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SENATE HANSARD 19 JUNE 2025 Vol. 34 No. 57

PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE

Thursday, 19^th June, 2025

The Senate met at Half-past Two o’clock p. m.

PRAYERS

(THE HON. PRESIDENT OF SENATE in the Chair)

HON. SEN. KUNAKA:  Thank you Madam President. My point of national interest is on the growing concern of Pitbull dogs, citing the serious threat these dogs have caused to human life.  We have a current incident of a black human who was mauled to death by a Pitbull dog, not only that but several others across the nation and this has brought national attention to the gaps in how the country regulates the keeping of such aggressive dogs.

As a nation, we do not have a unified Dog Act which specifically deals with the challenges posed by these Pitbull dogs but all we have are scattered legal provisions, fragmented and outdated to the scale and seriousness of these Pitbull attacks. The laws must not punish after loss but protect before harm. Therefore, I also move that this House takes note of this and also urges the Government to impose a total ban on these Pitbull dogs which have become a serious threat to human life. Thank you.

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE HON. PRESIDENT OF SENATE

APOLOGIES RECEIVED FROM MINISTERS

THE HON. PRESIDENT OF SENATE:  We come to Questions without Notice but I am seeing the front bench with only two Cabinet Ministers.  I will go through the list of apologies. There is quite a whole page of apologies.  Hon. C. G. D. N. Chiwenga, Vice President; Hon. Col. Rtd. K. C. D. Mohadi, Vice President; Hon. E. Ndlovu, Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife; Hon. T. Machakaire, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training; Hon. O. C. Z. Muchinguri-Kashiri, Minister of Defence; Hon. K. Kazembe, Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage; Hon. W. Chitando, Minister of Mines and Mining Development; Hon. E. Moyo, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare; Hon. M. N Ndlovu, Minister of Industry and Commerce; Hon. K. D. Mnangagwa, Deputy Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion; Hon. N. T. Mazungunye, Deputy Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs; Hon. S. Sibanda, Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development; Hon. R. Modi, Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce; Hon. V. Haritatos, Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement; Hon. D. Marapira, Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement.

HON. SEN. PHUTI: On a point of order Madam President.

THE HON. PRESIDENT OF SENATE: What is your point of order?

⁺HON. SEN. PHUTI: Thank you Madam President. I see the list that you have in hand is like a motion now, of which the ministers seem like they are not serious about the business of the Senate.  Since we are aware that they do not attend the Senate, I suggest that if Thursday is a challenge for them, why do they not come on Tuesday to the Senate? On Wednesday, they come to the National Assembly, but on Thursday, they do not come to the Senate. Since we resumed this sitting, we have not seen the ministers and our business does not move in the Senate. It all seems that we are not serious. Thank you.

THE HON. PRESIDENT OF SENATE: I hear you and you are proposing that they come on Tuesday, what do they come on Tuesday for?

HON. SEN. PHUTI: For question and answer.

THE HON. PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Okay, we agreed that the question and answer for the Senate will be on a Thursday and it is their duty to come on that Thursday.  They have a question and answer in the National Assembly on Wednesday and they should also come on Thursday because they are supposed to come.  So, I think that is the complaint of nearly every Senator who is in this House that we are not getting fair treatment as ministers do not see this Senate as important. [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.]-

I did not want to complain and this is why I kept quiet because I have always complained. I just wanted to hear from the Members of this House - what is your reaction to this?

In the House we have the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Hon. Prof.  Murwira. We also have the Minister of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs, Hon. Mavhunga; the Deputy Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities, Hon. Musa Ncube and the Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Hon. Dr. Makwiranzou. So, these are the Ministers we have at the moment.

Maybe, we can deal with these ones but before that, I think the House should know that we have some of these names who have never set foot into this House. So, there is no need to put them on the list of apologies. I think the administration has to check on this one so that they do not make us read a list of apologies for someone who has never come into this house.

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

+HON. SEN. M. NDLOVU:  Thank you, Madam President. My question is directed to the Deputy Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities. When are you going to construct cheap and affordable housing for the people? The houses which are being built by these land developers are exorbitant. When we grew up, some houses were built by local authorities, these houses were affordable to the local residents. Currently, we do not have such services, we do not have these houses. So, I would like to ask, what measures and efforts are you taking for people to find affordable accommodation in the urban areas? Thank you.

+THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF NATIONAL HOUSING AND SOCIAL AMENITIES (HON. M. NCUBE): Thank you Madam President and Hon. Senator Ndlovu, for the pertinent question. We are currently looking into the issue of finance. The issue of financing is the impediment for us to fulfil the desires and the wishes of the Government, or we can say the wishes of the citizens of getting affordable accommodation or housing. The Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities, which looks into the issue of accommodation and housing in Zimbabwe, has a programme for constructing affordable accommodation for citizens.

If we can recall the previous year, 2024, His Excellency officially opened houses in Dzivaresekwa. These houses, which were officially opened in Dzivaresekwa were given to the people who were affected by the floods. These houses were not meant only for renters, but they were given to them permanently. They bought these houses. These houses now belong to them. I go back to Kasese again. We have an issue in Kasese, where people residing under ZESA pylons in Kasese. This is another Government programme through the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities. We have 400 residential stands, which have been developed and serviced.

This pertains to the construction of roads and sewage pipes have been installed, and we are at an advanced stage where people will be issued these stands. There are some people who are going to build houses and there are some that are going to be provided with assistance for building by the Government. This also includes the civil servants. As a Ministry, we really wish this programme would carry on. However, due to finance, we face challenges in continuing with these programmes. We have different places in this country where we have initiated projects where people can buy cheap and affordable houses. People are not going to be given these houses for free, but they are going to be sold at a cheaper and reasonable price.

We have PPP who built the houses and sell these houses. As Hon. Ndlovu has clearly narrated that the private developers are quite expensive, they are into business. The Second Republic wants to make sure that people are supposed to get accommodation. This is done through constructing and making our housing affordable for each and every citizen in Zimbabwe. Thank you, Madam President.

*HON. SEN. MUZODA: Thank you Madam President. Looking at our cities right now, there are areas where we expect affordable houses to be built so that everyone can get accommodation but the land  is getting finished by land developers. Are there any such places left, especially in high-density suburbs, where such houses can be built? I thank you.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF NATIONAL HOUSING AND SOCIAL AMENITIES (HON. M. NCUBE): Thank you Madam President. I am sorry, I do not know whether I got the question correct. I am not fluent in Shona. However, Madam President, allow me to respond to Hon. Senator Muzoda. I think he is asking whether we still have the land to build affordable houses, especially here in Harare, because he is realising that most of the land is taken by the land barons or the land developers. Yes, we have some areas where there is State land. We are going to build affordable houses in those areas. Like in Harare South, we have another land in Southlea Park and other areas. The land is still there. If funds permit us, we will be constructing houses.

However, allow me to say that through densification, the Ministry is also identifying open space. Especially in cantonment areas where we can build high-rise flats. We want to utilise all the spaces which are around Harare, as long as it is State land. Thank you, Madam President.

 

         THE HON. PRESIDENT OF SENATE: I was just going to encourage the Ministry for National Housing and Social Amenities, before we get out of that subject, that I think it is very important for the Ministry to give us a Ministerial Statement concerning national housing so that Senators or Members of this House can understand who you build these houses for, how it is done because everyone is in need of a house, who do you build for? The whole country should know, so that when they come to your Ministry, they know why they are coming to your Ministry.  So, I think it is important for the whole House to understand how this Ministry operates. I thank you.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF NATIONAL HOUSING AND SOCIAL AMENITIES (HON. M. NCUBE):  Thank you Madam President.  We have noted and will give a comprehensive statement from the Ministry.  Thank you.

*HON. SEN. GWATURE:  Thank you Madam President.  My question is directed to the Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development.  Can Government provide any assistance to mines that have been closed and the houses have been sold to the residents but they do not have title deeds?  Is there anything that can be done to ensure that they get title deeds because right now, there is nothing that they can do about those houses?  They cannot even extend them because they are not sure if those houses belong to them.  I thank you.

THE HON. PRESIDENT OF SENATE:  You are asking the Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development and you are talking about houses?

HON. SEN. GWATURE:  Yes, the Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development.

THE HON. PRESIDENT OF SENATE:  Okay, maybe you can help us.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF MINES AND MINING DEVELOPMENT (HON. KAMBAMURA):  Thank you Hon. President of Senate.  Indeed, that question affects the Minister of Mines and Mining Development but it also touches on the Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities.

Madam President, there are some mines that have been closed, like Kamativi Mine.  It was closed but now it is open.  It resumed under Bravura but there are pensioners who are there who do not have title deeds.  So, they are negotiating with the new owners of the mine.  That is what we are encouraging right now, that anyone who resumes mining operations should liaise with the pensioners but if others may need our assistance, we can negotiate with them.  We can talk to the Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities.  I thank you Madam President.

+HON. SEN. MPOFU:  My question is directed to the Minister of War Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs.  War veterans, have a problem which pertains to the widows who do not have houses. What assistance can we get as widows of war veterans without houses or accommodation?

THE MINISTER OF WAR VETERANS OF THE LIBERATION STRUGGLE AFFAIRS (HON. SEN. MAVHUNGA):  I want to thank Hon. Senator Mpofu for the question. We treat them like we do any other war veteran.  Recently, we launched a programme whereby we are going to service tents for the veterans of the liberation struggle and those widows will benefit from that as well.

When there are serious problems, say they are in town and they do not have somewhere to stay, we can have some arrangements with our Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities to ensure that those widows are accommodated somehow but they benefit like any other war veteran or like any other citizen.  I thank you.

*HON. SEN. KADUNGURE:  Thank you Madam President, for giving me this opportunity.  I would like to direct my question to the Leader of Government Business.  Minister, most of our hospitals in the country do not have medicines at all, especially in the rural areas. What are Government plans?

THE HON. PRESIDENT OF SENATE:  Can you please repeat your question?

HON. SEN. KADUNGURE:  My question was, most of our hospitals in the country do not have medicines, especially in the rural areas.  What are Government plans to ensure the availability of medicines for the good health of the citizenry?  I thank you.

THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI):  I would like to thank you Madam President.  My response is, Government never stopped procuring medicines.  The money that we have spent could be more than what we have spent in other Government ministries.  

The problem that we discovered as we were analysing the situation is the system of handling medicines from NatPharm to the hospitals and clinics. The distribution channel was very long, from the procured medicine, you would not see where it went. Some of the containers are actually written ‘not for resale’ but you find them on the streets. We realised that it was easy to use technology so that we are able to track medicine from NatPharm all the way to the recipient. At least we may be away of the stocks in place. Currently, that is what we are working on so that we do not look like people are procuring medicine that is being dumped in bottomless pits. I thank you.

*HON. SEN.  MANYENGAVANA: My supplementary question to the Hon. Minister is, you said there were leaks along the way pertaining to the medicine before it reaches its destination. You are telling us right now what is happening. What has the Government done about those leaks? Have you made any arrests or are you still investigating? I thank you.

*HON. Z. ZIYAMBI: I think our response was very clear. As  Government, we want to make use of computers so that we can track the medicines. Any employee at NatPharm can tell as soon as anybody gets a prescription and the whole system will update to avoid any theft. We realise that the medicine is being dispatched from NatPharm and you find it in the pharmacies but you cannot tell where it came from. So, right now we are saying we are closing all the loopholes to ensure that all medicines are distributed fairly. I thank you.

HON. SEN. SIBANDA: What is the Government policy regarding stray domestic animals that are roaming our country's highways? They are causing a danger and a lot of delays to the motorists driving along the highways. At the same time, these domestic animals do not seem like they have any shepherds because they are seen throughout the day. I thank you.

THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI): Thank you Madam President and I want to thank the Hon. Senator for the question. The law is very clear that owners of domestic animals have to take care of them. If they stray onto the road and cause an accident, the owner is liable. What perhaps we need is to educate the owners of the animals to be aware of the provisions of the law, that they must take care of the animals and that if anything happens, the liability lies with them. This is the part that I believe the majority of our people are not aware of, that you should not allow your animal to graze along the roads. If an accident happens and they damage a motorist's car, then you are liable. This is the reason why you see, maybe sometimes when a stray donkey or a cow is hit along the road, the owner will not turn up. They know that once they turn up, they will be arrested. They should be responsible enough to keep their animals well looked after and not stray into areas where they are not supposed to be. I thank you.

*HON. SEN. ZINDI: My supplementary question, would it not be easy to have an enforcement for that law as a way of teaching those people so that they know that their livestock, if it is hit by a car, you are wrong instead of us waiting to look for them. It is easier and much faster to ensure awareness among people so that they look after their livestock. I thank you.

*HON. Z. ZIYAMBI: If you look carefully as you travel along the road, you find stray livestock that have been hit by vehicles and not claimed. It shows that they know that once you try to salvage carcasses, it will become clear that you are the owner and you will be arrested. What I am trying to say is that the law mandates people to look after their livestock. The education or teaching helps in preventing but arresting, yes, it may be useful. If they know better, prevention will be better that way. When we go back to our constituencies, let us teach people that you do not only lose your livestock but you may be sued and lose a lot more than livestock. I think that may be helpful to prevent the straying of livestock. I thank you.

THE HON. PRESIDENT OF SENATE: When the Hon. Senators meet with their people, they must propagate awareness that besides losing your livestock, you are also liable. People also vandalise fences along the road.

In the House, we have the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, Hon. T.M. Mnangagwa; the Deputy Minister of Information and Publicity, Hon. Marupi; Hon. K. D. Mnangagwa; the Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities, Hon. Soda and the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Hon. Garwe. So, we now have quite a number of ministries here.

         HON. SEN. PHULU:  Thank you Madam President. My question is directed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. As Zimbabwe has historically adopted a policy of supporting a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, we request the Hon. Minister to update us on the Government's current position concerning the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine and the recent escalation of hostilities in Israel. Additionally, could you elaborate on any measures or interventions that the Zimbabwean Government has undertaken in response to these developments?

THE HON. PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Can I maybe guide you on that one? That one is very particular. Can I please ask the Minister to go and research and give us a statement on that one because it is being requested and not just to think from where you are. Thank you.

HON. SEN. PHULU: Madam President, my question was – I do not know, I am not overriding you, it was on the Government’s policy to these things. They have a two-state policy, which is common…

THE HON. PRESIDENT OF SENATE: A policy on those who are fighting each other?

HON. SEN. PHULU:  No, no, no, on the two-state solution, Madam President.  They have taken the stance; they support a two-state solution.  We are saying, what is their policy now regarding escalation in recent months?

THE HON. PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Hon. Member, I think you will go along with what I have said.

HON. SEN. PHULU: May I ask another question?

THE HON. PRESIDENT OF SENATE: No.  I think you should also bring your question in a written form. So, that it is clear what do you actually want to know so that he takes that question, he sits with his officers, then come up with the proper position because everyone would like to know. It is a good question, but we need to know.

HON. SEN. PHULU: I will try.

THE HON. PRESIDNET OF SENATE: Why try? What he is going to say, it will be on behalf of the whole Government.

We do not joke with this thing in this House. No, someone who says that he will try. We cannot have that one.

*HON. SEN. MAVENYENGWA: Thank you Madam President. My question is directed to the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry – to the Deputy Minister who is present in the House. I wanted to understand the programme and the project which are being undertaken by the Ministry of “Promoting Gastronomy” in terms of our traditional meals. I want to understand how our visitors and tourists visiting Zimbabwe are taking this programme. Are they receiving it well or are they having challenges with accepting our meals? Can I have a response to that? Thank you.

*THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY (HON. T. M. MNANGAGWA): Thank you, Hon. Member, for the question. The issue that you are talking about of food, the gastronomy programme, is being well received, so much that even the United Nations came and we met in Victoria Falls. We invited the whole of Africa to come and showcase what they cook in their countries.

If you look at that programme, it encourages tourism because some people just travel for that, which is increasing our numbers. If you look at the reports that are coming out about progress in tourism, we are winning because of the gastronomy programmes. We will actually increase it. We want to ensure that it is found in all hotels. All hotels must be able to prepare the local dishes, which are actually much healthier compared to foreign processed foods that we get. So, there is progress, Hon. Member we will continue doing that as it increase numbers. I thank you. Madam President.

         *HON. SEN. MAVENYENGWA: Thank you, Madam President, for the response that I got. I also want to understand because we also receive food from other countries, some of which are GMOs. Does Government have plans to ensure that we also export our food since we seem to be consuming foreign food? I thank you.

         *HON. T. M. MNANGAGWA: Thank you, Madam President. I would like to thank the Hon, Member. Each time you hear that we have been sent out on tourism business, we actually go out with our dishes. We were in Germany, we cooked for them, and we invited the chefs there and we taught them. I also went to Britain with the cricket team. We had our dishes and we set a table and they ate our worms and other foods. I am going to Japan and I am actually going with our traditional dishes to Osaka, and I will be telling them that these are the dishes that we have in our country. I thank you.

         *HON. SEN. MAKAMBA: Thank you Madam President. My question is directed to the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Hon. Prof. Murwira.

         Hon. Minister, where are we with regards to sanctions? I know that sanctions were introduced during Tony Blair's rule and other leaders from the Western world actually contributed and supported that, and that affected the economy. I am asking that here and there are parties that are coming and some of them are meeting you or the business community. Some of them, we realise that they are parastatals, maybe from England, and some of them may seem to be leaders, and those meetings seem to be progressing, which sounds like thawing of relations.

         From time to time, we see that names are being removed from travel bans to England and other countries. Can you clarify the sanctions? Has Britain removed the sanctions or, where are we?

*THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE (HON. PROF. MURWIRA): Thank you Hon. President. I would like to thank Hon. Senator Makamba for the question with regards to sanctions or the cohesive measures.

         Firstly, I would like to say our President, Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa, told the Foreign Affairs and international trade Ministry that we want to be a country that has a foreign policy that is very profound and which does not just bark but moves like an elephant, which means we are supposed to behave with pride and that way we will be able to be respected. Although not being boisterous, we do not want to be looked down upon at the same time we realise that we have tried very much to be friends to all and indeed, we might have enemies but what we are saying is, we do not start provocations. At the beginning of 2002, the USA sanctions were introduced. When the Second Republic came into being, we put in place a policy that talks about engagement and re-engagement.  This means we want to repair the relations of those that we might have broken, including those that we were no longer in good standing with, so that we relate well because that is what Zimbabwe wants. So, the diplomatic effort that we have put in place is to tell SADC that yes, noise must be made that we do not want sanctions. We managed to convince SADC to put aside the 25^th of October as a day of rejecting sanctions imposed on our country and condemning them.  We went to the African Union and they assisted us to do the same. We also went to the United Nations just the day before yesterday and we sponsored a resolution.

We did go to Venezuela and other countries, which are called Friends of the Charter. On the 2^nd of December, it has now become an anti-sanctions day worldwide, so it means we have worked hard. Yes, we want to show other people that we do not bite but we do not also want to be bitten.  We have realised that there is traction. They have since toned down but they have not removed the sanctions totally. Removing names from the list does not mean removing sanctions. Removing sanctions means repealing the law totally. Looking at other countries, especially in the West, looking at ZIDERA, it is still intact. That law cannot be removed by making noise but by going through the legislative system. This means that all those orders that you saw, it was just plucking but the framework is still there and the law is there.

However, Zimbabwe is still progressing because we realised that the owners of the country are the ones who are responsible for building it.  If they see you building your country, they will support you but they will laugh at you if you do the opposite. So, the first thing is, if you talk about building your own country, it attracts a lot of people.  So, we are using it as a strategy for countries to come and work with us because they have since realised that they will be left behind. It is a way of removing the sanctions because the first sanction is in the brain. If you cry, those who imposed sanctions will celebrate but if you do not, they will start questioning whether there is something wrong that they would have done. So that is what is happening right now. People are now beginning to question what type of people we are yet we are good people.

So, the President has said they may be backing down while we move forward like an elephant. That is why the foreign policy of President Mnangagwa is quiet. This means that we carry ourselves well so that people may rate us properly.  There are a lot of things that you may have seen, such as the removal of names but that is not the removal of sanctions. As long as the law is still there, all those who may try to invest will realise that they may be affected by that law. That is why I was saying the priority is on us to build the country. There are a lot of people who are coming and we welcome them because we are a friend to all. This shows that there is a good spirit coming, being brought about by what we are doing and also the confidence that we have in what we are doing.  Indeed, if we do not cry, they will be surprised but if we cry aloud, they will actually rejoice. We do not want to be played like a drum. Let us be confident and be proud of the wealth that we have.  We have mineral resources that are God-given, we have our human resources and we have our peace. This is what points to progress.

UN, SADC and AU will all be speaking anti-sanctions and anyone who is calling for sanctions right now will be embarrassed, which means it is going in another direction. We are saying we are a friend to all and we have come to the realisation that indeed, this policy is working because we are hopeful that one day these sanctions will be removed.

What we first of all did, was to remove the sanctions in our heads because we are responsible for building our country. Thank you Madam President.

*HON. SEN. ZINDI:  My supplementary question to the Hon. Minister is that I need clarity about the wealth that he referred to, the economy especially. We saw President Trump imposing tariffs upon many countries and he said he wanted to protect America yet we did the opposite of what he did in Zimbabwe being led by His Excellency, President E.D Mnangagwa.  I want the Honourable Minister to clarify what advantage is there for us with that policy while America is attacking us, I thank you.

THE HON. PRESIDENT OF SENATE: I was not going to allow the question to be answered because the two are divorced from each other. It is a new question which requires specific details, so you should put your question in writing and the Minister will respond in this august House.

         *HON. SEN. ZINDI:  Thank you Madam President. As the Minister of Finance and Economic Development is absent, may you allow me to pose my question to the Leader of Government Business? I wanted to find out what his views are regarding the taxes that Zimbabweans are paying, especially those who are working on farms. If you put all the taxes together, are more than 50. What is his viewpoint? This is because all Zimbabwean workers are mourning that they are being overtaxed. Thank you.

         THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI): Thank you Madam President of the Senate. I want to thank the Hon. Member for the question, that we have too many taxes. It is difficult for me to answer this question. Five or six months ago, we had a motion in this House and we all voted. We had the Bill and the Hon. Senator in question voted and we were in agreement. So, it is not just the duty of the Government to look into such issues. It is a duty that we share.

If the Hon. Senator is in disagreement with what we agreed on, she can then bring a motion through the Committee that deals with such taxes. This will enable the Hon. Minister, during the Mid-Term fiscal presentation, we can then debate on the issue to reduce the number of taxes that we have during the Mid-Term Review. What is in place is what we agreed on as an august House. Thank you.

         Questions Without Notice were interrupted by THE HON. PRESIDENT OF SENATE in terms of Standing Order No. 67.

         +HON. SEN. MLOTSHWA: Thank you Madam President. I was kindly asking for the time for Questions Without Notice to be extended by 20 minutes?

         HON. SEN. MAKAMBA: I second.

Motion put and agreed to.

         HON. SEN. GOTORA: Thank you for allowing my two questions to be answered. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, a question which I would want to preface with. What a pride we have as a nation for hosting the Ramsar Convention next month. This is not an easy task because it may never come back to Africa until after another 100 years. My question to the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs is, what is the difference between domestication and the ratification of conventions?

         THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. Z. ZIYAMBI): Thank you Mr. President. I want to thank the Hon. Senator for the question. He wants to know the difference between ratification and domestication. There is an interrelationship between the two. When we sign a treaty, it does not become a law unless we incorporate it into our laws, which we call our municipal or domestic laws. So, the process of ensuring that, that particular law is operational in our system is what is termed domesticating the treaty.

Ratification is, in order to be bound by a treaty or a convention that you have signed, you need to deposit through Foreign Affairs the Instruments for ratification. In other words, the process of ratification also involves, in terms of Section 327, bringing it here for the ratification process so that it is formally incorporated to be part of our laws. Once those processes have been done, then the President will instruct the Minister of Foreign Affairs to go and deposit the instruments for ratification. That indicates the process that we have done to bring it to Parliament, Parliament approving, the President signing to say, no, this particular treaty, we are now bound by it and we want to be part of the convention and the articles are now operational in our jurisdiction. I so submit Mr. President.

         HON. SEN. BVUMO: Thank you Mr. President, for allowing me to ask a question to the Deputy Minister of Information and Publicity.  In approximately a month, Zimbabwe is hosting the Ramsar Convention, also known as COP15.  A very important event in the history of the country and may be an event which we as this generation, might not witness again.  My question is, what is your Ministry doing to ensure that this important event is covered adequately?  I have been following the ZBC and other social media platforms.  It is very unfortunate that the event is not being given the importance and stature it deserves.  So, I would like to know if there are any measures that the Ministry can take to ensure that every Zimbabwean is afforded the opportunity to know the event that is coming, considering its importance. 

         THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF INFORMATION, PUBLICITY AND BROADCASTING SERVICE (HON. MARUPI): Thank you Hon. President, for giving me this opportunity to respond to the contribution from the Hon. Senator.  I would like to thank the Hon. Senator for the good question.  First of all, let me say, as a Ministry and as a country, this is not the first conference of this nature that we have held in Zimbabwe.  We have, as a country, been given the responsibility to hold big conferences before because of our capability.  The number of conferences that we have held under the leadership of His Excellency, Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa, I can safely say, has actually they have more than trebled because of the confidence that they have in us.

         As a Ministry, we might have the responsibility and be asked what we are doing?  It is the responsibility of all Zimbabweans to see to it that if we have any contribution that we should bring to the Ministry to see into it that whatever conference that is being held here, whoever is visiting this country, will live a happy person at the end of the day by seeing our capability that we have in holding and portraying Zimbabwe in a way that will be positively seen by us all.  We all have a responsibility. Having noticed that maybe it is important and high time that you come forward because we might be lacking in whatever way or programming that we actually portray.  However, it is not a single Ministry’s responsibility.  I am happy that…

         HON. SEN. MHLOTSWA: On a point of order Mr. President.  We realise that our time is really limited in terms of asking questions and the Minister is meandering and not going straight to the point.  We would like you to answer, just go straight to the point, so that we move to the next Minister.  I thank you.

         HON. MARUPI: Thank you.  As such, I have a fellow Deputy Minister seated next to me, who has just responded to a question that is more or similar to what feeds into what we do when we have conferences of this magnitude.  As a Ministry, maybe let me tell you that we are overwhelmed with putting in place transmitters and beefing up our human resources by engaging more people as per our geographical location, linguistic and cultural definition of our country, as constitutionally contained, by employing more people in the languages that are found and spoken in Zimbabwe so that they can articulate to the public the importance of COP15.  I rest my case. 

         +HON. SEN. MLILO: Thank you Mr. President.  My question is directed to the Minister of Mines and Mining Development.  We once heard that in the mining sector, widows were complaining that after their husbands passed on, who owned mining claims, there are people that came and attempted to chase them away.  What measures are you taking to ensure that the surviving spouses of the late husbands who had permits for the mines remain on those mines? 

         THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF MINES AND MINING DEVELOPMENT RESPONSIBLE FOR GAS AND OIL EXPLORATION (HON. DR. MAKWIRANZOU): Thank you Mr. President.  Indeed, sometimes it happens that widows are chased away but we have a succession policy, where if an owner of a claim dies, there must be somebody who will succeed him.  We had several cases that have come to us, where there have been attempts to chase away widows.  I am happy to say that we deal with these strongly to make sure that the people who have been appointed as successors take up those claims. 

         *HON. SEN. GUMPO: Thank you Mr. President.  I have a few words for the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry.  I think the team that you sent to Victoria Falls is doing a sterling job.  My question is are you still going to be there to fulfill the obligation you sent them or are you going to go after the problems have been solved?

         *THE MINISTER OF TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY (HON. T. MNANGAGWA): Thank you President of the Senate.  I would like to thank the Hon. Senator for the pertinent question.  I am still available and I will accomplish the task at hand.  We had an agreement as a Ministry that our focus on tourism is now more aligned to Victoria Falls.  It is a success story; we have managed to build up Victoria Falls. We now want to refurbish Kariba.  These are the words that the Hon. Senator is saying.  We have sent an emissary, who is the Permanent Secretary to Kariba, to meet with other stakeholders.  We want to understand what the challenges that people in Kariba are facing.  Is it the road or is it the plane or maybe it is the issue that Kariba is not being marketed?

         As a Ministry, we have a document that we structured, which we are going to use as a ‘bible’.  This is the manual that we are going to use to revive Kariba as a tourist attraction site.  Thank you.

         HON. SEN. PHULU: Thank you, my follow up question is, in brief, is the Minister in a position to highlight what were the top two problems with Kariba?

HON. T. M. MNANGAGWA: From our investigation Hon. Senator, we discovered its three pronged? We have got an issue of the actual marketing of the destination that is lacking. Unfortunately, it lies with my ministry and our parastatal, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority. We have come up with ways to enhance the marketing and in the next few weeks, we are going to start with a programme, a festival where we are inviting everyone for fishing, not the tiger fish, the usual one.

We are going to put a price money of USD100 000 in a bream and we go fishing. Whoever manages to fish it, we will give him a cash price of USD100 000. We are working with the operators and the hoteliers in the areas who are inviting people from the whole region, who used to frequent Kariba and you are also welcome Senator. That is the marketing aspect.

Second one is the connectivity. There is no tourism without connectivity. Our runway is short, we can only accommodate a certain size of an aeroplane and people argue that Fast Jet was flying there, why did they stop? Fast Jet was flying and they were using a hired, a leased plane and they could not keep on paying for the lease and so they stopped. We need airlines with smaller planes to come in. Hence what the Senator was saying, he sent a delegation to my office, I sat down with owners of airlines who are interested in coming in and flying those smaller planes into Kariba. We also called in Airports Company of Zimbabwe, the CEO was there. The operators in Kariba presented an option of extending the runway or building another one. The options are there, they are still on the table and we are here to come and present them.

Third one being the road. I do not know the last time you were on that road Senator? For your own information, a lot of work has been done along that road, a lot of patching is going on. People still have the mind that Kariba-Chirundu Road is not usable. As we speak, there are smaller patches left that the Ministry of Transport is working on. We supervise and also help through the whole of Government approach. We do not leave it as a problem of the Ministry of Transport but it is also our problem as the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry. Thank you.

Questions Without Notice were interrupted by THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF SENATE in terms of Standing Order Number 67.

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE

CONSTRUCTION OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES BY THE PUBLIC

1.HON. SEN. ADV. PHULU asked the Minister of Local Government and Public Works to explain to the House what Government plans are in place to avert the construction of illegal structures by the public, considering the challenges posed by inadequate land policies.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS (HON. KABIKIRA):  As the House may be aware, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works imposed a moratorium on the allocation of urban State land on the 12^th of June 2024 until further notice. The moratorium was put in place to allow the Ministry to strengthen existing and establish new urban State land administration and management systems. The envisaged strengthened systems seek to curb land maladministration, close spaces for baronism as well as promoting environmental protection.

Among other things, the Ministry is reviewing both Regional Town and Country Planning Act, Chapter 29 (12) and promulgated an Urban State Land Management Policy and the attendant guidelines. The land allocation, servicing and development shall therefore be informed by the new land administration system and shall avert the construction of illegal structures. Thank you.

EXEMPTION OF SENIOR CITIZENS FROM PAYING UTILITY BILLS IN BOTH URBAN AND RURAL AUTHORITIES

4. HON. SEN. ZINDI asked the Minister of Local Government and Public Works to explain to the House the policy of exempting senior citizens from paying rates for water, road construction, street lighting, education levies and parking fees in areas under urban local authorities and to further explain whether this policy also applies to rural local authorities.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS (HON. KABIKIRA): Sorry Mr. President I do not have the response for question number 4.

THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF SENATE (HON. SEN. KAMBIZI): Okay, I think you may want to be kept abreast with the Order Paper so that when you come, you really know how many questions you are supposed to be responding to because you are supposed to be responding to question number four. In any case, may you take note so that next week when you come, you will have a response for question number four.

HON. KABIKIRA: Noted Mr. President.

EXEMPTION OF WAR VERETARIANS FROM PAYING PARKING FEES IN URBAN LOCAL AUTHORITIES

5. 5. HON. SEN. ZINDI asked the Hon Minister of Local Government and Public Works on the policy direction regarding exemption of war veterans from paying parking fees in all urban local authorities considering that this is what is done in other countries.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS (HON. KABIKIRA): Unfortunately, also question number five has no response.

THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Next week we will not accept this. I advise you to communicate with the Journals Office so that you will get the Order Paper in time to be able to respond to all your questions.

HON. SEN. ZINDI: Point of order.

THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Yes, what is your point of order?

HON. SEN. ZINDI: My point of order is just to bring it to your attention that I asked these questions, I think about three weeks ago and the Hon. Minister requested that I put the questions on the Order Paper so that he would be in a position to research on those questions. So, I thought perhaps I should bring this to your attention since the responses are not present as well today. I thank you.

THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: It has been noted Hon. Senator Zindi and that is why I am giving him another chance so that next week he brings the necessary responses.      

ISSUANCE OF IDENTITY CARDS TO WAR VETERANS AS EXEMPTION FROM PAYING TAXES

11. 11. HON. SEN. ZINDI asked the Minister of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs to explain why the Ministry does not have a policy where all Government institutions provide services to all war veterans through the issuance of identity cards that allow for the exemption from paying all forms of taxes in their day-to-day activities in recognition of their sacrifices in liberating the country.

THE MINISTER OF VETERANS OF THE LIBERATION STRUGGLE AFFAIRS (HON. SEN. MAVHUNGA): Mr. President Sir, I want to thank Hon. Senator Zindi for asking this question. The question is in two parts. The first relates to the issuance of identity cards to veterans of the liberation struggle for ease of identification when they approach Government offices for various services. There are two categories of veterans of the liberation struggle who are currently accredited and receiving benefits. These are war veterans and ex-political prisoners, detainees and restrictees. They all have vetting confirmation slips and their names have been gazetted.

In addition, war veterans have been issued with war veterans' identity cards. The ideal situation is that they should all have identity cards that are easy and convenient to carry around. However, some of the identity cards were, over the years, lost or mutilated, thereby forcing the individuals to resort to vetting confirmation slips. In some instances, the confirmation slips were also lost. The Ministry will, in due course, conduct an exercise to replace old veteran identity cards whilst issuing new ones to categories that do not hold them. In the meantime, veterans can approach our various provincial and district offices where they can be issued with letters confirming their status as veterans of the liberation struggle so that they can easily access services from government institutions.

Various Government ministries are readily accepting these letters. These include the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement, Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Local Governments and Public Works, Health and Child Care, to mention a few. In the case of the categories not yet accredited, namely the non-combatant cadres and war collaborators, those who were provisionally successfully vetted were issued with confirmation slips. The process of gazetting is underway pending finalisation of consultations with the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion.

Mr. President, regarding the second part of the question on tax exemptions, the principles for amendment to the Ministry`s statutes is now at Government committee stage. The amendments seek to exempt veterans from paying inter-alia import duties, toll gate fees and parking fees. I thank you.

HON. SEN. ZINDI: Thank you Mr. President. First and foremost, if you may allow me to thank the Hon. Minister for the positive response on the exemptions. Unfortunately, she mentioned just three areas of concern while I had also indicated on the issue of exemption on rates, taxes in urban and all local authorities. Thank you.

HON. SEN. MAVHUNGA:  Thank you Mr. President. I thought maybe by using the word inter-alia, I was talking of many more amongst other things.

HON. SEN. ZINDI: Noted Mr. President.

COURT ORDER DETAILS ISSUED TO WAR VETERANS ON PAYMENT OF OUTSTANDING PENSIONS.

12. HON. SEN. ZINDI asked the Minister of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs to explain to the House, details of the court order that was issued in relation to the payment of outstanding pensions due to war veterans and to further explain whether this money will be backdated as required by the court order.

THE MINISTER OF VETERANS OF THE LIBERATION STRUGGLE AFFAIRS (HON. SEN. MAVHUNGA): Thank you Mr. President and I want to thank the Hon. Senator Zindi for asking this important question. Before responding to the question, it is necessary for me to give some background to the matter, as the issue dates back to 1997. In terms of Statutory Instrument 280 of 1997, war veterans were entitled to a monthly pension of Z$2,000, payable until death from 1^st January 1998. They received this money for one year. As inflationary pressures began to increase, the amount was adjusted to Z$2,420 from January to June 1999, then Z$2,900 from July to December 1999. These adjustments continued on a six-monthly and sometimes on a yearly basis and by December 2004, war veterans were receiving Z$285,340.56.

In order to obviate the need for continuous consultations whenever the pension required review, the provisions of Statutory Instrument 280 of 1997 were overtaken by Statutory Instrument 152 of 2004. Accordingly, Section 7 of the War Veterans Act [Chapter 11:15] was amended to include sub-section 5, stating that any pension benefit for war veterans should be paid from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, thus empowering the Pensions Review Tribunal

to adjust the pension just like other Government pensions.  As a result, the determination of pensions was adjusted to an indexing formula where war veterans are paid 48% of the salary of serving members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.  The pension was initially pegged at 48% of a private soldier, then Warrant Officer Class Two and later to Warrant Officer Class One.

Mr. President, this arrangement continued into the US dollar era.  The amount was gradually increased from USD48 in March 2009 to USD242.60 in March 2019.  When the RTGS was introduced as a currency, War Veterans were paid RTGS313.00 between April and July 2019.  This was adjusted to RTGS532.10 from August to December 2019.  It was during this period that the War Veterans Pressure Group approached the courts for a declaratory order for the payment of ZWL2 000.00 stipulated in S.I. 280 of 1997.  Whilst the matter was still being determined at the courts Government continued to adjust the pension in line with the indexation formula.  In January 2020, the pension was adjusted to RTGS1 275.  Judgement was passed on 13 March, 2020, in case number HC1548/19 granting the applicants a declaratory order for the payment of ZWL2 000.00 effective April 2020 pay date, which was subject to the provision of S.I. 280 of 1997.  The judgement was passed at a time when the pension had just been reviewed for the 44^th time since 1980 to RTGS2 026.08, which was actually more than what the applicants demanded.  The Ministry, therefore, complied with the judgement.

Madam President, Hon. Members, the judgement did not include any payment of arrears.  This led the War Veterans Pressure Group to institute proceedings seeking payment of arrears.  The application is pending before the High Court and it is not possible to discuss the matter of arrears any further.  I thank you.

THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE:  Thank you very much Hon. Sen. Mavhunga.  Allow me to say Hon. Mavhunga is one Minister who has been consistent in terms of responding to questions.  I feel that if all Ministers could emulate her, I think things could work out properly.

HON. SEN. MAVHUNGA:  I want to thank the House for always praising me and for the support that you always give me in this House.  I thank you.

WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE

UTILISATION OF TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY

3. HON. SEN. TSHABANGU asked the Minister of Local Government and Public Works to inform the House on how the Ministry is utilising technology to improve service delivery?

         THE MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS (HON. GARWE): Mr. President, I wish to advise the House that the Ministry is making significant strides in modernising its services and operations through technology. It has introduced online services in partnership with 23^rd Century systems, enabling citizens nationwide to apply for various land-related services online such as residential or commercial stands, lease renewals and title deeds without travelling to Harare. 

         Additionally, the Stateland Management Information System is being developed to integrate seamlessly with these online services, streamlining processes and enhancing records management while promoting transparency through online open bids for land developers.  The re-engineered Liquor Licencing System now supports online applications and payments, with modular deployment in progress, allowing liquor operators to utilise the platform remotely.

         To further improve operations, the Ministry has replaced parts of its outdated computer network at its Head Office, though additional funding is required to extend this across all floors and provincial offices.  An electronic project tracking dashboard has been deployed to monitor projects nationwide efficiently. 

Efforts in disaster risk management include computer networks installed in five provinces and integration of an Early Warning Disaster Risk Management System with hazard managers.  The Ministry is also finalising a Whatsapp chatbot for real-time alerts and procuring mobile devices to strengthen communication with traditional leaders. 

Local authorities are undergoing ICT audits, with plans to address gaps in urban and rural councils, including resolving concerns about City of Harare’s ERP system through shared procurement efforts.

On the motion of THE MINISTER OF VETERANS OF THE LIBERATION STRUGGLE AFFAIRS (HON. SEN. MAVHUNGA), the Senate adjourned at Fifteen Minutes past Four o’clock p.m. until Tuesday, 24^th June, 2025.