon. Dr. Khupe for your question.  We do have qualified teachers but that question will be better answered by Hon. Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education. We do have qualified teachers in Zimbabwe.  What we do is, tell Public Service Commission that we are in need of teachers in the primary and secondary education and they will then employ for us.  So, it is a process from our Ministry that we send our papers to Public Service Commission for request of teachers.  I can assure you that the Government does have enough qualified teachers. I thank you.

WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE

CONTRACT BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND LITHUANIAN COMPANY GARSU PASAULIS

22.     HON. BAJILA asked the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage to explain to the House the nature of the contract between the Government and a Lithuanian company Garsu Pasaulis including: a) The duration of the contract. b) Revenue realized by the Government from that contract.

THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE (HON. KAZEMBE): Mr Speaker Sir, I want to thank the Hon. Member for the important question.  On 3 June 2021 the Government of Zimbabwe and Garsu Pasaulis Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd GP concluded a contract for the implementation of a national biometric infrastructure for the production of ordinary passports, e-passports, national identity cards, birth certificates, entry visas and the residence permits.  Basically, the contract is meant for the production of civil documents and maintenance of a national bio database.

The Contract was concluded on a Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) basis where GP undertook to provide equipment, software and all the consumables relating to the production of civil documents using biometrics for identification and authentication with electronic encryption and the implementation of national databases used to register the person concerned. The actual issuance of the documents remains the responsibility of the Zimbabwe Government through the Civil Registry Department.

The rights and obligations of GP and the Government in terms of the contract remain in force for a period of twelve (12) years from the date of signature of the contract after which the Government will take over the equipment.

The parties GP and Government agreed to share the total revenue generated from the project on a 60:40 basis respectively. I thank you.

UNINTERRUPTED ELECTRICITY SUPPLY FOR THE GWENHORO WATER PROJECT FROM ZETDC

52. 52. MUROMBEDZI asked the Minister of Energy and Power Development to inform the House when the Gwenhoro water project in Gweru will benefit from the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) policy of uninterrupted supply of electricity.

         THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF ENERGY AND POWER DEVELOPMENT (HON. SIMBANEGAVI): I thank the Hon. Member for the question. Allow me Mr. Speaker Sir, to respond as follows:-

• The Gwenhoro line is exempted from load shedding under normal circumstances. It only sheds when there is a critical supply shortage or during system faults.
• The line experienced load shedding during the last week of January 2024 and the first few days of December 2024 due to a major fault on the Chertsey 330 kV transformer T2. This fault led to a reduced supply capacity, effecting the power supply to Gweru Town.
• The transfer was brought back in service on 6 December 2024 and the situation has since normalised.

Recent improvements – Gweru City Council has been working to upgrade the Gwenhoro water treatment plant by installing new transformers to increase pumping capacity and alleviate water shortage.

Media – Last media report - September 2024 (Newsday). Gweru City Council has increased its water pumping capacity to an average 52.67 megalitres per day from 38 megalitres after the successful installation of a transformer at Gwenhoro Waterworks as well as the acquisition of motors for Amapongokwe Dam.

On the motion of HON. KAMBUZUMA, seconded by HON. NYANDORO, the House adjourned at Four Minutes past Five clock p.m. until Tuesday, 25^th February 2025.