[featured_image]

Download is available until [expire_date]

Version
Download 0
File Size 226.24 KB
File Count 1
Create Date September 19, 2024
Last Updated March 12, 2025

SENATE HANSARD 19 SEPTEMBER 2024 VOL 33 NO 78

PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE

Thursday, 19^th September, 2024.

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

PRAYERS

(THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF SENATE in the Chair)

APOLOGIES RECEIVED FROM MINISTERS

THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF SENATE (HON. SEN. KAMBIZI): I have here with me a list of Hon. Ministers who have tendered their apologies as follows;

Gen. (Rtd) Dr. C.G.D.N. Chiwenga, Vice President;
Vice President Dr. Mohadi,
K. Coventry; Minister of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture
B. Rwodzi; Tourism and Hospitality Industry.
Rtd. Brig. Gen Mayihlome; Deputy Minister of Defence;
J. Mhlanga; Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development.
Hon. D. Garwe; Minister of Local Government and Public Works
Hon. F Shava; Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
Hon. O. Mazungunye; Deputy Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.
Hon. Prof. E. Murwira; Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development.
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. E. Moyo; Minister of Energy and Power Development
Hon. M. Ncube; Deputy Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities.
Hon. Dr. Mombeshora; Minister of Health and Child Care

In the House, we have the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development; Hon. Mhona.

HON. SEN. PHULU: On a point of privilege Mr. President Sir, I stand to note our displeasure that week in and week out, Ministers are not attending the sessions of Senate. If you compare the attendance of Hon. Ministers in the National Assembly as compared to the rate of attendance to this Chamber, it shows disdain and failure to take our Chamber seriously and we would like to register our displeasure. We call upon you Mr. President, to communicate this message to the Leader of Government Business and indeed to the President if necessary, that our Chamber demands to be taken seriously. We applaud the Minister of Transport who is here week in and week out, showing us respect and giving us concrete answers. Certainly, may it be noted seriously that this Chamber might refuse to participate in the Finance Bill if they do not take us seriously Mr. President. -[HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear]-

THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Your concern has been noted Hon. Senator Phulu.

HON. SEN. ZINDI: Thank you Mr. President. I am of the opinion that it should also be a stand-alone just to acknowledge the presence and the continued presence of the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Hon. Mhona, that he adheres to his duty and takes it seriously. We take note of that as Senators. I thank you.

THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF SENATE: You are right Hon. Members. I will take that up as usual and bring back feedback. We have been joined by Hon. Senator Marupi; Deputy Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services. So, in the House, we now have two Ministers and you can direct your questions to them. I also hope that others will join us as we proceed.

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

*HON. SEN. MUZODA: Thank you Mr. President. My question is directed to the Minister of Transport. However, my question is a bit specific. I would want to find out about the rehabilitation status of the road that goes to Victoria Falls. The road is in a very bad state, especially from St. Phillips to Lupane. What steps are being taken by Government to ensure that the road is rehabilitated? This road is used by many people going to Victoria Falls.

THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Yes, Hon Member, your question is specific, but I will allow the Minister of Transport to respond but if he does not have an answer, I will request that you put the question in writing.

*THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. MHONA): Thank you President of the Senate. I also want to thank Hon. Senator Muzoda for asking a pertinent question. It is true that every time I raise my head, I face Hon. Senator Tshabangu and Hon. Senator Phulu and they always ask about this road. This question has been outstanding for a long time, but I want to thank you all for your patience. The issue of this road does not concern only the people in this House but His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa. As I speak, today I was busy writing and forwarding the issue to Cabinet which is going to give us the power to choose whom we are going to work with to make sure that the road is refurbished. From next week, we are going to notify this august House who is going to refurbish the road from Beitbridge to Bulawayo then we proceed from Bulawayo to Victoria Falls. Right now, we have someone who is going to do the 660km to make sure that the whole road is refurbished.

I also want to notify the people of Zimbabwe that we are working with the private sector to refurbish this road. I also want to notify this House that very soon we will put to bed the discussion around the rehabilitation of this road. I am happy now that we have got something tangible in terms of rehabilitation of the road from Bulawayo to Victoria Falls. This road is not only troublesome to local people, but even to tourists. They are finding it difficult to use the road. We have identified a reputable contractor who is renowned for high quality work who is going to work on this road.

THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF SENATE (HON. SEN. KAMBIZI): I wish to inform the Senate that we have been joined by the Deputy Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Hon. D. Phuti.

*HON. SEN. SHIRI: My question is directed to the Deputy Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services. Looking at the mantra by His Excellency, the President that no one and no place should be left behind, what is Government policy regarding access to information by those who are disabled. In addition, what policy is there which encourages journalists to interact with the disabled using sign language?

*THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF INFORMATION, PUBLICITY AND BROADCASTING SERVICES (HON. DR. MARUPI): I want to thank you Mr. President for affording me this opportunity to respond to the question raised by Hon. Senator Shiri. The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa has always said that it is imperative that every place and area must be developed so that there is no one who is left behind. You can see it through the programmes that are being done throughout the country.

On the pertinent issue you have raised, you can agree with me that sign language has been incorporated in our news bulletins. I will go on to say that we have employed radio personalities who are disabled. It is also our policy that when media houses are recruiting, they should employ people with disabilities as well. Our media houses have also employed the visually impaired and those who use crutches. One of the radio personalities has been sent to the University of Zimbabwe to further his studies.

Right now, we are working towards making formal groups of journalists who are going to formulate a language policy which can be used when disseminating information, language which is not hurtful or inciteful. I hope I have responded fully to your question. Pardon me, I am still polishing up my Shona.

*HON. SEN. SHIRI: I see that Government is going to make it compulsory for motorists to pay car radio licences. What steps have you put in place to make sure that the disabled are not denied access to information?

*HON. DR. MARUPI: When these laws are being crafted, we focus on whole nation but when there is a minority or a small section of people who are disadvantaged, I plead with them to write down their grievances and bring them to the Ministry so that we can see as a Ministry where we went wrong or where we omitted in order to include everyone and the law becomes inclusive. The laws are made for the people. There is always room for amendments and our policies are not cast in stone.

*HON. SEN. CHAKABUDA: My question is directed to the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development. In the past few days, we heard that the railway lines and wagons are going to be refurbished. Is there anything being done by the Ministry to make sure the issue of railways not functioning well is eliminated?

*THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT (HON. MHONA): Most of our roads are being destroyed because most of the goods which used to be transported via the railway lines are now being transported on the roads. Those who follow current affairs, you heard that His Excellency, the President, Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa was in China and in one of the discussions that he did with his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping, he mentioned the issue of railways. I am happy that the refurbishment of the railways is going to be done including the much talked about railway line between Harare and Chitungwiza.

National Railways of Zimbabwe is not just seated, they have started working on refurbishing the railway lines. Right now, they are refurbishing the railway line from Chikwalakwala to Maputo and then to Plumtree. This is a very important railway line which means that the goods which used to be transported by roads are going to be transported by railway line.

I am pleading with the people of Zimbabwe that in the recent past, we experienced an accident where most of our wagons were burnt by fire. I want to believe that there seems to be a human hand behind it. It did not end there, just yesterday there was also another incident where wagons were burnt. I want to take this opportunity to warn the people of Zimbabwe that these wagons belong to us, they are our property, and hence it is very pertinent for us to protect our infrastructure. When we are improving our infrastructure, let us work together and protect our property and not repeat doing the same job of refurbishing.

When we complete the refurbishment of railway lines, we are going to put a law which will prohibit the transportation of heavy goods which used to be transported by road. This should be prevented or stopped and use the railway lines. I emphasise that we are to carry our goods using the railway lines and not using the roads. That is the wish of the President in the Second Republic. Thank you.

*HON. SEN. TONGOGARA: Thank you Mr. President. I also want the Minister of Transport to give us a full detailed answer. The problem is that if there is refurbishment or the construction of a railway line or road, most of the time, you find that the property has been vandalised. I also want to ask when you are refurbishing and constructing the railway lines, is there any Government policy with different Government departments to make sure that vandalism is prevented? This will enable us not to continue repeating the issue of constructing and refurbishing these railway lines. Thank you, Mr. President.

*HON. MHONA: Thank you Mr. President. I also want to thank Hon. Sen. Tongogara. It is true that we are working with other different Government departments who see that there is protection of peace, for those who are found wanting on the wrong side of the law. I think on the issue of the goods train being burnt, we have already raised the issue with those who are responsible for investigations. At the moment, they are carrying the investigations to see who the culprits are. Yes, I agree that the issue is not on the Ministry of Transport only, but we are working together with the law enforcement agency to make sure that our infrastructure is being protected. It is not the only issue because some of them are digging out the railway lines. They are looking for minerals and they are disturbing the railway lines. It is my wish that Zimbabweans must protect our infrastructure. If we continue vandalising, the country is going to be stagnant. Thank you.

*HON. SEN. MANYENGAVANA: My question is directed to the Minister of Transport. What is being done by the Ministry to make sure that our goods train are modernised and not depending on those that were left by the colonisers? Thank you.

*HON. MHONA: Thank you Hon. Senator Manyengavana for raising a pertinent question. He asked a very pertinent question but it does not mean that if we get something new, we are going to throw it away. Even in our culture, when you marry your wife and at your age you cannot divorce her and marry another wife. Even if something is old, it is expected to work accordingly and those old goods train are the ones which we are going to use to carry our grain.

Sometimes even the locomotives are going to be used to carry the goods. Those who are doing research are saying old locomotives are stronger than those which are being produced nowadays. I want to promise you that the movement of people, the use of fuel and the movement of goods will be much easier. We believe that when we look in terms of buying another new train, we are going to consider all these things. We are going to get good trains and tippers from India. What Hon. Senator Manyengavana raised is very important because it is going to help us in the improvement of our infrastructure.

*HON. SEN. CHITSAMBA: Thank you Mr. President. My question is directed to the Minister of Transport. A few months back, I asked the same question. I stay in Nyanga and there is a road called Binya Road, but when you look at the map, it says that the road is tarred but physically, the road is not tarred. The few roads that were being refurbished, they worked only 3km. Along Binya Road, there is Marist Brothers School. What is Government policy or what plans do you have concerning this road? Many accidents are happening in Nyanga because of this road. May you kindly help us concerning this road. Thank you.

*THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Let me take this opportunity to remind the Members of this august House that if a question is focused on one thing, for example one road, it must be a written question so that the Minister can go and research and answer properly. Today, I am going to give you the benefit of doubt. The Minister can answer you if he has got an answer, but if he does not have the answer, I am going to request you Hon. Senator to write your question down.

*THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. MHONA): Thank you Mr. President for raising the issue that questions must be written down. Hon. Senator Chitsamba, as I am speaking right now, people are very happy because we are putting tar on Binya Road which goes to Nyanga. I do not know, when she came here, did she manage to see the road? So, when you go back home, you will travel on a tarred road. We cannot finish the whole road in one day, but the beginning is very important. People are happy because we are working on something that gives people hope that they are going to finish. I am happy that I have managed to answer this question because most of the people in Zimbabwe did not know about this road. I have given an assurance that they are currently working on the road. So, I take this opportunity to let Zimbabweans know that the road is being worked on. Thank you very much.

+HON. SEN. C. NDHLOVU: Thank you Mr. President for awarding me this opportunity. My question is directed to the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development. Looking at the fact that we are now approaching the rain season, from the weather report, they have given us information that by early October, we will be receiving rains. What measures are being taken on the Nkayi Road because for you to head from Bulawayo, you take six hours for just 159 km. Hon. Minister, are there any other means that you can try to put gravel on the road so that the road can be passable for the meantime?

THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF SENATE: I think two or three minutes ago, I talked about a particular road, a particular place or province, that it must be put in writing to allow the Minister to go and research and bring back full information that will satisfy this House. I am surprised people continue to ask specific questions. In any case, Hon. Senator, can you put your question in writing so that we proceed?

HON. SEN. ZINDI: Thank you Mr. President. My question is directed to the Deputy Minister of Information. I am imploring the Deputy Minister to explain to Zimbabweans, regarding the newly instituted policy to do with purchasing of radio licences, before one can actually pay for motor car insurance or any other for the vehicle. Second part of the question, does it mean that if one has got a radio licence or TV licence at home, you can move around with your licence? Is it valid to say it covers whatever other radio that you may have or is it licencing per each and every radio that you may have? For example, if I have 30 radios, I must pay licences for them? I thank you.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF INFORMATION, PUBLICITY AND BROADCASTING SERVICES (HON. MARUPI): Thank you Mr. President. I would like to thank Hon. Senator Zindi for bringing that question. A car radio is in the car and the car is driven with the radio there. You cannot actually take a radio that should be at home and put it in the car and move with it. So, it is attached there and it stays there. When you pay for a licence, you actually will be paying for a specific licence. When it comes to the payment of multiple radios or televisions – let me use an example of what is happening with the hoteliers. For each television in the room, it pays a licence because you would have paid to stay in that particular hotel, to watch that particular television in that particular room. You would not be sharing it and it is the same with these gadgets that are in these cars that we drive.

Let me say this policy is not actually meant to punish car owners or radio owners. It is actually meant to help us improve on service because we know that we have got transmitters. When it comes to the number of these transmitters, they also become overloaded. We actually see it, for example with the roads, the state of the roads does not mean we are not repairing them. It is because of the high volume of cars that keep on being purchased every day. So, the wear and tear, though I am using an example of a certain Ministry, I am just trying to support my response, to say the whole issue is not about to punish, but to try by all means to improve on service. I thank you.

HON. SEN. ZVIDZAI: Thank you very much Mr. President. It is a matter of choice; I think in this country we are allowed to make choices. I can make a choice not to have a radio in my car. What safety valve is there for a person like me who might not want to have a radio in my car so that I can access insurance and licence of the car?

HON. MARUPI: Thank you Hon. Senator. Without being rude, the crafting of policies, sometimes are not individualised. It is not about how one feels, but it is about what we want to achieve at the end of the day as a country because it is meant to protect us. Thank you.

HON. SEN. ZVIDZAI: I would like to know whether my own rights are subservient to rights of other people.

HON. MARUPI: I would ask Hon. Mhona to assist me here.

THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. MHONA): Thank you Mr. President for indulging me to assist my Hon. Colleague Minister and also to appreciate and thank the question raised by Hon. Senator Zvidzai. Your individual rights are protected. I would like to clarify that if it is that you do not have a gadget, if you would look at the principles of that Bill, it actually gives you that right to have an affidavit in place to make sure that you then disclose that you do not have a receiver in your car. So, it is your right, you are not forced if you do not want to have a radio in your car. It is your right to exercise that and there is leeway to demonstrate that you do not have a gadget in your car. So, in that particular incident, you prove by signing an affidavit that will go together with the papers of the vehicle. I thank you.

HON. SEN. ZINDI: Would it be so difficult for the Minister to make perhaps a press release to clarify on the rights to citizens, those who would have chosen not to have a radio in their vehicles? Right now, there is an outcry if not an outrage by the public because of this policy.

THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF SENATE: I think that is a request being made and I do not see anything wrong with that.

Hon. Senator Zindi having wanted to interject the Hon. Minister of Transport.

THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Interjection overruled.

HON. MHONA: Thank you Mr. President Sir. Just to add to what Hon. Senator Zindi has said, the processes of Bill formulation involves going out to the public for consultations and then to this very august House, where it also goes to the National Assembly. Now, it is not a policy position that is final. It has to be approved because this is a Bill and it has got its own processes. It is not like today we started enforcing that because the Constitution entails that we must also seek the views of the public, debate and then put into law. I think it is a process and you still have your rights to debate and then pass it. Thank you.

*HON. SEN. MAKAMBA: Thank you very much Mr. President Sir. I want to direct my question to the Minister of Transport. There is an author who wrote that when someone is doing a good job, others might think that they can do the job in the same manner. Honourable Minister, you have demonstrated that you are good and we have seen that through the road rehabilitation programme. Some of us might also emulate but I know someone who is called Mr. Dzvinyu, I just applied this in this particular context. Honourable Minister we appreciate the good job that you are doing.

My question is, we are told that you are moving the Mazowe Research Station tollgate further down the Mvurwi Road turnoff. You also mentioned in this august House that you are rehabilitating the Centenary-Mt. Darwin-Mukumbura Road, which boarders Zimbabwe and Mozambique. We want clarity on that issue. I thank you Hon. Minister.

HON. SEN. TSHABANGU: Point of Order. That is a specific question Mr. President Sir. I think you have made a ruling on that…

THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Honourable Senator Tshabangu, that is my duty. Honourable Senator Makamba, you are talking of a particular province and I think you can put that in writing. Unless the Minister feels it necessary to respond to that but that is a particular province. You can put that in writing.

HON. SEN. MAKAMBA: Unless, if the Minister would like to indulge me. Thank you.

*HON. MHONA: Thank you Honourable President Sir. Like what was mentioned by Honourable Senator Makamba, I would like to respond because he commended the good job that is being done by the Ministry. Indeed, it is true that we are going to be moving that particular tollgate to the Mvurwi/Bindura Road. Those who know, this is a spot where the police used to have their roadblock.

Also, the Honourable Senator posed another question. We have been informing the community about that in the past week. This is going to be happening. We have been informing people and we have to do that following the due processes when we make such changes. He also mentioned the Ndoda Hondo Road, which is a name synonymous with our war veterans. This is the road which links Mukumbura. For now, it means we are left with just a few kilometers to the Mukumbura Border Post. We are still trying to identify a partner who is going to refurbish the Mukumbura Boarder Post because the responsibility of restructuring our infrastructure and also rehabilitating our roads is quite pertinent. I believe that sometimes we have to be patient because you might think that we are going to start constructing, but we have to follow due process. I thank you.

+HON. SEN. PHUTI: Thank you Mr. President Sir. My question is directed to the Leader of the House if he is available or the one who is standing in for him. I think this is an important question. What efforts are being done by President, since we know there is drought and it affects the water level? Is there a way of engaging those who are into mining? I have realised that while the status of the economy is bad, we still request that those who are into mining, especially artisanal miners pay a certain fee. Why are we making everyone pay? Why can we not consider the artisanal miners to be excluded in making the payment, especially from people coming from rural areas? We are able to exempt them since we once applied that policy when we were dealing with cement. I thank you.

+THE MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE (HON. M. NDLOVU): Thank you Mr. President Sir. I want to thank the Hon. Senator for the question. As a nation, I agree with you that we are faced with a drought, taking into consideration that human beings together with our wildlife, have a challenge that has been posed by the drought. I want to thank the President for the mining that is taking place in different areas, putting up solar and also farming projects so that people in those different areas can be assisted.

I also want to thank few individuals who are able to do their own mining where they are also assisting the Government when it comes to mining. Those who are able to do mining on their own should do so. Government policy is that those who are mining, especially in rural areas for example, if you are drilling a borehole that is going to assist even the community, during such drought seasons like this, you are not supposed to pay when you are doing so. I want to correct that. You are not supposed to pay if you are drilling a borehole for water that will be used by the community. I thank you Mr. President.

THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF SENATE (HON. SEN. KAMBIZI): Hon. Senators, in the House we now have the Hon. Minister of Information, Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Service, Hon. Dr. Mavetera.

HON. SEN. GUMPO: My question is directed to the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development. Hon. President, the Harare-Chirundu Highway starting from Banket has developed very unbearable potholes. This part of the road gets regular potholes attention. When is the resumption of the main works going to be start on the highway? I thank you.

THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF SENATE: If a question is specific, it has to be put in writing and accordingly that one will also need to be put in writing.

HON. SEN. TSHABANGU: Hon. President, I seek your indulgence, I know I violate the rules every time I stand up but it benefits this House and the nation. I have two policy questions directed to two different Ministers who are here present…

THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Order, I agree but the time left for questions without notice is about to expire. I have only seven minutes and those on my list are seven as well. If you were to be in my shoes, obviously you will agree with me. You can have one question so that we give the other six a chance to ask but if time is extended I will consider that but in the meantime one question, the most important one of the two.

HON. SEN. TSHABANGU: My question is directed to my brother the Minister of Tourism. What initiatives is the Ministry undertaking to leverage …

THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Order, is the Minister of Tourism here, the Minister is not in, you can revert to the other one.

HON. SEN. TSHABANGU: The next question is directed to the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services. Can the Hon. Minister explain and outline the Government strategy for ensuring that the quality of content on our broadcasting platforms is high and diverse while also keeping the cost of advertising affordable to the business and individuals because it is always difficult to advertise through ZBC.

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS IN THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT AND CABINET (HON. SEN. MATUKE): I want to thank the Hon. Senator for the profound question. With the broadest of your question, if you can do us a favour and submit it in writing.

THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Hon. Senator Tshabangu, the Minister is requesting that you put the question in writing so that he brings a comprehensive response to that so that it benefits everyone else in the House.

HON. SEN. TONGOGARA: Thank you Hon. President, my question is directed to the Leader of the House. With the 2024-2025 agricultural season fast approaching and the announcement by the Metrological Department that the coming season will have normal to above normal rains, may the Hon. Minister favour this august House with the update of the Ministry’s state of readiness to avail the required inputs for the whole country. Thank you Mr. President.

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS IN THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT AND CABINET (HON. SEN. MATUKE): I want to thank the Hon. Senator for a very important question. First of all, I would want to say, Government is preparing to assist our farmers. We should also urge our farmers to be ready so that whatever comes from Government will be complementing what we have as farmers. However, I would want to assure the Hon. Member that according to the weather experts, we should be expecting the first rains around end of October and by then distribution of inputs would have started. As Members of Senate and Parliament, we should not teach our people just to wait for Government, they have to take the initiative as well but Government will come to just complement on those who have started doing something. I thank you.

HON. SEN. ZVIDZAI: Thank you Hon. President. My question is directed to the Minister for the Metropolitan Province of Harare. It has got to do with Harare, Chitungwiza and Epworth water supplies. What policies are in place or are contemplated to make sure that we have adequate, affordable water that is equitably distributed to the three water authorities that make Harare Metropolitan.

THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Thank you Hon. Senator Zvidzai, that question cannot be answered by the Minister of State for Harare Province but instead it was supposed to be responded to by the Minister of Local Government. Therefore, I advise you to reserve it and probably the Minister of Local Government will be in next week and you ask that question again.

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

HON. SEN. PHULU: I move that time for questions without notice be extended Mr. President.

THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF SENATE: By how many minutes?

HON. SEN. PHULU: By fifteen minutes.

HON. SEN. TONGOGARA: I second.

*HON. SEN. CHIEF CHIKWAKA: Thank you Mr. President. I want to direct my question to the Minister of Transport. What is Government policy regarding the tussle between DDF and the councils, especially in rural areas. Sometimes you would find that when you talk to councils, they will tell you that it is the responsibility of DDF and if you go to DDF, they will also respond in the same manner saying that it is the responsibility of councils. So, the people are suffering because no one is taking responsibility for the tasks.

*THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. MHONA): Thank you Senate President. I also want to thank Hon. Senator Chief Chikwaka for his pertinent question. We have four departments, which are department of Roads, which falls under the Ministry of Transport. In the past, they used to service the main roads which link us with other countries. We have local authorities in cities, which is the second road authority. In rural areas, we have rural district councils and this is where the Senator’s question is based. However, they work with DDF which is now called RIDA. Indeed, sometimes there are challenges between the two departments where some say it falls under the purview of the other department, but everyone knows the RIDA roads and the council roads. I want to appreciate the fact that looking at the four departments, the Road Act is quite clear. In Chapter 38, it is clear that when no one wants to take responsibility, sometimes as Government we intervene. On top of that, His Excellency, President E.D. Mnangagwa is allowed as the President to intervene, especially noting that road authorities are not rehabilitating the roads. So, I believe that Hon. Senator Chief, the Ministry is there to solve these issues and to fix our roads. However, I want to appreciate the fact that when notified, our Ministry will clarify the position so that these issues do not persist. I thank you.

HON. SEN. PHULU: Thank you Madam President. My question is directed to the Minister of Information Communication Technology. Could you please provide us with an update on the implementation of the national digitalisation strategy? Additionally, what measures are being taken to ensure its effective deployment, especially in addressing the rural and urban divide that exists? I might as well take this opportunity to also congratulate her on the roll out of Starlink.

THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY, POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES (HON. DR. MAVETERA): Thank you very much Madam President of Senate. I also want to thank the Hon. Senator for that very important question. Yes, indeed, we have got plans under way for us to ensure that we fully implement our digitalisation strategy. Firstly, we are looking at us working on an e-learning strategy which we already have and as a Ministry, we really want to be able to interrogate how we can then be able to make it more effective. We have got the ICT lab schools in line with us making sure that we provide for connectivity, especially at schools. So, what we are doing is for us to have an assessment. Right now, we are having an audit to be able to look at how best we can make sure we are effective even in terms of us skilling or even upskilling teachers. That is in line with the e-learning strategy that we have.

We have also realised that in all the sectors of the economy, there are some that are very important. We also have to look at health issues and make sure that we embrace the use of AI and how we can also utilise even machines learning for us to ensure we provide for health services efficiently. We are looking at how we can best be able to also ensure in terms of infrastructure that we are putting in place to connect other than be connected, especially in the rural areas. So, what we are doing in terms of connectivity in the rural areas is encouraging a shared infrastructure policy, which is also going to see us utilising the resources that we have, to ensure we connect in the rural areas.

It is indeed a wholesome programme that we have in terms of us digitalising but again, even in Government ministries, we are also looking at us having an e-government strategy whereby we also want to make sure that we connect all Government ministries and partners in terms of making sure that we are fully connected. I think it will be important for me to bring a Ministerial Statement in terms of all the plans that we have. In a nutshell, what we are doing is to ensure that we fully digitalise and not leave anyone behind.

He also mentioned the issue of Starlink. We realise that right now, for us to be able to deploy infrastructure especially in the rural areas, it is important that we can be able to utilise all other innovations which include low earth orbit satellites, which is like Starlink for us to ensure we connect than be connected. We go to the rural areas and make sure that at least we will have done well. I am sure you appreciate Hon. Senator Phulu, that I tried to mention the key ones but it is a full structure that we have. Right now, we are going across the whole country having what we call digitalised Zimbabwe programmes whereby we want to ensure that all Government departments and everyone, it is a whole Government approach.

At the same time, we also need to communicate to our citizens what needs to be done in terms of us fully digitalising. On the digital economy, which is part of our clusters on the NDS1, we are working on it fully so that we will be able to achieve such. I thank you.

HON. SEN. PHULU: May you Madam President, formally request her to present a Ministerial Statement on the paper given that this needs to be done by 2030.

HON. SEN GOTORA: Madam President, my question is directed to the Minister of ICT. What policy is in place to ensure that the landline telephone connectivity is spread right across the country? I happen to know that there are certain districts that do not have a single landline phone. I thank you.

THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY, POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES (HON DR. MAVETERA): Yes, indeed he is very much appreciative of the fact that they really want to be using landlines, which I believe are more authentic when it comes to communication, especially for businesses. On the policy front, we are doing a programme which is called fibre-to-the-home which we are working on together with TelOne which is the fixed network provider. What we really want to do is to give it more capacity so that we can then be able to connect.

However, we are also looking at other service providers like Africom. They have a similar package for fixed network services. The policy direction that we are taking is to make sure that we have got an open vending system which allows more players to come in. We are very much open to that. We really want to capacitate TelOne so that they will be able to do that. We are working with them to make sure that they will be able to connect everyone through a programme that is called fibre-to-the-home.

HON. SEN. PHULU: Can I request the Hon. Minister to bring a Ministerial Statement?

HON. DR. MAVETERA: I will try to make sure that on the next sitting of Senate, I will bring a Ministerial Statement. I thank you.

HON. MANYENGAVANA: On a point of order. You gave us an extra 15 minutes. The 15 minutes is not over, we are left with 4 minutes.

THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF SENATE (HON. SEN. A. DUBE): Thank you. Can you take your seat?

+HON. SEN. RITTA NDLOVU: My question is directed to the Minister of Industry and Commerce. What plans do you have in resuscitating factories in Bulawayo? The reason why I am asking that question is that in Bulawayo, so many factories are being renovated and turned into flea markets. There are so many vendors who are selling in flea markets, which is also an indicator that most factories have closed. Government gets tax from industries and I do not think all those who are selling in flea markets are being taxed.

THE MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE (HON. M. M. NDLOVU): I want to advise the Senate that as a Government, it is worrying us on the state of the industries. Ever since sanctions were slapped on this country, so many factories have closed. I would want to give an example of ZISCO Steel and IDC, these companies were the nerve centres of the industries. We need to take note that it is not the responsibility of Government to open factories but the policy environment is to make it easy for business people to open factories.

It is not easy to resuscitate factories using foreign currency. We need to have our own money and I would want to thank Government for doing that. Inasmuch as we have the two currencies, that is ZiG and the US dollar, it is still giving us problems because people want to compare the value of the two currencies. That is why I am saying it is still work in progress for Government to have our own money. Tomorrow I will be in Bulawayo meeting with business people. I want to understand the situation in Bulawayo and take into consideration that IMF has stated that Zimbabwe has an informal economy which is about 60.6%.

Starting from October which is the last quarter of the year that we are in, we will make sure that there is no one who has a business that does not have a point of sale machine. We want to make sure that all these business people have point of sale machines which you can get from your bank for free. The POS enables anyone to buy even using the local currency. If all our transactions could go via RBZ, it makes it easy to tax people.

I want to urge the Ministry of Local Government to be strict because most of the people who are doing their business legally end up paying for those who are conducting their business illegally. You get someone with a registered shop and you have someone who is a vendor who comes and sells the same goods that are being sold inside the shop. Next year we want to compare and check how much we are using as a country to import things that we can actually do as a country.

We are launching our industrial construction plan and we will mention that all Government departments including local authorities will enforce the policy that we are not going to import goods that can be manufactured in Zimbabwe. Natpharm will be buying medication from Zimbabwean companies rather than importing. All these are efforts to resuscitate our factories because that is where we create employment. I thank you.

+HON. SEN. C. MOYO: I heard the Minister mentioning that they are not able to resuscitate the factories. My question is, what efforts are being taken by the Government to use our local currency? You have realised most of the companies or business people do not want to use ZiG when they are selling.

+HON. M. NDLOVU: Thank you Madam President. I want to thank the Hon. Member for the important question that he posed. The policy is very clear that there is no business that is operating in Zimbabwe that is allowed to reject ZiG, unless if they are selling fuel or things that are being imported. On top of that, I mentioned that I was trying to talk to the business people. You realise that some business people put different prices and some will put a lower price when you are buying in cash and a higher price when you are swiping.

The meeting that I am going to have in Bulawayo tomorrow, these are efforts that we are putting in place to try and talk to the business people and highlight to them that what they are doing is illegal, especially not accepting ZiG as our local currency. We know that through the Financial Intelligence Unit, RBZ has powers to arrest all those who do not accept ZiG. If there is any business that you know that is not accepting ZiG, tell us and we will inform RBZ who will make further investigations because they are the ones who have the powers to arrest those who will be doing that illegally. I thank you.

MOTION

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS IN THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT AND CABINET (HON. SEN. MATUKE): Thank you Madam President. I move that Order of the Day, Number 1 be stood over until the rest of the Orders of the Day have been disposed of.

Motion put and agreed to.

MOTION

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

HON. SEN. ZVIDZAI: I move that Order of the Day Number 2, be stood over until all the Orders of the Day have been disposed of.

HON. SEN. SIBANDA: I second.

Motion put and agreed to.

MOTION

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS IN THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT AND CABINET (HON. SEN. MATUKE): Thank you Madam President, I move that Order of the Day No. 3, be stood over until all other items have been disposed of.

Motion put and agreed to.

MOTION

REPORT ON THE BENCHMARK VISIT BY THE ZIMBABWE PARLIAMENTARY CAUCUS ON ADVOCACY ON ANTI-CORRUPTION

Fourth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the benchmark visit Report by the Zimbabwe Women Parliamentary Caucus.

Question again proposed.

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS IN THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT AND CABINET (HON. SEN. MATUKE): Thank you Madam President. I move that the debate do now adjourn.

Motion put and agreed.

Debate to resume: Tuesday, 24^th September, 2024.

MOTION

HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT

Fifth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on human-wildlife conflict.

Question again proposed.

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS IN THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT AND CABINET (HON. SEN. MATUKE): Thank you Madam President. I move that the debate do now adjourn.

Motion put and agreed to.

Debate to resume: Tuesday, 24^th September, 2024.

MOTION

REPORT ON THE 55^TH PLENARY ASSEMBLY SESSION OF THE SADC-PARLIAMENTARY FORUM HOSTED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF ANGOLA IN LUANDA

Sixth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Report on the 55^th Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC-Parliamentary Forum hosted by the Parliament of Angola in Luanda.

Question again proposed.

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS IN THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT AND CABINET (HON. SEN. MATUKE): Thank you Madam President. I move that the debate do now adjourn.

Motion put and agreed to.

Debate to resume: Tuesday, 24^th September, 2024.

MOTION

IMPROVEMENT ON SERVICE DELIVERY BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES

Seventh Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on challenges bedeviling local authorities in the provision of services.

Question again proposed.

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS IN THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT AND CABINET (HON. SEN. MATUKE): I move that the debate do now adjourn.

Motion put and agreed to.

Debate to resume: Tuesday, 24^th September, 2024.

MOTION

SHORTAGES OF WATER IN CITIES AND OTHER TOWNS

Eighth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the perennial water shortages in the cities of Harare and Bulawayo.

Question again proposed.

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: Tuesday, 24^th September, 2024.

MOTION

REPORT OF THE ZIMBABWE WOMEN PARLIAMENTARY CAUCUS (ZWPC) ON THE 68^TH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN (CSW68)

Ninth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Report of the Zimbabwe Women Parliamentary Caucus (ZWPC) on the 68^th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women.

Question again proposed.

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS IN THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT AND CABINET (HON. SEN. MATUKE): I move that the debate do now adjourn.

Motion put and agreed to.

Debate to resume: Tuesday, 24^th September, 2024.

MOTION

ESTABLISHMENT OF HYDROCEPHALUS DEVICES IN GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE PHARMACIES

Tenth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the treatment of hydrocephalus in hospitals.

Question again proposed.

HON. SEN. L. SIBANDA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.

HON. SEN. KUNAKA: I second.

Motion put and agreed to.

Debate to resume: Tuesday, 24^th September, 2024.

On the motion of THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS IN THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT AND CABINET (HON. SEN. MATUKE), the House adjourned at Eight Minutes past Four o’clock p.m. until Tuesday, 24^th September, 2024.

SENATE HANSARD 19 SEPTEMBER 2024 VOL 33 NO 78

SENATE HANSARD 19 SEPTEMBER 2024 VOL 33 NO 78

Leave a Reply Cancel reply