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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY HANSARD 27 NOVEMBER 2024 VOL 51 NO 15

PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE

Wednesday, 27^th November, 2024

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

2025 NATIONAL BUDGET PRESENTATION

THE HON. SPEAKER: I wish to remind the House that the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment promotion will present the 2025 National Budget tomorrow, 28^th November, 2024 at 1430 hours. The post-budget analysis workshop will be held for all Members of Parliament on Monday, 2^nd December, 2024 in the Multi-Purpose Hall. Thereafter, Portfolio Committees will convene post-budget analysis meetings on the budget allocations. The programmes will be circulated to Members via the usual communication channels.

APOLOGIES RECEIVED FROM MINISTERS

         THE HON. SPEAKER: I have received a very unusual list of apologies, in terms of the numbers, from the Executive. I am informed some Ministers are outside the country, including the Leader of Government Business. Others are on national duty in Victoria Falls and elsewhere but there is no excuse for deputies not to be here totally, there is no excuse – [HON. MEMBERS: Yes.] – I think we will coordinate properly that they should not be some clashes on Wednesdays and Thursdays Question Times, otherwise both Houses will be short-changed in terms of Question Time – [HON. MEMBERS: The nation.] – and of course the nation, yes. Now I will read the list of apologies nonetheless.

Hon. Gen. Rtd. Dr. C.G.D.N. Chiwenga, Vice President

Hon. Col. Rtd. K. C. D. Mohadi, Vice President

Hon. Prof. M. Ncube, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion

Hon. T. Machakaire, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training

Hon. K. Mupamhanga , Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment and Vocational Training

Hon. Dr. K. L. Coventry, Minister of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture

Hon. B. Rwodzi, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry

Hon. O.C. Z. Muchinguri-Kashiri, Minister of Defence

Hon. Brig. Gen. Rtd. L. Mayihlome, Deputy Minister of Defence

Hon. M. Mutsvangwa, Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development

Hon. J. N. Mhlanga, Deputy Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development

Hon. Dr. D. Garwe, Minister of Local Government and Public Works

Hon. B. Kabikira, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Public Works

Hon. Prof. A. Murwira, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

Hon. S. Chikomo, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

Hon. C. Sanyatwe, Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage

Hon. Z. Ziyambi, Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs

Hon. N. T. Mazungunye, Deputy Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs

Hon. Dr. T. Mavetera, Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services

Hon. D. Phuthi, Deputy Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services

Hon. W. Chitando, Minister of Mines and Mining Development

Hon. P. Kambamura, Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development

Hon. Amb. Dr. F. M. Shava, Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology

Hon. S. Sibanda, Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development

Hon. T. Moyo, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education

Hon. A. Gata, Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education

Hon. J. G. Moyo, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare

Hon. M. Dinha, Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare

Hon. J. Sacco, Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development

Hon. V.P. Haritatos, Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development

Hon. D. Marapira, Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.

         HON. MUSHORIWA: On a point of order Mr. Speaker Sir. 

         THE HON. SPEAKER:  On a point of order?

         HON MUSHORIWA: Thank you so much for the list of apologies that you have advised us.  I just want to highlight to you that the level of non-attendance by Hon. Ministers, I think there has been a uniform pattern of Hon. Ministers that have actually decided not to come on Wednesdays, speaking of the National Assembly.

         So, to that extent Mr. Speaker, I want to stand on a point of Order 177 (4) as read with our Constitution, Section 140 (3) which states that there may be a question time for the President in accordance with Section 140 (1) of the Constitution.  Mr. Speaker Sir, it is our request that the Speaker makes arrangements for the Head of State and President of Zimbabwe to come before this august House so that this august House and Hon. Members in this august House could actually pose questions to the President.  We have reached this stage Mr. Speaker Sir, having noted the deliquesce on the part of some of the Hon. Ministers who have not come to this House to answer questions from Hon. Members or Parliament representing the citizens of this country.

         Hon. Speaker Sir, we humbly request that in accordance with the said Standing Orders and also the relevant sections of our Constitution, that the President comes to this august House so that we Hon. Members of Parliament will be in a position to pose questions to him.  I thank you Sir – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] -

         THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Mushoriwa.  I commiserate with you but with a proviso.  Quoting the section of the Constitution in which it is requested that His Excellency the President comes to the House; that should not link up with the absence of Hon. Members of the Executive. 

         That provision is for an interface between Hon. Members of Parliament of this House and the President.  The question of linking up that request with the absence of Hon. Members of the Executive, I do not think is appropriate.

I have to deal with this matter. What you do is, as you rightly say, I will analyse the absenteeism with apology, of those Hon Ministers that in fact were not either in the country doing national assignments or outside the country doing national assignments, then we deal with these individual members of the Cabinet accordingly. 

It is a very sad situation where you have sixteen Cabinet Ministers not in and 15 Deputy Ministers not in. It is a matter that requires serious investigation in terms of analysing trends and deal with those Hon. Ministers who are consistently giving apology without any cause at all. 

The Clerk should start the exercise immediately with the officials and we will deal with the matter accordingly.  As for…

HON. MUTSEYAMI: Point of order Mr. Speaker Sir.

THE HON. SPEAKER: Where are you? I have not yet finished.

HON. MUTSEYAMI:  Well noted thank you.

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Meanwhile, I will have some conversation with His Excellency tomorrow and give him the list and the concern accordingly so that perhaps in future, when there is question time, we do not have to have some clashes. 

I recall one time when there was a clash and some Hon. Ministers were flocking there to be with the President, His Excellency said other Hon. Ministers who had nothing to do with the programme must go back to Parliament.  That was done.  So, there is also a habit of flocking for these national events when in fact it has nothing to do with the Ministry concerned. 

HON. MUTSEYAMI: Thank you Hon. Speaker.  With your full indulgency, I think when you approach the office of the President, you have to take note of that as well that all the Hon. Ministers, when we have SONA, even those who are not feeling well, will be in the House.  Everyone, we hardly had an absenteeism. So, it is very important to note that maybe their are cases of illness if ever there are any, when it comes to SONA, they are not affected.  So, it is just a take note. I thank you.

         THE HON. SPEAKER:  I am not sure whether you have some prophecy powers. It has never crossed my mind that everybody is there, even those that are sick and I do not know who they are. Perhaps you are a traditional leader in those powers, I do not know. I cannot vouch for that side of your statement but the point is taken.  Thank you.

         Hon. Deputy Ministers having entered the House.

         THE HON. SPEAKER:  I see some Hon. Deputy Ministers who have come in now.  Thank you for coming but please come on time.  We will proceed with questions Without Notice and Hon. Mhona will be the Acting Leader of Government Business – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – and accordingly, the Hon. Minister will assist us to fill up the gaps where the responsible Hon. Minister is not there. 

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

         HON. NJANJI: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.  My question is directed to the Hon. Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement. It goes like this; what measures has the Government put in place to control the importation and usage of GMOs in the country?  I thank you.

         THE HON. SPEAKER:  Is this not a dead horse?  This question has been asked more than once before.  If my memory serves me right, it was asked several times. Hon. Njanji, you do not recall that same question being asked before? 

         HON. NJANJI:  Hon. Speaker, maybe I can put it differently. What plans does the Government have to adopt the growing of GMOs in Zimbabwe so that it provides food security, nutrition and sustainability?  Thank you. 

         THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. MHONA):  Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir.  Let me also thank Hon. Njanji for that very important question.  We have taken a deliberate approach as Government that when it comes to GMOs, it is for animal consumption, not for human consumption.  You have seen what has been coming into the country in terms of the numbers that was dedicated towards animal feed.  If there are any instances where the Hon. Member can cite, I would be very glad to also take it up with the Hon. Minister but the position of Government is that GMOs for now are not for human consumption in this country.  Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir. 

         HON. TAFANANA ZHOU: Supplementary Hon. Speaker.   

         THE HON. SPEAKER:  I hope the supplementary makes sense, yes, proceed.

         *HON. TAFANANA ZHOU:  Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.  My supplementary question to the Hon. Minister is, since we are in the farming season, what is the way which can be used by the Government to transport seeds to the farmers? Then for the seeds being sold by the supermarkets, what can be done to prevent fake seeds being transported to the people?

         THE HON. SPEAKER:  That question requires research and that can only be given to a written question where you can state that at such a place, there was delivery of this type of GMO seeds and so on.  It cannot arise as an oral question.  Thank you.

         *HON. NYABANI: My supplementary question is, our neighbouring countries allow GMOs, things which they manufacture in these countries like cooking oil, mealie meal and some of the mealie meal which is being imported in Zimbabwe is written ‘it must not to be consumed by children who are under 12 years’.  What is the Government policy to prevent those GMOs which are being produced in neighbouring countries to be imported and consumed in this country?  People are just consuming without taking into consideration whether the food is GMO or not or their repercussions, they are eating because people are hungry.  What is Government policy in making sure that the GMOs are not consumed by our people? 

         THE HON. SPEAKER:  It attracts some measure of data. Which stores are selling that type of mealie meal?  Once that is validated, the Hon. Minister will use their own means to find out whether indeed such mealie meal is coming into the country.  It is impossible for the Hon. Leader of Government Business to answer that question.  It must be a written question so that there is some research to be undertaken accordingly. 

         HON. MAVHUNGA: Good afternoon Mr. Speaker Sir.  We are happy and excited that the rainy season is already upon us and that the forecast says we will receive good rainfall this season.  Cognisant of the effects of climate change Mr. Speaker Sir, it means that farming inputs for Pfumvudza/Intwasa are of paramount importance, especially when it comes to timely delivery to our communities.  What is Government’s current position on the timely distribution of adequate inputs for the people of Zimbabwe not to miss out on a good harvest this season?

         THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. MHONA):  Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir and let me also thank Hon. Mavhunga for that very important question in the sense that as farmers, whether communal or subsistence farmers, we need to prepare on time.  I am happy that there is a programme in place for Government to deliver and we have already started delivering seed. The Minister was on record saying we are now mobilising the fertilisers so that they reach out.  In terms of seed, you will find that it has reached a number of provinces and fertilizer is coming. Now, what is therefore needed is the logistics to move from various depots to the grassroots.   I am happy that this is an ongoing exercise.  With your indulgence Hon. Speaker Sir, if Hon. Members are not happy in particular areas, I will be very happy to cascade the information to the relevant Minister.  Thank you.

         HON. MAVHUNGA:  I would like to thank the Hon. Minister for the response and it is good that they are already preparing to distribute fertilisers but Mr. Speaker Sir, some communities have not even received the seed itself.  Why are we talking about seed when other communities have not actually received the seed itself?  May the Government assist us on that matter?

         THE HON. SPEAKER: Your question now has titivated against policy.  You were now talking of specific areas which remain unknown in your question and how do you expect the Hon. Minister to answer?

         HON. MAVHUNGA:  Mr. Speaker Sir, I had to generalise to avoid making my question specific and then being led to write the question.

         THE HON. SPEAKER:  So you know the answer; where you are dealing with data you must have a written question. 

         *HON. HWENDE: What is Government policy in dealing with those who are stealing maize seed from others?  They are requesting other people to share 10 kgs bags of seed, which is contrary to what His Excellency, the President said that a person must get 10 kgs.

         THE HON. SPEAKER:  You see, that is a difficult question Hon. Hwende.  Put the question in writing for next week.  Thank you.

         *HON. CHIGUMBU: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Our Government knows when our farming season starts and ends. My question is what the Government policy is in making sure that they prepare in time so that people get their farming inputs timeously because most of the time it is now becoming a habit of the Government to distribute farming inputs very late. The Government knows when the farming season starts. So, what is the Government policy in making sure that the farming inputs reach the intended beneficiaries in time?

         THE HON. SPEAKER: Unfortunately, it does not give us room for kushopera. You know the dates have always changed because of climate change. So, you are asking an impossible question to the Hon. Minister. Follow the trends of climate change.

         +HON. M. C. SIBANDA: Thank you Hon. Speaker. I will ask my question in Ndebele directed to the Minister of Health and Child Care. What are the ways or methods that are being used in selecting those who want to train as nurses in our hospitals?

         +THE HON. DEPUTY MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE (HON. KWIDINI): Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir.

+THE HON. SPEAKER: You said Chair of the Committee. I am not Chair of the Committee but the Hon. Speaker of the House.

+HON. KWIDINI: I want to thank the Hon. Member for the question. What we do is that as Ministry, we have decentralised. What we use is called quota system, where by…

+THE HON. SPEAKER: Lasabalisisa  

 HON. KWIDINI: With your indulgence Hon. Speaker. May I be allowed to respond in English?

THE HON. SPEAKER: Okay.

 HON. KWIDINI: Thank you Hon. Speaker for the opportunity. As a Ministry, we have developed a quota system which we have decentralised to all provinces and areas where training schools are, that every school has a quota system for the applicants to apply to be absorbed to the nurse training. So, each one from a respective area where there is a training school, they are entitled to apply and given an opportunity to be absorbed if they have proper requirements which have been advertised for. There is no discrimination or special treatment to anyone given to say this one must be absorbed other than this one. Everyone has an equal opportunity to apply so that they can be absorbed for nurse training or recruitment.

HON. M. C. SIBANDA: My follow up question is that what we are obtaining on the ground is that during the recruitment process, there is a percentage which is being given to these institutions coming from the head office. About 20% of students are said to be submitted. The head office directs these institutions to then consider applicants that are coming from head office. My question is who is the head office?

         HON. KWIDINI: Thank you Hon. Speaker and Hon. Member for the follow up question. It is very true that we have heard such scenarios coming from different areas or different members of the public, specifying that there is a quota from head office but with that, I would want to assure this House that there is nothing like that. The issue is for transparency, the head office is not the one which oversees each and every institution as compared to what was being done before that if the percentage or the quota system which has been implored to, is it being followed such that if there was nothing like that to be followed as the Hon. M. C Sibanda specified, maybe a corrective measure has to be done but it is unfortunate we have human beings who are still unscrupulous, doing shenanigans to say whenever the quota system is to be implemented, they want to hide behind the head office issue. As we speak, there is no issue to say as head office, they have a quota system which is 20%, which applies to that because we have decentralised. We have decentralised because we want mostly the local people to get an opportunity or chance to be absorbed such that I do not believe in Zimbabwe that there is a province which does not have training schools.

Although they are still limited, we are planning to merge with the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development that all these universities can also offer nursing too so that we can recruit more numbers and then with that programme, I believe each and every one will be accommodated.

 As for now because of limited numbers, we believe people are coming and saying different versions and different reasons for not taking or the people who are supposed to be made have applied in a proper procedure. I thank you

*HON. GWANGWAVA: My supplementary question to the Minister of Health and Child Care is that the issue of recruitment of student nurses is quite problematic. For example, when Parirenyatwa Hospital advertises, they might be 2000 applications but the challenge is that those who would not have been successful should be given a chance…

THE. HON. SPEKAER: Please Hon. Member use one language, may you use Shona without using English?

*HON. GWANGWAVA: Thank you Hon. Speaker. I am saying for those who had applied for student nursing training, is it not possible to give them an opportunity to be considered if they are not successful? This can be done through taking children from databases because sometimes some people apply five times or so without being successful, then you find some coming from wherever they will be coming from and getting the opportunity. I thank you

HON. KWIDINI: Thank you Hon. Member for that supplementary question, let me say that indeed it is true, when an advert is published, we have a lot of people who apply but Government Policy is that during recruitment processes, there should be three people or so competing for one position and depending on the circumstances for those who would be called in for interviews, we might not know the reason why they were not successful.  Let me give an example of athletics.  Does it mean that a runner-up who has taken the second position in athletics should be given the opportunity in future competitions?

 So I want to clarify that everyone who applies or everyone who qualifies should apply so that when you are called, like I said before, the numbers would be quite voluminous yet there will be vacancies for just a few people and this might pose a challenge if we do not advertise in future because you would find that some people might take advantage of that situation. 

So advertising for a position is good corporate governance. When there is need for nurse recruitment, then we would consider the numbers looking at the demand.  I thank you.

*THE HON. SPEAKER:  I wanted to advise the Deputy Minister that advertising in Shona is called kushambadza.

*HON. S. TSHUMA:  Thank you Hon. Speaker.  My supplementary question is, what is Government planning to do in terms of the recruitment of nurses?  For example, Gokwe had one district which was split into two, there is Gokwe North and Gokwe South districts.  If the nurses training college is in Gokwe South, those who are in Gokwe North might not be considered and they might be disadvantaged. 

So my question is, what does Government plan to do regarding the balancing of recruitment of people coming from such districts which were split into two? I thank you.

*THE HON. SPEAKER:  Please clarify your question Hon. Member.  Who would say that some are not allowed to apply?

*HON. S. TSHUMA:  Thank you Mr. Speaker.  There are some authorities who might have the authority to send some people to the recruiters and this disadvantages other applicants.

THE HON. SPEAKER:  You have changed your question.  Hon. Deputy Minister, you can address the question.

*HON. KWIDINI:  Thank you Hon. Speaker and I thank Hon. Tshuma for that question.  What I know is that when we advertise in newspapers, we advertise in all areas.  I spoke about the quota system which considers people from that particular area and some from other areas.  For example, the Hon. Member spoke about Gokwe, whether it is district A or B, it is up to the people in the area but when we say Gokwe, it is just Gokwe.  There is no discrimination whether the applicant is coming from Gokwe South or Gokwe North but this is a local person. Then, there is a percentage of people who come from Matabeleland, Mashonaland West, East and other provinces. This is where the other applicants come from.

I also want to explain that we have challenges in some areas but there is no discrimination in terms of enrolment.  Referring to the issue of authorities who might send their people, there is no such Government policy.  If this is happening, please notify us so that when that happens, we would send a panel which would be responsible for selection so that we ensure that people are taken on merit.  I thank you.

+HON. N. NDLOVU:  Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir.  My question is, when they are advertising in hospitals, do they notify the hospitals of the adverts that they would have posted because most of the times when someone goes to the hospital, the hospitals indicate to them that they do not know anything about the advert.

HON. KWIDINI:  It is very true that there are times when we advertise for the nursing intakes for different training schools.  We have noticed it and that is why we have now centralised the advertisement from the Ministry's head office because if you have seen or checked on the recent advertisement which was done, it was not done by the Ministry.  There are people who are trying to steal money from the people by advertising nursing intakes which are not there.

You have seen ours.  We have now introduced that we advertise listing the names of nursing training schools which are going to take for that particular coming intake. However, in the recent advert, what happened is, there were some schools which sent their names for the upcoming intake but unfortunately, later noticed that they did not have enough accommodation to accommodate the next intake.  So they have tried to drop.  Unfortunately, we have given the responsibility or the mandate to the school now to write also informing the public that they are no longer going to take for the upcoming intake. 

So on that, as the Ministry, we have seen that it has been a problem.  We have now taken it back and if it happens that we have put an advert which has got a list of schools and then it happens on the way that there is a school which has dropped and they are not going to take the intake, then we re-send the proper communication to the public so that it avoids such scenarios.

I would like to thank you Hon. Member for that question. We also took note of it before it was asked.  I thank you.

*HON. NHARI:  Thank you Hon. Speaker.  My question is that during the recruitment process, considering people with disabilities, do they have a quota system of enrolling them?  I thank you.

^*THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE (HON. KWIDINI): Thank you Hon. Speaker and I want to thank the Hon. Member for the supplementary question. Indeed, there was no law which clarifies that the disabled should be considered in recruitment of nurses but because people living with different disabilities have been left behind, we are now in the process of correcting that so that those with different disabilities are considered for nurse training. There should be a process which will be used to determine whether disability cannot be worsened by the responsibilities of nursing. If the person has the ability, then this also would be taken into account and a person with disability should also be given an opportunity. The candidates also go through a medical examination process to see whether they are fit for the job being applied for. We are reviewing the process taking into consideration that not all people with disabilities are not able to partake different duties. It is important to note that some might be able in different ways. We are also going to give a ministerial statement addressing this issue after further consultations with the Ministry and stakeholders. I thank you.

HON. B. NDLOVU: On a point of order Mr. Speaker Sir.

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

HON. B. NDLOVU:  Mr. Speaker Sir, you normally take three supplementaries per question but on this one, you have taken more than seven. Thank you. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-

THE HON. SPEAKER: Order! Do not get confused by questions that I have disowned and do not count them as questions having been asked. On the other hand, you are correct. So, Hon. Mandiwanzira madya manonoko.

^*HON. MANANZVA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. My question is directed to the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare. This year we are facing drought and the food is not reaching to the people. We have tried to find out the challenges being faced and were told that transporters were not transporting the food. The GMB depots have food but it is not being transported to reach the intended people. What are the steps being taken to ensure that people get food?

^*THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. MHONA): Thank you Hon. Speaker. The Government policy is that no place is left behind and no one is left behind. If there are areas where food is not being distributed, the responsible Minister is going to investigate on what is happening and find a possible solution to that. The information should be communicated to the Government so that the issue is addressed. I also want to thank the Hon. Member for that question. As Government, we are seized with the matter to make sure that every area receives food. I thank you.

^*HON. MANANZVA: Thank you Hon. Speaker. I am saying that there is food in the depots but food is not reaching different communities, what is Government doing to correct that? I thank you.

^*HON. MHONA: Thank you for that clarification. Indeed, the food is there in depots and is not reaching communities. Government policy is that people should not pay for transport before getting the allocation but this issue can be looked into and different strategies can be applied. I want to urge Members of this august House that if they have alternative forms of transportation, then food should reach the communities. I thank you.

         *HON. MATANGIRA: Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir. I want to thank Government that despite other prohibitive circumstances, Government provided food and took food reserves to the Grain Marking Board (GMB). The issue of transporters is that Government is not paying transporters and my request is that people should not die of hunger. There are a lot of things like livestock and poultry in rural areas, so may Government allow that the few things that are shared among the people, for example where I come from, there is mazhanje and other fruits. I thank you.

         *HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Matangira, may you ask your question properly.

         *HON. MATANGIRA: Thank you Hon. Speaker, my question is that indeed GMB depots have grain, will Government allow people to pay for transportation on their own than for them to die of hunger?  As the food is in the silos, can the Government grant them permission?  The Ministry of Social Welfare is saying that no one must be allowed to pay for transport.  Should people die of hunger when GMB is fully stocked?

         HON. HWENDE: On a point of order Mr. Speaker Sir.

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

HON. HWENDE: The Hon. Minister has already said those who can assist Government can assist.  Those who can pay are covered by the ministers, we need to move to another question.

THE HON. SPEAKER: No, you did not understand the question.  The import of the question is where there are communities who are prepared or leadership is prepared to transport the drought relief food, these people are not allowed by the Ministry of Public Service.  That is the question.

         *HON. MHONA: Thank you very much Hon. Speaker. I want to thank Hon. Matangira for that pertinent question and in deed the Hon. Minister spoke about the issue that Government does not allow people to pay.  Since it is an issue that is being raised by Members of this House, we can then go back to the Minister and ask again that people are concerned, can they be allowed to pay for transport?  Government policy is that the Government will transport for people. I thank you.

         THE HON. SPEAKER: The Hon. Leader of Government Business will ask the Hon. Minister responsible to review that policy accordingly.

         HON. MATANGIRA: I thank you Hon. Speaker.

         The Hon. Speaker having recognised Hon. Natiso and there was no response.

         THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Chief Whip aripo here munhu anonzi Natiso? – [HON. MEMBERS: Haapo.] – Ko mamunyora sei?

         HON. NATISO: Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir…

         THE HON. SPEAKER: Are you Hon. Natiso?

         *HON. NATISO: Yes, Sorry Hon. Speaker, I was caught unaware.  Thank you, Hon. Speaker Sir. My question is directed to the Minister of Transport.  I want to thank the Minister of Transport.  In Bikita we have concerns. My request is that there should be pedestrian crossing areas in our area and we had requested that humps be constructed but there are no sign posts which is quite worrisome.  There are pedestrian crossings but there are no humps and there are no road sign posts. This results in motorists failing to take note of the road signs because there are no signs to notify motorists.  My question is, what is Government policy regarding this issue and when can we expect such road sign posts?

         *HON. MHONA: Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir.  I want to thank Hon. Natiso.  The Hon. Member raised quite a pertinent question because the sign posts that are being put on roads are being removed by people who use them for different purpose.  Because of the standardisation that we want to do as SADC countries, we are using different material now.  The old ones were made of metal which was being stolen but now we will use wood and plastic so that we protect these sign posts.  Road signage is very important as it informs   and warns the drivers.  As the users of these sign posts, we need to protect our sign posts.  If there are areas where there are no sign posts, whether it is pedestrian crossing or a crossing at a school, we are going to put new sign posts which are not written in words because some who come from other countries might not be able to read.  So, we will put sign posts with pictures and this is what we are doing.  I thank you.

         *HON. TAFANANA ZHOU: Thank you Hon. Speaker. The other thing that causes accidents is because there are no speed traps and there are no police officers who monitor speedy drivers along our roads.  So, what is Government planning to do to correct that?  I thank you.

         THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Tafanana Zhou, your question is now different from the original question.

         HON. CHIHOTA: Thank you Hon. Speaker.  My question is directed to the Leader of Government Business.  My question is registration of new vehicles at ZIMRA or CVR, they demand the registration in exclusively USD dollars.  There is no option to pay in local currency (ZiG).  Can you explain why Government is undermining the local currency?  How do you expect a civil servant who earns 10 000 ZiG to raise USD500 to register a 1.6-litre duty free vehicle? I thank you.

         THE HON. SPEAKER: That is a specific question, unfortunately can you put it in writing for next week please.

         HON. CHIHOTA: I thank you.

         THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Members, last week you requested that the Hon. Minister of Energy and Power Development must give a Ministerial Statement regarding to the issue of power, energy and so on.  The Hon. Minister will be giving that Ministerial Statement soon after question time.  So, you are advised accordingly.

         HON. CHIDUWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.   My question is directed to the Hon. Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development.  Hon. Speaker, my question is arising from the damage to road infrastructure and signage that is resulting from road traffic accidents and some of it is because of the negligence of road users and those involved in accidents.  What is Government policy on the rehabilitation of roads and signage by road users involved in road traffic accidents where the users are found to be guilty? I thank you. 

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Did you say they are found to be guilty? Clarify before the Minister responds. You mean found guilty by who? The police!

HON. CHIDUWA:  By the competent courts.

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Perhaps, you need to rephrase your question. If the offenders are found guilty by the competent courts, so what is the issue?

HON. CHIDUWA:  Mr. Speaker Sir, the issue is on the rehabilitation of the roads and the signage that are damaged because of the road traffic accidents. Do we have a policy on that to say where there is negligence? You have seen that road embarkments, the bridge signs and the traffic signs are damaged because of negligence. Do we have a policy in cases where a road user is found to be guilty of negligence, they should repair the signage?

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Are you saying after being charged by the courts? Is that what you are saying?

HON. CHIDUWA:  No, after being found guilty of negligence.

THE HON. SPEAKER:  By the courts?

HON. CHIDUWA:  Yes.

THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. MHONA):  Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Let me thank Hon. Chiduwa. He has raised a topical question in terms of the outcome, the desired position of the ordinary citizenry and in the public court to say, if you vandalise or destroy the infrastructure of Government, you must pay. Like you have highlighted Mr. Speaker Sir, if someone has aggrieved the State, it becomes criminal or civil. When the State is involved, there are certain measures that must be taken. I am sure in terms of being charged again, if there is also a provision to say, you will then be accountable to specific charges, I think that will cover.

However Mr. Speaker Sir, the question is, you find that there are those who are vandalising our infrastructure and they walk scot free after that, that is the question being asked by the Hon. Member that what can we do? We have been contemplating as a Ministry to come up with vibrant and punitive measures as well so that if you are responsible, we must not burden the Treasury because of your negligence. We have seen that in some of the sections of the new road, even coming to Parliament, people are knocking down our robots and they just do not account to that.

The problem that we are having Mr. Speaker Sir is that we do not have the contemporary gadgets to see who has violated, especially when it happens during the night. As a Ministry, we are going to make sure that in collaboration with Home Affairs, we have cameras so that everyone is recorded at any given time so that we are in a position to track those offenders. I am sure it is a welcome development which will also require the support of Parliament to say those who violate, those who knock negligently our infrastructure must pay. Thank you.

HON. MADZIVANYIKA:  My follow up question to the Hon. Minister is, since you are saying Government will make plans to ensure that we penalise those convicted, does that not amount to double jeopardy because that same offender has been sentenced by the competent court and is going to pay also for the damages on the road? Does that not amount to double jeopardy on the part of the motorist or offender? Thank you.

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Why are you sympathetic to the offenders? Perhaps, you did not listen carefully. The Hon. Minister said he is going to look into the law that even if you are found guilty, there is the civil aspect where you have to take reparations. That is what that Minister said. Am I right Hon. Minister?

HON. MHONA:  Yes Mr. Speaker Sir.

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Yes, so that has been covered. Hon. James, you were up standing.

HON. JAMES:  Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I think my question has been answered. I was going to say, are there no laws already in place that if somebody damages public property, they are held responsible and replaces it or repairs it?

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Thank you. The Acting Leader of Government Business could have extended the response by indicating that actually, the Minister of Home Affairs has now introduced the camera system on our roads. I think it started in Bulawayo and that will be extended to all towns and main roads. The Minister of Home Affairs has already indicated that there is a trial run in the City of Kings. Am I right Hon. Minister?

HON. MHONA:  Yes, Mr. Speaker Sir.

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Thank you.

HON. MABURUTSE:  Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. My question is directed to the Minister of Mines and Mining Development. The Minister announced in this House some six months ago that they had suspended some EPOs after the public outcry. When is the Ministry going to allow the public to peg on those suspended EPO areas? I thank you.

THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. MHONA):  Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Let me also thank Hon. Maburutse. With your indulgence, since this is a follow up to a pronouncement by the Hon. Minister in this august House, if you may indulge me so that I also relay the information to the Hon. Minister and that I will not mislead this august House. Thank you.

*HON. ZVAIPA:  Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I want to direct my question to the Minister of Local Government. With the rains that are falling, we find a lot of accidents happening in the country, the rural areas and even in urban areas. In urban areas for example, we find the sewage bursting, in rural areas roofs are being destroyed. What is Government planning in terms of solving the challenges that citizens are facing?  I thank you.

         *THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. MHONA): Thank you Hon. Speaker Ma’am. I also want to thank the Hon. Member Zvaipa. Indeed, it is true that is a pertinent question. Some buildings were constructed before some Members of this House were born, which means that they are old and some are being affected by storms. I am glad because Government plans that buildings should be renovated. Sometimes just renovating is not enough, so Government is working on refurbishing such buildings and if there are schools or other buildings, they will be re-built through the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) which is responsible for solving the different challenges and problems that we face as a nation. As Government, we have agreed that indeed some buildings are old and they must be reconstructed. I thank you.

         HON. KANGAUSARU: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am, good afternoon and I am from Hurungwe. My question is directed to the Minister of Energy and Power Development; on the issue of electricity generation capacity. What immediate steps is the Ministry taking to enhance the generation capacity at Kariba and Hwange Power Stations to address the current electricity shortage? I so submit.

         HON. MUSHORIWA: On a point of order.

         THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order Hon. Minister, what is your point of order?

         HON. MUSHORIWA: Hon. Speaker announced in this House that soon after the question time, the Hon. Minister of Energy is going to do a Ministerial Statement in respect to the energy crisis. I think that the Hon. Member’s question can then come since the Minister of Energy is going to do the ministerial policy at that time.

         THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: You are correct Hon. Mushoriwa.  We will wait for the Ministerial Statement Hon. Kangausaru.

         HON. KANGAUSARU: Madam Speaker, through your indulgence, can I ask my question direct to the Minister of Education, if I can be indulged?

         THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: A different question, go ahead.

         HON. KANGAUSARU: Thank you Madam Speaker. What steps is the Ministry of Education taking to address the issue of overcrowded classes and inadequate learning materials in schools? So, I submit.

          THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. MHONA): Thank you Hon. Madam Speaker Ma’am. Let me also thank Hon. Kangausaru. The Government policy is of capacitation and also on an accelerated infrastructure development, when it also comes to infrastructure at our schools. So, we have seen new schools being built and also additional blocks being added so as to address the pupil to teacher ratio in our schools. This is actually the desired position of Government to say yes, we have been having some cases in hot sitting but the desired position of Government is that we continue enhancing our infrastructure at schools and the Minister of Education has actually briefed this august House that there is a deliberate approach of making sure that we have additional infrastructure in our schools. Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am.

         HON. KANGAUSARU: Thank you very much Madam Speaker Ma’am. Thank you very much Minister for such a comprehensive answer but are there any plans to increase funding or resources for schools in high density areas and in the rural areas where they do not have some classes and they are learning under trees? So, I submit.

         HON. MHONA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am.  Let me also thank Hon. Kangausaru. The position of Government is very clear and the mantra of His Excellency is that no one and no place is to be left behind. Whenever the relevant Ministry is planning, it is not going to earmark or target certain areas. This has to cut across. We also have resettled farmers where we also need infrastructure. I think in terms of the numbers, when they are scoping, when they are mapping the additional infrastructure to have it in place, they also consider numbers, which therefore covers the question asked by the Hon. Member, whether there are high density areas in terms of numbers or whether there are rural areas. So, I think that actually entails the master plan given on a particular area to address such anomalies. Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am.

         HON. ENG. MHANGWA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. The Minister alluded to the two sessions where one will be hot sitting and coming in the afternoon but there is a trend in the high-density suburbs where there is a third session. One that never gets into the classroom for the whole week. They will be outside at the sports fields writing using a durawall as a blackboard. Is that part of the plan? Will that be prioritised for schools with three sessions?

         HON. MHONA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am and let me thank Hon. Eng. Mhangwa for that very important observation. If that is happening, it shows an anomaly. It shows that there is no adequate infrastructure in place. I am sure as soon as the Ministry is addressing the issue of additional infrastructure, that will also be in a position to cater for such a category that has been mentioned by the Hon. Member. That is not the desire of Government to have maybe two or so but if there is a particular area like highlighted by Hon. Eng. Mhangwa, I think it is also very important to bring it to the attention of the Hon. Minister, of which I will gladly relay the information if he can favour me with such a school that has encountered that problem. Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am.

         *HON. MATINENGA: My supplementary question is, what does Government plan to do to get money from other countries because the issue of schools is quite a different issue? It is quite a challenge.

         *HON. MHONA: Thank you Hon. Speaker Ma’am and thank you Hon. Member. Indeed, we need partnerships, we cannot just stand alone. Government policy is that we have relationships with the private sector. Through private sector development, you would find that the Minister of Education indicated that there are a number of partners which are working with the Ministry so that we just do not rely on the fiscus. These are some of the strategies that are being employed by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. In the past, schools were built by communities and communities would pour resources to build schools. As communities, we need to work together to build our schools. These are some of the issues that we find happening and these are some of the strategies that are being employed. I thank you.

                  *HON. MANGONDO: My question pertains to the livestock production here in Zimbabwe, particularly when we look at the loss of livestock. What is Government doing in order to protect and grow the national herd so that farmers who are in A1 and communal areas will be able to breed livestock? We know that Government has been supporting through different medicines used to treat our livestock and some might not be cascading down to communities but the issue of dip tanks, we believe are quite critical in terms of treating cattle and alleviating the challenges caused by ticks.

                  *THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. MHONA): I want to thank Hon. Mangondo for that question. It is true the issue of loss of livestock is quite a challenge. We have noted that this year as a nation, we did not get adequate rains but Government has made sure that communities get stock feeds. In Matebeleland, people have been benefiting and when people receive their food aid, stock feeds are being distributed also. The Hon. Minister announced during the post-Cabinet Media Briefing, he spoke about the strategies that are being used in order to protect livestock, especially cattle, from dying. Some dip tanks are quite old but some are being renovated or built so as to protect our cattle.

As Government, our desire is that we continue preserving and protecting our livestock which is our heritage. There are customs where when livestock breeds,  it is taken to younger generations so that we continue breeding our livestock. The challenge that we are facing is the January disease which has been addressed through the fight against ticks.

*HON. MANGONDO: I want to thank the Minister for his response but I was asking particularly about the plans that are in place to preserve and protect our dip tanks and making them more efficient. For those that are in a state of dilapidation, what is being done to ensure that we do not lose livestock and January disease comes from such challenges of ticks and others?

*HON. MHONA: It is true, the issue that Hon. Mangondo raised is one of the issues that are being looked into. May the Hon. Member put the question in writing so that this is addressed?

 In different provinces, we need to gather information to do with databases of the dip tanks that are available so that the issue is addressed. We want to compile that data so that when the question is asked, we will be having adequate responses. I thank you.

HON. DR. KHUPE: My question is directed to the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement. I am very much alive to the fact that it is Government policy that water must be harvested. What programmes has the Ministry put in place to make sure that they harvest water during this rainy season? This water is going to be very useful, after the rains go, for domestic use and watering gardens so that people reserve water from the City Council for drinking and cooking.

THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. MHONA): Let me thank Hon. Dr. Khupe for that very important question. Why? The culture to harvest water is not amongst us as Zimbabweans. At household level, we can also harvest water and you find that in most cases, we allow water to just flow right into Zambezi but traditionally, we used to harvest water from our gutters even at domestic level.

If you go to the national level, the Government has accelerated dam construction which is also an ongoing process. You should have seen that we are putting up our major dams to actually harvest water. I am sure this exercise is ongoing but to actually rally and run with the suggestion as highlighted by Hon. Dr. Khupe, let it also be a culture that we embrace as Zimbabweans to harvest our own water before we say this has extended to Government. I want to commend and thank Hon. Dr. Khupe for that suggestion that let us harvest water so that at the end of the day, even at household level, you can actually see that if we have that culture, it will go a long way in order to cater for our domestic needs or just to do our gardening.

HON. MADZIVANYIKA: My supplementary question is, does Government have funding to do construction of dams in light of the fact that it is currently failing to pay civil servants’ salaries?

HON. MHONA: Let me also thank Hon. Madzivanyika for that question and pose the same question to the Hon. Member. The owner of the Government purse is Parliament. So, Parliament must allocate funding for such programmes. If you allocate, because this is the relevant time as we are doing our budget, to say we have a number of dams and we want to fund our dams and take the Minister to account after you have given him that purse. So, you are the owners of the purse, implement it and the Government will run with it. Thank you.

         HON. M. SIBANDA: My follow up question to the Hon. Minister is that ZINWA says that all the water bodies around the country belongs to them. What measures are there for ZINWA to make it easy for communities to even construct some small village dams? Currently, there is a lot of registration processes even to establish a borehole facility in a homestead. So, my question is, what is there to make it easy so that we can harness all the water that we will be receiving during the rainy season?  I thank you.

HON. MHONA:  Thank you Hon. Madam Speaker Ma’am and let me thank my brother Hon. Sibanda.  That is a very important question that the whole water belongs to ZINWA, which is a fact.  The Hon. Member has suggested, which I will also gladly take those suggestions to the Hon. Minister to also consider and these are some of the views as we were also crafting our budget, that we were supposed to proffer to the Hon. Minister so that he incorporates in the bigger picture.  I am happy that if I relate the same message to the Hon. Minister, he will then come and brief accordingly this august House.  I thank you.

         ^*HON. KUKA: Thank you very much Hon. Speaker Ma’am. Now that the rains have come, we have been facing shortage of water which means that our dams were dry.  What is Government doing to desilt the dams that are facing siltation so that we will be able to preserve the water that we have?

         THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I will allow the Hon. Minister to respond but the question should be directed to the Minister of Agriculture. 

         ^*HON. MHONA:  Thank you Hon. Speaker Ma’am and I would want to also thank Hon. Kuka.  It is true, it is a quite concerning question that affects a lot of people but the Hon. Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement has once informed the House that the process of desilting is more expensive than constructing new dams. 

         The Hon. Member mentioned a number of areas, so I would request that the Hon. Member provides information which will guide Government in addressing the issue.  The explanation is that when a dam is facing siltation, sometimes it is easier to build a new dam but if the Hon. Member has information about such dams, then the information should be provided so that the issue would be addressed.  I thank you.

         HON. MUKOMBERI:  Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. My question is directed to the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education. What is the Government’s position relating to the enrolment of Form 1 learners as they graduate from primary school?  In most boarding schools, they have developed a system of screening learners relative to their performances at Grade 7, thereby discriminating others and actually limiting equity in access to education which is a fundamental right.  I thank you.

         THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. MHONA): Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am.  Let me thank my brother, Hon. Mukomberi who has asked a very important question.

         You are very right. We used to have some schools that were problematic in terms of their enrolment. The Hon. Minister was very clear in terms of enrolment policy that no one and no place has to be left behind.  We have seen that normally the selection process happens concurrently or soon after the announcement of the grade seven results, where it is going to be done across the country.  I also want to thank the Government that now it is also giving timeframe when the results are out and then the time for form one students to start searching for relevant places in different schools. 

         I think Government policy here is very clear that it has to be done equitably in terms of the enrolment.  I thank you.

         ^*HON. S. ZIYAMBI: Thank you Hon. Speaker Ma’am.  I want to direct my question to the Hon. Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development. We know the rains have come.  We have rural roads and bridges which were swept away by the rains in the past years.  These roads and bridges are not functional and it is affecting the distribution of grain to rural areas.  What is the Government planning to do in terms of refurbishing these bridges? I thank you.

         ^*THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. MHONA): Thank you Hon. Speaker Ma’am.  I want to thank Hon. Ziyambi for the question.  It is a challenge which we are facing indeed.  We have four departments; Department of Roads which is under the Ministry, DDF which is now RIDA, councils, Rural District Councils which are found in rural areas. RIDA falls under the Rural District Councils. 

The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development was responsible for major roads but now we work together with rural councils. If there are bridges which were swept away during past seasons, if such areas are there, then we request that we work together.  The Rural District Councils should engage the Ministry. 

Let me emphasise that, whether it is a local authority, RIDA or Department of Roads, we have to sit down and look at the machinery which should be used in developing the areas that we are covering. We have the money through ZINARA for us to address issues. When full councils sit, let us encourage the use of these funds. 

The CEO and the council Chair should work together and unite with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development so that these issues are addressed. Some areas might not be accessible because of the rains but when we work together with our local councils, Rural District Councils and RIDA, we will be able to fix some of these problems. 

As Members of this august House, sometimes we promise that we are going to build but the burden might be quite big.  We need to work together to solve these challenges.  I thank you.

         *HON. S. ZIYAMBI: Thank you Madam Speaker, what is the Government policy because, if you visit councils or RIDA, they are saying they are not getting money from Central Government?  What is Government doing to make sure that the money is being disbursed to these Government Departments to ensure that projects which are supposed to be done in different areas are done? 

         *THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. MHONA):  I want to thank the Hon. Member for raising a pertinent question. From the areas where we come from, if we look at RIDA, our councils, they are supported by funds from the Devolution Fund and also from the ZINARA Fund.  As Hon. Members in this august House, we must make sure that the money allocated for roads rehabilitation is used for the intended purposes.  Some of the councils may use the monies to pay for their salaries or for buying vehicles because most of the times those monies are being misused. 

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

         HON. MUSHORIWA:  I move that question without notice be extended by 23 minutes.

         THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, muchingobvunza Minister one, vanetawozve, regai vazorore. 

         HON. BAJILA: Madam Speaker, I am sorry, we had thought that you would grant Hon. Mushoriwa’s request of extension. 

         THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  I am sorry Hon. Bajila, there is also a ministerial statement after question time.

         HON. BAJILA:  I am sorry Madam Speaker Ma’am. Yesterday I made a point of national interest over an issue that would complicate the opening of the first term of schools for 2025.  I was intending to ask that question today, I am way below on your list, I think if that question is not attended to by Ministers, we will have problems in opening our schools next term.

         THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Bajila but that question requires the substantive Minister, he is not present and so you can ask that question next week.  Thank you. 

ORAL ANSWER TO QUESTION WITH NOTICE

LIST OF COMMUNITY SHARE OWNERSHIP TRUSTS IN HWANGE MINING AREA

1. BONDA asked the Minister of Industry and Commerce to inform the House whether there are any Community Share ownership Trusts in Hwange Mining Area and if so, to provide the list of such trusts?

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE (HON. MODI): If you can allow me to answer the question next week Madam Speaker.  I thank you.

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Hon. Deputy Minister, you mean you do not have the answer today?

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE (HON. MODI): Yes, I do not have the answer Madam Speaker.

HON. MUSHORIWA:  On a point of order Madam Speaker.  I am not so sure what needs to be done.  The Hon. Minister of Industry, Hon. M. Ndlovu was here, the Deputy Minister is here and is telling us that he does not have the answer on a question that the Ministry was given notice to long back.  I have also noticed that the Hon. Minister of Health has left as well.  I am not sure if this does not require these Ministers to be sanctioned by Parliament.  I think they are not taking Parliament business seriously.   The Hon. Deputy Minister did not even apologise to this House.

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Hon. Mushoriwa, your point of order is very valid.  I think the Hon. Ministers and Deputy Ministers must take this House seriously. May we allow Hon. Modi to explain to this House why they did not come with the responses to the questions? 

         THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE (HON. MODI): Thank you Madam Speaker. I apologise but we were together with my Minister, so I thought he had answers. - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I hear you Hon. Modi but next time please you have to liaise with your Minister.

HON. MODI: I apologise for that; they will answer next week, thank you.

HON. BAJILA: Madam Speaker, the Deputy Minister said he does not have any answer to one question with respect to the Ministry. The Ministry has two questions on the Order Paper here, so we want the Deputy Minister to confirm to us that he is sitting here, that he has answers to none of the questions that are on the Order Paper with respect to the Ministry because there are only two questions and he is still here. There are only two questions but he cannot even answer one, why is he remaining when those who knew that they do not have answers left, there are only two questions for him.

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Bajila, I am sorry I have already passed that stage.

HON. ENG. MHANGWA: On a point of clarity Madam Speaker, mine was question number 5. When I saw the Minister dashing out, I went to talk to the Minister, the Minister has given me an explanation that the CSC issue is under the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement, so how do we proceed? Should I rephrase the question and direct it to the correct Ministry or it is a duty that is supposed to be done? Allow me to find direction from the Speaker. It was there since June and the expectation is, if it has gone to the wrong Ministry, it is re-directed. So I need direction from the Speaker with all due respect. It was there since June the session ended and I brought it back on the 16^th of October and still it is being deferred, if it was not courtesy, I went out to ask if it would be continuously deferred when it is known that it is supposed to be the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement, that is the reason why I am asking and please do not bully me.  

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Mhangwa, the Administration of Parliament will re-direct the question to the appropriate Minister.

HON. JAMES: Madam Speaker, with all due respect, they have no confidence in our Cabinet.

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. James, I think on that issue, the Speaker already said that he is going to engage the President. The Speaker has already made a ruling that he is going to engage the President, so I cannot rule over the Speaker’s ruling.

HON. G. HLATYWAYO: Point of privilege Madam Speaker, thank you so much Hon. Speaker. I am a little bit concerned, we have been sending questions to the Journals Office but we have not been seeing those questions on the Order Paper and this is something that has been consistent; we are really concerned. We want to know what is happening. We have sent the questions via email.

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you Honourable, I am sure the Administration of Parliament has taken note of that. I will now call upon the Hon. Minister of Energy and Power Development to give us a Ministerial statement.

WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE

PLANS TO PROMOTE SPORTS IN CHIPINGE SOUTH CONSTITUENCY

32. HON. C. HLATYWAYO asked the Minister of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture on plans to promote sports in Chipinge South Constituency.

THE MINISTER OF SPORTS, RECREATION, ARTS AND CULTURE (HON. DR. COVENTRY): The Ministry in its tandem to attain its mandate in line with vision 2030, is implementing an array of mass participation programmes. The Ministry is mandated to create opportunities for sport, recreation and physical activity for all, regardless of geographical location, age, gender, ability, language and race. The Ministry since its inception, has been promoting mass participation in sport under community sport which is often subsumed under community recreation.

It is beyond doubt that sport and recreation is an impetus to an active nation. In this regard, the Ministry is keen to align approaches to increase the number of people participating in sport and recreation with slants successfully to maximise sports contribution to changing lives of Zimbabweans and Chipinge South is not exceptional. In provision of an enabling environment, the Ministry constructed a multipurpose sports and recreation court at Checheche High School in 2023. The facility was meant to provide a suitable platform to conduct sport and recreation programmes by all persons in Chipinge South. As you might be aware, the multipurpose sport facility accommodates tennis, volleyball and netball.

The Ministry thought its district and provincial offices has implemented programmes in Chipinge South. In March 2024, sport was used to convey a message in fighting human and wildlife conflict in Wards 29 and 15 to be specific. The Ministry also facilitated Child Sport Athletics Competition on 27^th September, 2024 at Checheche Primary School. The Ministry is also coordinating the E. Zituta Christmas Trophy. Further to this, the Ministry is collaborating with Tambai Zimbabwe in facilitating Women and Girls Empowerment through Sports (WAGES) festival to be hosted at Tongogara Refugee Camp soon. The WAGES festival will have the following sport codes; football, netball, volleyball, basketball, judo, karate, athletics and handball.

In 2025, the Ministry seeks to implement fitness and wellness programme, sport for the elderly festivals, walk for life, sports of the junior festival, women and girls in sports amongst others. These programmes are meant for identification, nurturing and development of talent at all levels of the competition. The Ministry in collaboration with the Sport and Recreation Commission is aiming at resuscitating the Zimbabwe National and Paralympic Games in 2025. These identify talent and participation from ward, district up to provincial level in all the ten provinces of the country.

PLANS TO ELECTRIFY RURAL AREAS IN CHIPINGE SOUTH

39. HON. C. HLATYWAYO asked the Minister of Energy and Power Development to inform the House the Ministry’s plans to electrify rural areas in Chipinge South including schools such as Mwanyisa, Matikwa, Munepasi, Chinyamukwakwa and Makoho, Mashubi, Lisungwe and Chipote Pre-schools, Mabee, Manhunzi and Chenji Satelite Primary Schools among others.

THE MINISTER OF ENERGY AND POWER DEVELOPMENT (E. MOYO): Hon. Members of Parliament, I am pleased to update the House on our Ministry`s plans to electrify rural areas in Chipinge South, including schools as indicated in Table 1. Our efforts are guided by the Rural Electrification Masterplan (REMP) which ensures a systematic and sustainable approach to connecting rural communities to the grid.

Table 1: Electrification for Chipinge South Schools

Already electrified	2025	2026	2027	2028	2029	2030
Chinyamukwakwa	Munepasi	Mwanyisa   Mwanyisa	Chikonwe	Makoho	Chenji	Mashubi Lisungwe
Mabee	Matikwa			Chipote	Manhunzi

 

It is worth noting that Chinyamukwakwa and Mabee schools are already electrified, demonstrating our commitment to provide access to electricity in rural areas. The Ministry of Energy and Power Development is also working with Development Partners such as UNDP in the implementation of solar projects. In October this year, we commissioned a 200kw solar mini grid in Hakwata, Chipinge South. The Solar mini grid is servicing schools, clinic, business centre and an irrigation scheme.

REPAIRING OF PUMULA SOUTH SUB-STATION

40. HON. S. MAHLANGU asked the Minister of Energy and Power Development to inform the House when the Ministry will repair Pumula South sub-station which broke down in July 2023.

THE MINISTER OF ENERGY AND POWER DEVELOPMENT (E. MOYO): ZETDC tendered for new switch gear installation at Pumula South substation, but unfortunately no suitable supplier was found. As per procedure, the evaluation report was submitted to the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) for guidance on next steps. While awaiting PRAZ`s response, we are implementing a temporary solution that is; Decommissioned switch gear from Forestvale substation will be relocated to Pumula South substation. This short-term measure will restore supplies. Expected restoration timeline - end of November. Once PRAZ responds, we will proceed with procuring new switch gear for a long-term solution.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

POWER SUPPLY SITUATION

THE MINISTER OF ENERGY AND POWER DVELOPMENT (HON. E. MOYO): Thank you very much. I rise to give a Ministerial Statement on the power supply situation in the country as it obtains now. The Zimbabwe Power Company is currently generating a daily average of 1 332 megawatts and I want to indicate that this figure changes on a daily basis, sometimes on an hourly basis depending on the condition and state of generators and different sites.

These are against a demand of an average of 1735 megawatts. The balance between 1 232 and 1 735 is partly covered by imports which are coming from our different sources which I am going to name as I proceed.

 What remains as the ultimate balance is what is shedded. Hwange Power Station stages 1 and 2 is producing 475 megawatts from units 1,2,3,4 and 6 unit 5 undergoing a major overhaul which is expected to be completed in August 2026. Once complete, it is expected to add 160 megawatt into the national grid.

On Hwange 7 and 8, both units are in service injecting a total of 614 megawatts into the grid.  Unit 7 is scheduled to undergo class C maintenance in January 2025. 

Kariba Power Station remains constrained due to the low water levels.  Following the directive from the Zambezi River Authority for Zimbabwe and Zambia to reduce generation, the power station is generating at an average of 104 megawatts out of a dependable or installed capacity of 1050 megawatts.  It must be noted though that output from our power stations, especially the old Hwange Power Plant, varies depending on the current performance of each plant.

The 2025 rainfall season is projected at normal to above normal with water allocation for generation set at 27 billion cubic meters shared equally between Zimbabwe and Zambia up from the 16 billion cubic meters which was allocated for 2024 for both countries.

The production plan from the 13.5 billion cubic metres is set to generate 3044 gigawatt hours of electricity.  This represents a 68.75% increase in water allocation for power generation in 2025 as compared to 2024.  This will significantly increase power availability in the country.

There is an event which occurred on 24^th November, 2024 which we have called ‘great disturbance’.  On November 24, 2024, a nationwide black-out occurred in Zimbabwe at 2015 hours resulting in the loss of all internal generators and interconnectors with South Africa, Mozambique and Zambia.  Zimbabwe lost 1115 megawatts of load and Zambia was also affected.  A restorative process was initiated involving a three-pronged approach using Kariba, Mozambique and South Africa as power sources.  Power was gradually restored with limited loads connected across the country by 0301 hours on November 25, 2024.

However, the power system is not yet fully recovered.  Efforts are being made to restore the remaining affected units at Hwange. The root cause that triggered the black-out is however, still under investigation but current simulations indicate that there was loss of generation in one of our interconnected countries that then tended to suck energy from within the country.

On IPPs, IPPs are producing more than 200 megawatts while solar net metering capacity is 24 megawatts.  These figures exclude household installations, some small solar PV installations and industrial on-use installed capacity.

On imports, an average firm supply of 200 megawatts has been secured through import agreements with ESCOM, EDM and HCP to help address the electricity shortfall.

The outlook situation. The forecast demand is 1 735 megawatts which, without significant interventions, would result in continued load curtailment.  There are however, several mitigation measures that will be implemented in order to narrow the supply-demand gap.  There is need to increase power supply sources through support and procurement from independent power producers and the continued involvement of third parties in the reformed electricity supply industry, like Intensive Energy User Group, Utility Warehousing, Africa Green Coal, Negomo and others. These players procure power locally and regionally and supply direct to customers and energy efficiency improvements.

We also have ongoing projects.  I will begin with the Zimbabwe Power Company project (ZPC) which is under ZESA.  These are projects being developed to increase power supply capacity as well as providing support for Hwange Power Station Units 1 to 8. These projects include the following.

Hwange Power Station

The refurbishment of Hwange Power Station Unit 5 which ZPC is doing from own resources will add 160 megawatts to Zimbabwe's national grid, helping to address the current electricity shortfall of 300 megawatts.  This capacity increase is expected to positively impact the economy by reducing production losses caused by power shortages.

Batoka Gorge Hydroelectric Project

The project is being developed together with Zambia through Zambezi River Authority.  Project development activities are ongoing.  The power plant will have a capacity of 1200 megawatts on the Zimbabwean side after completion.

The Devil's Gorge Hydro Project

The project is also being developed together with Zambia through the Zambezi River Authority.  Project development activities commenced this year with a pre-feasibility currently ongoing.  Power plant will have a capacity of about 600 megawatts on the Zimbabwean side after completion. 

Furthermore, the allocation of resources to Unit 1 to 4 and 6 in order to minimise plant downtime on failure will further alleviate the electricity shortages.  With these developments, prioritising resources for the power station's key production-related issues is indeed a viable short-term solution. 

The repowering of Units 1 to 6 in 48 to 60 months in the short term which will eventually restore the station's capacity to at least 840 megawatts which should significantly curtail load shedding and stabilise the power supply for the country.

Battery Energy Storage Systems - The integration of a battery energy storage system is indeed a critical step towards enhancing energy supply stability.  The battery energy storage systems are designed to store electrical energy for later use, playing a pivotal role in balancing the supply and demand of electricity within the power grid.

IPP projects which are coal-based, that is thermal IPPs

We have Dinson Company, which has completed its Phase 1 of a 50 megawatt plant which is already in operation.  Now we are going to Phase 2 where 20 megawatts waste heat recovery is under construction to be completed in June 2025.  The other 50 megawatts from Dinson Steel is going to come on immediately after the recovery of the 20 megawatt waste to heat recovery.

Titan Power Phase 1 preparation for ground-breaking ceremony for the 720 megawatt thermal power plant at Hwange is being prepared for.  It is going to happen next week on Monday.  It is expected that His Excellency the President is going to officiate at that ceremony.

Their Phase 2 which is 200 megawatt solar PV following the signing of an MOU between ZESA and Titan Power during the FFOCAC Summit in China will soon be on board. 

Zhongxin Heli, which is in Beitbridge is a 100 megawatt thermal power plant and this one is under construction.  It is expected that it will be completed during the course of 2025.

Nuclear Energy Prospects

After the intergovernmental agreement with Rosatom of the Russian Federation, a working group on the development of a nuclear power plant project was formed.  The group held its last meeting on 16 October, 2024.

Additionally, the Ministry is working with the International Atomic Energy Agency on capacity building on nuclear infrastructure development.  The Ministry is expecting an IAEA delegation during the first quarter of 2025.  This delegation is expected to meet with key stakeholders, including His Excellency, the President of the Republic, as part of the nuclear energy prospective agenda.

Also, to that end, the first group of 30 students are already currently undergoing training on nuclear physics abroad.  Another 30 is set to depart in the first quarter of 2025.  This is part of a continuous programme to capacitate locals.

Rural Electrification Fund (REF) Performance

On REF performance, a total of 264 rural institutions were connected to the grid up to September 2024 against a target of 384.  Our renewable energy projects in Zimbabwe include Central Grid, Nyabira, Mashonaland West Province of a 25 megawatt capacity, Bikita Minerals Solar Project, 12 megawatt, with battery storage.  Zimplats, 35 megawatt, Dete Solar 120 kilowatt to benefit the community and business center. Glenview 6-kilowatt project with net metering which has now covered 50 households. PPC Zimbabwe 30-Megawatt plant which is under construction. Richaw Solar power plant 3,5 megawatt which is also under construction.

On policy and strategy, we have approved as Cabinet on the 27^th of October, 2024 an energy efficiency project per policy which speaks to energy conservation. The national clean cooking strategy is currently being proof read in readiness for cabinet attention. Net metering projects now are giving us more than 20 megawatts which are being fed into the grid.

We also have projects that have been given by Government implementation agreements and are now awaiting financial clause and these include the De-Green Rhino Mashonaland with a capacity of 50MW. We also have Guruve Solar Park 5,5MW project, Murombedzi Solar at 10,5MW power value energy of 50MW and new global solar at 10MW. We are also working on solar for farmers so that we reduce the load on farmers so that they also have their own captive power. There is also work which is being done on home solar systems which is going to be launched early next year and procurement processes have already started. I thank you.

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Minister. I will now allow Hon. Members to ask questions of clarification.

HON.  J. TSHUMA: Thank you very much Madam Speaker. I do appreciate so much the effort that our Hon. Minister did to go and come up with a ministerial statement that he has delivered to our august House. I just have one question that I wanted to find out. All the statistics that you have given are very fine and correct and I am sure we are working towards achieving that. My only problem is that people in my constituency have asked me to come and ask – why is it that electricity comes at night after 9 or 10 and then it is off again at around 3, 4 or 5am and during the day, there is no electricity. Why can you not provide electricity during the day so that essential things like ironing and other things can be done during the day. Why can you not do load shedding at night and have electricity during the day. I thank you.

^*HON. J. SITHOLE:  Thank you Madam Speaker. I want to thank the ministerial statement that was given. On the measures he gave, what are the steps they are taking to solve the problem of shortage of electricity – when are they expecting that this problem is going to end. Thank you. 

*HON. HWENDE: Thank you Hon. Speaker Ma’am. I want to find out from the Minister what Government are plans in order to avail electricity during the festive season. We have heard about the long-term solutions - the Batoka that we have been hearing since we were in primary school. We want the short-term solution for example like do you have plans to repower old thermal power stations like Harare, Munyati and Bulawayo. Also, is Government considering the issue of diesel generators which helps South Africa when they had the same crisis?  Also, are you considering the issue of tariffs because the issue is that the ZiG charge should be reviewed. You did not mention whether Government plans to import electricity because they are many countries in our region which have excess electricity. Lastly Madam Speaker, you said that you want opposition which proffers solution. It is clear that they have failed. We have Eng. Mhangwa who should be given opportunity so that people get electricity. I thank you.

         ^*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Eng. Mhangwa has not yet grown to that stage.      

HON. MUSHORIWA: Thank you so much Madam Speaker. I just want the Hon. Minister to confirm two issues. The first issue that I want the Hon. Minister  to advise this House on is the Zimbabwe export of power to neighbouring countries under existing contractual obligations; countries such as Namibia and others. The second issue that I need the Minister to also then explain to this august House – we have been told recently that the Chinese lenders who bankrolled the US$1,4 million Hwange thermal power station were contemplating switching off the facility as ZESA is failing to pay back the debt. Could the Hon. Minister explain to this august House the measures you are taking to mitigate in case this happens and also to explain to us whether should that scenario happen, what would be the contingent plan.

HON. KANGAUSARU:  Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. On renewable energy investment what investment and timelines has the Ministry allocated towards diversifying energy sources particularly solar and wind energy to mitigate the ongoing load shedding crises and in collaboration with the private and international partners to accelerate deployment of renewable energy. Are there any incentives that are given to investors in this sector in order for us to mitigate the ongoing load shedding? I thank you.

         *HON. NYABANI: Thank you Madam Speaker, I want to find out from the Minister, is it not possible to talk to financial institutions like CBZ, FBC et cetera because I heard the Hon. Minister saying that we have a lot of funds in our banks?  Companies cannot continue to operate when there is no electricity.  Is it possible to talk to these financial institutions so that we can generate a lot of power from solar which will be channeled to the national grid? We cannot keep money in banks when people are suffering.  I thank you.

         ⁺HON. M. NKOMO: Thank you Madam Speaker for the opportunity. I want to give thanks to the Hon. Minister for coming up with a  Ministerial Statement in this House.  My clarity is in regards to electricity poles that have gone for about 10 years without electricity being installed.  Some of them have even fallen on top of rooms.  What is Government policy in regards to these poles?

         HON. DR. KHUPE: Thank you Hon. Speaker.  First of all, I would like to thank the Hon. Minister for bringing the Ministerial Statement in this House.  Hon. Minister, I heard you speak about Hwange, Kariba and independent power producers.  I did not hear you speak about the Lupane/Lubimbi methane gas.  Remember, I asked you a question and I was imploring Government to work very hard so that they find an investor.  Lupane/Lubimbi can generate about 600 megawatts and these will deal with our energy problems and we will end up exporting some of the energy to other countries.  How far have you gone in making sure that you find an investor because it is important that we stop procrastinating on this issue because it is going to help us in dealing with our energy problems?

         *HON. ENG. MHANGWA: Thank you Hon. Speaker. Thank you, Hon. Minister for the Ministerial Statement, it speaks about progress that are in the pipe line.   My first clarity seeking question is the impression you give is that constantly, we generate the 1232MW as an average of which the contribution of solar or IPPs is only 50.  So, it means constantly we are having 1182MW coming but our load is not a constant load, so it does not continue that we have a deficit of 553MW the whole day.  So, there should be a time when the supply should meet the demand.  I assume that this point is not a point that only comes at 10p.m. because our peak is only early in the morning and some time in the evening.

         It should get better in some areas during the day.  Then you were silent on issues that have to do with what the Government should do.  Projects, yes, we have had a lot of private sector initiatives but the legislative issues are the issues that we should deal with as Parliament and as Government.  Key to that, is that the IPPs have legislative hurdles that they always talk about.  The conference/seminar- we had a privilege to attend together with the Hon. Minister, there was mentioned by one of the investors that money is like water, it looks for the easiest path.  Are we providing the easiest path for investment in Zimbabwe? 

         For instance, Madam Speaker, no one will come with their sane mind to give US dollars and have the payment coming back in ZiG whose convertibility is questionable.  

         Madam Speaker, we have an example that worked, we had queues of fuel everywhere.  When we starting using US dollar the fuel queues disappeared, electricity is in dire need of such an arrangement.  If we need to safeguard the people, if we need to protect the households, the households in public institutions can pay in ZiG and the rest of the industry pays in US dollar.  It is cheaper to have electricity in US dollar – [AN HON. MEMBER: Iwe bvunza mubvunzo.] – It is clarity.

         THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: You must ask questions not to debate because you are now debating.

         HON. ENG. MHANGWA: It is not prudent that it is cheaper either to use a generator where you pay fuel in US dollars and run your business than having electricity in US dollars that is cheaper. The second thing is for business, the insurance companies that have been mentioned, for them to have appetite for our energy projects, there is need to give prescribed asset status – [AN HON. MEMBER: Mubvunzo warebesa uyo shamwari.] – Lastly Madam Speaker, there is talk about increasing generation.  In increasing generation, we can incompetently…. 

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

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

         HON. DHLIWAYO: May be the Hon. Member has forgotten that he must ask a question. I think let him go straight to the question. The Hon. Minister will explain, we have a very brilliant Hon. Minister- [AN HON. MEMBER: Hausi Hon. Speaker.] -

         HON. ENG. MHANGWA: All that I have said is, is it not prudent, which makes it a question Madam Speaker. I thank you.

         THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Mhangwa, I am sure you are done now.

         HON. ENG. MHANGWA: It is important that we have a competent…

         THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Mhangwa, may you please now take your sit? You have asked your question and the Hon. Minister has heard you.

         HON. E. MOYO: Thank you very much Madam Speaker, I will try to follow the chronology at which the questions were asked. Why electricity comes at night – I think I did explain at some point, I think it was the last two weeks when this statement was being called for, that a Government decision was taken to identify sensitive as critical loads which was done. However, those sensitive and critical loads are also within their vicinity, you have communities and because we do not have dedicated lines to those specific sites then the electricity supplied is shared with that community and taking a big chunk of what is generated. What does that do, it means that these communitites, I think I even gave an example of Bulawayo - Mzilikazi and Barbourfields scenario and such sites are many in the country. These consume a huge chunk of the power. During the day also, you have industry which must also benefit from that little power leaving very little room for the huge holds to benefit during the day, hence the availability of power at night. The amount of power at the time that they have suggested, I might need to investigate and check if that is universal or it is targeted areas.  The material fact is that we have critical and sensitive loads taking the bulk of the power and therefore, leaving very little to be shared amongst everybody in the country. This is largely because of dormant capacity at Kariba. We have a station there which normally will give us 800 megawatts although its installed capacity is over a thousand megawatts, which is currently doing 100. That is a very a very big loss in terms of capacity.

Short term measures, the repowering of Hwange 1 to 6, that has started and I did mention in my statement here that ZPC is currently repowering unit 5 using its own resources. To repower that unit is going to cost not less than USD75 million. The other unit 2 was done and it becomes the anchor of that stage unit 1 and 2 in Hwange. It is giving us about 120 mw. The others are low, hence the need to repower them. The company has already been identified. As I speak right now, they are in Hwange doing some studies of what needs to be done, specific of what has to be done. We expect that in the first quarter of 2025, the process is going to begin and it is going to happen unit by unit so that we do not black out the whole country.

Repowering of old power stations, those power stations, Bulawayo, Munyati and Harare are old and highly uneconomic to run. I will give an example of the Bulawayo one where the tariff at cost is currently at 47 cents and no one can afford that. The reasons being that the old equipment there has become so inefficient. You need so much coal to do just a bit and benefit from that and the coal comes at a cost. Also, the cost of moving coal from Hwange to these power stations has also gone up, making them highly inefficient and expensive to run. A study was carried out whose reports, I think at some point last year, I did mention when you spoke about decommissioning these plants.

Tariff adjustments, yes, last year November and December, a new tariff was given which was towards almost at cost reflectivity. That tariff is affected by a number of factors for it to be viable and a review of the tariff would add an extra cost burden on the economy. We need to look at efficiencies to maximise benefits from that tariff.

Hon. Mhangwa has suggested migrating to US dollar. These are debates that are also happening and I had discussions with a number of Members here on those possibilities. We do constantly look at options which we can pursue to rescue our situation but the story does not end there.

The tariff was given but payments are not coming from consumers. Hence, our decision now to say, by the end of this year into beginning of 2025, to put almost everybody except sensitive loads on pre-payment meters. That is happening with households. It is now happening with companies. Two months ago, I had a meeting with CZI, ZNCC, all of them and we were talking about prepayment. They were crying. Naturally, they were crying that we owe so much already and we cannot pay. Some of these business people are owing a lot of money.

If I may take this opportunity to share with you some of what is owed as of August, 12^th 2024. It was not in my statement because it was given some time back. For the recovery of memory, I need to mention that. The domestics on ZiG, owe over ZiG84 million, industrial owes about ZiG2. 8 billion, which is 50% of what is owed. Commercial owes ZiG656 million, which is 12% of what is owed, mining is owing ZiG684. 8 million, which is also 12%, farming owes ZiG254 million, which is 4%, export and others owe ZiG187 million, which is about 3%. Government institutions owe ZiG303 million, which is 5%, parastatals owe ZiG73 million, which is 1%, local authorities owe ZiG577. 9 million which is 10%. The grand total is ZiG5. 6 billion. That is quite a chunk which could solve a lot of our problems including repowering and making good what we owe our suppliers.

The other problem that was mentioned, I think it has to do with engineering, I missed something around that. Our problem is not engineering incapacity. Our problem is mainly the water hydrological issues at Kariba where we have lost a lot of capacity. That is the problem. The other things, yes, here and there but basically that is our major problem. When you lose out of a system about 700 to 800 mw, it is not a joke. It takes a knock on the situation.

Our Zimbabwe to other countries exports, I will give you the figures. We are exporting 80 MW to Namibia and that was on a 15-year contract, which contract is expiring next year in March. We are also exporting 110 MW to CEC, which is Copper Belt Energy Co-operation in Zambia, we are giving ZESCO 50 MW. I will give you the justifications, particularly of the last two because these ones came in this year.

The CEC one, the first 55 MW are meant to securitise the Deka upgradation loan facility from India. Because of lack of capacity in the economy to pay everything in US dollars, we had to export part of the power we received as a result of the loans that we got so that we can get the money in USD to pay back what we owe. The other 55% is also meant to securitise the loan from China which was used in Kariba to refurbish part of the units in Kariba.

The ZESCO, 50 MW export was meant to assist Zambia at a critical time of need because there was a time in Zambia where there was completely no electricity. It was important to maintain that linkage of solidarity with the neighbour for several reasons, historical and current and also for power trading. We need to maintain these links because today it could be them, like today it is both of us and next time it will be another country. These were the reasons why these were given. The ZESCO one is going to be withdrawn in the next month, therefore we can recover that 50%. It was meant to get them through that difficult patch.

ZESA failing to pay, I want to put that question differently and say, Zimbabweans failing to pay because what we should pay as consumers is what we should use to pay those who have assisted us in the past. However, I also want to bring this issue of Unit 7 and 8 into context. A special purpose vehicle was established at the inception of Unit 7 and 8 to run as operation and maintenance organisation to look after Hwange 7 and 8, which is called HESCO. Its structure is such that Zimbabwe has 64% and Sino Hydro China has 36%. That is the organisation charged with running that organisation. It is not like 7 and 8 is run by Chinese. Yes, we have Chinese engineers there but the special purpose vehicle running there is called HESCO and Zimbabwe has the majority stake in that.

The other things that we read in the media are not entirely correct. Yes, we do owe but we are not yet at a stage of saying that we are going to be disconnected because after all the operation and management of those two units is in the firm control of us as Zimbabwe.

On renewable energy, diversifying to solar and wind; yes, I have spoken about solar but not wind.  A lot is being done around wind and the stage at which we are right now is on the resource establishment.  The intensity of the wind resource to warrant us turning to wind energy; some masts have been set up across the country.  I think right now we have about 12 masts that are taking data on the wind density so that it is established whether it is viable or not and then after the establishment of that resource, the investors can use that to develop their own viability models and see if they can take it up.  At the moment, wind density is being profiled as I speak.

Coming to partnerships, they are there and happening almost every day, particularly from the Chinese front.  I receive not less than three Chinese company representatives coming with Zimbabweans as partnerships to come and explore opportunities.  Today I had the pleasure of receiving two and those are big Chinese companies.  The possibility of partnerships is very high and our jurisdiction is such that private players are encouraged.  The sector is now open to private players.

Banks to finance energy; yes, some banks have liquidity challenges but others are already financing.  If you look at Old Mutual through CABS, they are financing a number of projects throughout the country.  Some other banks are also financing via some SPVs.  The participation of banks although not really very good, there is a gleam of hope in that space.

Poles which are falling and have no energy; yes that is true, you remember that for over 15 years up to last year, we did not have cost reflective tariff.  Our costs at the utility were that high and yet the revenue line was far below, making it difficult for refurbishment works.  Now that we have a near cost reflective tariff, works on rehabilitating our infrastructure is happening and some of you can confirm that it has happened in their areas. 

Lupane Methane gas; that resource is being held by a private company who is looking for investors.  Each time we have investors coming to us, we also refer them to that resource.  They say a number of things but we are actively pushing for that.  The company that holds that resource is also doing some work.  About three weeks ago, they held a press conference where they were talking about the prospects of a number of people who have shown interest.  So, something is happening through that IPP.

Load is not constant; sometimes you do not have power for some days.  I have alluded to that through what I said were critical and sensitive loads, leaving very little for people to share.  During the day, we try as much as possible to service industry so that at least production does not stop.

Legislative issues; I have already spoken about currency issues, these lie elsewhere.  Suggestions and discussions are being made.  If there is a change of law, that is going to be properly communicated.  We were together with the Hon. Member who asked the question and the people spoke a lot about currency compatibility, which is true because people are getting their loans offshore; the ones we paid back in USD but the behaviour that we see in the market is that even those people who have got foreign currency prefer to go to the black market to get ZiG, then they get ZESA, thereby incapacitating ZESA to be able to carry out its responsibilities. 

Prescribed asset status; this is already given.  If a company applies through ZIDA and require prescribed asset status to benefit from Instruments that are there in the market, that is always given.  No one has ever been denied that as long as they qualify for that.  I thank you Madam Speaker.

HON. CHIDUWA: On a point of clarity, I would like to find out from the Hon. Minister if the Batoka Gorge project is one such project where the Government of Zimbabwe, together with the Government of Zambia, are exploring as a long-term solution to our power problems.  Given the unpredictability and the variability of the rainfall weather patterns because of climate change.  Do you think this project is still feasible?  We may not know what is going to happen tomorrow because of climate change.

Another issue is on the preservation of the Zambezi River, especially from siltation.  Do we have any policies that are in place to manage the Zambezi catchment area which is covering Zambia, Namibia, Congo and Angola to ensure that as we get the rains, we will ensure that there are flows coming down that will also have a bearing on the Batoka Gorge and even Kariba? Those are my issues that I need clarity on.

HON. MUTOKONYI:  The Minister has alluded to the fact that they are sitting on a debt of over 5.6 billion with 50% of that from the industries.  What is the utility company doing to ensure that they get these dues?  When I see the disconnections in the households and farms, I am sure if that was also to be done to these industries, we should not actually have this much.

You also alluded that the Lupane-Lubimbi project is under a private company.  I would like to know whether there is a chance that if the Government manages to secure an investor; is there any opportunity for the Government to work together with this private business given the magnitude of power that we should get from that project?

HON. KAPOIKILU: I was listening to the presentation by the Hon. Minister.  His presentation to me did not speak much about the solutions or power problems that we have now.  It showed that the Minister is equally surprised by the lack of energy security.  He is quite surprised like us.  After this presentation, I feel there is no hope.   I so submit.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. TSITSI ZHOU): What is your point of clarity?

HON. KAPOIKILU:  I have no point of clarity but I feel there is no hope…

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Can you please take your seat?

         HON. GUMEDE:  Hon. Minister, thank you for the Ministerial Statement. I have a point of clarity in terms of community involvement. How is the Government engaging communities to adopt centralised renewable energy solutions? For example, roof top solar systems and things that will contribute to mini-grids. I also want to find out the long-term strategy that the Ministry has in terms of the vision for achieving energy security and sustainability, in particular through renewable energy. I wanted to specifically hear the timeframes seeing that electricity is a problem. We have heard the short-term solutions that he has given us but we want to also find out the broader long-term strategy that the Ministry has and the timeframes that have been put in place so that we can see a better situation in terms of energy in Zimbabwe.

         *HON. GANYIWA: I want to commend the Hon. Minister of Energy for the Ministerial Statement but I would like to request for clarification on the current programme which pertains to the law that is being applied to houses under construction and those that might not be getting electricity in the meantime. The clarification that is needed pertains to the usage of solar panels in homes to generate power to lessen the burden on the national grid and this will culminate into a situation where houses that are being built are going to be using more of solar energy. Solar energy is a bit cheaper and the request is that they should be by-laws which regulate the usage of electricity so that people buy solar systems. The suggestion then, is it not possible to encourage mining companies and other big companies which come to invest in Zimbabwe to build power stations within their company premises to lessen the burden of taking electricity from the national power grid.  This is the clarity that I require.

         HON. MALINGANISO: I do believe that when Government is coming up with solutions, we come up with solutions for the interim and also solutions for posterity. Is there a possibility that Government is considering exploring the chance of nuclear energy given that we have discovered uranium?

         HON. MUROMBEDZI: I would like to thank the Hon. Minister for the Ministerial Statement. My question borders on the marginalised communities who live in the Zambezi Valley. In his statement, he spoke about the long term plans on power generation in this country but I have not heard of any plans to electrify the communities that are in the Zambezi Valley who were displaced in the 1950s to pave way for the Kariba Hydro Electric Project taking into cognisance that Kariba itself is the largest manmade water reservoir and the people who were displaced to pave way for the hydro electric project still live with energy poverty. To be specific, they are over 50 000 of them and the power lines from the hydro electric power project run through their fields yet they are not powered and are still living with energy poverty. What are  Government plans to electrify those communities and taking into cognisance also that we are now having problems with hydro because of climate change? We are actually going to see these communities being further marginalised because of lack of electricity. What is the Government plan to electrify those rural communities who were displaced from the Gwende Valley to pave way for the Kariba Dam?

         HON. MASHONGANYIKA: My point of order is that and it is my observation, I think before you close this debate, I think it is better to give the person who requested for this Ministerial Statement, Hon. Bajila before you close.

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. TSITSI ZHOU): Thank you Hon. Mashonganyika. As you wish, I will recognise Hon. Bajila.

         HON. MADZIVANYIKA: I thought because of the importance of this subject, can you allow those who were standing up to air their views, I think in the interest of justice and in the interest of getting the best ideas out of the presentation of the Minister. That is my submission Hon. Speaker.

         HON. BAJILA: My point of clarity to the Minister with regards to the issue of promotion of net metering. I am very active on communication platforms of the Ministry and I think that net metering is one option that the public could jump into but the Ministry itself seems not to be promoting it much through its own platforms. I want to find out if the Ministry has plans to promote net metering and how that could be done. Secondly, the Ministry is issuing licences to a lot of filling stations in recent times because they are under the Ministry’s jurisdiction. Does the Ministry have plans around issues of ensuring that they reduce issuing licences unless those coming up with those filling stations are putting solar roofs to their filling stations so that more energy could be harvested through the mushrooming of filling stations around the country.

         *HON. S. TSHUMA:  Thank you Madam Speaker. My point of clarity is for Mashonaland West in Kadoma, there is mine called Golden Valley and that mine is always electrified.  We do not know the correct position but we were told that they pay a lot of money in US dollars and electricity is not switched off.  What plans does the Ministry have to engage those with bigger businesses like Manhize or Afro-sheen so that they give them an option to pay in US dollars at the official rate and then they purchase electricity from other countries because they are the ones who use more electricity?  This will benefit our country, especially those with small to medium business and this can also assist families so that the situation may improve because electricity is being switched of early in the morning and switch on early midnight.

         HON. MADZIVANYIKA:  I am seeking two clarifications from the Minister.  You alluded to the fact that you are generating 1 232 megawatts per day versus a target of 1 735 megawatts per day.  My question, therefore, Hon. Minister is, can you confirm that our actual demand is 1 735 megawatts.  Looking at the statistics that we have, Kimpstone alone takes 550 megawatts in terms of its operations.  What is left is it sufficient to explain a demand of 1 735MW.  With the statistics in mind, you realise that our domestic daily production is 70% of what we demand from the figures that you have given me, you just say 1 232MW out of 1 735MW, you get around 70% but the extent to which load shedding is taking place in industries as well as the households, it is not reflective of this situation Hon. Speaker.  I actually think that our demand is over 2 000 megawatts, can you clarify that. 

         Madam Speaker, this is a very important issue, we are now in the budget season, can we know from the Minister, I am sure he has some average figures, how much does it cost to install new power plants at Hwange 1 to 6 so that we destroy all the dilapidated equipment.  How much does it cost in US dollars so that we put our heads on the block as Parliament to say how best can we arrest the situation during this budget season?  Hon. Speaker, there is no way this economy can be powered without electricity. 

         HON. V. MOYO:  Thank you Hon. Speaker.  My clarity is emanating from the submissions from the Hon. Minister. He mentioned that most of the power stations for Bulawayo and Harare have become obsolete.  Seeing that we already have such an infrastructure, will it not be prudent for the Government to explore IPPs with some people who might be capable.  It sounds like very expensive for the power utility to try and generate electricity.  The point is, can we not explore IPP especially on those people who have got the necessary technology to generate power in the present circumstances? I so submit. 

         THE MINISTER OF ENERGY AND POWER DEVELOPMENT (HON. E. MOYO):  Thank you very much Madam Speaker, the Batoka Gorge, Zimbabwe-Zambia, we are exploring but the Hon. Member feels our hydrology prospects are a bit deem.  So, is it feasible really to go that route?  The purpose of feasibility study both the hydrology behaviour and then come up with a possible way, I think that question will have to be covered in the updating of the feasibility study. I may not really say now what the results are going to be but those are current.  They were done around 2014 and 2015 and they are currently being updated.  I am sure current climate change behaviours are being put into the simulations so that then a determination whether that is feasible or not is arrived.

 The preservation of the Zambezi from siltation, the Zambezi catchment, upper and lower is wholly managed by the Zambezi River Authority.  So, there is responsibility to look at all those issues to do with siltation, to do with aqua life there and to deal with all other issues that relate to that catchment area.  In the environmental impact assessment, those are the issues that are also looked at. So, I may not be privy in giving answer to that at the moment but then those are the competent authorities who have the responsibility to manage that catchment area. 

Madam Speaker, on the question that 50% of the debt that we have is owed by the industry and what we are doing.  We went on a spree to switch off industry and there was a big noise in the market.  You know how people will speak when those things occur but we were trying to send the message that people must pay.  Indeed, when we did that some industries paid and we told them that we were immediately putting them on prepayment.  Hence, the meeting that I spoke about where CZI, ZNCC and all other industries, organisations came in and we spoke about it.  They requested that we do it beginning in January not immediately because the system is such that if you are put on prepayment, you must clear your arears then the system would take your input.  We then said okay, they now have to sit down with ZETDC to reschedule their debts so that they are liquidated by the end of December, 2024 so that 1^st January, they are put on prepayment.  We think that is going to ensure recovery, it is going to ensure that people pay for the electricity that they use. 

Apart from the other factors, one of the main factors that people are not paying for electricity - that is making life very difficult for us to provide supply security and indeed all other areas.  We are also looking for possible debt swap with other institutions in the country and also other measures to get the money from source, especially in the case of local authorities.  These are some of the options that we are looking at.  It is not really completely easy to cut off people because sometimes that action might have devastating effects on the economy and on the lives of people in the country.  So, we then go for negotiated settlement where we then agree to come up with the payment plan and then we think by the end of the year, they should have cleared. 

The issue of Lupane is something – that private company will have to assist us get a private player but then the question is, can Government find a partner?  If Government finds a partner, indeed, we will have to summon that company, get the minds meeting and then we get a solution to it.  As Government, we present the Lupane Gas prospect to companies that come but so far, as Government, we have not been able to secure a firm investor but I think the company has done some work with others and they are looking at the possibility of working together.

Then one Hon. Member spoke about the Minister being surprised.  I am also surprised that the Hon. Member is saying the Minister is surprised.  I am not surprised.  I know what is happening.  I know the hydrological effect on the supply of power in the country.  I know what we have to do and I have enumerated the steps that we are taking.  Unfortunately for power projects, these are long-term projects.  They are not projects that you can talk about today and then tomorrow you realise the power.  So I am definitely not really surprised like the Hon. Member insinuated.

How is Government engaging communities to participate?  Government throughout REA is doing a lot of off-grid systems, grid extension systems, to hard-to-reach areas and I think this year alone I have had the opportunity to commission five projects.  One was in Tsholotsho, Bemba, another one was in Hakwata and Hurungwe.   We have done others elsewhere together with my Deputy Minister.

I also indicated in my report that for this year alone, we have done 234 connections out of what we had wanted of over 380 connections.  These are in the rural areas and they are being done by REA.  So we are doing something to ensure that those marginalised communities also have access to power.  When I concluded my report, I indicated that we are also doing home solar systems and those are at procurement stage.  So we are going to see some movement, a lot of it for rural areas next year.

Incentives – there are a lot of incentives for power companies that want to invest in the country, even local companies that want to invest.  One of the incentives is that any power equipment that you bring into the country is coming in.  For individuals, if you are bringing in solar equipment including batteries, inverters, panels, and everything, those also come into the country duty-free.  That is a very big incentive.  For big projects, there are also tax holidays which are offered by the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion as incentives.

Timeframes - I think in my presentation, I indicated projects that are likely to come onto the system by the end of 2025 and the others that may come in later.  So that was the timeframes which I gave. We have long-term projects which are largely thermal projects.  We have others which are solar but these, like I said, have already been given.

There was this other question.  I think we do not have translation.  I might have missed it because I did not get the translation but then I think what I picked up was that big companies should also contribute to solar production.  Already, we are doing that if you look at some big companies like PPC, Blanket Mine, Schweppes and Delta.

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

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Order Hon. Minister. What is your point of order?

HON. GANYIWA:  Thank you Madam Speaker.  I am sure the Minister is referring to me on the question I asked in Shona.  He said he did not have headphones.  I can relate in a language which he can probably understand.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Are you sure he is referring to your point of clarity?  You might want to give him the opportunity to respond to the questions that he has.  If yours has not been responded to, then we will go back to it.  Please proceed, Hon. Minister.

HON. E. MOYO:  Thank you Hon. Speaker.  I was on supply by big companies.  On the question of miners and especially the ferrochrome smelters, those ones consume about 20% of the total energy that we generate.  They are also on a subsidy and the subsidy is quite big and unsustainable.

We have agreed with them and we have signed those agreements to say that by the end of 2025 they should be on own supply.  Most of them are already doing that.  The one where we are going to be ground breaking next Monday, 720 MW for Titan, is going to address ferrochrome smelters.  So we are looking forward to these companies getting on own supply so that we can wean them off from the subsidy and wean them off from the grid thereby freeing energy for use for social, Government and economic purposes.  The Government is coming up with a number of solutions and one of them is the nuclear solution.  We are already working on that and I have already spoken about it. 

The issue of marginalised communities and a case in point was in the Zambezi Valley.  REA is doing some work to give energy to those people in that area.  I think in March, I was in one area close to Siakobvu where we were commissioning a grid extension programme covering quite a large area, schools, clinics, communities.  Yes, we might not have reached everybody but we are doing some work.  Even the Zambezi River Authority through its corporate responsibility arm is also doing some work building schools, clinics as a way of compensating for the loss that the people suffered during the construction of that dam.  So yes, they are not yet fully covered but they are being assisted in a number of ways.

Promotion of net metering. The observation is that the Ministry is not promoting it but let me say that to the contrary, ZESA through ZETDC, is running adverts almost daily, if not weekly, promoting and inviting people to participate in net metering.  Some of these programmes, we are not doing as a Ministry but we do this through our agencies.  So if you see it coming from ZETDC, know that it is coming from the energy sector.  Even awareness campaigns are happening.  Each time we are meeting people or ZETDC is meeting people, that is being discussed and we already have over 300 people and institutions that have registered for net metering.

Fuel stations - the process of issuing permits to fuel stations is the responsibility of local authorities.  People apply there, they are given land and then after that they then apply to ZERA, the regulator, for a licence to operate the fuel station but once a local authority has given a particular individual a licence to establish a fuel station, ZERA in terms of the current statutes, we were talking about it a few weeks ago to say ZERA should have maybe leverage to control that but at the moment in terms of law, once a local authority is given that and the structure built conforms to the expectations, that is security of the area because we are dealing with highly inflammable substances, then ZERA is not empowered to stop that individual.  We are really concerned about that because we are seeing in some cases, I was counting in one area today, within an area of about 200 m or less, there are five stations going on.  I am saying something is happening, yes, we are looking at that.  We had a meeting with ZERA regarding that and we are proposing some legislative controls to that kind of happening.

         Afro-sheen are developing their own supply and we think that by end of next year, they will have excess to their needs and they have promised that part of it is going to be sold to the grid.  Some of these big companies who are paying in USD are not paying to ZESA.  They are paying to companies that have secured supply for them.   We have a number of companies in the country who are generating and others that are coming from outside the country.   We have companies like Princo and others who are buying power in bulk and securing their own customers that pay them in USD. Liberalising the energy sector has created that. We have the ‘intensive energy users’ group; they are also being paid - even those companies are buying some of it from those ‘intensive energy users’ group and they are paying in USD.

         How much does it cost to put up a power plant?  I might not have the exact figures but I can indicate, indicative costs.  For example, for a solar plant, at the moment, you need USD1 million for 1 megawatt.  So, if you are doing a 200-megawatt solar plant, you need about USD200 million.  These may not be accurate but they are indicative of the costs.  The costs for thermal are a bit more, estimated to be at around USD1.5 million.  Re-purposing of a power plant that is Bulawayo, Munyati and Harare, that process is ongoing.  A study was done and some officers were sent to South Africa where some decommissioned power stations are available so that we could learn from them. 

         We have already spoken and established relationships through MOUs with other companies which are manufacturing electricity equipment.  One such company was in the country early this year and we sent them around the country to look at how they could re-purpose those power stations.  I know we have a company that is working on Munyati for a solar plant because Munyati has got vast land.  Harare and Bulawayo do not have vast land but we are looking at the intensive manufacturing of solar equipment so that we reduce our reliance on imports.  I thank you.

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: I would like to thank the Hon. Minister and the Hon. Members who were asking points of clarity. 

         HON. KARIKOGA: I move that the House do now adjourn.

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: When the Deputy Speaker handed over to me, there are Orders 1 to 3 that were supposed to be disposed of today.  We have to liaise with the Clerk and the Hon. Members.

MOTION

REPORT OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE ON NON-SUBMISSION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO THE AUDITOR GENERAL BY SOME LOCAL AUTHORITIES

        HON. HWENDE: I move the motion standing in my name that this House considers and adopts the Report of the Public Accounts Committee on Non- Submission of Financial Statements to the Auditor General by some local authorities for the financial year ending 31 December.

        HON. BATITSA:  I second.

        HON. HWENDE: Thank you Madam Speaker. 

INTRODUCTION

1.1     Section 49 (1) (b) (c) of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) stipulates that

(1) The accounting authority for a public entity shall—

(b) prepare financial statements for each financial year in accordance with generally accepted accounting practice;

 (c) submit the financial statements referred to in paragraph (b) within two months after the end of the financial year—

(i) to the auditors of the public entity for auditing; and

(ii) to the accountant-general within 21 days after the end of each quarter and

(iii) if it is a designated corporate body or specified public entity, to the Treasury.

1.2      Failure to submit financial accounts to the Auditor General is a pressing issue in Government administration. It undermines transparency and accountability in the management of public resources. Scrutinising a local authority's or any entity's financial transactions without financial accounts becomes virtually impossible. As a result, on behalf of the public, the Public Accounts Committee cannot play its oversight role on public finances as provided for in Section 299 of the Constitution.

1.3      In executing its mandate, the Public Accounts Committee noted that some Local Authorities did not submit financial statements for audit to the Auditor General in 2022. The Committee then resolved to invite those Local Authorities that contravened Section 49(1) of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) for oral evidence.

1.4      Some Local Authorities were in arrears for two to three years. As of May 31, 2023, seventy-five (75) out of ninety-two (92) local authorities were in arrears in submitting financial statements to the auditor General for auditing. Annexure D shows accounts not yet submitted as of 31 May 2023.

2.0      OBJECTIVES OF THE ENQUIRY

The key objectives of the inquiry were to:

• Ascertain the reasons for failing to comply with Section 49(1) of the Public Finance Management Act.
• Make recommendations to curb the recurrence in the future.

3.0         METHODOLOGY

3.1      Due to time constraints, a few local authorities were invited for oral evidence: Gweru City Council (2020-2022) on 1 February 2024, Hwange Local Board (2020 - 2022) and Hwange RDC (2019 - 2022) on 8 February 2024. Karoi City Council (2020 - 2022) submitted written evidence. The Committee’s priority list determined the choice of local authorities invited for oral evidence based on those local authorities that had three or more years of arrear accounts due for audit as of 31 May 2023.

4.0      COMMITTEE FINDINGS

4.1      Staff shortages

4.1.1   Mr. L. Churu, the Acting Town clerk of Gweru, submitted to the Committee that the Council had backlogs of financial statements dating from 2019 to 2022. He informed the Committee that this was due to shortages in the finance department. In addition, the substantive Director of Finance had not been well since 2019 and eventually passed on in 2021. The period he was not well also contributed to the delays in preparing financial statements.

4.1.2   To cope with the backlog and staff shortages in the finance department, the Council recruited students on attachment. The Council also created a management accounts section, with two established officers, six graduate trainees and the students recruited to manually check and trace bank reconciliation transactions, working over the weekends and trying to keep pace with the volume of transactions.

4.1.3   Mr. P. Mabhureni, the acting Chief Executive Officer of the Hwange Local Board, submitted that he was not with the Local Board during the referred period. He joined the Council on 1 March 2022 as a Director for Administration.

4.1.4   The Committee established that there were staff shortages in the Finance Department for Hwange Rural District Council, with no Accountant and no Finance Director. Mr. Mabhureni informed the Committee that this affected the Council's ability to prepare the accounts for auditing on time. There was a considerable gap after Mr. Tshuma, the Finance Director, left the Council in 2020, a gap that has never been filled to date.

4.1.5   It was also submitted that during that time, the Council had financial challenges, indicated by arrears in salaries, pensions and PAYE, among others, which affected filling staffing vacancies. In addition, there was high labour turnover among junior employees and accounts clerks because of poor conditions of service.

4.1.6   The total staff establishment should be 133, but the current establishment was 88. The Council had advertised twice and failed to attract candidates on both occasions. At some point, when the Council was successful, the candidates refused the offer letters, citing poor conditions of service and remuneration.

4.1.8   Karoi Town Council’s Acting Town Clerk, Mr. T. Namisala submitted that during the period under review (2020 - 2022), the Council faced several staff turnovers from the Town Clerk and Finance Directors. To this effect, the Council was left with a skeleton staff that was not competent in producing financial statements. Consequently, financial information was not posted into the accounting system, and the backlog continued to pile.

4.1.9   To resolve the backlog, an accountant and six contract accounts clerks were employed in January 2024. To date, the 2020 financial statements have been audited, and the council is currently waiting for the final reports from the Auditors. Additionally, the Committee learned that the 2021 financial statements had been submitted to the Auditor, and audit fieldwork was expected to commence on 20 March 2024. At the time of the oral evidence, the accounts team was working on 2022 and 2023 and expects to clear the backlog by June 2024.

4.2      Committee Observations

4.2.1   The critical positions of Accounting Officers and Directors of Finance in the Local Authorities under scrutiny are occupied by persons in an acting capacity, which in turn undermines accountability and responsibility in the preparation of financial statements and whole operations of the local authorities.

4.2.2   This lack of stability in leadership could also lead to inconsistency in decision-making and policy implementation within the Local Authorities. Failure to do so may result in further challenges in maintaining the Council's financial integrity and reputation.

4.2.3   Staff shortages and high labour turnover in the accounts department are significant contributors to the delays in preparing financial accounts, which in turn delay meeting the statutory deadlines.

4.3      Committee Recommendations

4.3.1   The Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing should ensure that all key positions in public finance management in Local Authorities are filled timeously. The positions must be filled by 31 December 2024 to ensure transparency and efficiency in financial reporting.

5.0      Delays in the Appointment of the Auditors

5.1      Gweru City Council Acting Town Clerk, Mr. L. Churu, informed the Committee that the 2021 to 2023 financial statements were ready for auditing. However, the Council did not have an auditor to do the fieldwork because the external auditors were still liaising with the Auditor General to sign a contract.

5.2      Hwange RDC—The Chief Executive Officer of Hwange RDC Mr. P. Ncube informed the Committee that the 2022 accounts were affected after the central server collapsed in 2023 after being struck by lightning. The Council had to recompute the accounts manually, contributing to the delays in submitting financial statements for audit. However, the accounts were completed and ready for audit, and the drafts were submitted to the external auditors.

5.4      Committee Observations

5.4.1   The collapse of Hwange RDC’s central server caused delays and necessitated manual re-computation of the Council’s books of accounts.

5.5      Committee Recommendations

5.5.1   Hwange Rural District Council need to implement stronger contingency plans to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future. The Council should invest in backup systems, train staff on disaster recovery procedures and regularly review and update its financial processes to ensure efficiency and accuracy. The system backup should be available by 31 August 2024.

6.0      Accounting Systems

6.1      Gweru City Council’s Acting Clerk submitted that the local authority uses Programme Municipality (PROMUN), a government contract that was given to the local authorities, as its accounting system, which is supplied by a South African vendor. The Committee was told that the system could handle transactions up to the trial balance. From the trial balance onwards, the Council manually processes its transactions. Considering the volume of transactions that are done daily, which runs into millions, manually preparing bank reconciliation statements was a mammoth task, hence the delays in preparing financial statements.

6.2      Committee Observation

6.2.1   Given the volume of transactions that Gweru City Council handles, the PROMUN accounting system is too small for its stature. Relying on manual processes for bank reconciliation statements is not only time-consuming but also prone to errors.

6.3      Committee Recommendation

6.3.1   Gweru City Council should invest in tried-and-tested accounting systems that match the demands of the local authority by 31 December 2024 to enhance efficiency and accuracy in its financial management and improve the timeliness of financial reporting.

7.0      Conclusion

7.1      The Local Authorities and the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works must make sure that the Committee's recommendations are implemented and address the problem of non-compliance with the provisions of the PFMA Act. In the future, the Ministry of Local Government must not approve budgets for local authorities lagging in submitting financial statements to the Auditor General.

ANNEXURE D: ACCOUNTS NOT YET SUBMITTED AS OF MAY 31, 2023

NAME OF LOCAL AUTHORITY	YEAR
CITY COUNCILS
1. Bulawayo City Council	2021 & 2022
2. Gweru City Council	2020 - 2022
3. Harare City Council	2021 & 2022
4. Kwekwe City Council	2022
MUNICIPAL COUNCILS
5. Beit Bridge Municipality	2021 & 2022
6. Bindura Municipality	2022
7. Chegutu Municipality	2022
8. Chitungwiza Municipality	2021 & 2022
9. Gwanda Municipality	2021 & 2022
10. Kariba Municipality	2022
11. Marondera Municipality	2021 & 2022
TOWN COUNCILS
12. Chipinge Town Council	2021 & 2022
13. Chiredzi Town Council	2021 & 2022
14. Gokwe Town Council	2022
15. Karoi Town Council	2020 - 2022
16. Mvurwi Town Council	2022
17. Norton Town Council	2022
18. Plumtree Town council	2022
19. Rusape Town Council	2022
LOCAL BOARDS
20. Chirundu Local Board	2022
21. Epworth Local Board	2021 & 2022
22. Hwange Local Board	2020 - 2022
23. Lupane Local Board	2021 & 2022
24. Ruwa Local Board	2022
RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL
25. Beitbridge Rural District Council	2021 & 2022
26. Bikita Rural District Council	2022
27. Bubi Rural District Council	2021 & 2022
28. Buhera Rural District Council	2022
29. Bulilima Rural District Council	2022
30. Chegutu Rural District Council	2022
31. Chikomba Rural District Council	2022
32. Chimanimani Rural District Council	2022
33. Chipinge Rural District Council	2022
34. Chiredzi Rural District Council	2022
35. Chirumanzi Rural District Council	2022
36. Chivi Rural District Council	2022
37. Gokwe North District Council	2022
38. Gokwe South District Council	2022
39. Guruve Rural District Council	2021 & 2022
40. Gutu Rural District Council	2022
41. Gwanda Rural District Council	2022
42. Hurungwe Rural District Council	2022
43. Hwange Rural District Council	2019-2022
44. Hwedza Rural District Council	2022
45. Insiza Rural District Council	2022
46. Kusile Rural District Council	2020 - 2022
47. Makonde Rural District Council	2021 & 2022
48. Makoni Rural District Council	2022
49. Mangwe Rural District Council	2021 &2022
50. Manyame Rural District Council	2022
51. Matobo Rural District Council	2022
52. Mazowe Rural District Council	2022
53. Mberengwa Rural District Council	2022
54. Mbire Rural District Council	2022
55. Mhondoro-Ngezi Rural District Council	2022
56. Mudzi Rural District Council	2022
57. Murewa Rural District Council	2022
58. Mutare Rural District Council	2022
59. Mutasa Rural District Council	2022
60. Mutoko Rural District Council	2022
61. Muzarabani Rural District Council	2022
62. Mwenezi Rural District Council	2021 & 2022
63. Nkayi Rural District Council	2022
64. Nyaminyami Rural District Council	2021 & 2022
65. Nyanga Rural District Council	2021 & 2022
66. Pfura Rural District Council	2022
67. Sanyati Rural District Council	2022
68. Tongogara Rural District Council	2021 & 2022
69. Tsholotsho Rural District Council	2021 & 2022
70. Umguza Rural District Council	2021 & 2022
71. Umzingwane Rural District Council	2022
72. Vungu Rural District Council	2020 -2022
73. Zaka Rural District Council	2022
74. Zibagwe Rural District Council	2021 & 2022
75. Zvimba Rural District Council	2022

 

         HON. MUTOKONYI:  Thank you Madam Speaker.  From the report read by the Chairperson, I think it is very important to note that much of the issues there are purely management issues.  One management scholar McKinsey came out with a model, the 7S model which states that the structure follows the strategy where the business or the organisation should have systems with staff equipped with proper skills and obviously working on shared values.  It is very clear Madam Speaker that most of the issues from these local authorities on late submission were merely to do with the acting staff working on the role for quite some time.

         At the end when we had them here, they would equally say no, we were not there when this happened, there was no proper handover - takeover but at the end of the day, you will realise that it is the public funds that are then not accounted for and as such, it is imperative for us to ensure that the public purse is properly managed and used. 

         To add on to the recommendations from the report, we also suggest that given that now there is the appraisal system on all these local authorities regarding their performance, I think one key measure there should be to do with the finances.  One local authority can be said that they did very well and probably can be reckoned may be first, second or best local authority in the country but when you check their finances; they are in shambles.  So, the rating system and the weighting system should also consider much on the financials, particularly the Auditor General’s report that should also be one of the key measures to ensure that the local authorities and accounting officers, are actually responsible and accountable because responsibility comes with accountability.

         I remember on one report, I think that was Karoi Town Council where there was a list of unbuilt houses which were not build for over three to four years.  To accept that from a system perspective, it is very wrong, so it goes back to that all these local authorities should have proper accounting systems, proper financial systems and proper structures that ensure that we do not get much of these loopholes.  At the end of the day, the employees now will use ignorance as a defence.

         Madam Speaker, in terms of the Public Finance Management Act, we recommend those recommendations from the Chairperson and also adding on to that, the appraising system should focus more on the financial reports than on operations. I submit. 

         HON. GUMEDE: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am.  I just have a few points which I have. Firstly, I wanted to find out the reasons why local councils have provided for failure to submit their financial records on time.  I also wanted to find out whether there are capacity challenges such as maybe personnel that are not properly trained, whether these local councils actually have challenges in terms of technological tools. 

         Lastly, I also want to look at the fact that the economic challenges that are currently in place in the country vis-a-vis the economic situation- how is it possibly affecting these local councils and given them challenges in terms of may be having budget constraints and so on.  Maybe this, if looked into adequately, could help us to be able to answer why they are not able to prepare and remit records on time, I thank you.

         HON. MANGONDO: Thank you Hon. Speaker. I wish to add my voice to the report which has been submitted by the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee.  I think one thing that we have to do as Parliament is to send a very strong and clear message to local authorities that the days of delinquency are over. The coming in of the Public Finance Management Act has created an opportunity for Parliament through the Auditor General to know exactly what is happening with the local authorities.  If you look at the list of local authorities that have not submitted their financial statements, it is shocking because more than 70% of them did not meet the statutory deadline.

         The Public Finance Management Act clearly states that financial statements have go to be submitted to the public auditor two months after the close of the financial year which is by end of February.  We have such a huge number of our local authorities that are failing to submit to meet the statutory deadlines. Worse still we have local authorities that have gone for three or four years without submitting their financial statements. 

         Now we are talking about public funds and the accountability of the people who are entrusted to look after those public funds.  Each local authority has got an accounting officer and the bark must stop with the accounting officer.  We have had so many excuses about why local authorities and indeed other public entities do not submit or fail financial statements on time in terms of the statutory deadline.  Now these are mere excuses.  It is within the mandate and authority of the accounting officer to make sure he employs competent staff.  He or she employs people with sufficient knowledge, training and experience to be able to manage their finances.  If you look at the manner in which these local authorities are being run, especially their joint ventures, a lot of money, public funds are being wasted. 

         You have joint ventures that do not remit anything at all to council, you have joint ventures of properties that are being used by people who are not paying anything to councils and the councils are quite happy to keep going.  You have local authorities that have no ERP systems that have no modern accounting systems at all.  So, I think it is important for this Parliament to send a very strong, as I said, loud and clear message that they have been entrusted with responsibility to run public finances and the responsibility account by the due dates.

         Yes, they can give all sorts of reasons such as staff in an acting capacity, staff that goes sick or in some cases staff that may be on disciplinary suspension. Again, it is all within the powers and authority of an accounting officer to make sure that the circumstances such as the ones that they referred to, that they do make adequate measures to make sure that they do meet statutory deadlines. It is extremely important. My view is that accounting officers, as part of the recommendations, should be called to account when they meet such deadlines. The Ministry of Local Government should ensure that these accounting officers, whenever they fail to meet the statutory deadlines, are indeed marked on their performance reports so that they can take the work seriously.

I think until the accounting officers see that Government is taking it seriously as well as Parliament, the issue of accounting for public funds will not see any meaningful improvement. The Ministry should be more proactive in terms of reminding these accounting officers about the statutory deadlines and ensuring that when they ever do their performance reviews, they also mark the accounting officer against his performance in so far as meeting the statutory deadlines. I so submit Madam Speaker. Thank you.

HON. BAJILA: Thank you so much Madam Speaker. I would like to thank the Public Accounts Committee for the report so far presented. I just want to make two comments on issues that I think could remedy us as a country. First of all, there are times when the Ministry of Local Government sets a freeze on employment around local authorities saying during this period you may not employ.

As the Chairperson, Hon. Hwende was presenting, we picked that there are some local authorities that do not have accounting officers at all who are employed there. This may coincide with the fact that there is a freeze on employment with respect to the relevant local authorities. My proposition Madam Speaker, is that we need to go and look into the law that necessitates that freeze and exempt everything that is about public accountability. The accounting departments, by whatever name at local authorities, must not be affected when it comes to employment freezes. There must always be somebody there.

Once you do not have someone who holds that position substantively, you create loopholes for not submitting statements to the Auditor General and also, for people from this department and that one to cut corners. It is important to exempt the public accounting departments of every local authority from employment freeze. Also, Madam Speaker, the Republic of Zimbabwe has got an institution called Zimbabwe Institute of Public Administration Management (ZIPAM). It might be necessary that a process or programme of continuous training and conscientisation of accounting officers of these local authorities be structured with ZIPAM.

ZIPAM is an institution that was established by Government for the purposes of capacitating our civil service. The local authorities also need to be included in that so that we do not have to keep crying that this is not happening or that this is happening this way when we already have in our statecraft institutions that should capacitate persons holding such positions. Madam Speaker, I thought I should make these comments. I thank you.

HON. HWENDE:  Madam Speaker, I move that the debate do now adjourn.

HON. KARIKOGA:  I second.

Motion put and agreed to.

Debate to resume: Thursday, 28^th November, 2024.

On the motion of HON. KARIKOGA, seconded by HON. NYANDORO, the House adjourned at Twenty-Nine Minutes past Six o’clock p. m.