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SENATE HANSARD 04 SEPTEMBER 2024 VOL 33 NO 71
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Wednesday, 4th September, 2024.
The Senate met at Half-past Two o’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE
REVIEW OF STANDING ORDERS
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: I have to inform the Senate that Section 139 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe states that the proceedings of the Senate and National Assembly are regulated by rules known as Standing Orders, which are made by the Houses individually or jointly on the recommendation of the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders (CSRO). I wish to inform the Senate that the report by the Committee on SRO on the review of the Standing Orders has been circulated to Members via the WhatsApp platform. Hon. Senators are therefore, requested to submit their inputs on the proposed changes to Standing Orders or any other views on the current Standing Orders for consideration by the CSRO before the final report is tabled in the House for consideration and adoption. The inputs should be submitted to the office of the Counsel to Parliament, Office Number 468, Fourth Floor, Parliament Building by 18th September, 2024.
SWITCHING OFF OF CELLPHONES
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Hon. Senators are reminded to switch off their gadgets or better still put them on silent.
MOTION
APPROVAL FOR THE ACCESSION OF THE CHARTER ESTABLISHING SADC WOMEN IN SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI) on behalf of THE MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, INNOVATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. MURWIRA): I move the motion that;
WHEREAS Section 327 (2) of the Constitution that provides that any convention, treaty or agreement acceded to, concluded or executed by or under the authority of the President with one or more foreign States or Governments or international organisations shall be subject to approval by Parliament;
WHEREAS the Government of Zimbabwe has agreed to become a member of the SADC Women in Engineering, Science and Technology Organisation;
AND WHEREAS the term of the Charter Establishing SADC Women in Science, Engineering and Technology provides that the Charter remains open for signature for new members;
NOW, THEREFORE, in terms of Section 327 (2) of the Constitution, this House resolves that the aforesaid Charter be and is hereby approved for accession. I so submit.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI): Mr. President Sir, I move that Order of the Day, Number 2 be stood over until Order of the Day, Number 3 has been disposed of.
Motion put and agreed to.
CONSIDERATION STAGE
ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATES AMENDMENT BILL
[H. B. 3B, 2024]
Amendments to Clauses 3 and 4 put and agreed to.
Bill, as amended, adopted.
Third Reading: With leave, forthwith.
THIRD READING
ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATES AMENDMENT BILL
[H. B. 3B, 2024]
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI): Mr. President Sir, I move that the Bill be now read the third time.
Motion put and agreed to.
Bill read the third time.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE NATIONAL PROSECUTING AUTHORITY FOR THE YEAR 2023
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI): Thank you Mr. President Sir. I rise that this House takes note of the Report of the National Prosecuting Authority for the Year 2023, presented to this House in terms of Section 262 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. I so submit Mr. President.
HON. SEN. CHAPFUDZA: Thank you Mr. President. I would also like to thank the Almighty for bringing us back after a long break, because of our facilities which were being used for the 44th SADC Summit. In my thinking, yesterday I thought maybe as an announcement, it was proper Mr. President that we could have started by announcing that we have got a new Chairman in our country, the SADC Chair, so that all of us could give some congratulatory messages – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –
Mr. President, I would like to move on presenting my debate on the National Prosecuting Authority (NAP), which is a vital institution in the administration of justice, playing a crucial role in upholding the rule of law, ensuring public safety and promoting accountability. As a primary agency, the responsibility of the NPA is to see that all criminal cases are brought to the judges in time, protecting the rights of victims and holding offenders accountable to their actions. Through its dedication or to the pursuit of justice, the NPA makes a significant contribution to the preservation of social order and the advancement of a just and equitable society.
Pursuant to Section 262 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the NPA was pleased to submit its annual report which provides a comprehensive overview of its activities and accomplishments for the year under review, 2023. This report serves as a vital tool for informing Parliament, the Government and other key stakeholders, including the citizens of Zimbabwe, about the NPA’s efforts to uphold justice and accountability. By submitting this report, the NPA demonstrates its commitment to transparency and accountability.
Mr. President, the work of the NPA is subject to scrutiny and oversight by the Parliament, the public and relevant authorities. The Prosecutor General said, ‘I refocused the NPA ambitions by putting in place systems to create a transparent, future oriented highly responsive efficiency and effective prosecuting authority that delivers timely and just results.’ This is the statement of the Prosecutor General for 2023. It was short but I am pleased to report that the institution fared well for the just ended year. Therefore, the year was efficient and effective.
On prosecution to knock out crime and corruption, in the report, she highlighted that there is brain drain and there is also need that we take action to retain that brain drain to prevent skills flight and adopt a robust skills retention strategy. He also highlighted that he is working hard in order to retain public faith that the public was losing faith with the NPA. With such a small period of time that the Prosecutor General was in office, she had noticed that the public was lacking faith in the NPA. So, she was saying we are working hard in order to restore that faith. In my suggestion, I think what was supposed to be looked into very thoroughly is what has destroyed the faith in the first place that the Prosecutor General just coming into office for just few months could notice that here people are not believing in us and they are not supporting us in our work. She was saying she is working tirelessly through radio and other activities so that she could restore the faith. The baseline is to identify things that cause the nation or the people or the stakeholders to lose faith in the NPA that will help for the future. In the temporariness of political leadership that underscores paramount importance of our legal framework which serves as the bedrock of our nation, stability and continuity, the rule of law is enshrined in our Constitution.
Mr. President, the NPA should work independently without any favour, without any political influence and without anyone influencing them. They just do their duty apolitical because the issue for us politicians is that we do not stay for long, that is why in my statement I said the temporariness of political leaders, we are just here for five years then we go but the NPA as the organ of the State is there for a lifetime even for generations to come. They should just play their role without any influence from politicians who are just temporary, who are given the terms of just five years and tomorrow we are not here.
Mr. President, we want to protect the future of our country and the future of the generation. I would urge the NPA to just be firm in doing and executing its duties. The NPA also requires adequate funding in order for its operations to be done in a proper way. We also urge the Ministry of Finance to look into it that they provide enough resources for the NPA to operate and accomplish its goals.
On infrastructure development, construction and renovating of buildings, it has been cited that a lot of NPA workers are working using JSCs buildings which compromises the issue of independence. We urge the Ministry of Finance to provide them with adequate resources so that they construct their own building and renovate the existing buildings so that they can work independently.
On technology upgrade, implementation of the Integrated Electoral Case Management System to enhance efficiency, data management and decision making, we have talked of transport and logistics. There is also need of funding on that area so that they acquire suitable vehicles to facilitate them to travel from district to district and enable prosecutors to conduct regular inspection, monitoring and outreach activities.
The report raises concern about the alarming upward trend in murder cases which warrant immediate attention and action. The increase in such violent crimes is a disturbing development that underscores the need for enhanced measures to address the root causes of this phenomenon and ensure public safety. It is worrisome that in the report of the NPA, there are a lot of murder cases, people are killing each other, they are not respecting the sacrosanctity of life that life is precious, life is important; we should not just end it in just a simple way like just stabbing a person for whatever reason it is not permissible. As Hon. Members, in our constituencies, we should also try and investigate what are the real causes that cause people to murder each other.
Mr. President, the Prosecutor General also talked of the increase in interaction with the public, through social media, radio programmes and television to allow room for transparency and public scrutiny as we strive to win back public confidence. Acknowledges means to regain public confidence through proactive steps taken to increase interaction with the public, emphasis on transparency and public scrutiny.
Mr. President, I have also noticed some errors in the report, page 15 of the report of the NPA, prosecution staff was recorded as 450. As we check, the males there are 238 whilst the females are 302. If we add the number, they do not tally. It was also repeated on page 14 again. When we look at the first quarter, that is from January 2023 to 31 March, cases which were carried over and received were 35 305. Those who were prosecuted were 25 034 and cases which were pending were 10 353. We see that there are 82 more cases if we add those numbers. We do not know where this 82 comes from. I would just like to urge the prosecuting authority when they are preparing their report, that they should look into the numbers so carefully so that it will give strength to their report. Thank you Mr. President.
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Thank you Hon. Senator Chapfudza for your contribution. I just want to make three quick points, the first one is that the Prosecutor General is a woman. You referred to the Prosecutor General as ‘he’ throughout your debate. The second one is that you might not be aware that Parliament went to State House last week on Monday to congratulate the new Chairman of SADC and we did so on your behalf and all those Members of Parliament who were here in Harare – [HON. SENATORS: Hear, hear.] – In any case a motion is going to be submitted so that it is put on record that we congratulated His Excellency for attaining this very important position. Lastly, I want to commend you Hon. Senator Chapfudza once again, you are very thorough when you read these reports. Keep up that spirit – [HON. SEN. CHAPFUDZA: Thank you Mr. President.]-
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS IN THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT AND CABINET (HON. SEN. MATUKE): I move that the debate do now adjourn.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 5th September, 2024.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION FOR THE YEAR 2023
Fourth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Report of the Judicial Service Commission for the 2023.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. MAVENYENGWA: Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity Mr. President of Senate, to also add my voice on the report of the Judicial Service Commission which was presented in this House by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, I would also want to thank you Mr. President and others who also went to State House to congratulate the President. We were not there as we were having a workshop in Bulawayo, but I know you ably represented us because that thing is for us all. We are all chairpersons as the President of the Republic said. Thank you very much Mr. President.
The JSC which administers all our courts in Zimbabwe is led by the Chief Justice of our courts and mandated with the duty to advise the Government on any issues to do with judiciary or the administration of justice and it is said in the Constitution that the Government should pay attention to any such advice and take action. Mr. President, JSC promotes and facilitates the independence of our courts. Our courts need to be independent when dealing with issues presented to them by anyone aggrieved. It might be political, criminal, social or anything to do with labour issues. So, the Judicial Service Commission sees to it that all our courts are being run independently.
Mr. President of Senate, the 2023 report by the Judicial Service Commission tells us that there was a funding challenge during 2023 from Treasury. Even though a supplementary budget was availed, still the Commission had a budget overhung mainly on internet services as indicated in the report, vehicle services and repairs as well as provision of tools of trade. They were given a supplementary budget but still the budget was not enough for the JSC to carry out its mandate properly. From the disbursed and received amount of about ZW$105,141,852, 000, it was the Bond by that time before the ZiG which was given to the JSC by Treasury. As it is stated in the report, 47% went to employment costs. This means that operations were being hampered because most of the money was now going towards the employment costs of all the staff under the JSC. Mr. President Sir, the courts also collected, as they also receive some money maybe through fines which they receive after someone has been convicted. They collected and retained about ZWL33, 48, 26, 484.00 from across the country’s courts. The other sum was utilised for capital expenditure which consumed more than 58%, mainly on digitalising their courts because now our courts are digital. So they used the money which they were allowed to retain as JSC to make sure their courts are digitalised Mr. President Sir.
The 2023 report by the JSC indicates that they looked at all electoral cases because 2023 was the year we held our harmonised elections. They finished most of the cases to enable the country to conduct elections though some of the cases were concluded a few days before the election day, which made it very difficult for the Zimbabwe Election Commission to make sure that they had a smooth election as some ballots arrived late at the polling stations. This was because the courts concluded some of the cases very late.
The main challenges which were faced by the JSC in 2023 were to do with financing. Most of their programmes could not be finished and these included some workshops for their staff and also for judicial officers. There is need for the Finance Ministry Mr. President, to give them enough for their operations so that they discharge their duties diligently because we will all be looking at them, especially on cases to do with politics since most of the time during the election period, you would find there would be many cases which will be reported. Some of them to do with violence though the JSC commented that the 2023 harmonised elections were a very big success story since there were very few cases of violence reported in the country.
I urge all of us Senators during the budget period Mr. President, to support this Commission so that they are given what they ask for from Treasury. They deal with issues which affect many people through crime and the courts are there to provide justice. So, if they do not have the finances, the cases will take long because some of the management issues they have at the courts need some money like to pay for the internet so that they can use the internet to research on cases which are brought before them.
Mr. President, I want to applaud the JSC for compiling and bringing this report. It shows that they are also respecting the Constitution of the country which mandates them to make sure that they bring a report each year. Thank you very much Mr. President. - [HON MEMBERS: Hear, hear. ]-
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Thank you Hon. Senator Mavenyengwa. I also want to commend you. It is very clear that you went through the report thoroughly. Well done.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF VETERANS OF THE LIBERATION STRUGGLE AFFAIRS (HON SEN. H. MOYO): I move that the debate do now adjourn.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 5th September, 2024.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE ZIMBABWE ELECTORAL COMMISSION FOR THE YEAR 2023
Fifth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the report of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission for the year 2023.
Question again proposed.
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS IN THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT AND CABINET (HON. SEN. MATUKE): I move for the adoption of the report.
Motion that this House takes note of the Report of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission for the year 2023, presented to this House of Parliament in terms of section 323 (1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, put and agreed to.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE ZIMBABWE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION FOR THE YEAR 2023
Sixth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the report of the Human Rights Commission for the year 2023.
Question again proposed.
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS IN THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT AND CABINET (HON. SEN. MATUKE): I move for the adoption of the report.
Motion that this House takes note of the Report of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission for the year 2023, presented to this House of Parliament in terms of section 323 (1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, put and agreed to.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS IN THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT AND CABINET (HON. SEN. MATUKE): I move that Order of the Day, Number 7 on today’s Order Paper be stood over until the rest of the Orders of the Day have been disposed of.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
IMPROVEMENT ON SERVICE DELIVERY BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES
Eighth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on challenges bedevilling local authorities in the provision of services.
Question again proposed.
*HON. SEN. ZHOU: Thank you Mr. President for according me this opportunity to add my voice in relation to the motion on service delivery. I would like to appreciate Hon. Senator Mavenyengwa for bringing forth this debate. In every city, there is a lot of litter and on the other hand, municipal police will be chasing vendors on the streets. This shows that there is nothing in terms of service delivery. As citizens of Zimbabwe, we expect those within local authorities, especially in Bulawayo and Harare that is where we see a lot of challenges of going after income generation at the expense of service delivery.
Looking at these local authorities as they are put in place by Government, they must not be there for profit making just like other business entities. I say so because back then, first time home owners would get built up houses but now we do not have such services anymore. Right now, local authorities are issuing land to those so-called land barons to develop and make sure that there is water, electricity and roads. This in turn becomes more expensive to those people who want to build their own houses. These are amenities that should have been taken over by councils to put up the infrastructure instead of the land barons who inflate the price of the stands. I have also noticed that sometimes there is no proper reading of water meters, instead they just put down any figure that they want.
I did a small research in Mahatshula Suburb in Bulawayo where I stay. I randomly visited various houses to find out what is happening, only to discover that the amount which I was being asked to pay was the same amount of money which my neighbour was being charged. It has almost been five years now and I have not had any council workers coming to check on the amount of water used. It looks like the local authorities have a target to raise a certain amount of money each month.
I also discovered that other residents would be invited when it is time for the budget and they will just be told to say let us meet on such and such a day. Right now, we are reading in newspapers that such and such a council has approved this budget. Some Ministers will then reject such budgets but they do not chip in with ideas, which is drawing us back in terms of service delivery. If we keep on looking at it, we discovered that if the budget was to be tabled to all the citizens, on all the grievances for us as old people and people with disabilities, we could then try to negotiate with them to say the amount of bills being charged specifically to this group of people should be subsidised, because we cannot afford it. However, we are not given any chance to give our views.
On the issue of litter, my house is situated at the corner of the location. Sometimes you will hear people, maybe at the middle of the night, driving to dump the litter close to my gate. If a pet dies, they will simply throw it at my gate because there is an open space. Sometimes, I would wonder what will be smelling, just to find out that somebody has dumped a dead pet there. If you report that to the council, they do not take any action.
Coming to the issue of water, we are missing such a precious requirement. If there is a pipe burst, it can take close to three or four days without it being repaired.
On the issue of vehicle parking in areas like Bulawayo, people are crying. If you simply park your vehicle, you have to pay a dollar and for only one hour. If you are in a queue maybe in a bank, you cannot come back to check on your vehicle after the hour lapse because it will not be easy for you to go back where you were in the queue. After you finish what you were doing, you will find your car clamped. If they clamp your vehicle, they would need USD30 as fine so that they can unlock it. If you fail to do that, they will simply tour the vehicle and they would require you to pay USD70 more for you to recover your vehicle. If you discover that somebody will be in town for close to eight hours, they have to pay USD8.00. For a week, you need around USD40 for parking only. If you multiply that by four weeks, it will come to USD160. So, considering the amount of money which we earn right now, not even a Member of Parliament can afford to pay such an amount.
Last time when they discovered that my vehicle had no number plates, they asked me where we get such vehicles, now we cannot even clamp it; we cannot make money because of such vehicles. We cannot even ask for money to park. They complain that we are now seeing more of such vehicles. They are only focusing on money. There is need for us to go back to say, we need to provide service delivery. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. KATUMBA: Thank you Mr. President. I would like to thank Hon. Senator Mavenyengwa for this important motion. The issue to do with service delivery is very important to us as citizens since we are talking of having clean cities. If we look into the issue to do with service delivery in the urban areas, issues to do with litter, nothing is good in that respect. It is our wish that we should have vehicles which are allocated for litter collection. They should collect that litter may be twice a week. We understand that they are not picking that garbage because they have limited resources.
If we look at water reticulation in urban areas, if we give an example of Chitungwiza where I stay, some have close to one year without receiving any water from the local authority, yet water is a right. We cannot substitute water with anything else. If we look again into the issue to do with sewage, people are actually worried. I feel it is good for the Ministry to replace those old pipes. Those pipes were put in place, may be when we had a small population. Now the same sewage pipes are still being used but the population has increased and some people were allocated stands on top of those sewage pipes. Those are some of the issues which are raising different diseases and outbreaks.
It is my plea that the implementers and council should look into such issues. Also, the Ministry must be given enough budget allocation because the issue to do with health is very important. All that we are talking about concerning councils has to do with our health. Without saying much, I am saying simply revive budgets for those councils to provide good service delivery. I thank you.
^^HON. SEN. MOHADI: Thank you Madam President. I just want to add a few words to this motion which was moved by Hon. Senator Mavenyengwa. Madam President, we are talking of service delivery in our local councils. We are talking of a critical issue where in our local councils service delivery is a challenge. Looking at our local authorities, I do not know what is it that they are failing to get in order for them to be capacitated.
We are talking of people who are coming from their homes without enough training, which makes them fail to run these councils. Therefore, it is critical that they are trained on how to properly run these councils because right now, the way they are running these councils, they are behaving as females. They are not even considerate of delivering a proper service to the residents. Realising that I am here for just a short while, when elections come, I might not come back. Therefore, these councils need to operate in a way that they maximise council funds.
Right now, there are devolution funds but no one is accountable for how these monies are being utilised. These monies need to be used on purchasing machinery like bulldozers, which is not happening in these local councils. When we talk of a challenged service delivery looking at our cities, litter is all over, it is not being ferried to its appropriate dumping sites.
Every first Friday of the month is supposed to be a Clean-up day as articulated by our President, Emmerson Mnangagwa. This is what these places are only relying on. Local councils are not doing their part, which is why our cities and towns are littered.
The other issue is on their budget. Their budget is not enough for their different departments, looking at their allowances and their operations. I was surprised because right now in Matabeleland South, there were businessmen who came through to air their views as to how best they think their local councils can operate. Instead of council officials to come through to lay out their operations, these councils went to a nice hotel for two nights, which is where they stayed without doing anything. I will not mention which council this one is but it shows that work is not being done accordingly in these councils.
Still on the civil service delivery issue, their relationship with other stakeholders like Government and private authorities, do not relate well in getting new ideas as to how they can properly operate. Still on issues to do with relationships or partnerships, you would realise that some councils are partnering with other councils outside Zimbabwe. In most cases, when you realise there are other councils that are twinning to improve their service delivery, you realise that this becomes progress to our council operations.
Corruption is also a major challenge in our local councils. Even those collecting revenue and those working in these councils are not doing their best in elevating the operation of councils. They are mainly focused on funding themselves. Right now, we have councillors getting these stands that are supposed to be allocated to residents. When they sell the stands, they are not taking the money to council as they are using them for their personal use.
Talking of litter, we are no longer focusing on it because one council can go for a month without even removing litter and taking it to where it is supposed to go. When walking for about two to three kilometres in towns and cities, there is litter everywhere. There is absolutely no hygiene in these areas. You would realise that bus terminuses have become drug hubs where street people and children living in the streets are operating from. I wonder why police officers are not doing much to ensure these places are clear from such practices.
With these few words, I would like to say there is need for all councils to ensure that they are equipped with induction workshops before they begin operations so that they know how to operate with people and that which is expected of them to discharge their duties accordingly. I thank you. Have a great day.
*HON. SEN. TONGOGARA: Thank you Madam President for giving me this opportunity to add my views on this very important motion which was moved by Hon. Sen. Mavenyengwa. The issue to do with service delivery is very important to us as a nation. Right now, all the problems which people are facing because of poor service delivery are quite a lot. I cannot repeat all of them but all I want to say is on the issue to do with provision of water. Our Government discovered that these local authorities are facing challenges to do with water, that is why you discovered that His Excellency introduced the borehole drilling programme. We know they are not enough but we are trying our level best. All the boreholes which were sunk as well as the dams which were built, they had discovered that this is a big challenge. That is why the Government intervened and assisted on water. I would like to thank them a lot.
Madam President, as I proceed, on the issue to do with litter, a lot was said before. If we look at what was done at Pomona, people simply used to take it as a dumping site but with the vision of the Second Republic, they then decided to use that dumping site to generate electricity. I think local authorities should copy all those good things which are being done by Government for Zimbabweans to benefit out of litter. After that, still on the challenges on service deliveries, we discovered the degree of damages which are within our locations, our Government had to intervene and we discovered that a lot of roads were repaired. The good job shows us that our President has people at heart, that is the way of showing out to the whole nation.
Madam President, in addition, the other thing which was actually appreciated by residents especially those in Harare, was the issue to do with street lighting. People used to be abused, harassed, robbed, women and girls were being raped simply because the roads were dark. I would like to applaud that solution which came from His Excellency, which helped the whole nation.
After that Madam President, a lot was being said to say we do not have a budget for that but we have residents whose contributions are on rates and those ratepayers do pay to the council. For example, if you go to Harare City Council, if you want to pay the rates, the amount of money which you would have paid the previous month, if you go the current month, it will have changed or it will have been increased. They do not give an explanation of why they are increasing those tariffs, they simply say that is the debt you have to pay without any explanations. We need that to be rectified, we know our councils need money for day to day business. Councils should know that whenever people want to pay, those ratepayers should be looked into to say, are they capable of paying this? That is why you discover that a lot of people do not pay. They will default in paying, simply because the rates will be too high and that will be done on a monthly basis.
Madam President, I had the opinion that when those councils hold their budget, they get some monies and then we have some budget allocations which come from the Government straight to those local authorities, those funds should be utilised wisely. We need transparency whereby they should explain to say this money was used for this. The problem that I see is that when they do the budget, they will simply say such and such amount of money would be used to repair this road, but no one will then do a follow-up to say these funds were allocated for one, two, three things to see if they utilised the funds accordingly. They will simply do it according to themselves.
Madam President, when they receive that budget, they will simply take it without considering the proposed duty for those funds. Those local authorities do not have anyone to do follow-ups. We know that our councils right now, most of them have old equipment which need repair every now and then. By so doing, without the proper functioning of those facilities, you discover that you have a lot of sewage pipe bursts, which will then increase the outbreak of various diseases. If they have budgeted to say we want to use this amount to repair sewer systems, that money should be directed straight to what it was budgeted for, not to divert those funds to say those rates from ratepayers, the money should be channeled towards local authorities salaries - we are not going anywhere.
To end my debate, we know all local authorities are under the Ministry of Local Government. It is my wish to say those local authorities must actually work with the Ministry of Local Government and that the Ministry of Local Government should be the overseer of all those local authorities. They must do some follow-ups to local authorities, especially when they will be doing their budgets, they should clarify to say that this budget is allocated to such and such items and then they will oversee to see if it is the correct way of doing business and if the local authorities are being manned the correct way. If you leave everything like that, people will simply do whatever they feel like doing because they will not be expecting anyone to do a follow up.
With those few words, we need to have an evaluation to say we had udgeted for A and B. Have we managed to do all those? If we did not do it, what led us to fail? Then they should come up with the recommendations to say in future we need to solve it this way. By so doing, I think Madam President that we will end up having a change in our local authorities simply because they will be doing everything to be organised. This will actually end up assisting residents within those areas considering rates which they are paying for the council to continue doing everything the right way. I would like to end by thanking Hon. Senator Mavenyengwa for bringing this motion on service delivery because if we fail to have the service delivery, that is where we end up having the outbreaks of cholera and other different diseases. So, I would like to thank him very much. I would like to end by thanking you Madam President for according me this opportunity to add my few words.
HON. SEN. TSHABANGU: Thank you very much Madam President of Senate. Hon. Senator Mavenyengwa, I acknowledge the effort of bringing in a very engaging motion to this Assembly. With few words Madam President, I would want to add my voice and put my weight into the already existing and debated motion and I am sure extensively for that matter. Local Government is the closest level form of Government to our local communities, these are the people that govern us at our local authorities. These are our brothers and sisters we share the same infrastructure and same cities with. We are neighbours. They provide essential public services that include health, transport, sanitation and education facilities in our spheres. They provide an organised operational system; a governance system that we find ourselves in our communities where we come from. They construct the infrastructure, roads, the economic social infrastructure and they build strong communities by creating vibrant town centres. But one of the major challenges after really putting up this elapsed preamble is corruption.
There are different forms and there is no nation that is going to develop. There is no nation in the world and there are no local authorities that have developed and that they will continue to develop in a high scale as long as they do not stop the corruption. It is the cancer that has really affected, affecting and continue to ravage our local authorities. There are various forms of corruption, when we are talking about corruption. Madam President, there is what you call public corruption. which is a breach of public trust, breach of public office by those that are empowered to discharge duties and responsibilities in those local authorities or any office of power. There is what we call private corruption, where payment of bribes is the order of the day. If you want a tender, for you to succeed and get the tender; not that you have got the capacity or track record but because you know somebody and you have got a bag, Advocate Phulu knows what a bag is Madam President. Because you have got a bag then you will be able to get that tender and you fail at the end of the day to provide essential services, it is the community, the local authority, the Ministry and the country that will suffer at the end of the day. Madam President, there is what we call demand corruption. This is exactly what happens, in particular where there is an oversight even here in Parliament. This is where you see demand corruption taking its course because we are an oversight and it is mostly related to oversight authority where the demand corruption usually happens. However, we can see it in the local authorities because there is a Ministry, there is tendering and so on. Conventional and unconventional corruption is where public or Government officials will not put the public interest first in terms of discharging their duties and they affect the operations of the local authorities.
Madam President, this motion, as long as we do not respond, even if you bring someone from Mars to govern these local authorities, they will fail. The people who are at the centre of this corruption are known. The people who suffocate the operations of our local authorities are known. It is not a mere councillor who is elected, who does not even know how to read and write, but who can be involved in a million-dollar scandal in a local authority. Our councillors do not even know the value of the money but the big shots who know the value of the money have ravaged our councils. Let us not forget that when we are talking about this corruption, that is the reason why Hon. Senator Mavenyengwa brought this motion; he forgot what I am talking about in his motion. He forgot to talk about corruption.
Let me bring it to your attention that in 1987, there was a ZISCO Steel blast furnace corruption scandal. In 1987, there was the Air Zimbabwe Scandal. In 1986, there was a Willowvale Scandal. In 1994, there was the ZRP Santana Scandal. In 1994, there was War Veterans Victims Compensation Scandal. In 1995, there was GMB Scandal.
HON. SEN. MAVENYENGWA: I rise on a point of order. I think we are debating issues to do with councils but now Hon. Senator Tshabangu is bringing issues which do not have anything to do with service delivery in councils. He is talking of issues which were already solved by the courts. I do not know whether this is permissible. He should stick to council business where councils are failing to provide services like what he was doing earlier on.
THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF SENATE (HON. SEN. A. DUBE): Hon. Senator Tshabangu, I think you must stick to your motion.
Hon. Senator Ndebele having stood up to raise a point of order.
THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: You heard what was said.
HON. SEN. NDEBELE: I have something to say. I just think Hon. Senator Tshabangu was on the line of opening up the scandals which are happening.
THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: I have ruled. Hon. Senator Tshabangu, can you proceed and stick to the motion.
HON. SEN. TSHABANGU: Thank you very much for the point of order that was raised by Hon. Senator Mavenyengwa and the ruling that was made by your Chair. Your ruling is in order because I am on my line. I never deviated from my line. I just highlighted the examples. These are cases that are closed but are making references within my motion. It is still corruption. I am talking about corruption in the local authorities and therefore, I am making an example that let us not forget where we came from. As long as the motions are going to be brought without due diligence, then it defeats the whole purpose for us to be an oversight of such motions.
These local authorities, in their essence, are a mirror of the Central Government. We cannot separate the operation of a local authority from a Central Government.
[Time limit]
We need to ensure that the local authorities regardless of where we are coming from, they function properly. We should condemn the levels of corruption anywhere in Zimbabwe. Regardless of whether they are happening in Harare or in Bulawayo where the opposition is in control, we should condemn corruption. The reason is, if we are to build the country for the next generation to see, we need to address the levels of corruption. It starts from here Madam President.
Our colleagues from the other end should not feel offended when we are talking about corruption. Nobody should feel offended when we are talking about corruption. It is a cancer that needs to be addressed in any country.
HON. SEN. PHULU: I move that we extend his debate by another five minutes.
HON. SEN. MAVENYENGWA: I object.
Motion put and negatived.
HON. ZINDI: Thank you Madam President. I also rise to give my support to this very important motion moved by Hon. Senator Mavenyengwa on service delivery by local authorities. I will focus on vendors, by-laws, refuse removal, attachment of residents’s houses in order to settle outstanding bills for water, rates and also levies which are very high to businesses operating on local authorities.
On vendors, as much as we do appreciate that our economy has gone informal, I am of the opinion that our local authorities should also have been proactive in terms of coming up with suitable by-laws that can actually facilitate the vending that is taking place in order to address whatever the local authorities in their view would see as inappropriate conduct by the vendors other than what we witness on a daily basis in terms of running battles with people who are eking an honest living by taking whatever they would be selling.
We are informed that auctions will then be conducted but we have never heard a public announcement to say we raided vendors at such a place and we collected shoes, clothes, vegetables or whatever they will be selling and the auction is being conducted at this particular place. In fact, there are allegations that most of these wares they collect as they raid the vendors are either shared among the municipal police itself or perhaps with the officials and that does not create a good working relationship in terms of the expectations of citizens and residents who on the other hand are also paying for them to be vending at some sites. The expectation is that whatever they are paying and what is being collected by the local authorities, that money should be ploughed back in order to develop where they are vending or on their vending sites. That is the expectation and hence this is why citizens abide by ensuring that they do their contributions and they pay.
It is also disturbing to note that, today if you walk into OK or Pick `n Pay, vendors are lined up on the pavement, selling exactly what Pick ‘n Pay is selling in the shop. Pick ‘n Pay has overheads and vendors do not have any overheads. We have relaxed and we tend to accept that it is a normal situation where we see vendors lined up in front of big shops whom we charge very high levies, rates and water by local authorities, while these vendors lining up on the pavement do not have any anything to pay. I also see it as being unfair by local authorities, having failed to address that situation. To any person who is operating a business to experience that at the expense of what he or she is selling inside, I think it is very unfair. This is why we are seeing most businesses now moving out of the CBD and going into suburban areas, leaving those areas which have been identified as business areas.
As we see today, if you drive along Sam Nujoma or Churchill Avenues, you will find that almost every house is being razed down to create a building to set up a business, running away from the CBD. It is a concern, which I am saying local authorities, our councillors, mayors should address that situation. Today, if you walk into First Street, sadza is being cooked along that street. Green mealies are being roasted in First Street. Sometimes, you would even wonder how we are going to address the issue of sanitation. Faecal matter and urine are smelling in First Street and these are the issues that we are saying local authorities should address. I am giving First Street as an example. It is not only in First Street. Almost every other local city or local authority cities, this is the obtaining situation as we speak.
One other disturbing issue is rates. Earlier on one Senator mentioned about raising of rates, water and electricity charges. The bills are so high. Most people are not employed. Some houses have been inherited by children who are not formally employed and the disturbing situation we are finding is that local authorities - for example, I can pinpoint confidently City of Harare which attached some houses so as to set-off whatever that was outstanding in bills. That is disturbing. It is a situation where you would think perhaps they would talk to whoever is a debtor in terms of having a payment plan other than having to go through the legal system to attach. In this case, how do they anticipate these residents who are unemployed, who do not have formal jobs or regular income to be able to rescue themselves from these attached houses.
In comparison, you would say local authorities are also going to attach Government buildings in order for them to settle the billions of dollars being owed to them. It is a situation in which I think will cause despondency among the residents and it will only take one brave resident who will rally everybody to revolt against Government and hence violence. We need local authorities to govern in the best interest of their residents. That is my view.
Finally, I also want to commend. As much as I have been speaking in the negative, because that is what is obtaining, let me also commend, particularly the City of Harare. They made a statement giving a relief to war veterans and senior citizens, in terms of parking fees. They were exempted and this is commendable.
I would be of the opinion to say, all other local authorities should also, likewise, exempt war veterans and senior citizens on parking fees because the issue of parking fees has become like a fundraising to local authorities. It is like a cat and a mouse, the kind of how they are administering that by-law. It is disturbing and I would say, that is commendable for the role the war veterans played in order for the local authorities to be what they are today. For the councillors and mayors to be elected, it was all because of the war veterans’ sacrifice. They sacrificed their youthfulness in order to be able to deliver the independence that we are talking of today.
Finally, the by-laws that I mentioned earlier on in my introduction, our local authority councillors should take time to revisit the by-laws and ensure that the by-laws are obtaining with the current situation as it is obtaining. As we speak right now, most of our by-laws are archaic. They need to revisit that. I thank you.
HON. SEN. PHULU: On a point of order Madam President. Earlier during this motion, I procedurally raised a point which has not been resolved and no ruling was made, that I had moved for five minutes. In terms of Standing Order 93, a motion may be moved for that purpose. Once the motion is moved, it must be proposed to the House as a question for consideration. This question was not proposed as a question for consideration and that is unprocedural. I would move that we have a ruling on that issue.
THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Hon. Senator, there was an objection from another Hon. Member.
HON. SEN. PHULU: Where in the Standing Orders Madam President? An objection is not sufficient. After the objection, the question must be put to the House. If it is a Committee, put to the Committee. This question was not put to the House.
THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Okay, Hon Senator. I think one person is enough to make a ruling. One Member objected.
HON. SEN. PHULU: I was simply asking so that If I am pointed to the Standing Order because I have pointed to Standing Order 105 (1), it is very clear Madam President. I will not insist on it, but I am saying it is not dribbling. It is not small. If tomorrow a point of order is raised from the majority part and I can suppress it by simply objecting, surely no business of the House will move properly. You will be giving too much power to the minority, to me Madam President.
THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Okay, let me consult Hon. Senator.
HON. SEN. MAVENYENGWA: Madam President, I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. TSHABANGU: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 5th September, 2024.
MOTION
SHORTAGES OF WATER IN CITIES AND OTHER TOWNS
Nineth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the perennial water shortages in the cities of Harare and Bulawayo.
Question again proposed.
+HON. SEN. MLOTSHWA: Thank you President of the Senate. Bengicela ukuthi singathi hlalehlale sikhumbuzane ngogwaqo weMatobo. Madam President, today I address you with the urgency inspired by the importance of the motion. As we navigate the intracity challenges of our Matabeleland Region and Matabeleland South in particular, home to a rich culture, hardworking families and immense potential, I urge you to reflect on the pressing issues that lie before us, the water crisis.
Matabeleland South is not just a region. It is the life-blood of Bulawayo, the city that relies on our rivers and dams for its sustenance. Yet, it is a bitter irony Madam President, that while our province provides water to Bulawayo, many of our towns situated near these dams often go without water. The state contrast is unacceptable, we cannot hope to solve water shortages in the cities without simultaneously addressing the challenges faced by the very communities that supply the water. As we witnessed, the shortage of dams in our province directly impacts food security and economic sustainability. The prevailing hunger that confronts our nation today is exacerbated by the inadequate water supply in agricultural areas. It is of paramount importance Madam President that we invest both in new dams and the rehabilitation of the existing ones.
The construction and enhancement of water sources in Matabeleland South will not only alleviate food shortages but also ensure that our province remains a fertile ground for future generations. Moreover, we take proud in our province status as a cattle rearing powerhouse. As the backbone of our national herd, it is imperative that Matabeleland South is equipped with sufficient water supplies and to maintain and enhance this contribution. Without water, our cattle and our rural economies suffer pushing many within our communities to bring despair. While we appreciate the Presidential Borehole Scheme, we must acknowledge the harsh reality. The water table in Matabeleland South is generally low. We require more significant efforts to build bigger and better dams to address our water challenges adequately.
The health of our rivers and dams is critical to both their longevity and our ability to access water when we need it most. Additionally, we cannot overlook the adverse effects of environmental degradation on our water sources. Illegal mining and others forms of exploitation are damaging our ecosystems. Accelerating siltation in our rivers and dams, this critical issue cannot go unaddressed. Not only does this environment damage or threaten our water supply but it also dismisses the potential for sustainable development in our Matabeleland Region. What is even more disheartening is that many of these people reaping the benefits of our resources are outsiders, often leaving our communities with little to show for it. No improvement to our dams, no roads and no infrastructure. We demand that those who wish to profit from our resources contribute to the betterment of our provinces.
The reality is key. Since 1980, the Government of Zimbabwe has systematically under-performed when it comes to managing water resources in Matabeleland. We call upon the new Government to show us it is different because we need action not words. We need to see tangible commitment to delivering the water that our communities so desperately need. As your representative in this esteemed Chamber, I stand with Senator Ndlovu and other speakers in calling for an immediate comprehensive intervention to harness the water resources of Matabeleland and Bulawayo, and indeed Harare.
Let us commit to building the necessary dams, rehabilitating the existing ones and implementing sustainable practices that will ensure both water availability and the protection of our environment. Together, we can forge a future where every citizen of Matabeleland can access clean water and where our agricultural production thrives and where our youths can build their future without feeling compelled to cross the borders. I thank you Madam President for the time given.
+HON. SEN. NDEBELE: Thank you, Madam President for the opportunity accorded to me to support the motion submitted by Hon. Ritta Ndlovu, which is more vital as it speaks about things that help us in our lives and this is water. I will focus more on water Madam President. It is very critical in our lives. Lack of water has resulted in a number of diseases, of which we cannot even name some of these diseases as we do not have names for them. With special focus in Matabeleland and Midlands even though it has not been mentioned in the motion, I will put it there because the water issue is critical in our country Zimbabwe. It is painful because there are other areas that are left without receiving help. I do not know if their omission is deliberate or not. Talking of Matabeleland, we have other areas which have water. It once happened that I got to Gwanda under Parliament business. When we got to one particular clinic which offers maternity services and people who will be injured, that clinic had no water absolutely. They mentioned that for them to get water especially for ladies who will be coming for maternity services, they will have to bring a bucket of water.
It is sad because this issue is a critical one for mothers. With disabled people who are visiting the clinic, it is difficult to really look at who is going to bring this particular individual a bucket of water to this clinic. Those who might be injured maybe the whole of their body, who is going to bring water for them?
Madam President, I think ZINWA needs to be assisted by the different Government departments because even if they put boreholes in these areas, our water table is now far. There is need for ZINWA to be assisted so that people in these areas get enough water. Some of these dams that are available in these areas have dried up. When you get to these areas you hear people mentioning that they ferry water from very far-away places. I need you to understand the difference in the two areas. They are not saying they are getting water from a near place but from a far-away place.
Madam President, many people will be after getting everything in the household clean, but how do we clean everything in the household, you need to get water. For different offices to function, there is need for water.
Going back to the issue of local authority, I am sorry to mention the local authority because it is one of those places that give help regarding water. I think it is crucial that we have some of the workers in these offices as differently abled so that they really feel the criticality of getting water. Other councils are even failing to get a dam scooper to de-silt those dams. They cannot even have means of closing pits which are collecting water that are dug by those engaging in illegal mining activities. I think we can understand, especially for those speaking Ndebele. It is just that Hansard does not allow me to speak in Shona, I will say water is found very far away, not nearby. In our schools, we have children who are in Grade Six, especially girls. I would like to thank the Government for ensuring that boreholes are sunk but some of them are not being sunk in rural areas. There are certain areas where these boreholes are sunk. Other areas are not getting anything at all. If they are to get one, they get for a hospital. Girls who are disabled especially, have a time when they desperately need water every two hours, but there will only be one borehole in a school yard perimeter. Maybe a girl child spoils her skirt and needs water, is this girl going to be able to learn under such circumstances? Definitely she cannot. I said from the Grade Six girl child to those in the universities especially in towns, how do they continue with their lessons after spoiling when they are expected to go back to engage in their lessons yet they would have spoiled their attire? These boreholes may be available to those people who can speak out and those who remain quiet do not get anything. There is absolutely need for everyone to get water because it is a requirement.
As a Gender Committee Chairperson, next week I will be out and I will ask the SDG Committee to be out as well. There is hunger which has been caused by El-Nino and there is need for water. How do we get water when we do not have enough water especially where we have never had boreholes sunk? I will also talk to traditional leaders. It is unfortunate that their chairs are empty now. I would have wanted them to hear this. May they not settle people in water source areas because these water sources are being disturbed by residents that are being allocated stands where they are not supposed to be allocated? The same with mining areas, you realise that if you are to follow a gold belt, you will see that people have been allocated there and people are doing mining activities in those areas, hence causing siltation. We also need to look at cattle that cannot speak on their own, goats and every other wild animal including snakes.
Thank you Hon. Senator Ndlovu for moving this motion on the shortage of water. We can be down-playing this motion because most of us in this House have enough water in our houses, yet we forget those people who have brought us here, especially those in the rural areas, which is where we have more people. Most of us are from the rural areas where people who voted us here are located. Therefore, it is my plea that we take the issue of water seriously.
HON. SEN. RITTA NDLOVU: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. CHAPFUDZA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 5th September, 2024.
On the motion of THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF THE VETERANS OF THE LIBERATION STRUGGLE AFFAIRS (HON. H. MOYO), the Senate adjourned at Thirteen Minutes to Five o’clock p.m.