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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY HANSARD 29 OCTOBER 2024 VOL 51 NO 08

         PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE

Tuesday, 29^th October, 2024

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

PRAYERS

(THE HON. SPEAKER in the Chair)

THE HON. SPEAKER: May I take this opportunity to welcome you all Hon. Members after the short break.

HON. GANYIWA: Thank you. Good afternoon Mr. Speaker Sir. It seems there is an outcry by subscribers. I refer to the people that use their mobile phones, in regards to the disappearance of airtime that they will have recharged in their phones. This problem seems to continue, inasmuch as we kept on raising these issues in different platforms. Therefore, I think there should be an inquiry that can be formalised maybe through POTRAZ, to check with the mobile tele-communication, particularly Econet. You will find of late people just wake up and they do not see their airtime in their phones. We think this is an issue that needs to be addressed Mr. Speaker. I thank you.      

THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you very much Hon. Ganyiwa. May I suggest that you pose the question tomorrow during question time to the relevant Minister?

         HON. GANYIWA: Thank you, I will do so.

HON. CHIGUMBU: Thank you Mr. Speaker. It has been proven that there is no country that can progress without unity and it is plausible that the Government saw it fit that we come up with a youth service for the purposes of teaching the young ones about nationalism and also the principals of patriotism. Mr. Speaker Sir, patriotism simply means one’s love for his or her country. When we say one loves his or her country, we will not be talking about the person loving the name or the contents of that country but it means loving the people of that country.

         I am worried that recently we had an event happening at one of the training centres being done by a certain political party that has got its political ideology, which I fear is going to affect the whole essence of us having such centres to train our young people in terms of patriotism. What usually makes people hate each other, it has been proven,  is because of politics, religion and tribalism. Now, we are having a certain political party invading these important National Centres to carry out its own programmes at those centres. I would want the Minister to give us a statement. Is there any criteria that other political parties can also access those centres? If not Mr. Speaker Sir, I would want us as a nation to nip in the bud before it gets out of hand.

         We have previous history with the Border Gezi training centres and this new development is meant to unite the people of Zimbabwe.

HON. KARIKOGA: On a point of Order. The Honourable Member is discussing social media issues in this House. We cannot waste our time in this august House discussing social media issues. If he does have proof of what he is saying, he can bring that proof either to the relevant Minister or to this House. Thank you.

         THE HON. SPEAKER: I think Hon. Karikoga is correct. The moment you speak of a certain vocational centre by a certain party, you create some highest degree of imagination to your listeners. If you have got the facts Hon. Chigumbu, can you put them down in a written question and be specific? Do not talk of a certain vocational centre, certain party. So, be open in your written question and you will be answered accordingly.

         HON. CHIGUMBU: Mr. Speaker, I did not want to put it as a question because it is not going to help. When I say…

         THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, Order! You are being improper now in your decorum. I have given you latitude to ask a detailed question in writing and you are not satisfied with that.

         HON. CHIGUMBU: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.

         HON. MUTSEYAMI: Mr. Speaker Sir, I have a point of Order and it emanates from a point of privilege which I made, which was supposed to be answered by the Office of the Speaker. On that day, the Speaker in the Chair was Hon. Machingura from the Speaker’s Panel and the substantive Speaker was away on national duty. However, the Acting Speaker then advised that he will give a response and that response has not come up to date. So, I humbly put it to you that we are waiting for that response.

         THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you very much. In the Bible, they say those who wait shall not be disappointed. I will remind Hon. Machingura to look at the issue and a ruling will be made accordingly.

MOTION

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

         HON. KARIKOGA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I move that Orders of the Day Numbers 1 and 2, be stood over until Order of the Day Number 3, has been disposed of.

         HON. MUSHORIWA: I second.

         Motion put and agreed to.

MOTION

PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH: DEBATE ON ADDRESS

 

Third Order read: Adjourned debate on motion in reply to the Presidential Speech.

         Question again proposed.

         HON. CHINODAKUFA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I rise to express my strong support for the economic policies presented by the President, Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa in the recent State of the Nation Address. The President has laid a comprehensive roadmap aimed at revitalising our economy, creating jobs, ensuring food security and sustainable development. My points of support are on the school feeding component. I applaud the introduction of the school-based feeding programme. The school feeding component in Zimbabwe which he has designed to avail at least one decent meal for learners in areas hard hit by the drought.

It is crucial for improving child nutrition, enhance educational outcomes, increasing school attendance, supporting local agriculture and fostering community cohesion. As we move forward, it is imperative to not only sustain but also expand this programme to ensure that all children in Zimbabwe, including those in secondary schools, get the opportunity to learn and thrive. Investing in health and education of our children is an investment in the future of our nation.

On the establishment of agro-shops by GMB, I want to express my full support for the establishment of agro-shops by the Grain Marketing Board outlined by the President. In light of the recent El Nino induced drought, these agro-shops are not just timely, they are essential for the survival and the prosperity of our farmers and rural communities. Agro-shops will provide accessibility of agricultural inputs. The essential establishment of these shops will stimulate local economy by creating jobs and supporting local entrepreneurs. When farmers thrive, our communities thrive, leading to a more robust national economy. Agro-shops will help us mitigate the impact of climate change and ensure that our citizens have access to food.

On transformation of media landscape. I would like to applaud the upgrade of community radio stations such as Madziva FM, in Mashonaland Central Province which is in my constituency. It was officially opened on Friday, 11^th October, 2024 at Madziva Township, something which we should thank the President for this kind of idea. I thank you. 

+HON. T. NYATHI:  Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I want to support the motion that was raised by Hon. Kambuzuma, seconded by Hon. Moyo. I note that the President spoke in detail about issues to do with corruption which is a bit of a problem. We have had a number of strategies applied to stop corruption but during the SONA debate, we did not hear the steps that are going to be taken to deter those who would have been found guilty of corruption and what the law is going to do. We were anticipating that the President would put punitive measures through the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) and for the Commission to explain why there is no headway in corruption cases because there are so many cases of corruption taking place in different sectors and we do not find closure in such cases.

Mr. Speaker Sir, there is the issue of gold which is being taken out of the country to other countries illegally. We note that the gold we are talking about is the gold which is the backbone of the economy but we hear people saying that gold is being smuggled out of the country and no one is being held accountable for such. This is affecting us as legislators in this august House. His Excellency, the President launched the ZACC, why is it that we do not find reasons why people are not being prosecuted?

The second issue which I believe was not addressed properly in the SONA is the issue of how people treat each other. Mr. Speaker Sir, in this House, on the left side, I believe that we have capable people who can lead different ministries. I believe that there should be impartiality in terms of appointing people to ministries so that ministries are led by people from different political parties, not to expect ministers to come from one political party. Embracing other parties becomes a good lesson. It will show unity to the people. If the President appoints someone from the opposition to be deputised by someone from the ruling or from the opposition, that would suffice.

+HON. P. MAHLANGU:   On a point of order Mr. Speaker Sir. Hon. Nyathi should dwell on what is in the SONA, not issues that are outside the SONA. The issues the Hon. Member is raising are not in the SONA. Thank you.

+THE HON. SPEAKER:  If I understand well, the Hon. Member, Hon. Nyathi is on issues of national coercion and national unity. The Hon. Member is talking about how people can be united if His Excellency, the President, Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa would appoint people from different parties as a way of uniting the nation instead of people coming from different ends. Unity and harmony is something that was addressed by the President, I believe Hon. Member is on course but I will comment after the Hon. Member has completed his presentation.

+HON. T. NYATHI:  Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Let me continue by saying that unity would motivate people from different parts of the country so that they see and understand that the President is here to bring development to the nation. Those who are in rural areas, sometimes do not understand how things are happening in this august House but when the President unites people, it becomes easy to explain to people to understand that we are here to serve the nation not individual parties.

Let me also talk about the issue of fluctuation of the exchange rates and the rising inflation. From the President’s Speech, SONA, it is not clear what strategies are being employed so that the economy stabilises. Some of the monies are being eroded by inflation. It was supposed to be clear how Government was planning to strengthen the economy. It is also important to find reasons why our currency is losing its value. Mr. Speaker Sir, I believe this is the third or fourth currency, which has been introduced but the currency is being eroded in a similar way. At the end of the day, it becomes worthless or valueless. This is because we are not hedging; we are not protecting our currency. We are not giving people the confidence they need in our currency. This is because Government does not accept local currency in other departments.

When we look at some things that are taking place, for example, we overprice some goods or some services like number plates. The prices are quite high. We do not understand the issue of number plates. The Zimbabwe number plates cost USD500, just that number plate. I do not know whether it is gold backed but USD500 for a number plate which will be displayed on a car. It is not clear why it is priced at USD500. In other countries, they pay subsidised amounts, lower than what we pay in Zimbabwe. The request to Government is that we need to consider some measures to create confidence in our local currency.

Also, instead of overpricing goods and services, we must be able to explain why we price some goods and services. For example, passports in this country are expensive as compared to other countries in the region.  This cannot be explained and this portrays a picture of lack of confidence in our local currency. It also encourages people to over charge and overprice.  I think it is important that His Excellency looks at the issue.

         Let me end by talking about schools.  The President spoke about the education 5.0 model which is meant to bring development in schools.  Hon. Speaker Sir, Government has the BEAM programme which caters for underprivileged children who cannot pay school fees on their own.  Sometime, for two or three years, BEAM beneficiaries do not get payment for their fees, but they will be using facilities like toilets and other amenities in schools. Who will be paying for them?  Workers who clean ablution facilities need to be paid as well. 

         As a nation, we need to ask ourselves that; if Government delays paying BEAM monies, then how are these children surviving in schools and whose money are they using? This makes other people who are not beneficiaries think that it is okay not to pay school fees in time, then they can also do the same thing.  If Government does not pay for a year or two, then a parent cannot be forced to pay - at the end of the day, the school suffers.

We support education 5.0 model and I want to urge us as Government, to make sure that we do the right thing. Even when we look at things like vocational skills training, as Government, we need to support students in tertiary institutions.  In the past, those who were doing vocational skills were supported by grants but now grants are no longer there.  It is difficult Hon. Speaker Sir; it is very difficult.  These children end up failing to complete their education because they do not have money for transport and they do not have food for consumption at school.  We need to find ways that are going to better their future.  We need to plan for our future and do what we were doing in the past when students were being given grants.  That is why Government has been producing qualified graduates that end up going out to different countries the world over - you find Zimbabwean professionals in different countries.

In the past, they were passing and they would be deployed to different countries.  You would find that some start university education but fail to complete their studies.  We need to look at this issue so that we find interventions which are going to assist these students so that they complete their education. 

Finally, Hon. Speaker, I want to talk about the drought that we are facing.  We appreciate that His Excellency intervened during the drought.  When you look at those who are in urban areas, they are given equivalent of USD30 per household.  When you go to the shops where they buy their food stuffs, you discover that the prices have drastically gone up and USD30 is not enough to buy things that were bought by USD30 in the past because the retailors are pegging their prices according to the USD value and Government is using bank rate.

I would suggest that Government should provide vouchers for groceries where someone would know that they will go and get mealie-meal, cooking all and other basic goods using their vouchers.  USD30 cannot buy the same number of basic commodities that they would buy using Government vouchers.  We need a way which is going to assist our people so that they buy things that would retain the value of USD30 which they used to buy. I thank you.

⁺THE HON. SPEAKER:  Thank you.  I believe that when you say President should look both ways, in leadership that is put in different portfolios, I am going to hand over this issue to the Leader of Government Business to take it further, maybe His Excellency would also look at the issue, he might consider even from the other party on my left side.  I thank you.

^*HON. SAMSON:  Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir, for giving me this opportunity to add my voice to the State of the Nation Address (SONA) which was presented by His Excellency, President Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa.

Hon. Speaker Sir, the President spoke about the issue that as Zimbabweans, we need to unite. He said that a nation is built by its inhabitants, its owners, Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo. As Zimbabweans, this is our responsibility to build the nation.  He also spoke about the issue of the drought which we are facing as a nation.  His Excellency, the President, also said that no one is going to die of hunger even though we are facing a drought.  I also want note Hon. Speaker, the issue which was highlighted by His Excellency that some challenges we face are as a result of the illegal economic sanctions that we face as a nation.  I also want to add that despite the fact that we are facing economic sanctions as a nation, nothing can stop us from developing our country.  I want to speak about the road rehabilitation programme, the road which links Beitbridge and Chirundu. I want to say that because we do not have funding from other countries; we are working using our own resources.  This shows that our President, Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa, is committed to the development of the country.  He also spoke on his SADC Chairmanship; it is not just his, but it is for every Zimbabwean.  So, Hon. Speaker Sir, this means that every one of us should say that we are all SADC Chairpersons. 

         I also want to add on the issue of vulnerable children who do not have money for school fees. The President said that no child is supposed to be chased out of school.  They will go to school and parents will make payment plans.  This is quite pleasing to us as parents.  In the past, when parents failed to pay fees, schools used to chase out children from the school.  This has since been rectified by our President.  Every child now goes to school.

         For the past two years, we were facing inadequate rains which affected the harvest that we got.  Looking at the surrounding areas, no-one has died of hunger.  With the few that they get, they have survived.  At first, I thought that the food that is being distributed to different provinces was for the elderly.   Now, food is being given to everyone and it is not limited to the elderly but everyone who is vulnerable is being given food.

         Hon. Speaker Sir, I want to thank His Excellency, the President who, after having noted that even in urban areas there was hunger, he noticed that they also need food aid.  So, the President included urban dwellers and they are being given food.  I was quite elated that it is not about the rural populace but also those in urban areas are benefiting.   So, the President does not choose, he says no one will be left behind and everyone who is in Zimbabwe should have adequate food.  Those in the urban areas are also being given inputs.  What kind of a leader would you ask for when we have His Excellency, the President, Cde. E. D. Mnangagwa? 

         Hon. Speaker, I believe that as legislators in this august House, we need to go and encourage our people in our constituencies to unite because the President, when he distributes food, it is for every Zimbabwean.  Food aid does not leave anyone behind but when we leave this House, we speak differently. We try to separate people who are living in harmony in rural areas but the President is very clear on that.  Everyone is going to benefit and no one must be left behind.  When he says everyone, it means every Zimbabwean.

          I was happy when I listened to the State of the Nation Address, he spoke wise words and this improved my understanding.  When you become a leader leading a nation, you must not choose people because when you are a leader like His Excellency, you will love your people.  Hon. Speaker Sir, I would like to thank you for giving me this opportunity to add my voice.

         *THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Samson, you were speaking proper Shona without mixing it with English. I want to urge every Member of this august House to value our native languages.  This will make our native languages important.  The Hon. Member spoke in vernacular, she did not code switch.  As legislators, we have an obligation of promoting our mother languages.  We must be proud of our native languages as Africa and as Zimbabweans.  Instead of code switching, let us promote our languages, why are we not promoting our mother languages? Ndanga ndichida kuti pasi nazvo.   

         *HON. P. MOYO: Thank you Hon. Speaker. I stood to support the State of the Nation Address which was presented by His Excellency, the President of Zimbabwe in this august House. I noted a number of good things that His Excellency, the President of Zimbabwe spoke about, especially the issue of assisting those who are in schools as we are facing hunger which was brought by the drought experienced last season. Because of His Excellency, we had food aid being distributed to communities. It might not be enough but it is being shared equally, distributed equitably so that people benefit.  I want to say that the Hon. Member who spoke before me spoke about those in urban areas benefitting because we are facing hunger as a nation.

Even here in urban areas, there is that challenge because this drought affected a lot of people in the past two seasons. So, I want to thank His Excellency for the address and what he spoke about is already happening. Schools were facing challenges. Where I come from in Mwenezi, our children would spend the whole day without eating but now there is food in schools and everyone is benefitting. Those who are vulnerable and those who are not are equally benefitting.

I want to talk about the issue of water which has been a problem for a long time and some are still experiencing that. There are some areas which do not have water but the President emphasised the point that boreholes will be sunk in different areas and I want to appreciate that. In Mwenezi, we received boreholes and most of these boreholes have gardens which are meant to benefit the communities. As I am speaking, people are tilling, cultivating their gardens and they are growing vegetables. Even when they do not have grains but with vegetables, they can still sustain their families.

I appreciate the President’s vision that no community will be left behind in the sinking of boreholes and this programme is going to spread throughout the country. With enough boreholes, there will not be shortage of water like what has been happening where livestock were suffering. Some were getting water from deep wells and this was becoming very dangerous.  The President is someone who fulfills his promises.

He also spoke about the issue of natural resources which need to be beneficiated so that they also benefit the nation. As a nation, we are going to benefit from our natural resources. We have a lot of natural resources and these are meant to benefit us as a nation so that the economy would continue growing.

Regarding the issue of road rehabilitation programme, a lot of us experienced this during the SADC Summit. We could travel well during that period because of the good roads that have been rehabilitated by the Government. Despite economic sanctions, Zimbabwe is progressing well because of President E. D Mnangagwa’s vision and things are going well.

On our currency, the rates are quite problematic. In the past, we queued for fuel and different things but we have not seen that during the President’s reign. This shows that he is a visionary leader who is working hard to turn around the fortunes of the country. Even though there are some who might not be satisfied but looking at the beautiful roads, the cars which are moving well and the easy accessibility in most of our areas, we can see that the President is committed to bettering all areas. With these few words I thank you.

⁺HON. LINYANI:  Thank you Hon. Speaker for giving me this opportunity. I want to debate on what the President of the country said. The President talked about education, that all children should go to school without leaving no child behind. I have realised that there is an issue of BEAM. Orphans are recruited into BEAM when they have dropped out of school, then they are taken back to school saying that their fees will be paid for by BEAM. These children will drop out again because of failure to buy books. If it was possible that when such learners are included in BEAM, they should have all their needs catered for. These are the children we are looking forward to lead the   country in the future. We have also realised that these children sometimes go into illegal mining whilst they are below the age of 18 and when they are there, they are so vulnerable that sometimes they get into the mining risks because they would not have got the support or fully given the support at schools.

My expectation is that when we are talking of these children, they should be given enough support including those of their teachers. I have realised that in some areas, these kids will be with their teachers doing illegal mining.  Hence, these teachers should be well paid so that they can help these learners.

Mr. Speaker Sir, there is the issue of food.  We are grateful that the President of the country said there is no one who is going to die of hunger.  I have realised that food distribution is coming late.  If you take this into consideration, you will see that some of the areas last received food allocation in July.  If possible, food allocation is supposed to be done every month so that there is no family that goes for some days without food.

The President also spoke about road infrastructure and other infrastructural development around the country but if you take a look at other areas, especially in the southern region, I have realised that the roads are so dilapidated, especially the Victoria Falls Road.   It is not so long ago when two heavy trucks were involved in an accident along that road and they were burnt resulting in loss of lives.  I appeal that these roads in Matabeleland be quickly refurbished because they are all in an emergency state. 

I appreciate the State of the Nation Address by the President that let there be the issue of unity, tranquillity and forgiveness or reconciliation.   Peace is so important.  From what the President said, the words of unity are mentioned because he is aware that we also have some contributions that we are going to make and those contributions will be taken on board.

Mr. Speaker Sir, there is the issue of genocide that happened in Matabeleland which continuously comes out in the younger generation in that region. I would want to say everything can be dialogued and get to reconciliation.  If an engagement can be done, especially for those who were the victims so as to heal the new generation so that in future, there is no discrimination and perpetuation of such acts.

If I can add, Mr. Speaker Sir, during that time I was still very young and my parent was shot.  Such things are traumatic and I wish such things can be discussed and we reconcile.  I thank you Hon. Speaker.

HON. MANDIWANZIRA:  I would like to thank you for this opportunity, for me to make a contribution in recognising His Excellency's State of the Nation Address before this House and the articulation by His Excellency of the numerous developments that are taking place and are to take place in this country under his leadership.

Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to start by congratulating His Excellency for the phenomenal progress, economic advancements that we have seen in the country in a very short space of time under which he has been driving the Second Republic.  This development that we have seen has happened even when the country is under illegal economic sanctions.  We have seen the construction of major highways, the upgrading of border posts, the upgrading of airports and the rebuilding of many industries all under the leadership of His Excellency President Mnangagwa, despite those challenges that have been brought about by the illegal economic sanctions.

We must, in my view, as Members of Parliament and as Parliament, thank the President for this determination in taking our country forward and uplifting the lives and standards of life for our people.  I have heard this debate, Mr. Speaker, by some who say there are no more sanctions against this country and there has been some confusion brought about by the fact that certain entities that were under illegal economic sanctions have been taken off but for as long as the Head of State, for as long as the President of this country remains under economic sanctions or sanctioned as an individual, the fact of the matter is that he is our President.

There is no one else in this country who can stand up whether you are black, white, coloured or whatever; whether you are ZANU PF, CCC, MDC or whatever - there is no other person other than the President who we all can stand up and say you represent my aspirations and therefore I expect you to act in this way.

So if that person is put under any kind of embargo, it means you have put all the people of Zimbabwe under an embargo.

HON. MADZIVANYIKA:  On a point of order, Mr. Speaker Sir.

THE HON. SPEAKER:  You have a point of order?

HON. MADZIVANYIKA:  Yes Mr. Speaker Sir.  I wanted to encourage the Hon. Member to remain in the course of the truth to the effect that one person is not Zimbabwe.  If I, Hon. Madzivanyika, is under sanctions, Zimbabwe is not under sanctions.  To be specific, there are 11 individuals who are under sanctions in this country.  All the executive order sanctions were lifted.  So, we do not want this rhetoric anymore.

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Thank you. What you need to appreciate, Hon. Member, that is Hon. Madzivanyika, any Head of State and Government is the epitome of the sovereign and sovereignty of a people in that country and if you read properly the definition of statecraft, then you will appreciate what Hon. Mandiwanzira is saying.  Your point of order is misplaced.  Thank you. 

         HON. MANDIWANZIRA:  Thank you very much Mr. Speaker, I have never, at any point, doubted your ability to address these issues effectively just like as you have done.  I thank you. 

         In fact, I did mention at the beginning of my presentation that some confusion has been added.  I do respect Hon. Madzivanyika’s views and opinions but that is part of the confusion that has been created in that …

         Hon. Madzivanyika having raised a point of order.

         THE HON. SPEAKER:  You have had your opportunity…

         HON. MADZIVANYIKA:  It is with regard to what he has just said.

         THE HON. SPEAKER:  No, you can debate after him.

         HON. MADZIVANYIKA:  It has nothing to do with the substance, it is the wording that he is using that I am against.  I want to raise a point of order.

         THE HON. SPEAKER:  I am not sure about the wording, in proper English, I did not see any incongruence in the articulation of the Hon. Member, so I rule. Thank you.

         HON. MANDIWANZIRA:  Thank you very much Hon. Speaker Sir.  I just need to make it very clear that I did not say the Hon. Member is confused.  What I said is what he said adds to the confusion that is there around the issue of sanctions, which is that there are many stories being peddled about the removal of economic sanctions against this country.  My point remains, we want to acknowledge His Excellency, President Mnangagwa’s economic leadership in driving this country forward even under economic sanctions that still exist. 

         I just want to make this point which is the last point about economic sanctions.  In the United States, they have a law on sanctions against Zimbabwe and the Member is free to go on the internet, right now it has not been repealed.  That law has elements to it that bar representatives of the United States or international organisations like the IMF and World Bank to vote against any funding allocations to Zimbabwe.  That law still exists, therefore, I do not want us to debate something that is there in the public domain. 

I would like to commend His Excellency’s approach in steering development in our country.  His mantra that no place and no one should be left behind is well articulated in his State of the Nation Address as he mentioned the 35 000 business units at every village in our country that are being developed by his Government.  This is phenomenal, he mentioned the support to this programme by the Presidential Borehole Drilling Programme. 

         Mr. Speaker Sir, I really wish our local authorities who receive funds under the Devolution Fund could allocate significant amounts towards investment in infrastructure equipment, for instance, borehole drilling rigs to drill boreholes in every village in support of this programme by His Excellency.  The current situation is that the local authorities are waiting for the President to send DDF which is now RIDA, to go and drill the boreholes and yet they can take instruction from the President’s policy, buy the necessary equipment including borehole rigs and go ahead to implement the President’s policy.  I would encourage the private sector and the local authorities to join hands in implementing His Excellency’s policy which he articulated as well during the State of the Nation Address. 

         Mr. Speaker, we have seen significant investment coming into the country as a result of the efforts of the New Dispensation under President E. D. Mnangagwa.  The policy, Zimbabwe is Open for Business is bearing fruits and we are all seeing it.  We have seen huge investment coming into the mining sector, multi-billion-dollar investments in platinum mining, lithium mining and we have seen investments in the manufacturing sector.  For instance, the Manhize Project, 1.5 billion dollars investment, all under the New Dispensation.  This clearly shows our country is going somewhere under the leadership of President Mnangagwa.  Zimbabwe clearly is attractive to investors,  the policies and the drive of the Government is attracting that interest.  It is attracting the investment that is coming into our country and I believe that investment that comes into the country does not benefit a political party, it benefits every individual in our country.  It is important that we on this side of the House and those on the other side of the House, when it comes to things that have nothing to do with politics but to do with the livelihoods of the people in our country, we must speak the same language.  We must say the same things, we must not undermine but we must offer criticism on where things can be done better. 

I believe the State of the Nation Address showed us the direction that the Government is taking and I applaud His Excellency on the direction that has been shown.  Nobody can criticise the fact that Zimbabwe is now the only other country outside of Ethiopia that is wheat sufficient on the African Continent – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – We are producing our own wheat and we do not need to import, if at all we need to import, it is because we need a certain taste to mix with our wheat, not because we need that wheat from the other countries and again that is the success of His Excellency, the President. 

         Our tobacco production has again grown phenomenally. Our maize, had it not been for the El Nino, again we have seen growth in that specific sector. Let me talk briefly about tobacco Mr. Speaker Sir.  Because we have been producing a lot of tobacco, it is bought at the auction floors at USD$2, USD$3, USD$4.50 a kg but that tobacco when value added, costs thousands of dollars per kg when it has become cigarettes.  I am congratulating the thrust of the Government to push for value addition in our tobacco industry, not just our tobacco industry but in many sectors including the mining industry. 

The President has articulated on many occasions the policies on value addition and beneficiation.  I believe that we should see our private sector and our financial institutions coming to rally behind the President’s policies.  The challenge I see Mr. Speaker Sir is, we wait for the President to announce or pronounce a policy.  We also wait for the President to find the money to back the policy, we also wait for him to start implementing the policy and yet as a leader, he must just give direction and everybody must follow.  I believe with the policy pronunciations by the President and some of them articulated in the State of the Nation Address, we should see our financial institutions put together funds that are available for our indigenous Zimbabweans to go and borrow in order to import or buy machinery for value addition or beneficiation but if we do not do this, policies will not benefit us as Zimbabweans.  They will benefit, those who have access to the sources from outside the country. So, we will see those who will access money in China, South Africa, Pakistan, India et cetera, come and set up those processing plants for our agricultural products.  So, we should see, in my view, institutions supporting His Excellency’s policies by putting the resources to support.  I do not believe that if financial institutions in our country syndicated the funds for beneficiation and value addition and went to Government and say we want you to give the Government guarantee on this fund; the Government would say no.  There is no Government that will ever say no to supporting its own policies.

         Our country is attractive to investors but we could be more attractive, if we had cheaper electricity.  I have listened to other colleagues speak about the huge investment that is going into new energy; clean energy.  This is wonderful and we would like to congratulate the President for supporting this but I took note of the statement made by His Excellency in the State of the Nation Address (SONA).  He said, we must intentionally examine the use of alternative energy sources because this is important.  He lamented the fact that the national power supplies remained subdued. I know sometimes we get carried away by the global thrust and global drive towards new energy but the reality is that electricity – if we were organised in this country, electricity must not cost what it costs today to Zimbabweans.  We were given huge resources of coal by God.  That coal is what drove the economic growth of Europe and this is our turn to use our resources to drive our own economic growth.

         If you speak to Hon. Prof. Mthuli Ncube, he will tell you that the miners who are coming and investing in our country are appealing for cheaper electricity.  They are paying 12 cents per kilowatt hour. They would prefer to pay six cents per kilowatt hour.  If they pay six cents per kilowatt hour, they are able to be more profitable, employ more people, to open up new areas of mining. We can reduce the price of our electricity to less than six cents per kilowatt hour if we utilise our huge coal resources towards generating our electricity.  We have, as developing countries, up to 2050 if we are following the United Nations Climate Change decision.  We have until 2050 to phase out coal.  So, in the meantime, I believe we should be pushing for a thrust towards investment in coal energy in order to build our country.

         If we look at Europe today, the world’s biggest power house industrially is Germany.  One of the biggest countries producing for the world is Germany and it is driving that economy with coal energy.  Germany relies on 54 gigawatts of their electricity coming from coal.  Just for everybody to understand, 54 gigawatts is 54 000 megawatts of electricity. That is what Germany is producing from coal.  We only produce  about 2 000 megawatts of electricity in our country.  Germany is producing 54 000 megawatts from coal, which we are all rushing to phase out because we want to please the global agenda of a cleaner world.  Let us build our economy first.  Let us generate electricity that is cheaper, which will allow more companies to invest in our country, our mines to grow; our agriculture to irrigate 24/7 and our people to cook with electricity at their homes.  I am encouraging us – I know as Parliament we are the ones who adopt these agreements but we must understand that we have an opportunity to grow our country quicker and faster if we promote coal energy because God has granted us those resources.

         Before I sit, I would like to say that I am excited by His Excellency’s thrust towards the commercialisation of innovations around our universities.  Now, because of the thrust that the Government has been tabbing, where there is a lot of innovation now coming in from our young inventors at universities.  The new thrust by the Government according to His Excellency in his SONA, is to make sure there is commercialisation of those technologies or that creativity that is coming from our universities.  I just would like to go further by saying; we need the Ministers responsible to then extent the President’s articulation by assuring that there are policies that force Government departments, parastatals and the private sector in our country to buy from those university students.   That is how we can grow the economy.

         Finally, His Excellency in the SONA, recognised and commended our Zimbabwe Defence Forces for their commitment to the defence of our sovereignty and territorial integrity.  I always remind my friends and colleagues that you know the fact that we wake up at night; we sleep well; we are not opening our doors checking what is outside everyday because there are men and women who do not sleep to make sure that we have peace in our country.  We must always remember and recognise that.  I have seen in other countries that the men and women in uniform always get special treatment when it comes to services.  If you go to a bank, there is a shorter queue for the men and women in services. If you go to the airport, there is a priority queue for our men and women in uniform who serve our country day and night.  Perhaps it is something we must do for our Zimbabwe Defence Forces and other men and women in uniform who serve our country loyally and diligently.  I thank you. 

ANNONCEMENT BY THE HON. SPEAKER

NON-ADVERSE REPORTS RECEIVED FROM THE PARLIAMENTARY LEGAL COMMITTEE

         THE HON. SPEAKER: I have received a non-adverse certificate for the Death Penalty Abolition Bill [H. B. 5A, 2023].  The Legal Committee met on 23^rd October and considered the amendments made to the Death Penalty Abolition Bill [H. B. 5, 2023]. The Committee is of the opinion that the Bill, as amended is not in contravention of the declaration of rights or any other provisions of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

         I have also received a non-adverse certificate for Statutory Instruments gazetted during the month of August, 2024.  The Parliamentary Legal Committee met on 23^rd October and considered the Statutory Instruments that were gazetted during the month of August, 2024.  The Committee is of the opinion that Statutory Instruments, 141 to 149, except Statutory Instrument 150, which is still under consideration, are not in contravention of the declaration of rights or any other provisions of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

         +HON. MACHANGU: Thank you Hon. Speaker, good afternoon. I want to congratulate His Excellency for being given an opportunity to be the Chairperson of SADC. I stand up to add my voice on the Presidential Speech that he gave during SONA. Some of the issues have been debated by Hon Members and I will not repeat on things that have been discussed by others who contributed before me. I want to concentrate mainly on farming.

The President highlighted that for the past two years, we were facing drought as a nation. He saw it prudent that no one in Zimbabwe was supposed to be affected by hunger and gave people food aid, especially in rural areas where people were benefiting for almost three months.

         Mr. Speaker Sir, I also want to recognise that in urban areas, the President enrolled a scheme whereby people receive money through their cellphones as a way of drought relief. It shows the good works that the President is doing that he also takes care of people who are living both in rural and urban areas. Yes, people who are living in urban areas have a lot that they are doing. They are able to work as a way of getting food but the President saw it fit that people who are living in urban areas also benefit as well, hence, the enrolment of the money scheme that is being given to people who are living in urban areas. Through the money that has been availed, you realise that there are different vegetables that people are able to buy.

         In schools, there is a feeding scheme that was introduced for students. You realise that it supports the Presidential mantra that no one and no place will be left behind.  Hence, no one is going to suffer because of drought. This scheme that was introduced in schools was welcomed by so many parents because so many children were going to school on empty stomachs and when they come back home, they would not find any food. Mr. Speaker Sir, let us take note that this scheme came as a relief, especially in rural areas. A lot of infants were travelling long distances of more than five km to get to school. You then ask yourself a question that if they go to school on an empty stomach, how then are they going to concentrate? Therefore, we want to thank the President for such a noble idea of introducing feeding schemes to students in schools.

         When we look at farming, the way we now conduct our farming and livestock rearing has been changed due to climate change. Hence, the President introduced the issue of borehole drilling. Some Hon. Members have alluded to this development where an estimate of 35 000 boreholes are going to be drilled. My wish is that almost all the constituencies should benefit, including Lupane East where I come from. Lupane East is in a dry region where livestock and people are forced to go as far as five kilometers to look for water. However, I want to thank the President for the borehole drilling that was introduced. In Lupane, we now have so many boreholes and we benefited a lot from the borehole drilling scheme. It is a good sign that as a country, we take care of our livestock, we even take care of the people.

         Mr. Speaker Sir, in farming, we saw that during the SONA the President indicated that there is the Pfumvudza/Intwasa scheme that was introduced and almost everyone is benefiting from the scheme. The Pfumvudza/Intwasa scheme is also benefiting even the people who are living in urban areas. We want to thank the President for that. This was done after the President realised that those who stay in urban areas may have enough space to do a bit of farming. Hence, they have also been considered as beneficiaries of Pfumvudza scheme. I want to thank again the President that in Lupane East, we have an area called Bubi where we were given an opportunity to do the winter crop farming, that is wheat. We have good quality wheat that is being produced in Bubi District. The soil is so rich and it is good for such a crop.

The President took his time and came to visit such an area and he also recommended that indeed the place is good for farming of wheat, maize and other crops. When the President says there is no one who is going to be left behind, I agree with that because even in farming, everyone is catered for. When I look at the issues to do with irrigation in Lupane East, there are so many people who are unable to do irrigation farming and that has assisted them a lot because their children are now going to school. They have renovated their homes, and they are now looking nice, I believe this is because of our President who loves everyone. It is our President who is pushing for  Vision 2030 that by the time we get to 2030, everyone would have improved in their financial status.

The President also touched on the issues to do with our currency. Most people are saying our currency is losing value and there are so many stories that are being said about our currency. The question that I want each and every one to ask themselves is, what is it that we are doing so that we can improve our currency? No one is going to come from another country and assist in boosting the value of our currency and no one is going to tell us what it is that we are supposed to do. It is our role as citizens of Zimbabwe to do so.

Mr. Speaker Sir, I also want to thank the President for alluding to road rehabilitation programme. He has shown us that he is a listening President.  When we stood up in this House talking about the bad state of the roads, the President considered it during the State of the Nation Address.  When we indicated that the Nkayi/Bulawayo and Bulawayo/Victoria Falls roads were in a bad state, the President agreed to urgently have those roads rehabilitated.  We also want to take note that we are approaching the rainy season and on the two roads that I have alluded to, too many accidents have occurred and many lives have been lost. The roads are difficult to drive along during the rainy season. We do not want to lose more lives on those roads.  We are not anticipating accidents but we do not want to risk lives. 

         In conclusion, I want to thank the President for his mantra, nyika inovakwa nevene vayo, ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo.  I thank you.

         *HON. KARENYI:  Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir, for affording me the opportunity to add my contribution to the State of the Nation Address which was presented by His Excellency, the President of the nation. I noted the introduction where the President said that for a nation to succeed, there must be unity and peace, which I believe should be taken up by many people.  I also hope that many people took it upon themselves to listen to the State of the Nation Address.   Sometimes people are arrested, beaten up or incarcerated for a long time and  are then found not guilty and are acquitted. 

This results in disharmony and disunity.  These words should be taken up and embraced because they are good for the development of the nation.  I also want to add that for peace to prevail, there must be unity.  Investors who would want to work with us as a nation will come because of the peace that will be prevailing.  I also want to talk about an issue which was raised by His Excellency, pertaining to the challenges faced by students in schools.  The President spoke about the provision of food to school children and I believe that such programmes should reach all corners of the nation. 

As an Hon. Member for Chikanga, after the address, I took it upon myself to carry out a research in my constituency to see if all the school going children were benefitting from the programme.  I was touched after noting that there were some areas which had not started benefitting from this programme.  I urge the responsible Ministry to reach out to the different schools that are still to benefit from the programme.  Many children in urban areas are suffering and are going to school without having anything to eat.  They also need proper food with relish.  I think Government should avail funding to these schools to enable them to cater for the children and also to buy relish.  The schools can also be given projects such as fish or chicken projects, which will empower them to be self-sustaining and not continue to look up to Government for sustenance.

 The President also spoke about a very good initiative, which is NDS2.  I think Government should first review NDS1 and determine its achievements and what is outstanding.  I believe there was a promise that 76 000 jobs would be created after NDS1.  This means that if as a nation we could create that number of new jobs, we would empower our people.  Even the construction of schools which was mentioned in NDS1, will benefit our nation because children will not learn in classrooms as there will be proper structures.  The issue of infrastructure development was also mentioned.  We have seen the road rehabilitation programme which has made us proud.  For instance, in Harare, we have good roads and Parliament is now easily accessible.  However, my point of view is that Harare should proliferate to Mutare because from the Christmas Pass going to Magamba Road where our heroes lie, I believe that road should be rehabilitated.  It is my desire that this programme should prioritise all urban areas because all the roads are in a bad state.  I know that His Excellency spoke about the prevalence of accidents on our roads which have led to loss of lives.  As a nation, we need to create a fund for the rehabilitation of our roads, especially the dualisation of major roads because this is what is causing most accidents.  I also want to request the reinstatement of speed traps as they reduced speeding on our roads.

         Now moving onto the issue of corruption which has affected so many departments which has led to the poor service delivery being seen in different organisations. I want to suggest that there should be the rehabilitation of ZUPCO so that there are more public service buses which are going to serve people so as to decongest our cities and to reduce the accidents that happen because of the volume of traffic on our roads.

         The President also spoke about electricity generation at the Kariba Hydro-Power Station and Kariba has not been performing well because of the water levels at the dam. So, if we receive adequate rains, this might improve the generation of electricity. If not, we need to consider alternative forms of energy because where we stay, we face a lot of challenges as a result of load-shedding. Electricity comes when people are asleep and when they wake up, they only have electricity for a few hours. This is a challenge which should be addressed so that people would have access to electricity, because without electricity, we find people stealing transformers and copper cables. These are being stolen when there is no electricity. So, when there is electricity, we will be able to preserve copper cables and transformers.

 I also want to suggest that there should be a special fund which should be used to generate solar energy which would be channeled to the national grid and other projects like hydro-power stations which were started in different areas. I was really elated when the President spoke about the growth of our economy. He spoke about the introduction of our local currency, the ZiG.

         There are a lot of issues that I thought His Excellency was going to talk about. For example, what can be done to preserve the value of our local currency? I noted that this was not addressed in the speech because I believe that our ZiG currency should instill confidence in the people because those who earn their salaries in the local currency should be able to realise the value of the money but now the money is being eroded by inflation. The black-market proponents are still working hard to destabilise the currency. These are things that need to be addressed.

         We do not have confidence in our local currency and they say that the currency is not available and it is not accessible. When they have USD and other foreign currency like Rands, they would rather use that currency because people buy USD from ZiG. This is not supposed to be happening, but I have noted that we do not have Bureau de Changes which are there to serve the different people. People are buying their foreign currency from the streets. I believe that if we have Bureau de Change outlets, this will stabilise the economy because it will eliminate the black market.

         We have to take a leaf from other countries for people to have confidence in our currency. For example, in 2009 to 2013, we had a programme which came as a result of the policies that were obtaining then when Hon. Biti was a Finance Minister. There was stability and in this august House, those who are in ZANU, CCC, MDC and other parties, we saw money retaining its value…

HON. J. TSHUMA: On a point of Order Mr. Speaker Sir.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. MACHINGURA): What is your point of Order Hon. Tshuma?

HON. J. TSHUMA: My point of Order is that people should learn to tell the truth in this august House. During Hon. Biti’s time as Finance Minister, he had the privilege of being supplied with money from IMF, the World Bank and there was abundance of money and there was nothing that he did special for this economy. So, for anybody to come and say that the economy was thriving under Hon. Biti, is definitely not true. I thank you.

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Karenyi, you were going to offer recommendations. I do not think you should make them far-fetched, can you give your recommendations?

HON. DR. KHUPE: On a point of Order Hon. Speaker.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: What is your point of Order Hon. Dr. Khupe?

HON. DR. KHUPE: The Member of Parliament who recently spoke said Hon. Tendai Biti was getting money from IMF and the World Bank. The only money that this country got was about USD500 million, the Special Drawing Rights and no other money was given to this country. The situation is still the same. Thank you.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Members, we are not discussing individuals who cannot come into this House and defend themselves, hence I have ruled that Hon. Karenyi should go straight to her recommendations.

HON. KARIKOGA: On a point of order Hon. Speaker.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: What is your point of order Hon. Karikoga.

HON. KARIKOGA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. She mentioned political parties and she mentioned ZANU. We do not have ZANU, but we have ZANU PF.

HON. KARENYI-KORE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir…

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Karenyi, I still have to rule on his point of Order. When you speak of anything here, please use the proper names. Thank you.

*HON. KARENYI-KORE: Let me thank Hon. Karikoga. I was speaking of ZANU PF and MDC who were in the Inclusive Government during the time of the former Minister Hon. T. Biti. Thank you for the correction. Mr. Speaker Sir, I was going to talk about my solutions that would be drawn from lessons learnt from the past and it once worked elsewhere. During that time, I was a Member of Parliament and things worked. We all agree that during that time, we earned USD100 and civil servants. It is my considered view that during that time, those Members that were part of that Cabinet should they look back in nostalgia, it could help them come up with solutions to our problems. His Excellency, the President touched on the agricultural sector as well as the mining sector. Mr. Speaker Sir, I am grateful that I mentioned an issue that has already been said in terms of value addition. I would urge this country to buttress on that issue because we are losing by not beneficiating our own minerals.  Zimbabwe has got a lot of minerals which should be earning a lot of revenue for the country. Zimbabwe should not be having any problems.

Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I was going to suggest that this particular Government, if it looks into the issue of the minerals that we have which we are supposed to beneficiate, be it diamonds, if we were to make diamond rings and watches, it would value add and be able to sell them at a better price than an unfinished raw product. As a solution that I would like to proffer, I urge that we close all the leakages that are responsible for the elicit trading of our minerals outside the country. All those people that are into mining, we would want to ensure that when they do their mining, where are they selling their products, are they bringing any revenue to the Government instead of just turning a blind eye?

In the agricultural sector, it is my plea that Mr. Speaker, deep down in my heart, as I see it, there are people who were allocated land and are not fully utilising the land. Some of them are renting out these pieces of land while others are not utilising the land. I urge that Government conducts land audits so that people either use it or lose it. Once that happens, our country will be on a good trajectory to ensure that we become self-sustaining. I would be happier if we desist from the habit of getting diapers or pampers from South Africa when we are a cotton growing country. We should be in a position to make our own sanitary pads so that our children can benefit.

I would not have done any good if I do not touch on the health sector. His Excellency, the President mentioned that there should be sufficient drugs, machinery and equipment in all our hospitals. This particular Government should look at the issue of sugar tax. There was $18 million that was collected and it has not been disbursed because 78 days are required for people to go to tender. I urge the Government to reduce the number of days that are required for people to go to tender so that people can quickly buy cancer machines which have taken a toll on this country.

On the education sector, the President talked of ICT and mentioned that our curricular has now developed. It is my fervent hope that through the Government, we will be able to provide data to our school children. The parents are poor, therefore, Government should subsidise data and provide Wi-Fi at schools. Once that is done, then our children will be developed.

At the university sector, he touched on the issue of education innovation hubs. Mr. Speaker Sir, Government should buttress these education innovative hubs so that once universities are given adequate funding, this will go a long way in developing our country. There should be proper monitoring and evaluation and ensure that if there are drones that can be sent to hospitals, what exactly should be developed?

Lastly, as I take my seat Mr. Speaker Sir, what the people want is to have their country to be self-sufficient that once they earn their salaries, they have a living wage and be able to look after themselves. That is all that is required for Zimbabwe to go ahead. Thank you Mr. Speaker.

∞HON. MUCHIMBA:  Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I also want to speak like what others have just said in relation to the motion brought forward by Hon. Kambuzuma, seconded by Hon. Moyo about President E. D. Mnangagwa’s State of the Nation Address.  The President addressed a number of issues in line with the social and economic life of all citizens of Zimbabwe. One of the issues the President highlighted was the issue of health. Where I come from, in Binga North, we are much grateful because the President helped us in the construction of hospitals and renovation of the mortuary which had a capacity of six bodies, but it has doubled the number and it is working.

On the same note, the President helped us with two ambulances. All those achievements were done by the Second Republic. You would know that Binga was one of the areas once marginalised but the President said there should be no place left behind, hence this assistance in the health department. He also talked about road infrastructure which we are all seeing as we drive to this august House, that they are now passable, even the Second Street Road which passes through a number of embassies has also been refurbished.

Considering our roads in Binga, especially the Binga-Karoi Road, the Second Republic has tarred 10km. We are anticipating that this same road will be refurbished as soon as possible since the Cabinet has sat, hopefully they will consider this road. We are also requesting that the Binga-Cross Dete Road be attended to because it is now in a bad state, which can take a driver almost a day to get to Binga town. Notwithstanding all, the Aerodrome Road has also been refurbished, including the Aerodrome itself, so that bigger planes are now landing in Binga.

The President also talked about water that the whole country has been given borehole drilling rigs, even in my area Binga North, boreholes are being drilled. We have boreholes that were drilled in the communities and also at chief’s homesteads, which has enabled them to establish green gardens. However, our anticipation is more boreholes be drilled to reduce distances that our people travel to fetch water. For instance, some travel more than five km to their nearest borehole. There is an area called Musenampongo which is 12km from the River Zambezi and we have tried to drill boreholes but only to get dry holes, hence my plea is if we could have piped water from Zambezi River to that community.

The President also spoke about communication. We are happy in Binga District that we are having a booster that is being erected in Sinamusanga.  We are happy also that our language is being spoken through our radio station Twasumpuka FM.  We are also grateful for our President who has been given the Chairmanship of SADC.  That is what I had raised to give my submissions.  I thank you.

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. MACHINGURA):  Thank you Hon. Muchimba and as the Speaker has already said, you have managed to debate in the vernacular from start to finish, thank you very much for that. 

         Hon. Hwende having passed between the Chair and the Hon. Member speaking.

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: I would also want to remind Hon. Members even through your Chief Whips that when an Hon. Member is debating, you are not supposed to cross between the Hon. Member and the Hon. Speaker as what Hon. Hwende has just done.  Please desist from that practice.

         HON. SHAMU: On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker Sir. 

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Hon. Shamu, what is your point of Order?

         HON. SHAMU: Thank you.  Mr. Speaker Sir, I appreciate what you have just noted with regards to the use of our vernacular in terms of presentation.  However, technically, we are shortchanged in that we do not have headphones for us to be able to listen.  Some of us might not be understanding the vernacular.  We need to follow the debate but without headphones, there is no way we can be able to appreciate whatever is being deliberated upon by esteemed Members.  I thank you.

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Thank you Hon. Shamu. That point is noted and I think the Assistant Clerk has heard you on that one. We are going to see how they are going to make adjustments.  Thank you. 

         ⁺HON. B. NDLOVU:  Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir, for affording me this opportunity to add my voice on the motion that was tabled by Hon. Kambuzuma focusing on the SONA  and also looking on different methods that are being used to improve our economy as a nation. 

         The President indicated that, peace brings unity and improvement to the community.  There is no community that can be improved if they are not working together.  I also want to highlight to this august House that as leaders, we are supposed to lead by example, especially from the constituencies where we come from.  We should preach unity.  My request Mr. Speaker Sir, is that we should speak in one voice on issues to do with sanctions.  As a way of showing that we are united, the President highlighted that he is working so hard to improve the status of the nation.  As he is working hard, sanctions are also contributing to the difficulties that we are encountering as a nation. However, despite being under sanctions, the President is making his best, that is why I am therefore requesting that; why can we not speak in one voice to say, ‘we need to remove sanctions’ so that we can move forward as a nation? 

The President Mr. Speaker Sir, also alluded to issues to do with improvement on our health system.  I want to refer to Vungu constituency.  We have seen with our own eyes, we are witnesses of hospitals that were built in areas that never had hospitals, for example, Impala Clinic that is in ward 1 and Gatawa Clinic in Ward 2. These are hospitals which were built and have state of art facilities so as to get people to access medical services without having to travel for very long distances and other hospitals around that were built.

The President also indicated under his mantra that, no one and no place will be left behind.  There are so many places that have benefited on road rehabilitation programme.  I will also speak as a witness; we have seen our Harare – Beitbridge Road, the way it was rehabilitated.  It was constructed by our own Zimbabwean engineers. The roads that are leading to Parliament were also constructed by our own engineers.  In Vungu constituency, lower Gweru – that is Maboleni to Gweru, the road was rehabilitated.  However, a short distance was left out, I hope that once they reengage again and finish the road rehabilitation, people of Vungu will be very thankful for that. 

Also looking on the education sector, as the President alluded to, there is need for our children to get proper education and as a way of improving education, there are so many places in the rural areas that now have internet.  I will refer to Somabula in my constituency where there was a booster erected and students were also given computers, especially in rural areas which is speaking to the Presidential mantra that no one and no place should be left behind. 

Mr. Speaker Sir, yes, we are faced with drought as a nation but the President is moving forward in trying to improve the economy of the country by offering food to both rural and urban areas.  Yes, as a man, you can try by all means to feed your family but you might not be able to feed everyone.  With the Presidential scheme that was put in place, almost everyone is able to get food.  The President has indicated that there are irrigation schemes that have been put in place in different areas of the country.  He also alluded to the issue of people benefiting from the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme.  Referring back to Vungu Constituency, the Presidential scheme of receiving farming inputs was officially opened.  Also, we have other irrigation schemes from my area like Insukamini that are also benefiting.  There are so many people who are benefiting from the food programme. You will realise that close to 100 families are benefiting from the irrigation scheme at Maboleni.  

It shows that our His Excellency, our President is walking the talk.  Mr. Speaker Sir, so many people have spoken, I will not repeat what they were saying but I will repeat the words that His Excellency, the President said that peace, unity and working together will help us in developing our country and improving the economy of the country. I thank you.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. MACHINGURA):  I have to inform the House that I have been advised by the Sergeant-At-Arms Department that Hon. Members desiring headphones will obtain those upon request by the Hon. Member – [HON. MEMBERS: The Hon. Member?] – yes, I am actually responding to the point of order raised by Hon. Shamu where he said Hon. Members are keen to follow debates in vernacular but they do not have headphones, those will be available upon request from the Sergeant at Arms.  I thank you.

HON. MAKOPE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir for giving me this opportunity to also comment on the State of the Nation Address by His Excellency, Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa.  Mr. Speaker, I want to appreciate the policies which have been crafted by the Government led by His Excellency the President since the invention of the Second Republic.  Most of the policies which have been crafted, are people oriented, people driven and are taking everyone on board, as we also have his mantra of leaving no one or no place behind. 

Let me start by the Education 5.0 Policy which is heritage-based education.  This policy to me has been a testimony of taking education as the driver to our economy.  We have the Education 5.0 in most of our institutions of higher learning, universities, polytechnics, as well as teachers’ colleges.  We have seen the innovation hubs and industrial parks coming up.  This policy that has been initiated by the Government is to make sure that most of our leaners have this knowledge and the knowledge is transmitted to the industry.  In those innovation hubs and industrial parks, there are a number of products which are being produced. I can give a very good example of Verify Engineering, they produce oxygen gas, it is one of the examples which is nearly 99% but I want to proffer my appeal to our esteemed Government to also take into consideration these efforts which are being made by our universities, colleges and buy these products. 

We have been checking in most of our hospitals, they are importing this gas from other countries and if the inputs for example, sometimes those gases are around 93% but we are producing our own gas that we can use in our Government Ministries as well as our Government Departments. This can instill confidence among our people and lecturers who are taking these initiatives. 

Mr. Speaker, there is also this policy which seeks to address the water challenges in most of our rural areas as well as urban set ups.  This water challenge caused by the drought in Southern Africa in the season 2023 to 2024 has impacted negatively to most of our rural areas. The Head of State came up with a very noble solution of drilling boreholes in most of our villages.  So far, 35 000 boreholes have been targeted to be distributed in most of our villages in Zimbabwe. 

We have seen some of these boreholes drilled in some of the areas but my appeal to this noble idea, Mr. Speaker, is to take into cognisance the issue of prioritisation in the distribution of these boreholes.  I want to advise my esteemed Government that in the issue of implementation, the Government Ministry or the department which is dealing with this issue, to look probably to make some consideration, considering the agricultural or the ecological regions, starting with those regions which are very dry like agricultural region 5, then from region 5 we move to region 4 up to region 1, in that systematic well planned approach.

I think that will address these challenges of water shortages.  I am saying that Mr. Speaker because I am one of those Members of Parliament who comes from these dry regions.  I would prefer the consideration of the Zambezi Escarpment as well as the low veld like Matabeleland South and areas like Mwenezi because they are very, very dry.  As I speak Mr. Speaker, in the constituency that I represent, there are areas where we have serious water shortages.  I can mention some of the areas that we have already pegged but they are waiting for the rig to come for us to have these boreholes being drilled, areas like Petronella, Munhumutapa Village, Mavambo, those areas, we have been witnessing the death of livestock and also people walking long distances to fetch this precious liquid. So, I think if it was done like that, probably it could quickly mitigate some of these problems. 

In schools, we also have the water challenges.  Hon. Speaker, I think if we can advise schools also to have the water levy.  That can be a solution also to address the climate change that has been causing the drought in these dry areas.

I also want to comment on the transport and communication sector. His Excellency spoke largely on the achievements that have been made so far by our Second Republic in addressing the road networks in Zimbabwe. I can also testify the state-of-the-art   road from Harare to Beitbridge. It passes through the constituency that I represent. I also want to appreciate the consideration that has been made by our esteemed Government to look into the Bulawayo – Victoria Falls Road which also needs an urgent attention because it has been deteriorating day after day. I also want to urge the Government to look into some smaller roads which also connect these main roads by some of our central places, particularly in the rural areas. I always lament for the very short; road just a 12km road that connects the Harare-Beitbridge Road and Neshuro Growth point in the Constituency that I represent in Mwenezi North. That road is the face of the district because it connects the main road and the growth point where we have all the socio-economic services in that particular district. So, if we can consider such roads, the major roads, probably through devolution or other sources of funding that can also assist.

I also want to appeal to the Government to look into the issue of rail transport. Our rail transport has been so critical in the economic development. We used to have the rail transport used by the local people in the area that I represent. We had a train from Bulawayo to Chiredzi passing through areas such as Sarahuru, Mbizi up to Chiredzi and our people were so happy because the mode of transport was so cheap and also carried bulky goods. Even on this challenge of food distribution that we are facing right now, we could be using this rail line. So, it is my appeal again to the Government to look into that.

I want to appreciate some of the achievements which we have already witnessed across the country. The Second Republic, in the area that I come from, we lobbied for the passport office and we received one in Rutenga. I really want to appreciate His Excellency for that -[HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear] - It is not only in Rutenga, but other areas in Gwanda and those in deep rural areas but very close to our boarders. That actually assists most of our youngsters who have been crossing the border without passports and they have been facing some challenges in crossing the river, such as robbery, some have been killed by crocodiles.  So, His Excellency has addressed that problem. We really want to appreciate.

We also have the rural electrification, we have seen that programme coming into our rural areas and in the area that I represent, I have seen this as a solution to energy problems in most of the schools. I can testify that schools such as Zvirikure, Bambe and Chitanga have been covered in the last season and recently they have been electrifying schools such as Chomukamba and they are moving on to electrifying Gwamatenga as well as Ruzamu. This is so appreciated because it is addressing the energy challenges that we have been seeing in most of our schools.

The solarisation again is one of the solutions that I think the Government can also intensify, especially in those institutions such as our schools.

Madam Speaker, I can also comment on the issue of irrigation schemes as the way of addressing the food shortages. Most of the revenue that we can get from well-wishers and the Government, I want to appeal to our Government to focus on permanent infrastructure that addresses the food shortages in most of our communities. The irrigation schemes in the areas that I come from, we received three irrigation schemes. We can talk of Pikinini, the Murove as well as Chizumba with pivots. It is a surprise to most of the people in our area because those are the first projects to be done in our areas. We really appreciate that and I also want to commend our President to remain focused in addressing the areas of hunger and starvation by erecting permanent structures that can sustain our development as far as food distribution is concerned. 

Lastly, Madam Speaker, I can commend on the issue of Pfumvudza, one of the most success stories in the Zimbabwean history and it is attached to the philosophy of His Excellency in trying to address the food shortages again, so, as the season is approaching, I think as a nation, we should be embraced and also prepare the logistics of distributing the seed and other inputs to our farmers so that the following year we will not have…

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON.  TSITSI. ZHOU): Hon. Makope, you are left with five minutes.

HON. MAKOPE: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. The following year we will not have the challenge of food shortages. With these few words I want to thank you.

HON.  S. SITHOLE: Thank Madam Speaker for giving me the opportunity to debate the SONA speech which was brought in this House by His Excellency, the President of Zimbabwe, E. D. Mnangagwa.  What the President alluded to first was security. The security is an issue which all of us know that when there is no security, when there is no peace, it means no one in this country can say I am having my words protected or my life protected.

The President talked about the issue of health. Madam Speaker, I think the health issue is an issue which we know all of us that we are having a life threatening disease in this country, a disease called cancer.   

I want to thank the researchers from the University of Zimbabwe.  We heard that they have discovered the treatment for cancer which is now the issue threatening the health of the people of Zimbabwe.

Madam Speaker, about these researchers, I want to add on that when somebody can research and come up with a treatment like that one to save the people of this country, I think the one thing that we are supposed to do, my prayer is we must not just give them money or even give them $100 000, otherwise they can take that money go to drink beer and do whatsoever.   Instead, we can maybe give them stands and build them a five-roomed house where the family, when he or she passes away, can say there is something which happened but when we give them money, they will forget about it.  So that is my prayer to say those who researched and found the treatment are supposed to be treated in a befitting manner.

Madam Speaker, when I see our economy, we always talk about ZiG, our Zimbabwean money which is backed by gold.  I can say daily people are just playing around with that ZiG money, but this ZiG money, when it was introduced, the Governor and the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion said this ZiG money is protected by gold, but gold is from mining. 

Why this gold?  When the ZiG money is protected by gold, gold is a precious stone.  Gold is the one which is holding this country to move.  Why the Minister of Mines and Mining Development or the Reserve Bank is giving people some permits to buy gold?  There is a problem of corruption. We are always crying to say this ZiG is not balanced because why are they giving people permits to buy the gold because when they are buying that gold, when they have the permit how can they be arrested?  It is because they are having permit but when they buy the gold, they write 10 grams when it is actually 1kg going.  They are protected by those permits.

My thinking, there is supposed to be no one who is supposed to have a permit.  The gold is supposed to belong to the State, period.  I think when we do that, we can manage corruption.  Why are we just letting corruption continue. 

I must bring this up, where some people can say we have abolished the death penalty.  One Hon. Member here was saying that China has called on zero tolerance to corruption.  Why are we not coming here and saying enough is enough, zero tolerance on corruption.  Whoever is involved in corruption must go before a firing squad.  I think I will be the first one to stand up and say I must be employed there first because we cannot continue to tolerate corruption, talking about corruption and do nothing while we are seeing people who are doing corruption.

We once called someone who was working at the Reserve Bank, who once told us that there are only 50 people who are just wracking this country about corruption.  Just 50 people who are killing this country.  Why are we letting those people do that?

So that is why when we are debating, making a follow-up to His Excellency's SONA speech, we debate and bring our advice also because at the end of the day, the person who will be insulted to say he is a failure is His Excellency because he is  together with his presidium who are leading the country.

So, some of the issues are like this.  They need a command and a Presidential power and then bring issues to the Parliament.  We know people can say no because while we are fearing, we are also thinking that sometimes I will be involved in the corruption.  Sometimes that is why we are so scared to put laws and say those people who are doing corruption must be killed because corruption is a disease.  Now that it is a disease, it is also a threat to our nation.  We must not fear to say that is a threat.

This is our last solution about this ZiG.  Where are we going to go from here?  This is our last solution – [HON. MEMBERS:  Huya kunouku] - I have no problem about huya kuno.  I am talking about it because we are the ones who are reeling.  You are happy about it but at the end of the day, the thing is fighting back at us.  So, we are the ones who are supposed to put laws.  So, the corruption issue is very dangerous, it is a cancerous issue which is supposed to be dealt with in Zimbabwe. If one is suffering from this problem, that person must be treated. 

         Madam Speaker, we are always talking about corruption on a daily basis and in hospitals, we do not have machines to treat chronic diseases but two or three persons are enjoying – [HON. MEMBERS:  Hear, hear.] – My advice is as I am debating SONA, I will never regret to say I am a church goer but on corruption, the firing squad is the best – [Laughter.] – We are saying so and I know that when we bring that firing squad, you will start to talk about human rights and whatsoever.  I know that is what you are going to do.  That is why I am saying we must go to China and try to see how the Chinese are handling this issue of corruption and other related crimes. 

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. TSITSI ZHOU):  Order, order! 

         HON. S. SITHOLE:  Is the point of order directed to me or those Hon. Members who are making noise? – [Laughter.] – I am debating!

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Yes, I wanted to request the Hon. Members to allow you to be heard in silence, you can proceed. 

         HON. S. SITHOLE:  Madam Speaker, it is not surprising us, we were taught during the liberation war that we are going to pass this phase and then there was another phase to do with the economy which will be heavy, another struggle where we are now.  That is why I am talking about this issue of firing squad to try to bring the country to order, zero tolerance to corruption.  When the Ministry fails to bring it to Parliament, it is supposed to be a Presidential command or order.  Our President is a soldier and everything, he just gives an order, we are supposed to find a solution.

         Madam Speaker, we want to thank the President and his Presidium because we see development taking place around the country.  Roads are being constructed the whole country.  We have witnessed the construction of Harare-Beitbridge Road, Harare-Bulawayo-Plumtree, now we are commencing the construction of Beitbridge to Victoria Falls.  We have passed SADC, we should now look around our districts.  As I come from Insiza South, we have got two major roads, the first one is from West Nicolson to Mberengwa.  It is about ten years now, we have only tarred just five kilometres until now.   There is another one from Filabusi via Silalatshani to Avoka which is going to join the Mberengwa Road again.  I think for nearly 20 years, we have done ten kilometres.  It is okay to say corruption but also sanctions.  Sanctions are the most poisonous.  We are going to deal with corruption but the most dangerous, murderous issue is sanctions.  Those roads are at the heart of the people of Insiza South.  My prayer…..

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Hon. Sithole, you are left with five minutes. 

         HON. S. SITHOLE:  I think someone can ask for my time to be extended.  Thank you Madam Speaker.  My prayer is if we revisit the 9^th Parliament, when I debated the SONA speech, I put my prayer to say chronic diseases like cancer, diabetics, hypertension be treated freely because our people are dying, they do not have money to go and seek treatment.  My prayer is, I thought this will be taken up by His Excellency, to exercise his Presidential powers to say cancer, diabetics, hypertension must be treated freely.  With those remarks, I cannot debate all the issues because we are many here.  Thank you very much for the opportunity you have given me to air my views which will make other people have sleepless nights, they will be shivering today, they will not sleep nicely – [HON. MEMBERS:  Hear, hear.]

         HON. ENG. MHANGWA:  I request that Hon. Sithole get another five minutes.

         HON. MAKUMIRE:  I second.

         HON. KARIKOGA: I object. 

         Motion put and negatived.

         HON. MUTODI: On a point of order Madam Speaker.  In terms of Order Number 77, a motion that lapses at the edge of session of Parliament can be revived by it being read in the new session.  In the last meeting of Parliament, I raised a notice that I would move the motion.  May I be allowed to move that motion as previously indicated?

         HON. NDUDZO: On a point of order – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] -

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. TSITSI ZHOU): Hon. Ndudzo, you cannot raise a point of order before I have ruled on Hon. Mutodi’s point of order. 

         Hon. Mutodi, if you look at the Order Paper, your motion is on Order Number 6.  When we get to that Order, you can move for restoration of your motion.  You can also liaise with the Acting Government Chief Whip.

         HON. NDUDZO:  I am indebted Madam Speaker. The point I had stood to make was that what the Government Chief Whip had simply moved for was an adjourned debate on the State of the Nation Address (SONA).  It had completely nothing to do with the point which is on the Order Paper as Number 6.  I do not believe that an objection can be made to the proposal by the Acting Government Chief Whip to adjourn for the day, the debate on the SONA.

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Thank you Hon. Ndudzo, it is the sequence and how things should be done. 

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

HON. MUROMBEDZI: I second.

Motion put and agreed to.

Debate to resume: Wednesday, 30^th October, 2024.

MOTION

RESTORATION OF THE MOTION ON THE REPORT OF THE DELEGATION ON THE INDONESIA-AFRICA PARLIAMENTARY FORUM, BALI, INDONESIA ON THE ORDER PAPER

HON. SHAMU: Madam Speaker I …

*HON. MUGOMO: On a point of order.  I put a notice of motion before the first session and it lapsed.  May I be allowed to move a motion to restore the motion?

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Mugomo, you can approach the Acting Government Chief Whip or the Clerk. 

HON. SHAMU: I move that the motion on the Report of the

Delegation on the Indonesia-Africa Parliamentary Forum, Bali, Indonesia which was superseded by the end of the First Session of the Tenth Parliament be restored on the Order Paper in terms of Standing Order No.77.

         HON. MUROMBEDZI: I second.

 

Motion put and agreed to.

HON. DR. KHUPE: On a point of order, we still have other motions which are supposed to be restored on the Order Paper.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER:  Thank you Hon. Khupe.  This also applies to Hon. Mutodi, Hon. Mugomo and yourself.  May you approach the Clerks-at-the-Table and your Chief Whips?

HON. DR. KHUPE: I did and they said they have informed you about it.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: They have not unfortunately.  Please approach the Clerks-at-the Table and your Chief Whips. 

MOTION

BUSINESS OF HOUSE

HON. KARIKOGA: I move that Order of the Day Number 5 be stood over until Order of the Day Number 6 has been disposed of.

HON. MUROMBEDZI: I second.

Motion put and agreed to

HON. MUTSEYAMI: On a point of Order Madam Speaker. I think the administration of our Parliament as well as the leadership of Parliament as we run Parliament, need to understand the challenges that we experience as we drive through into town during the night.  There is need at all times to make the lives of Members precious and anyone else to be precious.  It is important to priorities life against driving during the night at all times.  I think it is very important for our leadership not to take this for granted.  Life is precious and it must be precious at all times.  Driving during the night is not good.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: It is well noted Hon. Mutseyami.

MOTION

RESTORATION OF THE MOTION ON THE VIOLATION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS DUE TO PIRACY ON THE ORDER PAPER

         HON. DR. MUTODI:  Madam Speaker, I seek leave of the House that the motion on the violation of intellectual property rights due to piracy which was superseded by the end of the First Session of the Tenth Parliament be restored on the Order Paper in terms of Standing Order No. 77.

         HON. MUGOMO: I second.

         Motion put and agreed to.

MOTION

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

          HON. KARIKOGA: I move that Order of the Day, Number 7 be stood over until Order of the Day Number 8 has been disposed of.

         HON. MUROMBEDZI: I second.

         Motion put and agreed to.

MOTION

RESTORATION OF THE MOTION ON CANCER AWARENESS PROGRAMMES AND MODERN CANCER TREATMENT EQUIPMENT FOR MPILO AND PARIRENYATWA HOSPITALS ON THE ORDER PAPER

         HON. DR. KHUPE: I move that the motion on the need for cancer awareness which was superseded by the end of the First Session of the Tenth Parliament be restored on the Order Paper in terms of Standing Order No. 77.

HON. KARENYI: I second.

         Motion put and agreed to.

MOTION

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

          HON. KARIKOGA: I move that Orders of the Day, Numbers 9 to 14 be stood over until Order of the Day Number 15 has been disposed of.

         HON. MUROMBEDZI: I second.

         Motion put and agreed to.

                                             MOTION

 REPORT OF THE DELEGATION TO THE 55^TH PLENARY ASSEMBLY SESSION OF THE SADC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM HELD IN LUANDA, ANGOLA

         HON. MUGOMO: I move the motion standing in my name that this House takes note of the Report of the Delegation to the 55^th Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum held in Luanda, Angola from 1^st to 8^th July, 2024

HON. KARENYI: I second.

THE ACTING SPEAKER: Hon. Mugomo approach the Chair.

         Hon. Mugomo approached the Speaker’s Chair.

  HON. MUGOMO:         The 55^th Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) was graciously hosted by the National Assembly of Angola from the 1^st to 7^th July 2024 under the theme: “The role of Parliaments in promoting renewable energy policies in the SADC Region and establishing a single regional energy market”. 

1.2      The Zimbabwe delegation was led by Hon. Advocate Jacob Francis Nzwidamilimo Mudenda, Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe, and it comprised the following Members of Parliament: -

• Maybe Mbowa, Member of the Standing Committee on Gender Equality, Women Advancement and Youth Development and Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (ZWPC);
• Chinhenza Chigwadzara (Chief Matsiwo), Member of the Standing Committee on Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Climate Action;
• Tendai Nyabani, Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Democratisation, Governance and Human Rights;
• Mercy Mugomo, Member of the Standing Committee on Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment; and
• Lynette Karenyi, Member of the Standing Committee on Human and Social Development and Special Programmes

2.0          PRELIMINARY MEETINGS AND COURTESY CALLS

2.1      Honourable Speaker Mudenda was welcomed by Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Luanda, Angola, His Excellency Ambassador Maj. Gen (Rtd) Dr. Thando Madzvamuse. In a packed pre-meetings schedule, Speaker Mudenda participated in events marking the International Day of Parliamentarism, highlighting the critical role played by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in promoting sound governance, constitutionalism and the rule of law. In his delivery, he emphasised the importance of Parliamentary diplomacy, international cooperation and the centrality of Parliament in upholding democratic accountability through its legislative, oversight and representative roles.

 Speaker Mudenda in conversation with his delegation, from left to right Honorables; Maybe Mbowa, Chinhenzva Chigwadzara (Chief Matsiwo), Tendai Nyabani and Lynette Karenyi-Kore

 

2.2    The Zimbabwean delegation prepared itself for the 55^th SADC-

PF Assembly by reviewing key documents, including the Executive

Committee and Treasurer’s Reports and the SADC-PF Strategic Plan

(2024-2028). This plan is expected to guide the Regional

Parliamentary body’s transformation into a fully-fledged SADC

 Regional Parliament.

2.3      Honourable Advocate Mudenda, together with fellow Speakers

accompanied the President of the SADC-PF, Hon. R. Mancienne, paid

 a courtesy call on His Excellency, President João Lourenço of

Angola at the Presidential Palace        in Luanda. During the meeting,

Speaker Mudenda provided an update on the progress towards

transforming the SADC PF into a fully-fledged Regional Parliament,

to which President Lourenço expressed strong support and reiterated

Angola's commitment to this initiative.

Speaker Mudenda and His Excellency, President João Lourenço in convivial cordialities

                   

2.4    On the bylines of the Plenary Assembly, Speaker Mudenda met

 with Hon. Carolina Cerqueira, Host Speaker of the National Assembly of Angola, who commended his leadership in handling the SADC Strategic Lobbying Missions. Speaker Cerqueira further acknowledged the peace and stability in the SADC region. Additionally, she also commended Speaker Mudenda for his efforts in advancing Parliamentary diplomacy which has been critical in fostering positive relations and cooperation among the SADC Member Parliaments. In turn, Speaker Mudenda appreciated Angola's hospitality and praised Honourable Cerqueira's steadfast leadership which he epitomised by presenting her with an artefact of the Epworth Balancing Rocks in Zimbabwe in recognition of her rock solid leadership.

Honourable Advocate Mudenda presents the artefact of Balancing Rocks to the Speaker of the National Assembly of Angola, Honourable C. Cerqueira. 

 

 

3.0      LAUNCH OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN 2024 TO 2028

3.1      Hon. Speaker Mudenda and his delegation attended the launch

 of the SADC PF  Strategic Plan (2024-2028) and was honoured to be

one of the eminent panelists to unpack the Strategic objectives of the

Strategic Plan. The new Strategic Plan aims to enhance the capacity

of National Parliaments, focusing on emerging themes such as

Gender, Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), Climate

Action, leadership on normative frameworks and fiscal governance.

Further, key objectives of the Strategic Plan include strengthening

Parliamentary democracy, promoting good governance, supporting

socio-economic development, advocating for gender equality and

youth empowerment and fostering regional integration.

3.2      In his remarks, Speaker Mudenda emphasised the Strategic

Plan's criticality as a guiding compass document for Member

 Parliaments. He further extolled its anchoring of the SADC PF’s

Parliamentary processes. He further stressed the need for budgetary

support and regular evaluation to ensure the Strategic Plan's

successful implementation.

 3.3     During the ensuing press Conference, Honourable Speaker

Mudenda underscored the necessity of multilateral efforts in pursuit of peace and security in the SADC region. This extended to addressing the conflicts in Northern Mozambique and Eastern DRC and thus required sustained advocacy and Parliamentary diplomacy to resolve conflicts globally. The event concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a call for cohesive action among SADC Member Parliaments to bring the Strategic Plan's objectives to fruition.

4.0    OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE 55^TH SADC-PF PLENARY ASSEMBLY SESSION

4.1    The 55th Plenary Assembly of the SADC-PF was officially

 opened on the 2nd July 2024. Hon. Roger Mancienne, President of

SADC-PF and Speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles,

presided over the ceremony which included addresses from key

figures such as Ms. Boemo Sekgoma, Secretary General of the SADC

PF and Hon. Carolina Cerqueira, Host and Speaker of the National

Assembly of Angola. The session highlighted the need for strong,

resilient Parliaments to address regional challenges, including public

debt, conflicts and renewable energy power generation. Solidarity

messages from various Inter-Parliamentary bodies further emphasised

the very need for collaboration in achieving regional integration and

socio-economic development.

  4.2 In his official opening address, Hon. Roger Mancienne, reiterated

  the critical importance of collaborations in addressing regional

  challenges. The SADC PF President updated the Assembly on the Transformation Agenda insisting on the need to have all

  Parliaments to sign the Agreement that amends the SADC Treaty to enable the finalisation of the transformation process. The

  SADC PF President also lauded Zambia for being the 11th SADC country to append its signature to the Agreement to amend the

  SADC Treaty which signing would be after the official      opening of the Assembly to make one short of the desired 12   signatures threshold. Hon. Mancienne acknowledged instructive Speaker Mudenda’s leadership of the Strategic Lobbying Team         for the Transformation Agenda, whose assignment clearly is coming to

  fruition. In fact, he informed that the Lobbying Team had made tremendous inroads in nudging Member countries to append their signatures on the Agreement in the spirit of inclusivity.

4.3  In her remarks, Ms. Boemo Segkoma, extended gratitude to the

host Parliament of Angola for its excellent hospitality and logistical

arrangements. The Secretary General lauded Angola for hosting the

Plenary Assembly for a record fifth time and paid tribute to Angola

for creating an enabling environment for the economic prosperity of

the country.

4.4    The official opening session also featured messages of

solidarity, from the East African Legislative Assembly. Additionally,

H.E. Onyango Kakoba, Secretary General of the Forum of

Parliaments of the International Conference on the Great Lakes

Region, who expressed gratitude for the invitation and outlined the

role of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region whose

thrust is regional integration thereto.

4.5    Similarly, Hon. Dr. Tulia Ackson, President of the Inter-

Parliamentary Union and Speaker of the Parliament of the United

Republic of Tanzania, acknowledged the SADC Region for the

immense support rendered to her in her IPU Presidential bid. Further

to this, she also outlined the programme of work for the remainder of

the year, including the Summit of the Future and the World Speakers

of Parliaments Conference scheduled for the last quarter of 2025.

4.6    Furthermore, Hon. Shally Josefa Raymond, President of the

Regional Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (RWPC), paid tribute to

SADC PF for establishing the Regional Women's Parliamentary

Caucus and other organs championing gender issues at both National

and Regional levels. She emphasized the pivotal importance of

strengthening these Caucuses within Member Parliaments and urged

Legislative Assemblies to mainstream gender issues in their work plans.

4.7    In her welcome remarks, Hon. Carolina Cerqueira, called for the

creation of strong and resilient Parliaments capable of responding to

geopolitical issues affecting Member States. She urged Parliaments to

work collaboratively in addressing critical problems affecting the

region holistically, including the impact of public debt, conflicts and

prudential management of the public purse. Cognisant of the theme,

she exhorted national Parliaments to create a supportive environment

 for harnessing the use of renewable energy to propel the SADC

regional economic development agenda in pursuant of green economies.

4.8    The opening session concluded with a vote of thanks from Rt.

Hon. Nelly Butete Kashumba Mutti, SC, MP, Speaker of the

Parliament of the Republic of Zambia and host for the 56th Plenary

Assembly of SADC PF to be held in November 2024.

 

 

Delegates pose for a Group Photo after official opening ceremony

          

5.0   ZIMBABWE’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE THEME AND THE KEY DELIVERABLES DURING THE SADC PF SYMPOSIUM

5.1             The Plenary Assembly focused on promoting renewable energy policies and creating a unified regional energy pool market. Hon. Advocate Mudenda emphasized the untapped potential of renewable resources in the SADC region, advocating for the prioritisation of key projects such as the Grand Inga Dam hydroelectric project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He urged Parliaments to develop comprehensive energy policy frameworks, increase budget allocations for renewable energy and harmonize regional energy policies. The Honourable Speaker’s impactful address called for swift action towards a clean, secure and affordable energy future, highlighting the cardinality of nuclear power as a low-carbon alternative to enhance energy security and environmental conservation.

5.2    Speaker Mudenda further implored Parliaments, as accountability institutions, to effectively discharge their tripartite mandate of legislative, representation and oversight in order to ensure that the policy and regulatory environment enabled the speedy transition towards a clean, secure and affordable energy future for the SADC region. 

5.3 Prof. Kátia Gabriel, representing ISPTECH, an Institute that champions the implementation of scientific research through projects and interaction with the community through extension projects, delivered an incisive presentation. It was highlighted that the Centre had developed a system that combines solar power and biogas to provide electricity in rural areas. This involved surveying and categorising local waste and using anaerobic digesters to turn organic waste into biogas. In the process, the Institute educated the communities about renewable energy by exploring income generation opportunities from fertilizer production and small businesses benefitting from the generated electricity. Financial, technical and regulatory support in this regard should be provided by Government.

5.4    The Plenary Assembly also received a presentation on how Angola is making significant progress towards becoming Africa's green energy bank. Mapping studies by the Ministry of Energy and Water in the country had identified substantial renewable energy potential including 16.3 gigawatts in solar power, 3.9 gigawatts in wind power and 18 gigawatts in hydropower.

6.0    ZIMBABWE'S PROGRESS REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 54^TH SADC PF PLENARY ASSEMBLY RESOLUTIONS

6.1    Parliament of Zimbabwe presented its progress report on the resolutions from the 54^th Plenary Assembly Session held in Port Louis, Mauritius. Hon. Maybe Mbowa, Chairperson of Zimbabwe’s Women’s Parliamentary Caucus, underlined Zimbabwe’s achievements in implementing the resolutions. On the Resolution of the theme to promote climate justice by reducing the carbon footprint through measures in line with the Paris Agreement regularly reported to the COP, it was emphasized that the Parliament of Zimbabwe has established a Parliamentary Technical Committee (PTC) on Climate Change and the consequential climate action thereof. Accordingly, on 15^th and 16^th March 2024, this Committee conducted a climate change sensitisation workshop for all Members of Parliament, relevant Ministries and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). Aadditionally, Parliament promulgated Statutory Instrument 150 of 2023, which regulates the thriving carbon credits trading opportunities for climate action in Zimbabwe.

6.2    On the Resolution of the theme to promote climate justice by reducing the carbon footprint through measures in line with the Paris Agreement regularly reported to the COP

         The Parliament of Zimbabwe has established a Parliamentary Technical Committee (PTC) on Climate Change and the consequential climate action thereof. Accordingly, on 15^th and 16^th March 2024, this Committee conducted a climate change sensitization workshop for all Members of Parliament, relevant Ministries and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). Furthermore, Parliament promulgated Statutory Instrument 150 of 2023, which regulates the thriving carbon credits trading opportunities for climate action in Zimbabwe.        

6.3 On the Resolution which seeks to address climate resilience in a way which mainstreams gender and ensures that the voices of women are heard in decision-making processes on disaster preparedness, A holistic Climate Change Bill will be under consideration during the current session of the 10th Parliament. The Bill will operationalise the National Climate Change Fund to effect climate action in Zimbabwe.

6.4 On the Resolution to organise digital skills training programmes for rural women to enable them to effectively use digital technologies. The Universal Service Fund, managed by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), has launched a skills development programme targeting citizens in rural areas, including women and girls who were trained in digital skills and literacy.

6.5 On the Resolution on influencing governments to domesticate the SADC Model Law on Gender-Based Violence. Zimbabwe has enacted the Domestic Violence Act. Additionally, in January 2024, Zimbabwe launched the National Strategy (2020 -20230) to prevent and address Gender-Based-Violence (GBV). Five One Stop Centres have been established to strengthen the multi-sectoral response to GBV.

6.6  On the Resolution to call upon SADC Member States to increase funding towards education and to further create synergies with stakeholders in the education sector.

         The Zimbabwe Parliament has consistently shown a strong commitment to education by consistently increased budget allocations with the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education receiving 3.86% of the national budget in 2022, 3.73% in 2023 and 4.64% in 2024. Additionally, Parliament also allocates funds for the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) to support indigent learners at Primary and Secondary level.

6.7  On the Resolution to encourage Governments of Member States to review the education curriculum since most curricula have become relics of the colonial legacy and out of sync with the demands of the modern world.

         Zimbabwe has crafted the new heritage-based 5.0 education curricula anchored on teaching, research, community service  science and technology. 

6.8  On the Resolution to take urgent and deliberate measure to encourage and facilitate youth participation in electoral processes by creating policies and frameworks that reflect the needs and concerns of young people, amplifying their voices through organised platforms for engagement, and making electoral fees affordable for young people to enable their participation.

         The Zimbabwe Parliament passed the Electoral Amendment Act in 2023 pursuant to Constitutional Amendment 2, which introduced a ten Member youth quota in the National Assembly. Furthermore, Zimbabwe Parliamentary Youth Caucus attests to Parliament's commitment to amplifying the voices of young people in the Parliamentary processes. Additionally, Parliament annually hosts the Junior Parliament and the Junior Councils to debate policy issues affecting the youth such as access to education, digital technologies, drug and substance abuse as well as gender-based violence.

6.9  On the Resolution to call for immediate actions to counter the recruitment of youth by rebel groups and their susceptibility to violent extremism by offering enhanced educational and economic opportunities to engage them constructively alongside implementing reforms to safeguard the rights of young people in the region.

         Zimbabwe has established 68 Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) and 15 satellite VTCs dotted across all Provinces to provide life and entrepreneurial skills to school leavers. Recently, the National Youth Service programme was launched in order to instill patriotism, leadership and civic responsibility among youths in Zimbabwe. The Youth Bill is being crafted to ensure holistic youth empowerment.

6.10  On the Resolution to urge Member States to avert debt distress by pushing for stronger coordination between multilateral, bilateral and private creditors to offer debt relief to all countries in or at risk of debt distress, including reforming the Common Framework for debt treatment by making the process more efficient, transparent and inclusive.

         The Government of Zimbabwe has initiated a comprehensive arrears clearance, debt relief and restructuring strategy in collaboration with the African Development Bank and former President Joaquim Alberto Chissano.

6.11 On the Resolution to call upon SADC Members States to promote inclusivity and gender responsiveness towards climate change while at the same time, implementing the Paris Agreement.

         Zimbabwe has launched its Climate Change Gender Action Plan aimed at systematic mainstreaming of gender in all climate actions in both public and private sectors.

6.12 On the Resolution to prompt SADC Member States to formulate legal frameworks that compel miners to consider environmental rehabilitation and regeneration and hold miners accountable for any damage.

         The Zimbabwe Environmental Management Act provides for the sustainable management of natural resources and conservation of the environment in the mining sector.

6.13 On the Resolution to pass climate-financing budget and use all available instruments to mitigate climate change consequences to the people and the environment.

         The Parliament of Zimbabwe has facilitated climate-sensitive policies, including the National Climate Policy and various strategies on Climate action funding has been availed as follows: USD7 million in 2022 and USD15 million in 2023. The Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe marshalling a Climate Finance Facility (CFF) of up to USD7.88 Billion by 2030.

6.14  On the Resolution to facilitate capacity          building for women and youths to promote active engagement in agriculture.

         Through the Zimbabwe Farmers' Union's Youth Development Programme (YDP), women and youths are involved in the Pfumvunza/Intwasa, a sustainable small holder smart agriculture conservation farming programme and are receiving ICT training for agricultural value chains and market access. The innovative resources base includes the Presidential Heifer Pass-On-Scheme and 500 hectares of land for youth projects to boost farming productivity.

6.15 On the Resolution to domesticate the SADC Model Law on Eradicating Child Marriages and Protecting Children already in Marriages and for the enforcement laws that are put in place at national level to eradicate child marriages.

         This has been complied with through a Constitutional Court ruling in 2016 which stipulated that child marriages are unconstitutional as they violate the 18 years age of majority threshold. The new Marriage Act of 2022 thus prohibits marriage for those under 18 years old.

6.16 On the need to promote cooperation between respective Member States and BRICS

         As stipulated in section 327 of the Zimbabwean Constitution,

 Parliament ratified a 2024 Agreement with the Russian Federation on

Science, Technology and Innovation. Furthermore, Parliament has a

robust benchmarking visit programme and embarks on bilateral visits

which have strengthened Parliamentary Diplomacy and cooperation

with BRICS and other countries. Additionally, in April and May

2024, Speaker Mudenda led a delegation to Mozambique at the

invitation of Speaker Esperança Laurinda Francisco Nhiuane Bias,

which resulted in significant collaborative outcomes and the

strengthening of Inter-parliamentary cooperation agreements between

the two Parliament.

    Hon Maybe Mbowa, presented Zimbabwe’s Country Report to the Plenary Assembly

              

 

7.0   ADOPTION OF THE REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND THE TREASURER’S REPORT

7.1    The Executive Committee (EXCO) tabled its report for consideration and adoption by the 55^th Plenary Assembly. The EXCO of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) had met on 15^th and 16^th June 2024, in Cape Town, South Africa.

7.2    The Report acknowledged that the 55^th Plenary Assembly

meeting marked a significant step towards regional integration and

enhanced global engagement. The key discussions included the

transformation of SADC PF into a Regional Parliament and financial

matters, with an emphasis on continued lobbying missions led by

Hon. Advocate Mudenda to secure all the country signatures for the

amendment of the SADC Treaty to enable the SADC PF to transform

into the SADC Regional Parliament.

7.3 The Plenary Assembly approved the institutionalisation of the

  domestication of the SADC Model Law on Elections and endorsed

the continuation of regional webinars for sustained learning beyond

traditional Election Observation Missions. It also recognized the

cardinal role of the media engagement, including nominating

representatives from national Parliaments to enhance media

campaigns within a structured framework.

7.4    The Assembly noted progress in the SIDA-supported SRHR

 Project and encouraged member Parliaments to utilize the availed

resources. Addresses from partners like the APHRC and Oxfam

underscored commitments to enhancing Parliamentary effectiveness

and action on gender justice, climate change, and governance. The

resolutions adopted reflect a collective dedication to regional

integration and sustainable socio –economic development, marking

the Assembly as a significant milestone towards a fully-fledged

Regional Parliament.

7.5    The Plenary Assembly also received the Treasurer’s report

which stressed the need for the SADC PF to position itself to

transform into a Regional Parliament. In this regard, it has become

more critical, now than ever before, that the financial sustainability of

the institution be fully secured.

8.0    MOTIONS ADOPTED DURING THE 55^th PLENARY ASSEMBLY MEETINGS

8.1    Report of the Standing Committee on Democracy, Governance and Human Rights (DGHR)

8.1.1 The Plenary Assembly adopted the resolution for SADC Parliaments to leverage their legislative mandates to enact and oversee laws that focus on electoral risk prevention, management and the enhancement of resilience in electoral processes to ensure the integrity and credibility of elections across the region.

8.1.2 Further, it was noted that there is need for a collaborative approach to addressing cross-cutting issues such as gender equality and human rights in electoral processes in order to ensure the inclusion and participation of women, youth and marginalised groups in all stages of the electoral cycle.

8.1.3 There was a call for dialogue and consensus-building among stakeholders to implement the necessary electoral reforms through the domestication of the Model Law on Elections, to ensure inclusive and transparent electoral processes that align with international best practices.

8.2    Report of the Standing Committee Regional Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (RWPC)

8.2.1 The Zimbabwe delegation, stressed the importance of practical measures for women's access to resources and equal opportunities as mandated by the Zimbabwe Constitution. The report underscored the role of national legislation like the Immovable Property Prevention and Discrimination Act, the National Financial Inclusion Strategy and the Broad-Based Women’s Economic Empowerment Framework in promoting women's financial inclusion.

8.2.2 The Government of Zimbabwe was commended on the establishment of the Zimbabwe Women’s Microfinance Bank and Women's Desks in banks. Parliaments were urged to foster financial sector inclusion, provide regulatory oversight and to hold Governments to account for policies on women's economic empowerment and prioritise gender-sensitive budgeting.

8.3    Report of the Standing Committee on Human and Social Development and Special Programmes (HSDSP)

8.3.1 The Standing Committee on Human and Social Development and Special Programmes emphasized the urgent need for national Parliaments and the SADC Parliamentary Forum to address challenges facing children's rights in the SADC region. The Committee hopes that the recommendations that have put forward in this report will go a long way in addressing the challenges faced by children in the SADC region and thereby ensure their protection, development and respect of their rights.

8.4    Report of the Standing Committee on Gender Equality, Women Advancement and Youth Development

8.4.1 The Committee recognised the pervasive issue of violence against women in politics and elections. It emphasized the need for a level playing field, training programmes and the demystification of discriminatory cultural values. The Committee recommended comprehensive measures, including creating complaint mechanisms within political parties, criminalising violence against women during elections, raising awareness and ensuring support and justice for victims thereof.

8.4.2 The Committee further called for SADC Member States to adopt holistic measures to the conundrum faced by women in politics and during elections. Furthermore, the Committee called for research into the issue and the enactment of laws to protect women’s participation in politics.

9.0    RESOLUTIONS AND WAY FORWARD

9.1    Plenary adopted the resolution to intensify and finalise efforts for the transformation of the SADC PF into a fully-fledged Regional Parliament. Recognising the crucial role of a Regional Parliamentary institution in fostering democracy, good governance and socio-economic development, member states committed to securing the final signature to amend the SADC Treaty. This milestone will align the SADC region with other African regional blocs and anchor it firmly within the Pan African Parliament (PAP).  The dedicated task force, led the Chairperson of the Strategic Lobby Team, Hon. Advocate Jacob Francis Nzwidamilimo Mudenda, will coordinate and expedite the lobbying efforts required to achieve this goal.

9.2    Plenary adopted the resolution to vigorously implement the SADC-PF Strategic Plan 2024-2028. This plan provides a clear roadmap for the Forum's long-term goals, aligning resources and ensuring coherence of its strategic goals. Member States were encouraged to allocate necessary resources and establish monitoring mechanisms to ensure effective implementation of the Plan.

 

9.3    Plenary adopted the resolution to enhance collaboration with key partners to improve Parliamentary effectiveness across the SADC region. This includes the continuation of collaborative efforts with African Population Health and Research Centre (APHRC), Oxfam and other development partners to address issues such as child marriages, gender equality, prevention of Gender-Based Violence, climate change and poverty eradication.

9.4    The Assembly also resolved to institutionalize the SADC Model Law on Public Financial Management and other key legislative frameworks. This will involve capacity-building initiatives, innovative tools for budget expenditure tracking and efforts to enhance transparency and resource allocation by National Parliaments.

9.5    The Plenary adopted the resolution to build strong, resilient Parliaments capable of addressing regional challenges which include public debt, conflicts and energy deficiencies. Comprehensive strategies are needed to strengthen these legislative frameworks.

 

9.6    The Plenary resolved to recognise and support the efforts of Inter-    Parliamentary bodies. Solidarity messages from entities like the East African Legislative Assembly and the Forum of Parliaments of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region were acknowledged.

9.7    Plenary Assembly adopted the resolution to strengthen gender-mainstreaming efforts within Member Parliaments. Parliamentarians     emphasised the need for reinforcing the Regional Women's Parliamentary Caucus and integrating gender issues into Parliamentary work plans. This resolution aims to ensure that gender equality remains a central component of Parliamentary agendas, promoting inclusive governance and sustainable development.

9.8    The Plenary adopted the resolution to promote renewable energy policies and create a unified regional energy market. There is need to utilize the untapped potential of renewable resources in the SADC region and advocated for prioritising key projects like the Inga Dam hydroelectric project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the use of nuclear power to generate electricity.

 

9.9    Parliaments were further urged to develop comprehensive energy policy frameworks, increase budget allocations for renewable energy and harmonise regional energy policies to achieve a clean, secure and          affordable energy future.

9.10 The Plenary resolved to support the ratification and domestication of SADC Protocols on renewable energy. There is need for swift action towards transitioning to clean, sustainable energy sources, underscoring the necessity of nuclear power generation as a low-carbon alternative.

9.11  There is need for scientific research into community-based renewable energy projects. Member States should benchmark and adopt progressive systems that combine solar power and biogas to provide electricity to rural areas and in the process spurring community involvement. The resolution seeks to replicate successful models, ensuring financial, technical and regulatory support from Governments to foster local renewable energy initiatives.

9.12  The Plenary recognised Angola's progress towards becoming Africa's green energy bank and adopted the resolution to leverage mapping studies for identifying renewable energy potential. With substantial potential in solar, wind and hydropower, Angola serves as a model for other member states. The resolution calls for regional collaboration to maximise renewable energy capacity and create a sustainable energy network within the SADC region.

9.13  The Plenary resolved to uphold the role of Parliaments as accountability institutions tasked with ensuring that the policy and regulatory environment in member countries to enable the speedy transition towards a clean, secure and affordable energy future for all SADC citizens. This resolution underscores the critical responsibility of legislative bodies in driving the region's energy transformation, promoting transparency and fostering sustainable development.

The full dossier of the Plenary Assembly resolutions will be availed by the SADC Parliamentary Forum in due course for consideration by     Portfolio and Thematic Committees of the Parliament of Zimbabwe. The Standing Committees at Parliament of Zimbabwe are encouraged to access full reports of the Plenary Assembly on :  https://plenary.sadcpf.org/documentation

10.0  CONCLUSION

10.1 Parliament of Angola successfully aligned the excursions to the massive and extensive Benguela Solar Park, with the theme of the 55th Plenary Assembly of the SADC PF.  The delegation's visit to the Benguela Solar Park showcased the potential for sustainable energy projects to address the region's energy deficit and drive regional integration.

10.2 Additionally, the tour of the Port of Lobito underscored Angola's strategic position as a gateway to regional trade and prosperity, benefiting land-linked SADC countries, including Zimbabwe.        

10.3 The Plenary Assembly concluded by calling on Member Parliaments to continue intensifying collaborative efforts that ensure clean energy self-sufficiency and sustenance in the  SADC region and beyond.

10.4           Parliament of Zimbabwe commits itself to the full implementation of the resolutions of the Plenary Assembly which will be shared among all Members of Parliament to facilitate action by different Portfolio and Thematic Committees. 

10.5 The 56^th Plenary Assembly of the SADC PF will be hosted by the Republic of Zambia in November 2024.   I thank you.

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

         HON. MUROMBEDZI:  I second.

         Motion put and agreed to.

         Debate to resume: Wednesday, 30^th October, 2024.

         On the motion of HON. KARIKOGA, seconded by HON. MUROMBEDZI, the House adjourned at Six minutes to Six o’clock, p.m.