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SENATE HANSARD 18 MARCH 2025 Vol. 34 No. 33
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 18th March, 2025.
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
NON-ADVERSE REPORT RECEIVED FROM THE PARLIAMENTARY LEGAL COMMITTEE
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Good afternoon Hon. Senators. I have to inform the Senate that I have received a Non-Adverse Report from the Parliamentary Legal Committee on Statutory Instrument, Numbers 1 to 10 gazetted during the month of January 2025.
SWITCHING OFF OF CELLPHONES
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: I have to remind Hon. Senators to put your gadgets on silent or better switch them off.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE ZIMBABWE GENDER COMMISSION FOR THE PERIOD 2023
First Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Report of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission for the period 2023.
Question again proposed.
*HON. SEN. SHIRI: Thank you Mr. President for according me this opportunity to add my voice on this record report which …
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Order! I am advised that you have debated on this motion.
THE MINISTER OF PROVINCIAL AFFAIRS AND DEVOLUTION FOR HARARE METROPOLITAN (HON. SEN. TAWENGWA): Mr. President Sir, I move that the debate do now adjourn.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 19th March, 2025.
MOTION
PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH: DEBATE ON ADDRESS
Second Order read: Adjourned debate on motion in reply to the Presidential Speech.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. GOTORA: Mr. President Sir, I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. MAVENYENGWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 19th March, 2025.
MOTION
CONSTRUCTION OF DAMS AND WATER STORAGE FACILITIES
HON. SEN. MAVENYENGWA: I move the motion standing in my name that this House: -
NOTING the erratic rainfall patterns due to climate change, resulting on reliance on rain fed agriculture being unsustainable and unpredictable;
DEEPLY CONCERNED that the frequency and severity of droughts continues to threaten food security, agricultural sustainability, and rural livelihoods in Zimbabwe;
ACKNOWLEDGING that climate change mitigation requires pro-active strategies, including large-scale irrigation expansion and enhanced water resource management to ensure year-round agricultural production;
NOW, THEREFORE, urges the Government to:
- a) expedite the construction of additional dams and water storage facilities as a national climate adaptation strategy to mitigate the adverse effects of drought;
- b) accelerate the establishment and modernisation of irrigation schemes to ensure the stability of food production;
- c) conduct a nationwide assessment to identify and allocate sufficient land for large-scale irrigation to boost national food security;
- d) strengthen policies that promote climate-smart agriculture, including the adoption of advanced irrigation technologies, water-efficient farming methods, and renewable energy solutions for agricultural sustainability; and
- e) ensure increased budgetary allocations and investment in agricultural infrastructure.
HON. SEN. D. M. NCUBE: I second.
HON. SEN. MAVENYENGWA: Thank you for the opportunity you have given me to move this motion, recognising the profound challenges posed by climate change, particularly its devastating impact on agriculture. Zimbabwe's agricultural sector, which remains the backbone of our economy and a primary source of livelihood, is increasingly threatened by erratic rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts and other climate-induced shocks. It is, therefore, imperative that we shift from reliance on rain-fed agriculture to climate-resilient farming practices through large-scale irrigation and water harvesting infrastructure.
Mr. President Sir, the frequency and severity of droughts have escalated in recent years, disrupting traditional farming cycles. Farmers, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, struggle with unreliable rainfall, leading to food insecurity and economic distress. The impact of unpredictable rainfall is not just a seasonal problem. It affects national food reserves and market stability and overall economic growth.
Mr. President, our response must be proactive and strategic. The unpredictability of rain patterns means that we must no longer view irrigation as an alternative but as a fundamental necessity. Large-scale irrigation development is no longer optional but a prerequisite for sustainable agricultural productivity. Further, food security is a matter of national importance. A nation that cannot feed itself remains vulnerable to economic shocks and external dependence. Climate change has disrupted agricultural productivity, affecting staple crops such as maize, wheat and small grains. This House must recognise that food insecurity is not just a rural problem, it affects urban areas through price inflation, import dependencies and malnutrition among vulnerable populations.
Modernising irrigation systems and improving water management will stabilise agricultural output, ensuring year-round food production. This will not only cushion Zimbabwe against drought-induced food shortages but will support Government's thrust towards achieving food self-sufficiency.
Mr. President, I wish to commend and give gratitude to the Government and his Excellency, Dr. E.D Mnangagwa, for the progressive issuance of land title deeds. This policy has the potential to be transformative as it provides farmers with secure tenure, allowing them to access financing from banks and other financial institutions. Farmers cannot invest in climate-resilient infrastructure such as boreholes, dams and modern irrigation systems without collateral.
Mr. President, I also extend my appreciation for His Excellency in championing the Pfumvudza/Intwasa initiative, a highly impactful climate-smart agricultural practice that has transformed smallholder farming in Zimbabwe. This initiative has ensured food security at the household level by promoting conservation agriculture, efficient land use and increased productivity despite erratic rainfall patterns.
However, there is a need to expand and enhance the programme by integrating modern irrigation techniques to further boost resilience against droughts.
Additionally, the Village Business Units initiative spearheaded by the Government and His Excellency is commendable. This visionary programme provides rural communities with solar-powered boreholes, Jojo tanks, gardens and fishponds, has significantly improved livelihoods while ensuring sustainable agricultural production. It is an exemplary model of rural development and must be expanded to more areas to equitable access to water resources and food security.
Mr. President, large-scale water storage is an indispensable pillar of climate adaptation. Zimbabwe is endowed with several major rivers, yet the full potential of our water resources remains underutilised. Expanding dam infrastructure will not only serve agricultural needs but will also provide water for industrial use, fisheries and domestic consumption.
The urgency to construct additional dams cannot be overstated. Regions such as Matabeleland, Masvingo and parts of Manicaland have faced recurrent droughts due to inadequate water storage. Existing dam projects must be expedited and new sites identified for future development. Additionally, community-driven small dam construction should be encouraged to empower local farmers and reduce pressure on larger water bodies.
Mr. President, I wish to particularly acknowledge the Tokwe-Mukosi Dam initiative, which stands as a testament to Zimbabwe's commitment to water security. However, while its completion was a significant milestone, its full utilisation remains pending.
The Government must expedite the full operationalisation of Tokwe-Mukosi by ensuring the development of irrigation infrastructure around the dam, enabling thousands of hectares of farmland to benefit from its vast water resources. This will not only enhance food security but also create employment opportunities in agriculture and related industries.
Mr. President, moreover, irrigation schemes have been the cornerstone of agricultural stability in many successful economies.
However, many of Zimbabwe's existing irrigation systems are outdated, inefficient or underutilised due to maintenance challenges and a lack of investment. This House must advocate for a robust national programme to rehabilitate and modernise irrigation infrastructure. We need to prioritise the adoption of water-efficient irrigation technologies such as drip irrigation, centre pivots and precision watering techniques. These methods not only maximise water use but also ensure optimal crop growth, reducing dependence on unpredictable rainfall.
Mr. President Sir, climate-resilient agriculture cannot be achieved without strategic land use planning. A nationwide land assessment must be undertaken to identify and allocate arable land, specifically for large-scale irrigation projects. The assessment should focus on factors such as soil suitability, proximity to water sources and potential for high-value crops. This will enable a targeted approach to irrigation expansion, ensuring that investments yield maximum productivity.
Furthermore, land use policies should discourage settlement patterns that disrupt agricultural potential, ensuring that prime land is dedicated to food production.
Mr. President Sir, climate-smart agriculture is no longer a theoretical concept. It is an urgent necessity. Policies must promote: -
- The adoption of drought-resistant crop varieties and
improved seed technologies;
- The use of solar-powered irrigation to reduce reliance on
erratic electricity supplies;
- The application of soil moisture conservation techniques
such as mulching and minimum tillage, to enhance water retention by the soil.
Additionally, investment in agricultural research and extension services is critical to equip farmers with knowledge on best practices for climate and agriculture adaptation. Agricultural colleges and research institutions should be adequately funded to spearhead innovations that enhance resilience against climate change.
Mr. President, all these proposed interventions require a deliberate financial commitment. The national budget must reflect the urgency of climate adaptation in agriculture. Increased allocations towards dam construction, irrigation expansion and climate-smart agricultural programmes must be prioritised.
Moreover, the Government should actively engage with international development partners to secure funding and technical assistance for climate adaptation projects. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) must also be explored to leverage private sector investment in agricultural infrastructure.
Mr. President, as I sum up, this motion is not just about responding to climate change. It is about securing the future of our nation. A well-fed population is a productive population. A stable agricultural sector translates into economic resilience, reduced poverty and national stability. We must act with urgency. This House must send a strong message that the time for rhetoric is over. This is the time for action by implementing the measures outlined in this motion. Zimbabwe will not only mitigate the impact of climate change but will also emerge as a leader in sustainable agricultural practices in the region.
I, therefore, urge this House to support this motion and ensure that the Government takes immediate steps to build climate-resilient agricultural infrastructure for the benefit of current and future generations. I thank you Mr. President. – [HON. SENATORS: Hear, hear.] –
*HON. SEN. GOTORA: Thank you Mr. President. Let me take this opportunity to add my voice to this pertinent motion which was tabled by Hon. Sen. Mavenyengwa. This motion helps us these days on how we should evade climatic change, especially in agriculture and even our animal husbandry.
Hon. Senator Mavenyengwa articulated what should happen in terms of how we should live these days. He talked about irrigation schemes, PPEs and the modern ways of living. I want to go back a little bit concerning this motion, that it is not all of us who are able to use the methods that he has articulated. Some of us grew up naming the rainfalls. There were what you call Nhuruka, Gukurahundi and Bumharutsva but all these are no longer there. The rains just come. We do not even have winter rains. If you do not get to use the first rains, you would have lost. The question is; what should we do as a way forward for those who cannot get access to dams, because dams require a lot of money and the types of farming that Hon. Mavenyengwa referred to require a lot of funding. Some of us stay in faraway places near the borders. Even those who are in regions 1 and 2, what should they do? I think we should revert to the grains that used to be farmed by our ancestors, that they would harvest even during drought seasons. They would be assured of having grain in their granaries.
Firstly, we should go back to the Zunderamambo because chiefs had ways of providing food to each and every household. Those who failed to harvest would get food from the chiefs' granaries. What type of crops would the chiefs keep in their granaries? They would keep rapoko. If you go to the caves, you would find rapoko there, that is the first crop that we want to encourage people to grow. I do not know the individual name but they are there in the Matabeleland area.
The second crop is sorghum. It is not prone to weevils and does not require a lot of rain, it does not need fertilizers and irrigation. We are doing this so that we are able to curb the climatic change which is affecting everyone worldwide. There are several types of sorghum and hybrid types that need a lot of water. But long back we had varieties of sorghum that did not need any fertilizers, pesticides, or even more rain.
We have cowpeas which are different from hybrid cowpeas. The hybrid needs a lot of water. I am not saying we should not grow them but I think one should have a portion of traditional cowpeas so that if we have more rains or fewer rains, at least people will get something to eat.
We also have sesame seeds. It looks like it is a new seed but sesame seeds were there long back. In Guruve, Zaka and Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe, we grew up seeing that type of crop and we ate those types of seeds. There is another crop called buckwheat. It does not need any irrigation. After harvesting your groundnuts, you can just sow it and within a short space of time, it flowers, then we harvest.
The animals that we are keeping also need water, especially the breeds that we have these days. They need to also adapt to climatic change. The animals that we keep need more grazing area, they also need lots of water to drink and need to be dipped, which means we need a lot of water to put in our dip tanks but if we go back to rearing our old breeds of goat, they did not need any dipping.
We had a type of cow called Tuli, not what we are seeing these days which are very big breeds. They only needed a small grazing area and less drinking water. If we could go back to rearing that breed of cow but it would not be as profitable because these days, we want more weight so that we get more money. The traditional Tuli was like the traditional Shona cows. They did not need a lot of grazing area, a lot of drinking water and they could fight the ticks on their own. So people would live on that.
We also want to grow wild fruits which we grew up eating. We want to teach our children the types of fruits they do not know so that they will be able to eat those fruits. Those fruits could be dried and kept but you cannot dry an orange. We encourage each other to go back to the old days. If we want to fight the scarcity of water, we should change our eating habits because what we want to eat these days demands a lot of water. Those who know about nutrition which was there long back, which does not require a lot of water when we are growing the crops, we should teach each other so that we will be able to eat food that will make us survive droughts.
Lastly, Mr. President, what I have talked about, what we are supposed to grow, we should not demarcate our fields according to the crops but follow what we used to do because long back, people would do intercropping. I came across this in East Africa. If you go to Sudan or Uganda, you find that they would have all the crops in one field. Those types of crops share water so that the crops that need water get their water from the other crops in the same field.
With these few words, Mr. President, I want to thank Hon. Mavenyengwa for bringing this motion on climate change. We should be aware of it so that we do not face any challenges. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. SHIRI: Thank you Mr. President, for giving me this opportunity. I want to thank Senator Mavenyengwa for this pertinent motion which looks at climate change. It can be droughts, heat waves, floods and wildfires which will cause the emanation of carbon dioxide which affects the atmosphere.
Looking at climate change you find that challenges of climatic change is now world-wide such that people are now putting their heads together to come up with ways to get out of this pandemic. Worldwide, crops that are being harvested are at 30%. If farmers do not adapt to climatic change, as someone has alluded to, harvesting of crops like wheat, rice and maize can decrease to 35% to 10% because of climatic change.
Now climate change causes food insecurity. Over 80 million people in Africa are not food secure because of climate change because the rain seasons have changed. Long back, the first rains would come in September but these days, the first rains can come in December. I do not know from the chiefs, the knowledge that used to be there whether it is still there. We really need to be educated so that we can read the times. The other things that affect economic impact are caused by climatic change. Zimbabwe is in Southern Africa. Forty-three million people will be pushed into poverty in 2030 because of climate change.
Climate change causes a lot of things like floods, cyclones and extreme winters which affect our cattle and our crops. You find that we no longer have grazing areas for our cattle. We live on cattle ranching and growing crops. That is why people are being encouraged to farm animals like goats. So, we should change the way that we live. It is better to have goats than cattle only because if we stick to cattle farming, they are affected by a lot of diseases.
Some of the diseases are being caused by climate change. This issue of climate change is very important to us and we should move with the times. We should move with the times in accordance with climate change so that we win. When it comes to farming, people just want to farm maize, whether it is drought or not. There are short seasons.
We have ground nuts and rapoko and they resist heat. If we have drought, you can harvest because they do not need a lot of water. Broilers consume a lot of water as we are farming them.
At times, we will not have the water because the water level of boreholes would have really gone down. So, you could balance irrigating and farming. Instead of broilers, we can do our road runners which are drought resistant. I think we should go back to the old ways. Have you noticed that this year, in the Midlands where I come from, we are affected by armyworms? You find that those are results of climate change. Long back, we would have locusts.
So, things are changing due to climate change and we should be ready. That is why we have our technology. We have drones that spray and show satellite data of what is happening. We should move with the times and do what should be done according to the seasons. This is because you cannot spray 10 hectares manually. Climate change is here even in Zimbabwe, we are experiencing it.
We used to read about it when we were reading about hurricanes. However, now we know that climate change is real. There is a lot of education that should go on so that the majority should be taught about climate change and how it affects our lives on agriculture, especially us the disabled. If these floods are flash floods, they will affect us as the disabled.
The issues of climate change are very important that as a country, we should come up with laws. We should come up with disaster risk management Bills. We should include how climate change affects our lives from farming and our lives as people on how we should be ready, the early warning systems. It just does not come but gives warnings. We should be aware of the signs.
Now we know about cyclones. Many people know the patterns of cyclones but are the majority of people aware of that? People should be taught that this year there is going to be a cyclone and they should grow such types of crops. That information should reach all the people especially the disabled. The information should be in sign language and all other languages so that it reaches everyone. I was on Kasambabezi station and people were calling me from Hurungwe from all those areas. It is like they were not in Zimbabwe because there is some information that they are not aware of. Many people when they hear about climatic change, they do not know what it is. Other things that we can do because we see the presentations on international forum, we should make sure that all the people are represented especially women. They are the ones who are really affected. They should be in the midst of it voicing because carrying a bucket of water for 10 kilometres is not easy.
I once heard a fellow woman saying that because of shortage of water, I have not had a bath in two weeks. So, the issue on climate change, resources should be channelled so that we are ready as a nation and that if national disasters are coming, we are ready and are well catered for. Truly, we all have our work to do to fight climate change. With these few words Mr. President, I want to thank you for according me this opportunity.
HON. SEN. MATIBIRI: Thank you Mr. President. I also want to express my appreciation for the introduction of this motion from Hon. Senator Mavenyengwa. It is a very important motion. I agree with him that as we debate this motion, let us be guided by the understanding that the time for rhetoric is over and it is important to move towards implementation. This motion comes at a time when Zimbabwe has set its eyes on becoming an Upper Middle-Income nation by 20230.
Mr. President, when I think of an Upper Middle-Income nation, I see a nation with happiness and joy. I see families that are food secure, I see workers with disposable incomes and I see healthy people who are contributing to the growth of their nation. That is my vision of an Upper Middle-Income society which we want to achieve by 2030. It is common cause that Zimbabwe has been receiving erratic rains over the years. This was because of climate related factors.
The 2023/2024 season is an example where we received less rains than those that are sufficient to ensure food security at household level even at national level. It is also common that Zimbabwe is an agro-based nation with 30% of gross domestic product coming from agric-related activities. It therefore stands to reason that if we want to achieve an Upper Middle-Income society by 2030, agriculture is a pivotal pillar, so is mining and tourism. We acknowledge this in various blue prints and various policy documents.
We also understand that Zimbabwe’s main farming activities are supported by natural rains that come from heaven and if it does not rain, we have no other option. Our irrigation facilities are not sufficient to impact positively towards our vision for becoming an Upper Middle-Income Society by 2030. This is the context in which this motion is being moved, that let us climate proof ourselves – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.]- Climate proof in the sense that we will be able to achieve our vision because climate change is real but within that context of climate change, we still want to achieve our vision of becoming an Upper Middle-Income society by 2030.
If Zimbabwe relies on rain fed agriculture, any disturbance in rainfall patterns will impact negatively on economic growth and household food security. Mr. President, I am not an expert in national security but I want to submit that a nation that is not food secure is also insecure. Hungry people are very difficult to govern. People need food for the security of this nation.
This motion is challenging the Government to adopt mechanisms, strategies and policies which are meant to create an alternative source of water for our crops and animals without having to rely on rain-fed agriculture. There are examples like Singapore which has achieved that over the years, the same with Israel and Egypt. They have turned deserts into thriving agricultural activities and with it, their economies have grown. What I am saying is, if we have set our eyes on becoming an Upper Middle-Income Society by 2030, let us priorities smart agriculture.
We cannot achieve that status by relying on rain-fed agriculture. It is impossible and we cannot. We just have to be serious about transforming the way we farm. If we do that, we will slowly release a lot of our farmers from farming. A nation that is serious with agriculture has less of its farmers into farming. When you see that a lot of your people are into farming, it means you have not mechanised, you have not put in enough technology to produce more.
I know those who went to Precabe Farm, we used to know of the 12-tonne club and 12 tonnes per hectare, meaning farmers are harvesting 12 tonnes per hectare and we thought that was the highest but through mechanised agriculture, we can achieve 17 tonnes and I think we can achieve more. So, the more we rely on rain-fed agriculture, we will harvest less of our crops. If we want to support this pillar which is very important and contributes to the growth domestic product of this nation, we must go for technology, irrigation and we must, without any shadow of doubt, invest in large-scale water harvesting.
I acknowledge the existence of Tugwi/Mukosi, Gwayi/Shangani and other dams that are under construction, but I think we need to do more if our vision for becoming an Upper Middle-Income Society by 2030 is to be realised. This is the context in which Hon. Senator Mavenyengwa is asking this Senate, that let us move from rhetoric to implementation. Let the Government prioritise the development of large-scale irrigation facilities in this country, without which we will retrogress. That is when we begin to think about growing cereals and small grains so that we vaccinate ourselves from the vagaries of drought.
We can do that and survive but is that sufficient to march us towards that vision of becoming an Upper Middle-Income society by 2030? No, we need to do more. My challenge is that we certainly need to put our money where our mouth is. If we are saying agriculture is going to contribute significantly to the economy of this nation, let us put our money there. If we are saying tourism, let us put our money there. Let us rehabilitate dams and identify national projects. It has been done before with little success but I think we learnt some lessons.
They have tried to grow maize in winter in this country through irrigation. I think we should have picked some lessons on what is possible and what is not possible. We cannot say we failed, but we picked some lessons. Let us identify large areas, construct dams, irrigate our crops and restore our status of becoming a bread basket of not only Zimbabwe, but the entire region of SADC. I thank you.
HON. SEN. MUNZVERENGWI: Thank you Mr. President for awarding me this opportunity. I want to take this opportunity to thank Hon. Senator Mavenyengwa for raising a pertinent motion. I also want to take this opportunity to thank the Senators who debated and supported the motion by Hon. Senator Mavenyengwa.
The issue of climate change has affected all countries. The issue of climate change is an issue that is bothering and affecting many countries. It needs countries to come together and come up with ideas to fight climate change. When we were growing up in countries like Iceland and North Pole on huge mountains, you could see on television a block of ice falling and melting. We are now experiencing cyclones and some other climate changes. This is an indication that climate change is not affecting Zimbabwe only but many countries.
Mr. President, there are many pertinent points which have been raised in this august House. There is also an issue of hot seasons in summer. You will find that there are heat waves that are affecting our water reservoirs like dams and rivers. This indicates that it is going to affect the water table. In the past when boreholes were drilled, you could get water at 10 metres but for you to reach the water table, it is now 100 and 150 metres. This indicates that the water table is going deeper. Is there any programme or ideas which we can come up with as a country to see the level and impact of climate change on the underground water?
We must come up with ideas to monitor and know the amount and level of impact of climate change on the underground water. Even the plants which have already been mentioned by other Hon. Senators, are there any government programmes to educate people on the issue of drought-resistant farming plants? It is very important to educate people so that people can understand very well issues of climate change. Also, notify them about their geographical regions to the crops that must be planted in these different areas like Rapoko and different areas. At present, we see that those who used the Pfumvudza programme have managed to harvest than those who did not embark on the programme, their crops wilted. This is a clear indication that people must accept that if you plant using the Pfumvudza way which was introduced by His Excellency, the President, it is another way which has been done by the Government to alleviate hunger. The Pfumvudza programme is another way to alleviate climate change and also alleviate the level of hunger in the country.
I also want to emphasise what the previous speaker who alluded to the point that teaching people about climate change and how to fight climate change is best as also teaching them the best practices to prevent climate change. Our country was involved in the Land Reform Programme, but in all these areas in which the Land Reform Programme was done, there are dams which are there and the water in the dams must be utilised properly in terms of irrigation so that the country can have enough food security. The previous speaker also alluded to the fact that a country with hungry people says a lot of things and it becomes a security threat but if we have enough food in the country, there is peace and tranquility.
Let me conclude by saying the issue of climate change, if it was possible for the Government department which is responsible for climate change and those who are responsible for farming, it must be allocated enough funds to look at the best practices and ideas on how the country can be assisted in fighting against climate change and bringing peace through food security and a good climate. Thank you Mr. President for awarding me this opportunity.
HON. SEN. MAVENYENGWA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. NCUBE: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday 19th March, 2025.
MOTION
LEGALISATION OF TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY
Fourth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the access to safe legal abortion services.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. MUPFUMIRA: Thank you Mr. President for allowing me to contribute to this motion. I rise today not just as a legislator but as a woman, a mother, a grandmother and as a representative of millions of Zimbabwean women and families who hold sacred the values of life, family, faith and community. As we gather to deliberate on the proposal to legalise or liberalise abortion in Zimbabwe, we must be guided by the foundational principles of our nation, our Constitution, our culture, our faith and collective morality. This debate strikes at the very heart of who we are as a people.
To even find ourselves discussing at what point it is acceptable to terminate life is in itself deeply troubling. It feels alien to our identity as Africans, as Zimbabweans, to value life from its very beginning on the right to life. Mr. President, our starting point is clear. Section 48 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe guarantees the right to life. It makes no distinction between the born and the unborn. If we as lawmakers, have sworn to uphold the Constitution, we must equally protect the life of the child in the womb, the unborn child - mwana anokosha. We are a country that recently abolished the death penalty, recognising the sanctity of every human life, even for those who have committed grievous crimes. How then can we contemplate ending the life of an innocent child who has committed no crime? That would be the greatest form of injustice, hypocrisy and double standards. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states plainly that everyone has the right to life, liberty and security. Everyone including the unborn child, life begins at conception. The laws on exceptions are very clear in Zimbabwe. We have them.
They have given exceptions for cases of rape victims, medical reasons and incest, among others. The Ministry of Health and Child Care has a mandate to preserve life and not to take it. The role of the Ministry of Health is to save lives. While reproductive health services are important, they must never come at the cost of human life. Enabling termination of pregnancy as a solution to social problems risks turning our health institutions into centers of death rather than life. We acknowledge that criminalisation alone does not deter unsafe abortions, but the answer lies not in legalising abortion but in addressing the root causes - lack of education, poverty, sexual violence and weak support systems. Let us strengthen maternal health care and support women through difficult pregnancies.
As Zimbabweans, our identity is steeped in the values of ubuntu, I am because we are. Our Shona, Ndebele and other African cultures celebrate life as sacred from conception. In Shona traditions, pregnancy is a communal joy, celebrated and protected. A woman who carries life is revered, not dismissed or encouraged to discard her unborn child. The Pan-African Charter on Human and People's Rights calls on us to protect the moral and cultural values of our communities. Legalising abortion risks eroding our values, traditions and identity as Africans. Even the current President of the United States Donald Trump, despite the many criticisms he faces, is known for his pro-life stance.
He appointed judges who overturned Roe vs. Wade, reversing the legalisation of abortion in the United States after nearly 50 years. If even Trump can stand for life, can we not do the same for Zimbabwe? Pro-life is pro-woman. We cannot elevate one's life at the expense of another. The life of an unborn child is just as valuable as the life of the woman who carries it.
Psalm 139 verses, 13-14 declares, for you created my innermost being. You knit me together in my mother's womb. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. In my mother's womb, not outside my mother's womb. As women, we know the trauma that an unplanned pregnancy can bring but abortion leaves lasting scars, both physical and emotional. Studies published in the British Journal of Psychiatry reveal increased rates of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and even suicide among women who have had abortions. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has already taken progressive steps by allowing pregnant schoolgirls to remain in school, ensuring that they do not lose their future because of pregnancy.
Statutory Instrument 13 of 2025 mandates psycho-social support and ongoing education for these girls. Let us continue to support and not to destroy. Zimbabwe, Mr. President, is a predominantly Christian nation, with over 80% of our population professing their Christian faith.
Even in this Parliament, we start with a prayer, ending with, ‘through the same Christ our Lord’. Now, the Jesus we are proclaiming, let us get back to basics, to the Ten Commandments. One of the most serious, in my faith we call them mortal sins is, ‘thou shalt not kill’. Killing starts from the time conception is achieved. Our Constitution acknowledges the supremacy of God Almighty, including this Parliament.
Jeremiah 1 verse 5 tells us, before I formed you, in the womb I knew you. This is just describing how sanctity is our life and the dignity of life, is what we are talking about now. The Catholic Church, under Pope Francis, has consistently opposed abortion, calling it homicide. Pope Francis said, abortion, I quote, is like hiring a hitman to eliminate human life. While the church extends mercy to women, it firmly teaches that life is sacred from the moment of conception. As Christians and as a nation under God, we cannot legislate laws that stand in opposition to our faith and beliefs.
Mr. President, the issue of morality, what kind of a society do we want to become? What kind of morality are we building? If we legalise abortion on demand, are we not setting a dangerous precedent that life is disposable when inconvenient? Do we want to look back and realise we became the generation that legalised killing of the unborn? And yet, as a nation, as a Parliament, as Zimbabwe, we reversed the death penalty. We were elected by people who dream of a Zimbabwe that grows into a prosperous, self-reliant, middle-income nation, not one that devalues its people before they are even born. Let other countries adopt these anti-life laws but not our God-given Zimbabwe. We must address the root cause. Rape, incest and abuse must be met with the harshest, deterrent sentences so that people will not freely rape, knowing that they will get away with it. Rape is one of those issues we should have severe sentencing, maybe more than 50 years and no parole. This will deter people who take it lightly. What we need to do as Parliamentarians is to ensure that the enforcement and the timeous enforcement of rapists is done soonest. Just like the issue on the stealing of cattle. You know that if you just steal one cow, it is nine years straight. So, we should come up with such laws which deter and make people afraid of rape.
Talking of rape, it is not outside people who do the rape. We in the families are protecting the rapists and women in particular because he is my brother or he is my son-in-law, I will not get what I was supposed to get, so let us not report. They must be reported immediately. It is the family which is protecting these rapists. In the end, we want to kill the unborn child.
We know in Zimbabwe, if you do not have a child, you will be given all sorts of names; ngomwa, whatever but what makes us so sure that this unborn child I was going to have, maybe that is the only one which God had given me and I want the child killed. Who remains with psycho-social pain even long after we are gone? We want to make sure that our children are going to be in trouble. They also have conscience. We have laws here which stipulate clearly that a child is a child under 18. We should ensure that as a society and as a country, we have deterrent activities. It should not take more than two weeks or a week. We should have instances that once it is found out that this has happened, the police should come in and the doctors should do their work promptly so that justice is done instantly because justice delayed is justice denied.
So, by making it easy for the rapists to kill the unborn child, we are making them get away with murder. During the contributions, some people said one of the issues is that we do not want to stay in the family with a child whom we do not know the father. So, it is better to make sure that the child is not disturbed; so let us just kill it. I want to pose a question to people in this House, men in particular. How sure are you that those you call your children are your children? How sure are you? We, the women, know that this is my child but in Shona, we have a saying that gomba harina mwana and you are busy looking after children who are not yours. But now this one, because the child is young, you say let us just kill. Let us address the issue. Instead of ending lives, we must offer better alternatives such as foster parenting, adoption and safe homes that can provide sanctuary for both the mother and child.
As families, we also love our children even if they are raped. Let us look after them and love them because you never know in future who is going to look after you. Maybe that person you killed because the father was not known; how many families do you know who have children whose fathers are unknown? They are still part of our family and that is our culture. However, let us deter the rapists. To families worried about shame, I mean I just said it now, do not worry about shame because you do not know, we have just told you these are your children. Let us just adopt and accept the children who come to us.
In conclusion, this is an ethical and moral matter and one that should be addressed not just through law but through deep societal healing. Government should work closely with churches, traditional leaders and community organisations. We must be bold and courageous to fight the root cause and not just the system. As it is written in Deuteronomy 30:19, “I have set before you, life and death, blessings and curses”. Now, let us choose life so that you and your children may live. I thank you.
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Thank you Hon. Senator Mupfumira.
HON. SEN. MLOTSHWA: Mr. President, thank you for the recognition. I rise today to support the motion raised by Honorable Chinyanga, a motion to review the Termination of Pregnancy Act. Mr. President, our prayer is that the Parliament of Zimbabwe urgently reviews the Termination of Pregnancy Act, [Chapter 15:10] of 1977 to address its discriminatory provisions and to align our laws with international best practices. It is imperative that we look inward at our laws and their implications to our constituents, especially the vulnerable population such as girls under the age of 18. This is a group very close to my heart Mr. President. As a mother, I shall focus mainly on these young girls below the age of 18.
It is true that most women or girls in Zimbabwe have been sexually abused at a certain point in their lives. The statistics are there and it is said one in four women between the ages of 15 to 49 have been sexually abused according to a recent study by UNFPA. This figure is alarming Honorable Members, considering that the world average according to UNCEF is 1:8 in women or girls. Therefore, as a country, we have a huge problem. We have a high prevalence of sexual abuse. The consequences of sexual abuse are nothing new to us. We know sexually transmitted diseases are passed and also unwanted pregnancy. Our laws are very clear. Thanks to the Constitution and to the criminal laws, protection of children and young people, that the age of consent is set at 18 years. However, we know that in our constituencies, young girls become sexually active before they attain the age of 18 years. But our law is very clear that any intercourse with this group is illegal.
The problem that has stemmed from this is that these young girls are getting pregnant either as a result of forced sexual intercourse or within the Romeo and Juliet scenario with their young boyfriends. I will explain these two scenarios and how our law is affecting the girl child. Firstly, for the forced intercourse, I tell you that there are living examples of those who report the matter but fail to get a termination on time. The current procedure of obtaining termination order is just too cumbersome. I think we all know of the case Mr. President, of Mildred Mapingure, which has already been mentioned by the mover of the motion. Victims are referred from the police to the prosecutors, to the doctors and to the magistrates. There are no clear timelines or procedures.
I suggest Mr. President, having a designated office for these scenarios and ready and trained officers who will assist victims. Mr. President, there should be an internal referral pathway wherein once a file is opened by the police, they know they are sending it to a medical person, then the prosecutor and finally the magistrate. That should be done by officials themselves within their structure rather than burden the victim.
Hon. Members, Mr. President, imagine a 14-year-old who has been raped. They have never been to the court, the police, or the hospital. We expect them to find the relevant persons within these institutions. This is burdening an already burdened individual. Some victims are even asked to wait until the finalisation of the trial but this takes ages and the victims end up giving birth. We have to do away with bureaucratic processes. They are necessary and irrelevant.
Mr. President, the second group is those girls below 18 who indulge in sexual intercourse with their boyfriends and we know this generation is doing it. It is not a secret. Technology has exposed them to these things and it is happening no matter how we want to deny it. However, these young girls are not allowed to access contraceptives and end up getting pregnant.
I will tell you as a rural MP that in most rural areas, most girls do not reach the age of 18 before they become pregnant. Remember the statistics from our Government last year. Around 4,557 girls dropped out of school due to pregnancy, 3 942 were from rural areas and 615 were from urban areas. Hon. Members, Mr. President, this means over 4 000 girls have a hopeless future.
We are busy trying to empower the girl child and boosting our Constitution to provide equal opportunities for men and women. Busy citing section 80 but meanwhile, over 4 500 girls are dropping out of school and have joined the vicious cycle of poverty.
In that report from last year, Hon.Torerai Moyo, the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education cited that there is an Education Act that allows girls to continue with education, but we all know that once a girl becomes a mother, life changes. One cannot go back to school. At the same time, 4, 00 boys who impregnated these girls are continuing with their lives and empowering themselves.
Hon. Members, Mr. President, my heart bleeds in that the second group of girls where there was consensual sex with their age mates, that is not considered as rape. Our law is therefore clear that termination of pregnancy is not permissible in their circumstances. This means that a girl who wants to terminate ends up going for the concoctions, the hangers and the needles and will lose life through the backstreet terminations.
Mr. President, Hon. Members, I support the motion mainly focussing on the girls below 18. Our law has excluded them. They should be included in the permissible grounds.
Furthermore, I wish to emphasise that the already existing law is not fully protecting the girl child as the procedures are bureaucratic. I propose Mr. President, Hon. Members, that we review the Termination of Pregnancy Act, specifically to address the following: - that we repeal sections 5 to 8 of the Act and the regulations that ensure we do away with rape for termination. We should do away with the requirement of approval by two doctors and approval by the superintendent.
Secondly, introduce a one-stop shop where victims of sexual abuse report their matter and are urgently assisted in obtaining an order of termination of pregnancy.
Thirdly, introduce timelines, for example, that the order of termination and the termination process must be completed within four weeks of the report. Lastly, the definition of unlawful sexual intercourse includes sexual intercourse with a minor.
In conclusion, Mr. President, this motion is a welcome development in Zimbabwe. We should take notes from our regional friends, especially Rwanda. As mentioned by the mover, this review of the Act is not encouraging killings but seeking to slightly expand the already existing grounds to include vulnerable girls below 18 years. This is to empower them and ensure they have equal opportunities like their male counterparts and that they enjoy their constitutional rights, especially the right to education.
Mr. President, in pursuit of a just and equitable society, we must ensure that our laws reflect the rights of all citizens, not just a select few. Hon. Members, as I conclude, can we as parents, as grandparents, think of our children, think of how much they are affected by rape and think of those who are experiencing incest. We had a case in my constituency of a young girl who got pregnant, of course, by her boyfriend. When she told the boyfriend that she was pregnant, she was 14 years old, the boy told her, no, I cannot accept the pregnancy because I think you have many other boyfriends. She went on to commit suicide.
So, this loss of life that we are talking about, remember that we are losing our children because whether we amend the Act or we review the Act, abortions are still happening. Over 66 000 illegal abortions happen every year in this country.
Let us think of our children. Let us think of their future. When your 12-year-old is raped, her getting a termination must be swift. She deserves it. She is a young girl. She did not ask to be raped. Of course, we should prosecute the rapists swiftly and what they get at the High Court, it should be a deterrent that they stop raping. However, the fact that the Government is to come in to deal with our sexual moralities and immoralities shows we have a problem, a problem of children who are being raped and a problem of incest in this country. I attended a workshop of young girls Mr. President and these girls are in universities. They were telling me that there is no week in the university where there is someone who has not had an illegal abortion. Our children are dying and we want to claim we are a moral country. If we are moral, we should stop sleeping with children. Mr. President, thank you very much.
HON. SEN. CHINYANGA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. RUNGANI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 19th March, 2025.
MOTION
PROTECTION OF GENDER RIGHTS AND PENALTIES TO OFFENDERS FLOUTING GENDER LAWS
Fifth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the protection of Gender Rights.
Question again proposed.
*HON. SEN. SHIRI: Thank you Mr. President for giving me this opportunity to add my voice to the motion tabled by Hon. Sen. Mlotshwa on the issue of gender rights. The issue of gender rights is very pertinent. It encompasses men and women, the elderly, boys and girls, the disabled, the educated and uneducated, the poor and the rich. This clearly indicates that there are a lot of things that can be faced by people in terms of equality and rights being processed even in the courts, the justice system and digital rights. A lot of issues are being included in the issue of rights.
The Republic of Zimbabwe came up with the Gender Commission, which is an independent body. The issue of the rights of every Zimbabwean, which includes both men and women, boys and girls, or the elderly, is very important. Our Gender Commission was sanctioned in the Constitution of Zimbabwe, especially Sections 245 to 247, which clearly state the mandate of the Commission. One of the roles of the Commission is to investigate, research and see how people are enjoying their rights and how their rights are being infringed upon both as men and women and also come up with the solutions in addressing the inequality that exists between men and women in their livelihoods, which includes wealth, education, leadership, jobs and any other areas.
This is a very pertinent issue because in our daily lives, there is a tendency of looking down upon others, while others see themselves as superior. But as individuals, we are all equal and our rights must be observed and upheld, be it women or men, a girl or a boy child. Our Gender Commission conducted research in conjunction with different institutions like Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT), Midlands State University, Great Zimbabwe University among others, in a bid to see how the issue of gender rights is being handled, especially focussing on the girl child.
Several requests were received and put forward to the Gender Commission from different institutions so that they can conduct surveys in their institutions. There were more complaints, especially from the girl child, from these institutions. For example, the girl child was requested to fall in love with older people, be they lecturers or any other members of staff. These people were requesting for sexual favours in exchange for good examination marks.
However, the male lecturers also indicated that some of the female students were dressing indecently but as an august House, we are here to determine and review if the rights of a girl or boy child are being observed and also which group is the most affected in terms of violation of human rights; and those who are facing the issue of sexual harassment, especially in the public transport sector or any other area.
I once heard a disabled lady, in a wheelchair, saying they were being humiliated when the hwindis or rank marshals were saying, let me carry this lady, she is very attractive. You see that even the rights of those living with disabilities are being infringed upon. It is not good to make suggestive comments because sexual harassment is against the law. People must learn to abide by the law. Even the pregnant women are not being spared. You find that often times the women are being told that their breasts are big or whatever rubbish they say. It is something which is bad and really violates the rights of that human being. It also destroys the confidence of the girl child because they are already vulnerable.
So, from the research that was conducted by the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, 8189 people participated in the survey; 3 486 were men and 4713 were females. The results showed that a ratio of 8 out of 12 people face sexual harassment every day. The research also indicated that some of the institutions do not have the gender policy in place. They do not even have the Gender and Sexual Harassment Policy. Every organisation should have a Gender and Sexual Harassment policy in place, Parliament included. This is meant for the protection of women and girls from sex predators who seek sexual favours.
Women also have the right to fall in love without abuse being involved because as a woman or as a girl child, she has the right to say no or yes. Hence, I am encouraging all institutions to come up with sexual harassment policies to prevent this issue of human rights abuse as girls bear the brunt most of the time in terms of sexual harassment acts. The rights of most girls who live in rural areas are being infringed upon, but they are not aware due to their ignorance of the law.
I am now going back to people living with disabilities. Someone observed that this disabled person was raped and the perpetrator told the victim that I have done you a favour, how else were you going to experience sexual activity? Even those who are disabled have got the right to say no or yes. They are human beings. That is why you see that there are some grown up people who rape young people with disabilities because they do not see them as humans or people who have got rights.
Let us give opportunities and equality to all. We must also look at the fact that in the past, women were being looked down upon in terms of education. That is why right now we are advocating that the girl child and women must be given priority. Even when they are getting their points, they must also get some favours because they are looked down upon.
The issue of gender rights, you see that the boy child is given more time to read but it is different when it comes to the girl child. She is expected to do house chores and other things and when it comes to time for reading, you will find out that the girl child is now tired but the boy child is active. Hence, all those things must be taken into consideration.
I am happy that women are now raising the issue of 50/50. We now have gender champions from our male counterparts and even the chiefs are now being involved in the issues of gender equality. Right now, the chiefs in conjunction with the National Aids Council (NAC) have a programme which says not in my village or not in my areas of jurisdiction. So, the chiefs are working together with the Government to raise awareness in terms of gender rights. Hence, I am imploring all the Hon. Members in this august House to work hard towards the elimination of gender inequality. We are all important. Let us also uphold the law of equality and all those who are looking down upon others, especially the boy or the girl child, must face the wrath of the law.
We see that most of the time, people are advocating for the rights of the girl child but they are leaving behind the boy child. We must include all of them because they are very important. These children are our future leaders. They must know that the girl child is not someone to be looked down upon but someone to be encouraged, to be uplifted. For example, when people die, you see that the graves look the same and they are buried in the same area, whether it is male or female. Hence, all of us were created in God's image and we must also uphold the issue of equality. Thank you Mr. President.
HON. SEN. MLOTSHWA: Madam President, I move that debate be now adjourned.
HON. SEN. CHAPFUDZA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 19th March, 2025.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE THEMATIC COMMITTEE ON CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE ENQUIRY INTO THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT
Sixth 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. L. SIBANDA: Point of order Madam President. I have been standing ever since you called on Hon. Mlotshwa to adjourn the debate.
THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: I am sorry Hon. Senator, I did not see you. Accept my apology, I did not see you. Do you want to debate now or you wanted to debate the previous motion?
HON. SEN. L. SIBANDA: I wanted to debate on the previous motion Madam President.
THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: I am sorry for that. We are now on another motion.
*HON. SEN. SHIRI: Thank you Madam President for according me this opportunity. I want to add my voice on this motion which was raised by Senator Mupfumira on climatic change in which she is the Chairperson.
The issue of climatic change is very pertinent to us. Looking at the future and where we came from, it is very important. We should sit down as a country and come up with solutions on how to survive amid this climatic change. We are experiencing so many heatwaves. Heatwaves really affect our lives and brings diseases with it. Especially those with albinism, their skin is affected so much by rays of the sun. If they are affected by the sun's rays, they end up having skin cancer. So, climate change impacts us differently as people.
We find that they need sun hats, umbrellas and sunscreen lotions which we think that they should be given for free because climate change just comes, it is a natural disaster which impacts on our lives differently. When these issues on climate change are being discussed, I think all the people should be included so that all people can be represented and that they come up with things that help us as a community.
THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Hon. Senator, the motion is on human-wildlife conflict induced by climate change.
*HON. SEN. SHIRI: Thank you Madam President. On the issue of conflicts between human and wild animals induced by climate change, animals and people will be fighting for water. When dams and boreholes have dried up, animals also want water. So, you find that animals are now getting into people's homesteads looking for water. All that is caused by climate change because it touches us as we co-exist with animals. So, climate change makes us aware that the animals do not have food in the forest. In Kariba and Hwange, animals come close to homesteads because there is nothing in the forest. There are no wild fruits, hence they come to small scale gardens looking for food.
You hear that a number of lions have died in the forest due to hunger as we will be competing for food. If there are pastures in the forest and you plough your maize, monkeys would come and break into homes stealing food and this causes conflicts between animals and people. We also see that when it comes to climate change, if we have severe winters, some animals do not like cold conditions and end up dying. We should be ready that if we have floods, too much winds and rains, to ensure that our animals survive.
We should leave enough grazing land for them so that they also survive. We should also embark on feeding our animals. I have seen that in the game reserves, the rangers move about giving food to wild animals. We should also plan as farmers so that we will be ready. Some use helicopters driving the wild animals away to places where there is enough food. We should place elephants in places where they can find food so that we live well with animals.
During a drought, if the winter is too severe or is too windy, we should be able to co-exist with the wild animals. That is why they come close to people when there is hunger because they want our protection as people, especially when there are veld fires, they find refuge close to where people are. As a Committee when we go to international forums, we should have laws and also increase the budget so that we can tackle issues like this so that we do not lose our animals and the lives of people due to climate change. All of us should exist even in difficult times of climate change. Thank you Madam President.
^^HON. SEN. MOHADI: Thank you Madam President
for according me this chance to add my voice on human and wildlife conflict due to climate change. We are looking at a pertinent issue which is bothering people. In the past, we used to know that wild animals are scary and used to stay far away from people. Nowadays, we have taken much of the grazing land for our residence. An animal like an elephant does not forget where it passes through.
So, as people, we realise that elephants pass through homesteads and we continue to be scared as people. So, what do we do? We need to come up with a way that will help us. We also realise that elephants have increased in numbers in this country as they are coming from neighbouring countries like Botswana. When they come across people, they cause problems. I remember one outreach where we were told by people in Hwange Safaris that they want their elephants despite the fact that they are destroying their plants. However, they indicated that they will come up with ways of ensuring that they live in harmony with these wild animals. They said, they really wanted to have these animals around. This taught me that everyone should love these wild animals because they are creatures created by God. Apart from this, in most cases, they destroy plants and crops.
Right now, in Beitbridge, in areas like Chikwalakwala and Chituripasi, elephants have increased in numbers. Children are even failing to go to school. Each time they go to school, they come across them and they run away. In running away, these elephants think that they are being fought. I remember the other day when we were going to Chituripasi, one man who was moving from one homestead to the next and was riding a bicycle, these elephants thought that this man was fighting them. One elephant was terrified and fought this man. Therefore, our plea to the National Parks is to help us in ensuring that we stay in harmony with wildlife and with our elephants.
These days, especially this year, I am not sure about other areas but where I come from, there has been too much rain and elephants have increased and people have started killing them. Where should they stay because they will always maintain where they used to stay, but they are now our enemies? Let us help each other in ensuring that when we see such cases, we go and report to those who look after our wildlife to ensure that we remain protected.
It is critical that these people that we lead as legislators, we need to go and teach them through awareness workshops so that they know that these wild animals need to survive. We do not need to kill them. We know that they can be destructive, but let us try by all means to ensure that we help them. Still focusing on these elephants, they drink water from the boreholes where people also fetch water. So, because climate change has affected everyone, people and wild animals, are facing challenges of water shortages and pasture shortages, so there is bound to be conflict.
Therefore, National Parks should teach people and ensure that they always come and drive these animals away from people. As people, we need to realise that wild animals are not our enemies. Each time they pass through going to drink water from dams or boreholes, we need to just let them do so. When I passed through one resettlement area where they used to collect water in a drum, an elephant came during the night looking for drinking water. It heard some scent of water in that house and it destroyed that house so as to get water in there. The owner of that homestead ran away from it and they never came back.
I felt it was critical to add a few words regarding this motion so that we come up with ways of ensuring that we stay in harmony with our wild animals because these wild animals are a critical issue in our lives. In the past, they used to kill animals but they would not kill all of them. Our surnames are representing the wild animals that are around us. We have the Ndous, the Dubes and all these are signifying the animals around us. This is so as to ensure that this animal remains protected as it is a protected species. It needs to be protected because we have other people who have their surnames captured through honouring these animals.
We have people like MaMpofus, all these are animals and in honouring them, it is one way of protecting them. Right now, we have very few wild animals remaining. We need to ensure that we protect the ones remaining because some of our grandchildren do not even know some of the wild animals we are talking about. Some of them only know the ones that they will see drawn somewhere, not the real hare or the real elephant. These wild animals are pertinent and more important in our lives. We need to safeguard them because they are a critical issue in our lives. With these few words, I thank you.
HON. SEN. MUPFUMIRA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. TSOMONDO: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 19th March, 2025.
MOTION
OVERHAUL OF DELAPIDATED STADIA
Seventh Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the deplorable sports infrastructure in the country.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. TSHABANGU: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. CHAPFUDZA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 19th March, 2025.
On the motion of HON. SEN. MUZENDA, seconded by HON. SEN. GOTORA, the Senate adjourned at Twelve Minutes to Five o’clock p.m.