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SENATE HANSARD 06 MAY 2025 Vol. 34 No. 43
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 6th May, 2025
The Senate met at Half-past Two o’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE in the Chair)
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: It is my hope that you are well rested and connected with your various constituents. Now it is time to work again.
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE
SWITCHING OFF OF CELLPHONES
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Hon. Senators are reminded to put their gadgets on silence or better still switch them off.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
THE MINISTER OF PROVINCIAL AFFAIRS AND DEVOLUTION FOR HARARE METROPOLITAN (HON. SEN. TAWENGWA): I move that Order of the Day Numbers 1 and 2 be stood over until the rest of the Orders of the Day have been disposed of.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
CONDOLENCES ON THE DEATH OF FORMER DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE HON. CHEN. CHENHAMO CHAKEZHA CHIMUTENGWENDE
Third Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the sudden death of the former Deputy President of the Senate, Hon. Chen. Chenhamo Chakezha Chimutengwende.
Question again proposed.
THE MINISTER OF PROVINCIAL AFFAIRS AND DEVOLUTION FOR HARARE METROPOLITAN (HON. SEN. TAWENGWA): I move that the debate do now adjourn.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 7th May, 2025.
MOTION
CONGRATULARY MESSAGE TO HON. MINISTER KIRSTY COVENTRY ON APPOINTMENT TO IOC PRESIDENCY
Fourth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the congratulatory message to the former Hon. Minister Kirsty Coventry on her election to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Presidency in Greece.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. CHAPFUDZA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. GWATURE: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 7th May, 2025.
MOTION
BLENDING OF IMPORTED GASOLINE WITH LOCALLY PRODUCED ETHANOL
Fifth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the blending of fuel with ethanol.
Question again proposed.
*HON. SEN. KATUMBA: Thank you Mr. President of Senate. Let me begin by thanking Hon. Senator Zvidzai for this important motion that he raised which is about fuel blending with ethanol. I would like to say petrol blending is a very touching issue because in the past, we used to buy fuel at a low price. The increase of fuel price affects many other things such as the prices of goods. It also leads to poverty. Considering that there is Statutory Instrument 51 of 2024 that talks about mandatory blending of petrol, we are saying when there is blending, it is not everyone who can do it well and this is causing a few problems to other vehicles because cars are not the same. For example, because of blending of petrol and without mentioning the service station where I procured the petrol, after refueling the car, it cost me a lot of money to repair the car. It started closing up and stopped working, which means the actual process of blending the petrol. The Statutory Instrument must allow people to buy fuel of their own choice. There must be leaded and unleaded fuel because we are using different cars. It also gives me freedom to choose the cheaper one. That will reduce some of the problems that we are facing.
An increase in fuel prices affects a lot of things; it affects movement of a lot of things. If only the Minister would attend to this law and amend it, that can also give the opportunity for some who may be benefiting from this where we say there will be no unleaded fuel. There may be some people benefiting from that. The law must be freed so that people can choose.
HON. SEN. ZVIDZAI: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. S. MOYO: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 7th May, 2025.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE THEMATIC COMMITTEE ON CULTURE AND HERITAGE ON THE TRADITIONAL COURT SYSTEMS IN ZIMBABWE
Sixth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Report of the Thematic Committee on Culture and Heritage on the Traditional Court Systems in Zimbabwe.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. KUNAKA: I rise to strongly support the motion on the report tabled by the Thematic Committee on Culture and Heritage concerning the Traditional Court System.
The evidence provided by the Committee is both compelling and robust, offering a clear reflection of the lived experiences of countless Zimbabweans, particularly women who have been subjected to the traditional justice system. The findings underscore the challenges that women face within this system, where their voices are often marginalised and their rights overlooked. While traditional courts hold significant cultural and historical value, they must evolve to reflect the core values of our Constitution, values of equality, fairness and non-discrimination.
The need for transformation in the traditional justice system is not a matter of undermining our culture but rather, it is about ensuring that our cultural institutions can thrive in a modern and democratic society. By aligning the traditional courts with constitutional principles, we will not only preserve tradition but we will also strengthen it. This evolution is essential if we are to move towards a society where justice is equitable for all, regardless of gender, age or background. I wish to stress that this motion does not seek to dismantle our cherished traditions. Rather, it aims to reinforce them by making them more inclusive. The recommendation for fair representation of women in traditional courts is a critical step towards ensuring that the perspectives of all members of society are heard and valued. It provides the necessary flexibility to implement gender inclusion in a manner that respects and harmonises with cultural contexts without compromising the integrity of traditional practices. To illustrate the positive impact of such inclusion, I would like to highlight an example from Matabeleland South Province where several chiefs took the proactive step of including women advisors in the traditional court proceedings. Since then, the results have been remarkable and these courts have reported an increase in community satisfaction with the decisions. Moreover, there has been a notable reduction in appeals to formal courts. Therefore, gender inclusion has proven to enhance the credibility and authority of traditional courts. This example therefore serves as a testament to the fact that inclusive policies, if implemented thoughtfully and with respect, can strengthen the fabric of the traditional justice system.
In conclusion, Mr. President, we must continue to adapt, evolve and ensure that chiefs' powers are restored to avoid some jurisdictional conflicts. This motion is therefore a step in the right direction towards a more inclusive, just and equitable society. Therefore, I support the motion without any amendment. Thank you.
HON. SEN. S. MOYO: Thank you very much Mr. President. I rise today to commend the work of the Thematic Committee on Culture and Heritage and to express deep appreciation for the comprehensive report on the traditional court system in Zimbabwe presented to the House of Senate. This report does more than analyse our traditional justice structures. It offers a bold and thoughtful vision for strengthening them in a way that reflects our cultural values, addressing legal challenges and most importantly, upholds the rights and welfare of our children.
Traditional courts have long served as the bedrock of justice in Zimbabwe's rural and communal areas. They are available, affordable, and rooted in the cultural realities of our people. For families who cannot afford the cost or delays or formal judicial processes, traditional courts provide not only legal resolution but also a sense of community healing. This makes them especially vital in matters involving children, such as inheritance disputes, custody, guardianship and maintenance- areas where legal confusion or inaction can leave a child vulnerable for life.
Mr. President, the report rightly highlights the strength of traditional courts, their speed, experience and cultural legitimacy. However, it does not stop there. It allows the real challenges facing these courts; unclear control by the regime, gender bias, weak enforcement, and increasing appeals for formal courts that undermine traditional authority.
To that end, the Committee’s recommendations are both strategic and timely. The establishment of an Ethics Committee under the Chiefs’ Council is long overdue and will bring accountability and professionalism to traditional leadership. Capacity building for chiefs, record keeping and documentation will help standardise procedures and strengthen the credibility of rulings not this thing where chiefs are not told about what is happening in their areas where the councillors do as they please, all in the name of ‘all land is owned by the President’ disrespecting the role of chiefs in the process. Most importantly, coordinating fines and penalties with community customs will preserve cultural identity while making sure there are improvements across the regions. However, I wish to emphasise one particular recommendation that must receive our collective support; the inclusion of women and youth in traditional court structures. Currently, the under-representation of those groups affects the integrity of traditional justice.
As the report reveals, women often feel isolated, their voices overlooked and their cases not taken seriously or unfairly judged. For the children of single mothers or those in family disputes, the reality can mean lost opportunities, broken families and damage. We must build a traditional court system where every child can expect fairness regardless of their mother’s gender, their father’s clan or their family’s standing. Let us ensure that the court of our culture develop into champions of inclusive teamwork and justice, not leaders of unfairness.
Zimbabwe is not alone in this journey. Let us draw lessons from our brothers and sisters across the continent. In Botswana, traditional leaders receive legal training and are made accountable by a clear framework that defines their control and power in family and child matters.
In South Africa, customary courts operate within a constitutional framework where peers are permitted only on clear violations of fundamental rights, not on corruption or political interests. Ghana has begun integrating child welfare officers and agenda experts into its community to ensure child-sensitive rulings. Zimbabwe must not stay behind.
As the report suggests a balanced justice system, one that allows the spirit of Ubuntu, unity and teamwork between law and the traditional courts is important. For example, where child constitutional rights are threatened, the case must go quickly to the Constitutional Court. Once legal clarity is provided, the matter should be returned to the traditional court to conclude within the benefit of both legal authorities and the cultural relevance. This is not a dilution of tradition, it is an elevation.
Mr. President, let me end with a call to action. Let us implement those recommendations as soon as possible. Let us prioritise funding for training in rural areas. Let us draft clear guidelines on control, power, and develop child protection policies for the traditional court environments. Let us make our traditional court, not just a court of benefit by the people, but there must be a court of confidence and justice. If we succeed, we will not only restore trust in our traditional justice system but will create a legacy of justice, dignity and protection for the children of Zimbabwe. That is the legacy worth rebuilding. Thank you Mr. President.
HON. SEN. NGWENA: Thank you very much Mr. President. I rise today to strongly support the motion on the report by the Thematic Committee on Culture and Heritage concerning the traditional court system. One of the key observations raised by the Committee pertains to the appeal and review mechanism from local traditional courts to formal courts. This is an issue that if left unaddressed, could continue to undermine the effectiveness and authority of traditional courts and it deserves our focused attention.
The current system where decisions made in traditional courts are subject to prolonged and often complex review processes in formal courts create a number of challenges that hinder the timely delivery of justice. First and foremost, the appeal and review mechanisms are cumbersome, often taking a significant amount of time to process. This delay in justice is not only frustrating for the parties involved but also contributes to a backlog in both traditional and formal courts. It is important to note that the longer justice is delayed, the greater the chance that the issue at hand becomes even more complicated, leading to further disputes or even a breakdown in community relations. Justice must be timely to maintain its relevance and effectiveness. Any mechanism that unnecessarily prolongs this process risk erodes the trust that people have in the justice system as a whole.
Mr. President, additionally, the current appeal process undermines the authority of traditional courts in many communities. Traditional courts are seen as the first line of justice. They are deeply rooted in local culture and customs and their decisions carry weight with the community. However, when decisions made by traditional leaders are subject to frequent and prolonged challenges in the formal courts, it can tarnish their standing in the eyes of the people they serve. This sends a message that traditional justice is somewhat less legitimate than the formal court system. Even though those courts are an integral part of Zimbabwe's social fabric, the authority of traditional leaders and their role in maintaining peace and order within their communities is weakened and this deeply affects social cohesion.
Moreover, the complexity of the appeal and review process places additional strain on both the traditional and formal justice system. In many cases, parties involved in disputes must navigate a difficult, costly, and time-consuming process in the formal court system, which is often far removed from the communities where the original dispute occurred. This not only adds a financial burden on the parties involved but also creates a barrier to accessing justice, particularly for those in remote or rural areas who may already be marginalised in the justice system. Mr. President, to address this issue, I believe there is a need to streamline and simplify the appeal and review process. One possible solution could be to establish clear guidelines on which types of cases could be appealed from traditional courts to formal courts and which cases should remain with the traditional system. This would help reduce the number of appeals as well as speed up the process of resolving disputes. We must also ensure that traditional courts, if necessary, support the resources to make fair and informed decisions that can stand up to scrutiny, thus reducing the need for appeals in the first place.
In conclusion, Mr. President, the current appeal and review mechanism between traditional and formal courts presents a significant challenge to the effective delivery of justice and the authority of traditional courts. By addressing these issues and streamlining the process, we can enhance the credibility, accessibility and effectiveness of the justice system, ensuring that all Zimbabweans, regardless of where they live or what court they attend, receive timely and fair justice. I so submit.
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Thank you Hon. Senator Ngwena.
HON. SEN SIBANDA: Thank you Mr. President for giving me
this opportunity to debate. However, Hon. President, I will not stand and repeat what has just been said because I have noticed that all that I have written here on my debate has been said by Hon. Ngwena. It is as if she was sitting right next to me.
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Thank you very much Hon. Sibanda for that yielding of the floor.
HON. SEN MATIBIRI: Thank you Mr. President for giving me this opportunity to add my voice to this motion, which was seeking to enjoin the House to consider and adopt the report on the Thematic Committee on Culture and Heritage on the traditional court systems in Zimbabwe. I tend to concur with the last speaker Mr. President, that enough has been ventilated in respect of this report. Be that as it may Mr. President, I will attempt to look into those areas that I think need the attention of this Honourable House.
The traditional court system in Zimbabwe, indeed is an important integral justice delivery system, or justice delivery mechanism for our societies. It has survived the test of time and in this House, I seem to be getting the sense that its counterpart is the formal courts. Formal courts are alien to us Mr. President. The traditional justice system has been with us for a very long time. The report which was tabled in this House creates a very important challenge for us. I will go into two of these challenges but it is important to appreciate that the traditional court system in Zimbabwe is based on our cultural and traditional practices. So, it is closer to our day-to-day way of living. It has a kind of a structure from the village courts through the wards to the chiefs' courts. However, I also wish to draw the attention of this House to yet another court that exists in our society, commonly called dare. It is part of our system. It may not have been involved in dealing with conflicts at societal level, but it has often prepared society to deal with these things because the justice delivery would start from there and then graduate to the village courts, to the wards and the chiefs' courts. Mediation and reconciliation are very important processes for any society to endure. Societies often encounter conflicts arising from so many historical instances and Zimbabwe is not spared from such conflicts. Our history shows that we have walked through very painful periods. Mr. President, studies have shown that if conflicts are dealt with at the local level, the resultant peace is sustainable than that which is done at the local court level. There is a raging debate on localism versus universalism. Do we have sustainable solutions if we consider universal standards, which I think our local courts do? Or if we consider localised solutions at the community level, using our chiefs, using our traditional instruments, using our traditional practices, what results from the performance or the activities of traditional court systems in Zimbabwe is sustainable peace? Not only that, we build relations.
There is an institution called usahwira which normally arises out of a conflict. It does not just emerge. Often when families have challenges, they sit down under the mediation of traditional leaders. What emerges from there are deep and lasting relations. So, the traditional court system tends to provide a lasting and sustainable peace, reconciliation or healing in a community than does the court system as we know it today.
Mr. President, enough has been ventilated on the advantages of utilising these traditional court systems to lessen the burden on our courts. As time goes on, you will realise that we may also have a situation where we receive certain reports on what is happening in our prison systems which is a result of the court system, the ‘modern’ court system, if I could use that word. It seems to have failed society and a lot of our inmates are removed from how the justice system is crafted. However, when it is done at a community level, people sit down and use the language spoken at local level, a person who has offended another will understand why he or she is in such a situation. He or she is in a better position to reform than someone who has been taken through a court system where possibly the language, the culture, the etiquette is alien from this person. Even the dressing, you can fail to speak when you are before these modern courts but these traditional court systems are user-friendly, if I could put it that way.
The traditional court system also tends to preserve our culture, in particular through the use of local solutions. They do not put a burden on anyone and like I said before, emerging from there, we build long lasting relations.
I will not sit down Mr. President without also adding my weight to the findings of this report, which are very critical. Our traditional court systems must reflect the stage at which we are as an evolving society. There is no danger whatsoever in having more women presiding over traditional courts at local level because this is where we are. If such changes cannot come from this level, we will most likely continue to have a problem in advancing gender equality. Gender equality must not be an alien thing that is talked about in air-conditioned boardrooms. This issue must start at the local level. It should not surprise us to have women presiding over these cases and I think they can. Indeed, they can. There are ample examples where they have demonstrated their capacity to lead and such an opportunity should be given to them. This I think will remove a blemish that is often associated with our traditional court systems in that they are segregated, they tend to play down the role of women. This is a reform that we must embrace, chiefs included. I thank you.
HON. SEN. CHIEF NECHOMBO: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. N. MOYO: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 7th May, 2025.
MOTION
CONSTRUCTION OF DAMS AND WATER STORAGE FACILITIES
Seventh Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on climate change mitigation.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. M. NCUBE: Mr. President, I would like to add my voice on this very important topic or motion on climate change. We know that climate change is the discourse which is currently dominating the world, not only Zimbabwe but the world-over. It is a pity that in America, it is a dividing issue in that the Biden administration was very much in favour of mitigating and honouring the protocols on climate change. The Trump administration is reversing a lot of what was done then. Climate change is real as we have all seen and experienced. We have seen the changing weather patterns, not only here but the world-over. In some cases, what happens in winter happens in summer and what happens in summer predominates in winter. Those who were old enough realise or have experienced the changing patterns over the years and the impact in terms of water and food scarcity. In some cases, terrible degradation can be related to floods we experienced a couple of years ago in the eastern part of this country.
The motion calls on mitigation plans which have been incorporated, particularly by the Second Republic and most importantly, conservation agriculture, the Pfumvudza/Intwasa Programme so that there is very little soil disturbance taking place. That is now core to our agricultural activities in this country. We give kudos to the Second Republic for that. There is also an issue in terms of livestock management. The dung from livestock is also a major contributor to climate change issues in terms of releasing of methane. There is need actually to harness that. In some cases, you have biodigesters and use the methane which has been released for energy purposes. That is also now happening in urban areas and some of the local authorities are actually adopting that in terms of even sewage works, having biodigesters which actually harness the methane which is released in those facilities for productive purposes.
There is also an issue of agroforestry – the clash between cropping and agroforestry. You know the extensive land clearing or bush clearing which takes place when we prepare our fields has got an adverse impact on the ecology. Therefore, there is a need to combine agriculture or cropping processes with agroforestry so that whatever you take out, you ensure that at least you try to plant as many trees as possible to compensate for that. That has also been adopted by our own Minister of Agriculture, climate-smart cropping processes which have also been adopted by the Ministry of Agriculture. In some cases, some areas which are different zones or ecological zones are not suitable for certain crops. That has now been tailored so that in Region 5, crops which can actually thrive in Region 5 are grown there. Similarly, in other regions, the scientifically proven crops which have been tested are recommended for those particular regions. That is climate-smart agriculture.
Yesterday in Kwekwe, where the President was opening some silos which are controlled using AI, the silos are going to be spread countrywide. Some will be opened in Beitbridge. In some cases, the crops which are grown in Beitbridge are conserved in silos in Beitbridge so that there is very little movement of crops between regions. Where it is necessary to move crops within regions, you know that they are properly preserved for them to be good for consumption when the time comes. So, Mr. President, this is a very important topic or motion.
Climate change will dominate the discourse for the next 100 years. By then, we will be gone - yes. We need to make sure that when we go, if we go at all, there is need to ensure that those who inherit the country do so with some of its resources in place. Thank you Mr. President.
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Thank you Hon. Senator Ncube. It is a fact that in 100 years, all of us will be gone in here. Definitely.
HON. SEN. MAVENYENGWA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. M. NCUBE: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 7th May 2025.
MOTION
LEGALISATION OF TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY
Eighth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on access to safe legal abortion services.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. GWATURE: Thank you Mr. President for giving me this opportunity to speak a bit on legalising abortion in this country. I would like to explain why it is important for Government to accept that. Unwanted pregnancies, be it on girls or young women, they should be allowed to terminate pregnancies. We have a problem in this country of baby dumping. I remember, a week ago there was a baby that was dumped at Mukuvisi. I do not know whether the culprit was apprehended. All this is caused because men are refusing responsibility of impregnating women. They may know that they have been dating for a long time but as soon as they fall pregnant, they refuse to own up.
As women and as parents, we feel the pain. After bringing up a daughter, you feel so much pain when you hear that a baby was dumped, that person should be charged by law. It is not easy for them to be incarcerated for baby dumping. A girl child may be raped and some of them can easily fall pregnant after being raped. You will discover that some of these rape cases just disappear because the one who might have committed the rape may rush to lawyers, but the victim may not be able to do that. That is where the problem is. How can a lawyer stand for such a thing? It is important for us, in my view, to accept legalising abortion.
There are pregnancies that should be terminated. It is not about married people or couples agreeing to terminate the pregnancy but we are talking about rape victims, people with disabilities, people in bad health and some may be impregnated whilst they are not prepared. Government must accept that abortion should be legalised. The country is going to the docks. I am really supporting that this law must be accepted. We have primary school children around grade six or seven, they will be innocent and they do not know much. So, they must be educated so that they know that they have the potential to fall pregnant. These days they think that they know a lot because of technology. It is my request that we be heard, especially for us women when we hear that a certain daughter has dumped a baby, it is not a good thing. I thank you.
HON. SEN. CHINYANGA: I move that the debate be now adjourned.
HON. SEN. MAVENYENGWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 7th May, 2025.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE THEMATIC COMMITTEE ON CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE ENQUIRY INTO THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT
Nineth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Report of the Thematic Committee on Climate Change on the enquiry into the impact of Climate Change on Human-Wildlife Conflict induced by Climate Change in 2024.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. MUZENDA: I move that the debate be now adjourned.
HON. SEN. D. M. NCUBE: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 7th May, 2025.
MOTION
OVERHAUL OF DILAPIDATED STADIA
Tenth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the deplorable sports infrastructure in the country.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN MLOTSHWA: I move that the debate be now adjourned.
HON. SEN. CHAPFUDZA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 7th May, 2025.
MOTION
RECAPITALISATION OF PUBLIC HEALTHCARE INSTITUTIONS
Eleventh Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the state of the healthcare system in the country.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. D. MOYO: I move that the debate be now adjourned.
HON. SEN. WUNGANAYI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 7th May, 2025.
MOTION
SUPPORT FOR LIVESTOCK FARMERS THROUGH PROVISION OF SUPPLEMENTARY STOCK FEEDS AND VACCINES
Twelfth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the importance of livestock production in Zimbabwe.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. MUZENDA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. NCUBE: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 7th May, 2025.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE THEMATIC COMMITTEE ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS ON THE STATE OF DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Thirteenth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Report of the Thematic Committee on Sustainable Development Goals on the state of drug and substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation centres.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. MUZENDA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. NCUBE: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 7th May, 2025.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION (IPU) MEETING HELD AT THE TWENTY-NINTH SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES HELD IN BAKU, AZERBAIJAN
Fourteenth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Report of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting held at the Twenty Ninth Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29).
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. CHAPFUDZA: I rise to express my sincere gratitude to our delegation led by the Speaker of Parliament, representing our nation at the recent Global Climate Conference, COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Climate change has become a pressing concern that demands our collective attention and it is essential that we engage with the International Community to address this global challenge. The devastating effects of climate change are being felt season after season and it is imperative that we take mitigatory measures to sustain lives, particularly in the face of strenuous conditions. As a nation, we must acknowledge the importance of adapting to the realities of climate change and work towards preserving our planet for future generations.
Regrettably, global powers often demonstrate a lack of commitment to addressing climate change as evidenced by their tendency to renege on agreements. Nevertheless, we must remain resolute in our pursuit of climate action and continue to push for meaningful progress.
In our own country, we have witnessed first-hand, the ravages of climate change. Last year we experienced a severe El Nino induced drought which significantly impacted crop production and resulted in the loss of livestock. This year, we are facing above-normal which poses a new set of challenges. The unpredictability of climate is a stark reminder of the need for urgent action. During our visit to our national parks including Hwange and Gonarezhou, we observed the difficulties faced by our wildlife which in turn affects our tourism industry. This highlights the far-reaching consequences of climate change on our economy and ecosystems.
In conclusion, I firmly believe that it is essential to incorporate climate change education into our school curriculum, focusing on its effects, adaptation and mitigation strategies. We can inspire a new generation of climate leaders who will drive positive change and ensure a sustainable future for our planet by empowering our children with knowledge. I also urge my fellow Honourables to join me in emphasising the importance of climate and in supporting initiatives that promote environmental sustainability. Together, we can make a meaningful difference and create a better future for generations to come. I thank you.
HON. SEN. MUZENDA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. NCUBE: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 7th May, 2025.
HON. SEN. MAVENYENGWA: On a point of order, we have motions 1 and 2 which are reports from ZACC and Judicial Service Commission. We have not yet received these reports. We want to study them so that we can come here and debate them but they are yet to be availed.
On the motion of HON. SEN. MUZENDA, seconded by HON. SEN. NCUBE, the House adjourned at Ten minutes to Four o’clock p.m.