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SENATE HANSARD 18 SEPTEMBER 2024 VOL 33 NO 77
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Wednesday, 18th September, 2024.
The Senate met at Half-past Two o’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF SENATE in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF SENATE
ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT
THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF SENATE (HON. SEN. KAMBIZI): I wish to remind the Senate that Parliament of Zimbabwe will be hosting its Annual Charity Golf Tournament on Friday, 27th September, 2024 at the Zimbabwe Republic Police Golf Club. The proceeds for the event will be donated to Mazowe Old People’s Home. All Senators are urged to support the event by sponsoring teams or taking up the various sponsorship packages available. Those who are interested in participating in the event or taking up sponsorship packages should contact the Director, Public Relations, Mr. F. Makubaza on 0712524172 or Mr. Noble Nyathi on 0775331987. Let us all support this very noble cause.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
THE MINISTER OF ENERGY AND POWER DEVELOPMENT (HON. E. MOYO): I move that Orders of the Day, Numbers 1 to 3 be stood over until all Orders of the Day on today’s Order Paper have been disposed of.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE NATIONAL PROSECUTING AUTHORITY FOR THE YEAR 2023
Fourth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on Report of the National Prosecuting Authority for the year 2023.
Question again proposed.
THE MINISTER OF ENERGY AND POWER DEVELOPMENT (HON. E. MOYO): I move that the debate do now adjourn.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 19th September, 2024.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
THE MINISTER OF ENERGY AND POWER DEVELOPMENT (HON. E. MOYO): I move that Order of the Day, Number 5 be stood over until all Orders of the Day on today’s Order Paper have been disposed of.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
REPORT ON THE BENCHMARK VISIT BY THE ZIMBABWE WOMEN PARLIAMENTARY CAUCUS ON ADVOCACY ON ANTI-CORRUPTION, ELECTORAL REFORMS AND THE OPERATIONS OF THE SEYCHELLES WOMEN’S PARLIAMENTARY CAUCUS
Seventh Order read: Adjourned debate on the Report of the Benchmark Visit by the Zimbabwe Women Parliamentary Caucus on Advocacy on Anti-Corruption, Electoral Reforms and the Operations of the Seychelles Women’s Parliamentary Caucus.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. MUNEMO: I want to add my voice on the important report raised by Hon. Senator Mbohwa on the visit by Zimbabwe Women’s Parliamentary Caucus from 1 to 8 June 2024. The report highlighted a lot of important lessons that our delegation learnt. The aim of the visit was to mobilise for women empowerment in politics looking at anti-corruption policies and resource mobilisation.
Our Parliamentarians met various stakeholders during their visit. They met leaders of the National Assembly, the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Seychelles Electoral Commission. The Hon Members observed that Seychelles is one of the countries in Africa with less corruption and it also involves women in decision making programmes. Mr. President Sir, it is proven that women are less corrupt than men. I thank you.
+HON. SEN. NDEBELE: Thank you for this opportunity to debate. I would like to thank the mover of the motion, Hon. Senator Mbohwa. I would also like to be grateful of the work that she is doing. She has been in various countries to ensure that women’s rights are uplifted. She has gathered a lot that will assist Zimbabwean women in being recognised equally with men in our country.
Violence and theft in different spheres of life is due to the fact that there will be few women in those spaces. This is due to the fact that women’s rights have not been taken seriously as stated in our Constitution. In other countries like Seychelles, they managed to capture the aspect of ensuring that women’s rights are regarded fully and this has resulted in less corruption in their country because at very few times, women are found to be engaged in corrupt activities.
Starting from this august House, the rights between women and men shows that we are not adequately following what is stated in our Constitution, which is why women are less recognised in a number of institutions. Right now in Parliament, the 50/50 gender balance that was agreed in the Constitution is not being upheld. We are talking of 60 women who come in under proportional representation and then the 20% is through first-past-the-post. Right now, it is shown that there is less in terms of adherence to the Constitution of Zimbabwe. If you are to give equal rights, it shows that 60% of women are supposed to be in Parliament, but it is not bringing out the 50/50 gender balance. How many women are in our country? This shows that we are not looking more into what is stipulated in the Electoral Act.
In Local Government, there is 30% which is not adequate enough to get to the 50% that we are talking of, which shows that women continue to be sidelined. Right now in the Senate, we are failing to get to 50/50. Even though we are using the zebra system, it is not coming out because we still have more men than women. Even if you are to do head count, you will realise that men are more. This is due to the fact that their number is added by chiefs who are also not cognisant of our Constitution, where we have more men than women. We have other women who are chiefs but they are not recognised. As chiefs, they need to go back and show that they give rights to women so that the Senate has a 50/50 gender balance.
Looking at what Hon. Senator Mbohwa is spearheading, it shows that we are lagging behind. We need to ensure that we are using the Electoral Act the appropriate way so that we contribute equally to the 50/50 gender balance. Some men end up taking it as if this country or the world can only be ruled by men. It is my plea that we respect the aspect of giving women the right to take part in developmental issues.
I would also like to thank Hon. Senator Mbohwa for the job that she is doing of ensuring that as women, we are also counted in reducing corruption and as women, we cannot just be counted on issues of prostitution, but play a major part in ensuring that there is development in our country. I thank you.
HON. SEN. MANYENGAVANA: Thank you for allowing me to add my voice on the report tabled by Hon. Senator Mbohwa on the visit to Seychelles. The visit was undertaken from 1 to 8 June 2024. Seychelles is an island and has a population of 108 000 people. Seychelles sits on 455 000km2. The capital city of Seychelles is called Victoria and it has about 20 000 people. The country is the best governed state in Africa. I wish I was amongst the group that went to Seychelles and I know that they enjoyed their stay there because when you are in Seychelles, it is like you are in London. The road network is very spacious and they do not do development when a summit is coming.
Seychelles has the highest minimum wage. Their minimum wage is equivalent to USD427 per month for their people. They have got one currency and do not have multiple currencies. I understand that our legislators learnt from that as well. So, Mr. President, that was just a background of Seychelles.
When our delegation went to Seychelles, there were a few items that they were going to look at. Mostly, it was to empower the women in politics and to raise resources for women to help them to craft bills to help our women parliamentarians. With the lesson that they leant from Seychelles, I understand it is going to help this august House.
People from Seychelles respect their leaders. There is a good handover and takeover. They would send their former President to represent their country. Like last time in 2023, they sent the former President to represent their country in the election commission for Sri Lanka. The way the election was held in Sri Lanka was superb. I wish our country learnt from that side as well that we also recognise the first republic, what they have done and we give them honour as well. This will enable our former ministers and presidium to live in their countries and not squat in other countries.
Mr. President, Seychelles has got a total of 35 Members of Parliament. Out of the 35, nine are women and the rest are men. Of which that nine carries 25% of the number of Members of Parliament. They do not have the Zebra System or the women quota. These are the first-past-the-post. They are competing with men and they are defeating men to heavy sits. So, with the delegation that went to Seychelles, I hope they are also going to come with the bills in this august House to empower our women to compete with men and get seats and come back in Parliament in 2028.
The literacy rate in Seychelles is about 95.9% G.P per capita. It provides free healthcare for its citizens. Moreover, it is not only the Constitution like in ours, it is practiced. It is written in black and white and they go to the healthcare, it is practiced. I also urge our Members or our institution to practice the same as it is done in Seychelles. In Seychelles, 84% of their people live in Seychelles out of the 108 000 that live there. Here, we have got 14 million people and I can tell you that over 4 million are out of our borders. So, we also need to learn from Seychelles. They keep their citizens in their country because they have confidence in their economy, currency and their Government. As Zimbabwe, my prayer is that we copy from Seychelles.
Seychelles run their elections periodically and in time. Foreign and local observer missions see the election as free, fair, transparent and credible. They have never had a disputed election. As a country we also need to learn as well from Seychelles. They are not fighting for V11 after elections.
Lastly, they do not have any problem with electricity. I understand our Members, when they went to Seychelles …
HON. SEN. GOTORA: Point of Order Mr. President. I thought we were debating the report that Hon. Mbohwa have as well as what happened in the process of that delegation but now, we are talking about something else that has nothing to do with Hon. Mbohwa’s report. Thank you, Mr. President,
THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF SENATE: We have taken note. Hon. Member you can proceed.
HON. SEN. MANYENGAVANA: Mr. President, I want to take my leave. Thank you.
HON. SEN. KABONDO: Thank you Mr. President for affording me this opportunity to add my word on the motion that was brought by Hon. Mbohwa about their visit to the Seychelles. My take on the report of the ZWPC is that there are three components in achieving anti-corruption. These components are women, schools and Parliament. In the Seychelles, they have achieved a corruption perception index (CPI) of 71 points out of 100, due to focusing on these said components. The first one is; by putting women in more decision-making roles, corruption was reduced because they say women shun fraudulent acts. As much as this might sound more like a stereotype than a fact, it has really worked for the Seychelles and the proof is in the pudding, with the CPI. As the saying goes that the proof of the test of the pudding is in testing it, we should also test this in our own country.
If we were to consider these attributes, then we would also create awareness programmes, not only for women in Parliament or in decision-making positions but also for the common woman who will apply these principles to a family. As the quote by Mr. Young says, “educate a man, you educate a man; educate a woman, you educate a generation.” – [HON. SENATORS: Hear, hear] - Awareness programmes for women will water into awareness programmes conducted in primary schools and secondary schools. Also, in our culture, it is the parents that enforce and teach principles to the children. So, mamas are going to do it. It suffices to say, catch them young is a good idea. Implementing an anti-corruption model in the curriculum is pre-eminent.
Lastly, I want to steal from an Hon. Member from Seychelles, I do not know if I am going to pronounce it correctly, Hon. Mancienne, who said, “it begins with Parliament to achieve a corruption free generation.” Hon. Colleagues, Parliament is the figure head of the country. In simple terms, I am trying to say we must lead by example. I thank you.
HON. SEN. MBOHWA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. TONGOGARA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 19th September, 2024.
MOTION
HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT
Eighth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on human-life conflict.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. MDHLURI: Thank you Mr. President, allow me to add a few words to this important motion raised by Hon. Senator Mohadi. It is sad that as we debate this motion, a family in Mberengwa is grieving after a mother was attacked and killed by a crocodile when she had gone to fetch some water at a nearby dam. It is very unfortunate, and may her soul rest in peace.
Mr. President, climate change has exacerbated the problem of human and wildlife conflict. The reduction in productivity of essential resources, water, food and other necessities will continuously and increasingly worsen the issue of human-wildlife conflict.
It is important to note that a better understanding of the climate drivers of human–wildlife conflict could help prevent and alleviate conflicts. Predicting the onset of extreme weather events such as droughts and proactively responding with temporary measures to protect animals and people will go a long way. Climate change is a global amplifier of human–wildlife conflict. Another major driver of human- wildlife conflict is habitat fragmentation. When animals are pushed into smaller and smaller pockets of habitat, they may be forced to roam into human settlements in search of food and water. This habitat loss is a consequence of human activities such as agriculture, urbanisation, deforestation and resource extraction. What it simply means is, inasmuch as we cry foul, it would appear as if human beings are the biggest culprits in this warfare.
Elephants, buffaloes, lions and many other species are increasingly isolated and their sources of food and shelter are in decline. Human-wildlife conflict also increases because without sufficient natural habitat, these species come into contact with humans and are often killed or captured. We all know that naturally, animals are scared of human beings. So, inasmuch as we are saying animals are killing us and stuff, it would appear as if it is us who are encroaching into their habitats and they have got no other way other than to retaliate. They will retaliate by attacking us because we would have encroached into their space. However, not all hope is lost, sustainable wildlife management is the key to human–wildlife conflict. This entails the effective management of wildlife species to sustain their populations and habitat over time, taking into consideration the socio-economic needs of human population.
In conclusion, public awareness, education programmes about wildlife and involving communities in the related planning and management of wildlife can lead to changed attitudes with an increased appreciation of wildlife and tolerance of wildlife damage. I think this can be explained. When we went out to Hwange, I think we met some communities there. Their understanding of the wildlife, it was something else that will tell you that they know that these animals have got something to do in their well-being such that there is co-existence there.
Responsible authorities ought to erect sustainable fences around all game reserves and national parks. Vandalised fences should timeously be repaired. Steps must be taken in preserving natural habitat since the loss of habitat is one of the main reasons that leads animals closer to humans. At local level, we should be looking at ways to foster healthy ecosystems such as through sustainable agricultural practices, minimising use of pesticides and pollutants.
Also, involving local communities can help in the conservation and management of wildlife since there will be a sense of ownership and responsibility thereby reducing the likelihood of conflict. Tackling human-wildlife conflict requires a comprehensive approach that considers both the needs of humans and the conservation of wildlife. Addressing human-wildlife conflict requires a collaborative approach, involving local communities, conversation organisations, Government and other stakeholders, to find mutually beneficial solutions. With those few remarks, I thank you.
HON. SEN. NGWENA: Thank you Mr. President for allowing me to raise my voice on the motion that was raised by Hon. Senator Mohadi on human-wildlife conflict. The benefits of wildlife are as follows: food, medicine from herbs, plants, job creation, tourism, climate regulation and floods prevention. The dangers which are posed by society towards wildlife deforestation is pollution and global warming. Mr. President, Government must ensure sustainability development, ensuring life and prosperity for those or anything to do with wildlife and its inhabitants, be it plants, humans or animals. The subject must be a priority in order to protect the endangered species, environment sustainability such as agriculture, practicing fighting, pollution, de-forestation, animals’ protection, wildlife education in the communities. Due to climate changes Mr. President, animals are now very dangerous to people. There are conflicts between the two. For instance, we have been advised that there is an elephant which killed one of our own. When wildlife is not protected, its vulnerability poses danger to the society. Knowledge is power, let us educate our society and communities. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. SHIRI: Thank you Mr. President for giving me this opportunity to add my voice on the motion raised by the Senator on the issue of human wildlife conflict. I see that it is an important motion for me to think that if there were no wild animals, how were we going to survive as a country? Hence, we must coexist with the wildlife.
Wild animals should not stray into villages and people must stay in their areas. As humans, we must protect our wildlife because it is our wealth as a country. I see that, for example, wild animals in Hwange are the wealth of people living in that area. Most of the issues have already been raised but I would like to say, I am happy because I see that during this time of El Nino induced drought, various people who live in Hwange are feasting.
I saw that about 200 elephants were killed for the people of Hwange to enjoy the meat. Hence, it is important for us to keep these animals. They help us especially during this time of drought. The Government saw it fit to reduce the numbers of wild animals. Hence, it will be beneficial for us to keep them and have food.
Other people are getting employment through these wild animals and my word is that let us protect our wild animals and protect their areas where they live. As human beings, we must not infringe their habitats because at the end of the day, they end up coming to places where people stay. The issue of coexisting becomes difficult. Thank you, Mr. President.
HON. SEN. ZHOU: Thank you Mr. President for giving me the opportunity to say a few words in support of the motion that was brought by Hon. Senator Mohadi on human and wildlife conflict. I am sure we all remember that Zimbabwe has the best policies on wild life through the CAMPFIRE model. It is the best practice model that has stood the test of time, has competed with many countries, for example, Kenya.
When they try to have some population count of elephants comparing the two models, the Kenyan model and our CAMPFIRE model, our model was proved to be the best because it continuously made these species to multiply, whereas in the Kenyan model, the animals were dwindling because humans were not benefitting from their natural resources. In the past, when you would want to have some events, you would apply to the rural council and also to the parks. You would get some game meat, for example, impalas, elephants and all sorts. That has since stopped. I do not know why. This has caused some conflicts between humans and wildlife.
I also think that since now we have been experiencing some climate change, we must try to make sure that vandalism of perimeter fences gets a deterrent sentence so that maybe we can see the protection of these fences. Most of the time, you find that people bring down the perimeter fences so that they are able to hunt these animals, especially at night. In the past when they used to benefit by way of classrooms construction, purchase of uniforms for children born to poor parents, this kind of conflict was reduced. I think the best way Mr. President to do that is to go back to the basics to then respect these animals, at the same time making sure that at least some sense of ownership is brought back to our communities as a way of them benefiting from the resources. I am sure if we do that, we will see some reduced conflict.
We have also witnessed a lot of hyenas encroaching into the communities which was not happening in the past. We still think that it is all to do with how we are managing the boundaries, fences and also at times causing fires that make them run away from their habitats. Sometimes, people put fires so that they push them to areas where they would have set their snares in order to catch them.
With those few remarks Mr. President, I just wanted to say our policies as a country and our model of CAMPFIRE are the best, provided we can revert to them and make sure that everything is followed to the book. I want to thank you.
HON. SEN. GOTORA: I move that the debate do now adjourn,
HON. SEN. TONGOGARA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 19th September, 2024.
MOTION
REPORT ON THE 55TH PLENARY ASSEMBLY SESSION OF THE SADC-PARLIAMENTARY FORUM HOSTED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF ANGOLA IN LUANDA
Nineth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Report of the 55th Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC-Parliamentary Forum hosted by the Parliament of Angola in Luanda
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. GOTORA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. TONGOGARA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 19th September, 2024.
MOTION
IMPROVEMENT ON SERVICE DELIVERY BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES
Tenth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on challenges bedeviling local authorities in the provision of services.
Question again proposed.
*HON. SEN. MUZODA: Thank you Hon. President for awarding me this opportunity to add my voice on the motion brought to this House by Hon. Mavenyengwa in relation to the works being done in our councils. Firstly, let us not treat the symptoms without finding the cause of the headache within our councils and all our areas where we stay, for example here in Harare. When I grew up, my mother told me that the only thing which starts from top up to the bottom is the grave. Life starts from the bottom going out. We as Government, which leads people, focusing on rebuilding peoples’ lives, future and livelihoods we must look back from where we came from and say where did the problem start to emerge.
Madam President, when we were growing up in our rural areas before knowing town style of running water - while Government institutions works through the Council, we need to make sure our areas where we stay are habitable. Even when we go to growth points, where there was taped water, we saw that there were few problems because things were stable. Today the major problem we are facing is pointing at each other. Most of the time we are pointing a finger to someone who is not even at fault – [HON. SENATORS: Hear, hear.] -
Pointing at each other Madam President, what surprises me most is that the councils are the first line of Government – like what I have already alluded to that the only thing which starts on top going to the bottom is the grave but the first line of Government is the Council that is where we must first look and the Executive must look at that. The Executive must make sure that councils have enough budgets. Right now here at Parliament, we do pass budgets and these budgets must be put in councils accounts timeously or the money must be given to councils earlier so that when they want to do some work for refurbishment of roads and other infrastructure, they get the funds easily.
Madam President, it will be easy for councils to go to the relevant Ministry and make a request considering the job which needs to be done and in that way, they can easily access the money. In areas where we stay, there are roads for councils and the roads which are being catered for by the Ministry. If I look at these roads right now, they are now the same because - if we look at how jobs must be executed at councils, they must work as standalone institutions. The Executive must come to supervise the work which is being done by councils. The Executive must supervise the money which they have put or injected into councils. If everything is taken by the central government - councils right now we do not know if they are still existing or they are no longer there.
Madam President, long back, there was an institution called DDF. Right now, I do not want to lie Madam President, I do not see that institution. We used to know that when you stay in the rural areas, after three months, the DDF will come with its tractors and do the refurbishment of roads to make sure that people can travel. Right now, speaking truthfully, without sugar coating, I see those activities being done two or three months before elections. That is when we see that the roads are now being constructed but the other four years we will be travelling in poor roads. The roads which I am talking about are the roads which are being looked after by Council and the Ministry. I have travelled using another road from Matabeleland to Nkayi by a small bus, the other person who was driving on higher terrain was looking down at the bus which was in the lower terrain of the road. This shows that it has been a long time before the road was refurbished or any job done to show that we are together with the people who stay in that area whom we lead.
I want to say Madam President, looking at the capital cities or big cities – I started coming into Harare around the 70s when I was a young boy. It was a very bad thing or an eyesore to throw litter everywhere. You would be shy even to throw down litter. Harare was the best city. It was very smart with good infrastructure and roads. Right now, Madam President, we are independent, we now have freedom and independence in our county but those who were ruling during the 70s, were oppressive. They were the colonisers. Madam President, are we going to fail to protect our towns compared to those who had colonised us during those days? The big issue Madam President, which makes the big cities not to function very well is the issue of Ceremonial Mayors. The towns were in their glorious state when there were Executive Mayors who had power to run their accounts and managed on their own. They made sure that everything which was needed to be repaired or to be done was done promptly and that made their towns presentable. Right now, since the removal of Executive Mayors, the money from councils is now being managed from Central Government. The issue of Executive Mayors has affected this country. The issue of all the money being kept by the central Government has affected this country because the councils wait for the money to be disbursed from the main pocket.
In this august House, let us stop pointing fingers at the people who are below us. We are the ones who speak about budgets. We and the Executive are the ones who are disturbing how the councils work in big cities and other areas because we interfere where we are not supposed to. I want to give an example of the money for devolution. What is devolution? The issue of devolution is continually being mentioned but there is nothing tangible which is being done. There is nothing called devolution if the structure of the Provincial Government is not there. Our Constitution has a structure of Provincial Government. If the Provincial Government has not managed to sit down and talk about what they want to do in Umzingwane or talk about the budget, we do not have something we call devolution. Let us understand this issue clearly so that we can be able to face reality, because devolving means giving other people to rule in different districts and different councils.
In 2013, I was elected to be a Provincial Council member but I did not see any traction, any meaning or any meeting. There was always talk of devolution. There is no devolution which is being taken from one person’s pocket and being given to the other person. Devolution must come from the structure of the Government to the provincial structure. The provincial structure must be the one to manage everything. Those people we are labelling failures can easily be followed up and managed. Right now, we do not have anything to say because we are the ones failing to make the councils work properly.
Sometimes we do not want to debate issues like this because these are issues which we expect to be known by everyone. But how do we fail? We fail from Central Government because that is where everyone is looking for how best they can serve themselves. That is where corruption is emerging from. Corruption is not in councils. Do we know the work of councillors? They are more or less like us. We are just law makers and we have no final say in the assenting of laws as they are done elsewhere. We have staff of Parliament here and there are people working in the administration of councils. Madam President, have you ever looked at these people vis-à-vis councillors? Councillors may be corrupt but the corruption actually is from the council workers. I have never been a councillor, I did try but it did not work out. I want us to speak truthfully on the issue of devolution. We should not point fingers. As Members of this august House, let us ensure that councils are given budgets which they can account for and manage. I thank you.
HON. SEN. GOTORA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. TONGOGARA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 19th September, 2024.
MOTION
SHORTAGES OF WATER IN CITIES AND OTHER TOWNS
Eleventh Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the perennial water shortages in the cities of Harare and Bulawayo.
Question again proposed.
*HON. SEN. KATUMBA: I just want to add a few words to this pertinent motion. Water is life and it is critical for our livelihoods and the sustenance of our livestock. For us to be looking so smart and tidy, it is because of the water that we use. For us to have food in our gardens, we use water. Water is very important in our ablution facilities and without water, our hygiene is compromised. This motion is very important because water is life and we need clean water as a nation.
I want to look at Lake Chivero, which was constructed in 1950 and looking at where we are at the moment, this dam is under strain because of population growth and the erratic rainfall received last season. When you do not have water at home, this affects you because there is nothing that you can do. If you do not have water at home, you may end up digging wells and these wells are sometimes contaminated through seepage. Clean water may end up being contaminated with sewage. Our Members of Parliament and Councillors are doing their best in in the provision of water by drilling boreholes using Constituency Development Funds. This is not helping because some of these boreholes are sunk and they do not reach the water table.
In the 1980s, there was Muda Dam which was supposed to be constructed but this did not succeed. In 1979, Chitungwiza was established and it was supposed to benefit from this dam. The issue of water was not addressed. So, the people of Chitungwiza as I speak, get their water from Harare, which means that this strains the City of Harare. As a result, Chitungwiza does not have a water source of its own. In 2024 there was a company which expressed interest in providing water and the Minister of Local Government and Public Works declined the services of that company. Going back to 2011 and 2012, there are some partners who wanted to provide water and the then Minister of Local Government refused to grant them the opportunity to do that.
Throughout the country, people are travelling long distances to fetch water. A visitor to a home may suffer from thirst as a result of water shortages. In other areas, people dig for water in dry river beds, but it is a challenge because most rivers dried up. This is quite a concerning issue. The Ministry responsible for water provision should relook at this. This is where we start to talk about corruption because some would be saying you cannot grant concessions for the provision of water if that particular official does not get a kickback. This is corruption. The responsible Ministry should look at this issue so that we save people’s livelihoods. I thank you.
+HON. SEN. PHUTI: Thank you for giving me the opportunity to debate on the perennial shortages of water. Before looking at towns and rural areas, is there anyone in this august House without a bottle of water? This shows that water is crucial. We cannot live without water. If it was possible for us to be denied the right to have water, we would faint.
Where I come from in Matabeleland South, the area is drier more than any other province in this country. Then I ask myself, how does Government think we are managing to survive in this kind of an area? We have a few dams in Matabeleland South which were constructed during the colonial era. I have grown grey hair and I have not seen any dam constructed by our Government, save for the old ones. The few that we have are silted. As I speak, there is only one dam in Matabeleland South Province with water.
My main focus on the water issue is that long ago, there was never more water but it is just that we had less people in terms of population. Right now, people continue to cultivate along river banks which is a sign of hunger. Long ago it was taboo to cultivate in swampy areas or river banks. This assisted in making sure that the water table rises closer to the surface. As you enter Norton along Bulawayo Road, there is some place on the right side which had a swampy area, but right now that area has buildings. The other issue is that lack of water is too problematic to us women. For a woman to ensure that there is food, it is critical to have water. In rural areas, women have to walk for about 10 kms to get to the nearest water point. In Mangwe, the community had to construct a dam on their own, only to get assistance from donors who had to chip in for us to get water.
In Matabeleland South, you realise that we are well-known for animal husbandry and our domestic and wild animals need water. Domestic animals end up going for long distances to get water. Most of them are dying because of hunger and lack of water. I had indicated that at the moment, there are dams that have been desilted. My plea is that Government should see to it that they desilt those dams.
My special focus now is in towns, it is painful. Yesterday Hon. Senator Hungwe indicated that children no longer know what is called shower and most of them have never seen water coming out from a shower. This is due to the challenge of water. If I am to go to Bulawayo, I need to carry firewood there and get a 20 litre bucket of water for me to bath. This is difficult Madam President. I have indicated that there is no water in towns especially focusing on Matabeleland in Bulawayo. Some of the water we are getting is dirty.
Most of the boreholes that have been sunk do not have enough water and some of the water has been affected by sewage waste. A while ago as you go into Bulawayo using Bellevue, you would get a nice smell coming from Lobels. Right now, as you enter Bulawayo through the same route, you need to use a mask because the smell is nasty. We used to smell nice roads but right now there is smoke.
If possible, if our province Plumtree would be made to be a different country, it was going to be better. We have developed our province. We do not fetch water and we have managed to improve our province. What is it that is a challenge to our Government to ensure that it improves these towns and these rural areas? Is it not possible to ensure that those people who are able to develop their areas do so?
My question is till when, when Zimbabwe is a country that is endowed with mineral wealth like diamonds and gold, a country with these parks and wild animals, where tourists continue to come into our country. What is it that has gone wrong...
[Power outage].
THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF SENATE (HON. A. DUBE): Order Hon. Member. You can proceed ZESA is back.
+HON. SEN. PHUTI: Thank you. My question was, what has gone wrong? This is because in the yester year, we referred to Bulawayo as kontuthu ziyathunqa because industries were working, but today, even with a degree, you cannot get a job. This is where my question is and I say what has gone wrong? I have indicated that this country is wealthy and what makes us have a number of visitors coming from Africa and from the rest of the world is because we are wealthy. There is no country with such a good Parliament Building like ours, but on other issues we are the poorest.
If I was able, I would ensure that for all of us, we make sure that we shun any means of corruption. All of us in this august House, we need to shun corruption because our country is wealthy with everything. I, for one, am engaged in mining, but where is this money going to and what is it buying? This issue of lack of water is a challenge especially in rural areas. If we are to go and dig protected wells, it will assist.
We do not only need to focus on revamping our country only when we are anticipating visitors, but we need to ensure that we take the little money we have to construct dams. We can do it district by district and have one dam for each until we get to the rain season. We have realised that cyclones have destroyed a few dams that were there and not much water is collected in these dams. Some of us are from areas where we have big rivers, but these rivers are not collecting any water. Water is flowing to very far away areas.
My plea is that Government should look into this issue. One Hon. Member indicated that if all of us were to be arrested because of corruption which is said to be starting from Parliament, what would you say? Would you refuse that you are the ones engaging in corruption more than anyone else? Are you denying that? I have seen in one newspaper last week where one Hon. Member was asked on where they were getting money to buy cars. This is what we refer to as corruption. This is where money that is supposed to build dams is going to.
Whenever we are talking of corruption in Zimbabwe, I am also one of those. I am a corrupt Hon. Member because I do not want to talk about it in this House. My plea to the Government is that they increase the purse. The Government worked on these roads to this House but there is need to extend the construction of dams in each and every district so that we solve this water challenge and hunger. This year it was indicated that there will be enough water and for us in Matabeleland South, Government should not distribute fertilizer to these areas, but construct dams for us. We do not need fertilizer because it is hot, but we need dams. Thank you.
HON. SEN. RITTA NDLOVU: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. S. MOYO: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 19th September, 2024.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE ZIMBABWE WOMEN PARLIAMENTARY CAUCUS (ZWPC) ON THE 68TH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN (CSW68)
Twelfth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Report of the Zimbabwe Women Parliamentary Caucus (ZWPC) on the 68th Session of the Commission on the status of women.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. PHULU: Thank you Madam President. As we continue to debate on the motion regarding the report of the Zimbabwe Women Parliamentary Caucus on the 68th Session of the Commission on the status of women, I embrace the opportunity to reflect on the significant strides we have made towards enhancing the status and rights of women in our country. The strides have been significant indeed.
First and foremost, I would like to applaud the work undertaken during the 68th Session of the Commission on the status of women, which has proven instrumental in advancing our shared goals. This critical assembly has encapsulated the hopes and aspirations of women across the globe and has re-affirmed our commitment to gender equality, women’s empowerment and the realisation of their fundamental rights. In fact, at this point, I think back to the fact that as we gained our Independence in 1980, this is a country where women were regarded as minors. They had no majority status, that is to say they had no contractual capacity. They could hardly own property on their own. They could hardly do many functions on their own. Fast forward, 30 years old and 40 years old from there, here we are and we are a country which has made quite a number of strides, which I will demonstrate in my speech.
I go back to 1997, when women’s organisations and women were demonstrating against the Magaya versus Magaya Judgement, where the law refused to recognise the capacity of a woman to inherit her parents’ property, even if she was the only person there to receive that property. The outcomes of this session have strengthened the framework upon which we can build a more equitable society where women and men thrive side by side. It is imperative to remind this House that our own constitutional provisions promotes the rights and status of women. Section 17 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe mandates that the State must take proactive measures to ensure full gender balance. It is a corner stone provision that emphasises the crucial importance of women’s equal participation in all spheres of society.
Furthermore, Section 56 also enshrines equality before the law, explicitly prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of gender. While Section 8, highlights the rights of women, including their reproductive health rights, emphasising that women must enjoy full and equal rights social, economic and political life. In fact, we even have a clause in our Bill of Rights that says, any law that we pass as this Parliament, which infringes or purports to infringe the rights of women on the basis of cultural reasons or any other reasons, such law would be inconsistent with the Constitution. So, we provide adequately in our domestic framework for these rights.
The 68th Session of the Commission on the status of women, significantly contributed to enhancing the lives of women by framing actionable policies that resonates with our own constitutional commitment. The emphasis on the need for increased representation of women in leadership roles and decision-making bodies echoes our own mandate and serves as a reminder that we have got responsibility to implement these ideals domestically. Discussion surrounding access to education, health services, economic opportunities and elimination of violence against women, are not just topic for debate. They are calls to action that demand our immediate attention and implications.
In other words, we must read this report and we must note and take these calls to action. We must track how we implement them in our Parliament. We must track how the Executive implements them in their day to day implementation of their policies and laws. Certainly, in our oversight function, these are some of the trackers and the indicators, we should look for. Each and every Committee, which is charged with executing their mandate of oversight, yes, we must embrace this report. We must read it with a magnifying glass and carry these actionable demands as our guide; as our torch; as our light as we navigate the dark landscape of oversight of the Executive.
Despite these significant developments, I must express concern regarding the Government’s lack of urgency in fulfilling its obligations towards the advancement of women’s rights. Yes, while the Government has made gigantic strides in the context from 1980 to now, certainly, also in terms of the legislation we have passed, there remains severe gaps in our legislative framework, inadequate allocation of resources and reluctancy to enforce existing laws and the protecting and empowering of women. There is magic to enforcing existing laws and there is a magic to political will to do so, Madam President. I will demonstrate. If you look at the cases involving the people who marry children, for example, yesterday, you could marry a child who was barely 16 years old in this country but because of the outcry, because of conferences such as these, because of conscientisation of women in our country and the conscientisation of all the citizens in our country, overnight, we have been able to change that.
The Government got political will to change it. The public debated it severely and people went to court and sued. Lawyers took up the cases and the laws were amended. Today, we have seen a big change. When we do something Madam President, changes do come. We do not just speak here for the sake of it but certainly, something comes out of these conferences, these reports and these frameworks that are set up.
The promises made at international forums must resonate in our national policies. We cannot afford to be complacent. We face a critical juncture were commitment must translate into concrete progress. I will quote from the Zimbabwe Gender-Based Violence Assessment, which paints a disturbing picture. It says, “Women are still facing danger in their own homes. GBV remains pervasive with high rates of physical violence. Approximately 39.4% women have experienced physical violence and an estimated 11.6% experience sexual violence. Women are not safe even in their own homes”. We are at that stage and we can change these, if we are serious. Another report, Zimbabwe Gender Assessment talks about mortality rates remaining high and 363 deaths per 100 000 live births in 2022. This is a 2023 report. Far exceeding the SDG goal target of 70 by 2030. These are just examples. I will not dwell on those.
Madam President, most importantly, the Opposition remains steadfast in our dedication to these ideals of eradicating inequality and ensuring that we protect the progress of the status of women that they have gained in Zimbabwe. We will continue to advocate for legislative reforms that safeguard the rights of women, push for proper implementation of our constitutional provisions and ensure that our Government is held accountable for its failures in addressing gender disparity.
In conclusion, let us renew our commitment to the principles laid down during 68th Session of the commission on the status of women. It is our responsibility Madam President, as legislators to ensure that these rights and the status of women are integrated into every aspect of governance. We must work collaboratively to create an environment where women can thrive. Together, we can transform our aspirations into realities, fostering a Zimbabwe where gender equality is not just a goal Madam President but is a living truth. I thank you.
HON. SEN. GOTORA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. TONGOGARA: I second.
Motion put and agreed.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 19th September, 2024.
MOTION
REHABILITATION OF ALL OPEN MINES BY ARTISANAL MINERS
Thirteenth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the need for artisanal miners to rehabilitate open mines.
Question again proposed.
*HON. SEN. TONGOGARA: Thank you for according me the opportunity to add my voice to this motion raised by Hon. Senator Moyo. Madam President, we all know that artisanal miners were referred to as makorokoza. These are the people that used to search for minerals and whenever there is a mineral, they would create a mineral rush. They would congregate around that area and kill one another as they try to jostle for possession of those mines so that they can earn a living out of the mineral.
I want to be grateful to Government as the use of the derogatory term, makorokoza is not proper. We now use the term artisanal miners. This means that there are people that know that the derogatory term makorokoza is no longer suitable for them. They have now been renamed and christened artisanal miners, which means that they are important.
Madam President, going further, I would also want to thank the powers that be that encouraged the artisanal miners to own their equipment for mining. The majority of them do not have the equipment and without the equipment, it was exacerbating the number of miners that were now laying claims. We had too many claim holders. They also lacked education in the need to rehabilitate the mining areas where they would have dug pits.
When this motion was brought before this august House, it encouraged that artisanal miners should fill up the mining holes that they would have created as they extract the minerals. It is an issue that we would want to find out how best they would fill up these gaping holes in the earth. The artisanal miners should be educated on the need for environmental protection and not environmental degradation. Furthermore, what would help is that the artisanal miners should be grouped so that it is known that a particular group of people is mining in a specific area. Once that happens, it would enable the artisanal miners to receive equipment which they will use as groups or cooperatives. This will help them significantly and will not see the sprouting of mining claims, gapping holes in the ground scattered all over but there will be planned and systematic mining because they will be able to also rehabilitate the land that they would have used in mining. Things will be organised once the artisanal miners are educated so that they become knowledgeable on why it is important to rehabilitate the land after extraction and how they can collaborate or work together and how the Government can assist them. In groups it becomes easier for them to receive equipment. This will become even easier for the Government to assist these miners rather than individuals approaching the Government for assistance. I urge our Chiefs, you live with the people, there are some people that were given mines so that they could do mining. We urge you as Traditional leaders whose voices are easily heard in your areas of jurisdiction to urge these people to ensure that these pits are rehabilitated so that our livestock and our wild animals do not fall into these pits. This will alleviate or ameliorate against this problem.
Madam President, in conclusion, I would like to thank Hon. Moyo who brought this important motion before this august House which once we follow we will live well. Such pits will be a thing of the past and they will be easily monitored to see how best they can be covered up. The new miners that will be coming will be in a position to rehabilitate the land after mining because everything will be organised. I thank you Madam President for affording me this opportunity to add my few points. I thank you.
HON. SEN. S. MOYO: Thank you, Hon. Madam President. I want to wind up my motion. Allow me to extend my deepest gratitude to Honourable Members who engaged in the vital discussion regarding the motion bought in our esteemed House. I thank all Senators who debated in this motion, your commitment to this critical issue is truly commendable. As we all stick towards suitable practice and ethical consideration in the mining industry, I kindly urge you to support the adoption of this motion in this House. Embracing this motion is a great step towards promoting responsible mining practice. I ask the Minister of Mines to come and explain what decision to take to solve this country’s problem in the sector as well as attend to our suggestions.
Madam President, your dedication to this dialogue will not only showcase our shared commitment to make informed decision, but it will also highlight the importance of addressing the challenge and opportunities we face in the mining sector since this is the backbone of this country. I therefore now move for the adoption of the motion that this House:
ACKNOWLEDGING that Zimbabwe is endowed with a lot of natural resources among them minerals;
COGNISANT that the country’s wealth is the cornerstone of the economic development and has to be exploited for the benefit of the citizens of Zimbabwe;
CONCERNED that the exploitation of minerals has its own challenges which are brought about by miners in their quest to extract rich mineral resources:
NOW, THEREFORE, calls upon the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development— (a) to ensure that artisanal miners rehabilitate all open mines that their teams dig in various parts of the country as they extract minerals from the ground; and (b) that miners plough back some of their profits to communities where they extract the resources put and agreed to. Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
ESTABLISHMENT OF HYDROCEPHALUS DEVICES IN GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE PHARMACIES
Fourteenth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the treatment of hydrocephalus in hospitals.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. MLILO: Thank you Madam President for giving me this opportunity to debate on this special motion that was brought forward by Hon. L. Sibanda. All what I can say is that hydrocephalus has no cure but there is treatment that allow those affected to live fairly normal lives with the condition. Treatment of hydrocephalus is successful in many children but most need more than one surgery and ongoing medical care. You cannot prevent hydrocephalus in your child but if you plan to have more children, you should have more counselling so that you learn about the risk of the condition in future pregnancies. Madam President, we urge the Ministry of Health and Child Care to have many awareness campaigns in the communities and to have counselling to the affected so that they know what kind of food to be avoided when affected. Also, how do you reduce hydrocephalus to avoid the spread in near future. To have counselling to the affected to avoid stigmatisation. This disease of hydrocephalus is a disease that has no cure. I thank you.
*HON. I. ZHOU: Thank you Madam President. I want to add my voice to the Motion brought in by Hon. Sibanda about hydrocephalus. This is an important motion because once the treatment has been delayed the individual will appear as if they are disabled. In as far as I know Madam President, what would normally happen is that parents will be ignorant about ailment such as hydrocephalus. So, the support systems in the Ministry of Health and Child Care and Social Welfare should be in the forefront in educating people about such ailments. My observation is that very few people are schooled about a child with such a condition and that there is need to go to a hospital so that the child can be assisted. In the majority of cases, the parents will then start questioning God as to why they have been given such a child and those in the area also stigmatise that child. This further exacerbates the situation.
My observation is that the support systems that are in place should ensure that there are measures that help people with children with such a condition and also come up with parents’ support groups so that they can assist one another. There is also need for rehabilitation centres where they can go for rehabilitation. I thank you Madam President for the opportunity you have afforded me and the mover of the motion Hon. Sen. Sibanda.
HON. SEN. SIBANDA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. KUNAKA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 19th September, 2024.
On the motion of HON. SENATOR GOTORA seconded by HON. SENATOR TONGOGARA, the Senate adjourned at Twenty-Seven Minutes to Five o’clock p.m.