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SENATE HANSARD 27 FEBRUARY 2025 Vol. 34 No. 29

PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE

Thursday, 27^th February, 2025

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

PRAYERS

(THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE in the Chair)

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE

APOLOGIES RECEIVED FROM MINISTERS

THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Today is Thursday and in accordance with the Standing Orders, we start with Questions Without Notice. Before I introduce the Hon. Ministers we have in the Chamber, sadly, I have a very long list of Ministers who have apologised. Some of them, I must say we have never ever seen them here. The list of apologies is as follows;

Hon. General Rtd Dr. C. D. G. N. Chiwenga, the Vice President; Hon. Colonel Rtd K. C. D Mohadi, the Vice President; Hon. Dr. S. G. Nyoni – Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Hon. B. Rwodzi, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry; Hon. Z. Ziyambi, Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs; Hon. W. Chitando, Minister of Mines and Mining Development; Hon. J.G. Moyo, Minister of Energy and Power Development; Hon. Z. Soda, Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities; Hon. K. D. Mnangagwa, the Deputy Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion; Hon. E. Jesaya, Deputy Minister of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture; Hon. Brig. General Rtd. Mayihlome, Deputy Minister of Defence; Hon. J. Mhlanga, Deputy Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises; Hon. S. Chikomo, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade; Hon. C. Sanyatwe, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage; Hon. O. Mazungunye, Deputy Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs; Hon. P. Kambamura, Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development; Hon. C. Makwiranzou, Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development; Hon. S. Sibanda, Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development; Hon. A. Gata, Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education; Hon. R. Modi, Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce; Hon. Y. Simbanegavi, Deputy Minister of Energy and Power Development; Hon. M. Ncube, Deputy Minister of National Housing, Social Amenities; Hon. V. Haritatos, Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development and Hon. D. Marapira, Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.

In the Chamber today we have Hon. Garwe, Minister of Local Government and Public Works and we also have Hon. E. Moyo who is the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare. Welcome Hon. Ministers.

Let us start with the two Hon. Ministers whom we have, I am sure a few more will trickle in. We will start with you Hon. Senator Sibanda.

HON. SEN. SIBANDA: Mine is a point of order Mr. President Sir.

THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Wait a minute – Hon. Senator Sibanda, what were you saying?

HON. SEN. SIBANDA: Mr. President. What is the way forward with these Ministers that we have never set our eyes on ever since we sat in this august House? Surely, they cannot always apologise and be absent from work for almost two years Mr. President. Are these Ministers serious or they do not even care about us? – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] - Because most of the time we see their cars parked outside. The Ministers always attend the Lower House, what about the Senate? Does it mean that we are useless to them? I do not think they are serious about always being busy or up to something. There should be something that they say to us at least, unless there is something that we have to do to meet the Ministers. Thank you, Mr. President Sir.

THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Thank you very much Hon. Sibanda, I share your concern 100%. The behaviour of some of these Ministers is tantamount to contempt of Parliament. I promise that I will ensure that a letter is submitted to the highest authorities on this issue. I totally share your concern, you are right, it is contempt of Parliament.

*HON. SEN. MAVENYENGWA: Thank you Mr. President. My question is directed to the Minister of Local Government and Public Works. We have seen that there is a state-of-art market which was built in Harare so that those women who are engaging in SMEs can do businesses. Is it going to benefit Harare only because we see that other areas like Masvingo and other small towns, women are struggling to find places to sell their goods but there is a good programme in the country?

*THE MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS (HON. GARWE): Thank you Mr. President. I also want to take this opportunity to thank Hon. Senator Mavenyengwa for asking a pertinent question. His question is really going to help us to extrapolate the issue of markets for SMEs, especially targeting women and youths. Mr. President, I also want to take this opportunity to explain that last year in November, 2024, the main market place at Mbare was gutted with fire and those who were operating in this market lost their wares and a lot of money and most of the goods were burnt down. Following the sad incident, we wrote to the President, His Excellency Dr. Mnangagwa requesting him to declare it as a state of emergency and His Excellency did agree that it be declared a state of emergency.

Mr. President, he sent us as the Ministry of Local Government, which is the Ministry responsible for local authorities. He tasked us to investigate and come up with a good plan to alleviate the problem. We are not targeting Harare only, we came up with the concept note which was sent to the Cabinet and the Cabinet did accept the concept note. They said since Mbare Market was gutted down, it was treated as emergency and it was taken also as a pilot project and as a ground breaking initiative for this programme to cascade to all other areas. The target from Mbare is Glen View Area 8, where there is carpentry work happening there and that market was also gutted down. From there we move to Sakubva in Mutare, Kwekwe and all other areas. We are also going to target even our rural district councils so that those who are selling their wares near the roads or at public places get proper markets. We are moving this programme under the President’s mantra of regularisation and also let us build better forward.

We are not ending in Harare only, we are going to target also Masvingo and other areas. Hon. Mavenyengwa has forgotten that when we were in Masvingo, we also discussed this issue when I told him that we were going to construct a market place like what we are constructing in Mbare. This august House may want to know when we are going to open the Mbare Market. It is going to be opened next week but one. It is the first phase of the market where about 1 600 people are expected to benefit. In this market there is a bank, ZRP, offices for the managers who are going to run this market and they also have state-of-art ablution facilities. We also have bathrooms where women can bath before selling their goods. We are building markets which are tallying with Vision 2030 where His Excellency is alluding to the fact that by 2030 as a country, we must be well developed to meet the world class status. That is what we are doing as a country.

Mr. President, let me take this opportunity to elaborate on Phase 2. The Phase 2 consists of a building with ground floor, second floor and third floor. We expect to accommodate about 10 000 traders. Those who are in the business of vegetables will be on ground floor and then those who are in computers will be on first floor. There will be no mixture of goods in terms of trade. We were trying by all means as a Government, to work hard in alleviating the issue of space barons where someone is requesting a small fee from someone so that he can have a place to operate. We requested the country to provide us with the names of the people who started with the markets in Mbare but these people were subletting their places. That is why you have seen that the number is now at 10 000.

The President is saying we must work together and alleviate the problems – we can have a store called Garwe and you find it selling clothes, groceries and also have other people who are coming and operating their businesses in front of shops of other business people. Starting this year, 2025, we are removing those people and construct stalls where they are operating their businesses from. Right now if you go to Mbare along Rufaro Road, you can see that there are many people who are selling different things but you end up seeing that as Government, we are working to construct stalls for these people so that they can have proper places to operate from. There will be need to differentiate the types of goods which will be sold. So those who are operating in the mini markets will be selling wares which are different from those who are selling their goods from these stores.

*HON. SEN. MAVENYENGWA: My supplementary question is that those who are going to be distributing these market stalls should consider the disabled so that they will be able to access these markets and even the youths should also be able to participate and benefit from the new market hub. I thank you.

*THE HON. MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS (HON. DR. GARWE): Thank you Mr. President. The Government is going to look at traders who are already trading and who lost their properties to fire. We have about 4500 people but we are constructing a marketing hub which is going to house more than 10 000 people following the President`s mantra that no one is going to be left behind in development. So, we are looking at women, young people, the disabled and we are also looking at making the market hub accessible to the disabled because it is an emergency. The President allowed us to look at investors who are well equipped in terms of building proper structures, then they are going to be charging rentals to those who are going to be using the market store.

We do not want a free for all but councils are supposed to be making some money. The contractors who built the market hub are also supposed to get something. So, no one will be left behind. We are not going to allow space barons to bother people but as a Ministry, working together with councils, we are going to ensure that people receive market stalls in a transparent manner. You are going to be invited to see and witness the official opening which will be done by His Excellency, Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa and you will be seeing the good works that are happening in the Second Republic.

I also want to notify you that we are refurbishing Paget House so that it becomes the Paget Hotel, which is going to accommodate people from Mutoko, Mudzi and different parts of the country. People are not going to be desperate but would be able to use the Paget Hotel after paying a minimal fee to access clean water for bathing, drinking and food. What has been happening, is that people were being taken advantage of because some would want to go back home but sometimes because of desperation, people will take advantage of them when they go to sell their produce.

Let me add on by saying that on hygiene issues, there is a nearby clinic at Mbare which the investor is going to refurbish for pregnant women and mothers with small children. They are all going to access that clinic and they will be able to take their children to the clinic for treatment. I thank you.

*HON. SEN. TONGOGARA: Thank you Mr. President. I want to appreciate the good work that is being done. I wanted to ask the Hon. Minister of Local Government and Public Work whether there is a plan, considering the good work that the Ministry is doing, that they will be no be vandalism. Is there any way of educating the public on how to look after these good facilities, so that they maintain their position?

*HON. GARWE: Thank you Sen. President. I want to appreciate Hon. Senator Tongogara for that good question. Indeed, we have such plans and we mentioned that they are banking offices, they are different offices at the market house so that traders will be able to bank their monies instead of keeping cash. This will give security to our traders. There are ZRP offices. The ZRP police will be looking after the market hub. We know that the Mbare trading area is a hive of activity, so we want that security to be assured. There is security of those who will be looking after the market hub, workers of the business person, that we are working with, so that the place is clean. Waste removal trucks will be coming and going, clearing and cleaning the place to maintain hygienic standards. We also have regulation standards which will be expected to be adhered to by traders who will be working from the market hub. These are basics because this is a market hub with a standard. I thank you.

+HON. SEN. MLOTSHWA: Thank you Sen. President. I want to say that, if we note our economy is more informal than formal. I wanted to know how the Minister of Local Government and Public Work is committed to revenue collection and how the revenue collection will be done. Whether there will be offices that will be responsible for that and if tax issues are going to be addressed through that. I thank you

HON. DR. GARWE: Allow me to thank the Hon. Senator Mlotshwa for the question. As I alluded to earlier on, we have a building built within the same roof of the bigger structure which has offices for ZRP, offices for banks, offices for the investors, offices for Harare City Council, offices for the traders themselves, and the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises, which is under the same roof. So, what the President has directed us to do, is to start the process of formalising our economy. This is the beginning of the formalisation of the economy. I thank you.

+HON. SEN. M. NDLOVU: Thank you Senate President. I want to direct my question to Hon. Minister Garwe. He alluded to the Mbare Market which was gutted down by fire which has been rebuilt. In Bulawayo, we had a flea market which was housing women, young people and girls which was gutted down by fire but the owner, Mr. Mutiza, looked for loans and refurbished it. Traders went back to the market but now the traders are being hunted and arrested and their wares are being taken away. Is it not similar to the Harare Market? I thank you.

THE MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS (HON. GARWE): Thank you Senate President. Let me also thank the Senator who asked this question. You asked a very pertinent question. The invitation of having the Zimbabwe Republic Police on site is an attempt to address the challenges that have been experienced in Bulawayo. Challenges that I do not have immediate detail, I humbly request that the Hon. Senator submit a written document, so that we will be able to interrogate, investigate and respond accordingly. Thank you very much.

*HON. SEN. CHIEF GANDAWA: Thank you President of Senate. My question is directed to the Minister of Social Welfare. Yes, the food deliveries are being done to the rural areas but most of the time some people do not get enough. I want to ask the Minister, is there any Government policy or initiative because most of the people are being turned away without anything? The second question is that the transporters who are delivering those deliveries from GMB to us the beneficiaries, are saying we are being paid in ZiG but the fuel is being bought in USD. They are saying can you pay us in USD so that we can then benefit properly and be able to buy fuel?

THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND SOCIAL WELFARE (HON. E. MOYO): Thank you President of Senate and thank you to the Hon. Senator who asked questions. The deliveries normally depend on two variables. One, it is the number of beneficiaries who have been listed who are supposed to get the food. The second variable is availability of sufficient supplies for that food. I am not very sure why in some cases, whether it is one of the two or it is both. Where the food is insufficient and we have more people at a particular centre, those who would not have gotten are still entitled to receive the food which they did not get. Sometimes it is the issue of transport where you find a lorry might carry a particular quantity whereas the quantity required is x quantity and it is that variance. We then encourage local leaders to make follow ups on the outstanding supplies and also ensure that because of transport problems and unavailability of funds to pay transporters, we have been asking beneficiaries to put together maybe USD1 or USD2 each to hire transport from the local depot to the distribution centre. That is how it should happen. If there is anything which is very specific to a particular centre, let us have it then we will investigate and check what is happening.

The second question relates to transporters who need to be paid in foreign currency because they are currently being paid in ZiG and they do not have access to ZiG fuel. Now, the policy is that they will be paid in ZiG and I think they all understand that. Even at the point of contracting, I think they were advised that they will be paid in ZiG. They also have the opportunity to also apply for a ZiG fuel. There is a provision by the suppliers to ensure that some people can access ZiG fuel. That ZiG fuel has to be supported by the provision of forex by the Reserve Bank. They can even engage the Ministry of Energy so that they may be assisted to access foreign currency. Most of them accept the ZiG because they also do other operations apart from food distribution where they can access US dollars. Then the ZiG that they get is used to settle the obligations that can be settled in that particular currency. I thank you.

HON. SEN. TSHABANGU: Thank you Mr. President. My question is directed to the Minister of Local Government. With all due respect, can you describe the Ministry of Local Government strategic use of technology to drive transparency, efficiency and effectiveness in its delivery system?

THE MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS (HON. GARWE): Thank you Mr. President. Let me thank Hon. Senator Tshabangu for his question. The question is too general, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works covers its mandates very broadly. It is very broad, we cover traditional leadership, local authorities, civil protection department and many other responsibilities. I am not too sure what he means by that generalised question. If he could rephrase his question or we ignore it. Thank you very much.

THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Hon. Tshabangu, can you rephrase or put it in writing?

HON. SEN. TSHABANGU: It is not a general question but it is a complicated question. I will therefore put it in writing Minister.

THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Hon. Tshabangu, choose to rephrase it or put it in writing.

HON. SEN. TSHABANGU: I suggest because I am inclined for the Minister to give me a broader answer to my question because of the use of technology just to reduce corruption, so it is quite detailed. What I am opposing to the Minister is that it is a general question. So I want to put it through to him and prove beyond reasonable doubt that it is a complicated and technical question. I will put it in writing.

THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Okay, the Hon. Senator will put it in writing.

*HON. SEN. KATUMBA: Thank you Mr. President. My question is directed to the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare. I want to know what programme is in place to raise the salaries of civil servants. The last time you sat for the TNF you put the minimum as USD150, yet at the moment USD140 is the poverty datum line. Then a family is expected to survive at USD841, so what plans are in place to raise salaries of civil servants? I thank you.

THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND SOCIAL WELFARE (HON. J. MOYO): Thank you Mr. President. I would like to thank the Hon. Senator for that very complicated question. At TNF, we bring together, businesses, labour and Government. The idea of TNF is to get to a social contract, where all these three arms in the economy play to the same direction, so that we do not upset the balance of the economy. One of the key areas that you have asked about is the issue of minimum wage. Minimum wage depends on a number of factors. The range of employees begins, with the lowest up to the highest. Now, to regulate the model of the compensation system in the country, there are National Employment Councils (NECs), where the workers themselves, within the industries and the employers in that industry come together. That cannot be regulated sufficiently at TNF although we receive reports on any NEC conclusions in terms of negotiations.

The variables that determine a compensation level vary from capacity to pay to also the agreements that are reached because, for example, domestic workers, someone might be earning maybe UD250.00 and then the minimum wage is USD150.00, you would find that their capacity to pay is already affected. This is why different sections in the structure of employment through their NECs, then agree on what is to be paid, depending on the capacity and levels that we are referring to. I would say it is quite a difficult one but overally, the intention of Government is to ensure that people receive sufficient salaries within the limits of the resources available to let them live decent lives. I thank you.

*HON. SEN. SHIRI: Thank you Mr. President. My question is directed to the Minister of Women’s Affairs, Hon. Mutsvangwa. We have a big day, which is celebrated by women, 8^th March and we would want to know as a nation, the theme of the year and what programmes are in place?

*THE MINISTER OF WOMEN’S AFFAIRS COMMUNITY,

SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES DEVELOPMENT (HON. SEN. M. MUTSVANGWA): Thank you Mr. President Sir. I want to thank Hon. Shiri for that pertinent question, which pertains to the International Women’s Day. We are a member of the United Nations (UN) as Zimbabwe. This is a day which is commemorated universally. All nations that are affiliate to the UN celebrate this day, the day which values women, where issues of women are discussed. Issues of women are not just human rights issues but these are issues which pertain even to the growth of the economy. On 8^th March every year, as Zimbabwe, we celebrate, not by just having women converging but even men participate on the day because gender equality, gender issues and women empowerment are issues where both genders are represented. You would find men, women, boys and girls. This is a day which commemorates the big role that is being played by women, from the family level, community level and nationally, women play quite an important role.

Firstly, we note that women are more and their health should be considered so that they will produce a healthy nation. This is a day which in Zimbabwe, we go to different provinces because it is a national day, which is celebrated at national level. Last year, we were in Midlands. We went into the communities. We went to Shurugwi because we say that no woman should be left behind, even CSOs, NGOs and different organisations are there to ensure that every woman is empowered with knowledge so that they know how important they are, with these protocols and treaties that were enacted by countries and Zimbabwe ratified such protocols. So, this is a day which this year is going to be celebrated in Manicaland on 7^th March, on a Saturday. We urge stakeholders from different provinces and also communities that are found in Manicaland to participate. It is not just a Manicaland day but we are going to move from Manicaland to different provinces in the spirit of devolution and centralisation, so that national days are celebrated nationally in different communities because the people of Zimbabwe, under the able leadership of our President, Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa, who says no place is more important than any other place and no one will be left behind; no place will be left behind. So, this is what we are going to be doing. This is what we encourage our Senators that wherever you are, you need to encourage people that are in those areas that on 7^th March, they should participate. A lot of activities are going to be happening. The UN says that it is their day and the Ambassador of UN, who will be leading all UN agencies in Zimbabwe and our development partners and universities that we work with are also going to be there because issues that pertain to women are issues that are universal, whether studies from universities, workshops, seminars and other programmes, so that we value issues of gender and equality because the issues of gender equality and women empowerment are issues sometimes which you find that maybe they might be issues that are interpreted as if they value women more than men. However, these are universal issues that look at both genders and focus on empowering women who were left behind. I thank you.

*HON. SEN. GOTORA: Before I raise my supplementary question, I want to appreciate the presence of the ministers in this House. I want to thank these Hon. Ministers. I want to commend them that this is what His Excellency wants because when His Excellency had a meeting with ministers, he encouraged ministers to do their job with due diligence. So, I thank the ministers who are present in this august House for respecting the Senate.

My supplementary question is, I would like to find out where exactly in Manicaland because Manicaland is from Macheke, Svosve to Mozambique? So, where exactly is the day being commemorated because we have young girls that we want to participate in this day?

*HON. SEN. M. MUTSVANGWA: Thank you Mr. President. I would like to thank Hon. Senator Gotora for praising and commending the presence of ministers in this House. We value this august House. The Hon. Senator said that during the first Cabinet, the President spoke about the importance of ministers participating in such important duties, like attending the question and answer session in the National Assembly as well as in the Senate. We know the importance of Parliament. So, Hon. President, every Tuesday, we would want to know questions that were not responded to by Ministers and sometimes we would want to name and shame and ask ministers why they are not answering such questions because the task of coming to Parliament is quite important. I thank you Hon. Senator Gotora.

I also want to thank you and the issue of upliftment of women and the importance of the commemorations that are going to be held on 7^th March in Manicaland are going to be at Munyarari School under Chief Zimunya. Zimunya is around 12 km from Mutare Town. I thank you.

⁺HON. SEN. NDEBELE: Thank you Mr. President. Let me thank the Hon. Minister responsible for Women’s Affairs for the good job because every time when she comes to the Senate, she comes with purpose and good words about women empowerment. I want to say may God bless the Hon. Minister.

My question is directed to the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, this is the time where we look at roads that are in urban cities, that link to those roads under the Ministry of Transport which are in disrepair. Women who are pregnant use such roads sometimes do not have pleasant journeys especially when they experience labour pains. What is Government doing about such roads?

THE MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS (HON. DR. GARWE): Thank you very much Mr. President. Allow me also to thank the Hon. Senator for the very pertinent question. Indeed, our roads in the majority of our urban councils are in a terrible state. This is a reflection of how these local authorities are being run. For us to be able to solve problems that are before us, we should be able to speak the truth about ourselves that we have contributed to the problems as Zimbabweans. Our urban local authorities are in a state of disrepair in terms of administration and leadership and this is evidenced by His Excellency appointing a Commission of Inquiry which is headed by Justice Cheda, to give a detailed report of how the City of Harare is being administered. This is a reflection of how we are running the local authorities. The commission will be concluding its findings in the coming week and will present the detailed report to His Excellency and will be guided accordingly in terms of going forward.

However, we have also realised that given some of the challenges that our economy is facing, they are caused by the sanctions that have been imposed upon us because we took our land back with all its resources. These sanctions have affected our borrowing capacity as a Government and local authorities to be able to access affordable finance from international banks such as the World Bank and IMF. We have decided to invite the private sector to work with us in privatising service delivery because what is not being done properly is service delivery and the road that the Hon. Senator referred to is part of the delivery service.

Yes, local authorities are supposed to ensure that they provide affordable and clean water for drinking purposes which is not happening in Harare, for instance to ensure that roads are built and maintained regularly which is not also happening in all the local urban authorities where solid waste management, refuse collection etcetera. All these are part of the package on service delivery. We have been given the mandate to invite private sector to come on board and assist us to form partnerships with PPPs to ensure that we continue working together with the private sector, we will change the image of our urban local authorities.

It is a sorry site Mr. President, that the capital city of Zimbabwe, that receives SADC and the whole world is in a state of disrepair. We must put aside any differences we may have or decide to have and say what is it that we want to do in our local authorities, rural district councils and in our country so that we leave a positive legacy that will come years after us. One of such things the President said “let us privatise service delivery” and we have done so in Harare. Waste collection is fully privatised that is dealing with that, we have privatised water delivery value chain from treatments, conveyancing, billing and water metering. I think from March, we will see our investors on the ground turning around the fortunes of the water delivery value chain to Zimbabweans in Harare. We are going to be visiting other cities that are facing similar challenges.

I must also say there are at least one or two local authorities that are being run well and Mutare City Council is a shining example of how local authorities should be run. Chiredzi Rural District Council, Chipinge Rural District Council and Chipinge Town Council are also shining examples of how our local authorities are done. The worst example is in Harare and Bulawayo. We are going to visit Bulawayo after we are done with Harare and ensure that we get into the details of what is happening in the city of Kings and Queens and how we can correct those things going forward so that we bring sanity in all our urban local authorities. I thank you.

HON. SEN. MATIBIRI: Thank you Mr. President, as a follow up question, there seem to be immediate issues that need to be attended to Hon. Minister. I hear you when you talk about the work that the commission is doing but we are in the midst of our rain season and only yesterday, Harare was flooding. The next thing that is going to happen is that, the water that is flooding Harare is going to find its way in the open sources that our people drink. How prepared are we to protect our people from water borne diseases in particular cholera, typhoid and dysentery while the commission is doing its work? What immediate action are we taking to protect the masses of our people especially those who live in high density areas of the city. Thank you.

THE MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNEMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS (HON. GARWE): Harare's drains are all blocked. The reason why Harare drains are blocked is because the City Fathers allowed street children, street men and street women to be using those drains as accommodation for some reason that we do not understand up to now. They were leaving all sorts of debris in those areas. We now need to identify some technology, a process which we are working on right now, which we then use to push away or remove the blockage in our drains. This is one of the measures that we are working on and doing so with the participation of the private sector.

The issue to do with cholera and other waterborne diseases, I am happy that the Hon. Senator has raised it. It is something that is not only confined to the blocked drains and what is now flooding the streets. It is something that has got everything to do with the way we are living as residents of Harare. You find members of the business community, particularly those that are in chemical industry, discharging effluent and all other liquids into our streams and rivers. This is what caused problems at Lake Chivero. So, the business community is also to blame.

Ourselves as residents, we decide to build where we are not supposed to build. By so doing, we are interfering with the underground water supply systems or sewer management systems and we block those drains. What comes out of that is contamination to the surface water but we must change our attitudes first as residents of Harare. It does not matter whether you come from Glenview, Budiriro or Borrowdale, the attitude is terrible. It must be changed. Let us have an attitude adjustment and say, this is our city, we will never have another Harare outside this Harare that we have. What is it that we need to do as the residents of Harare, as the citizens of Zimbabwe to ensure that our cities are supposed to be run in a professional, organised and well-planned manner?

The other problem that we are facing and I am happy that we are slowly solving that Mr. President, is the issue of informal settlements that have now encircled all our cities, particularly Harare. Informal settlements without any services, without any running water, without any sewer systems, without any imagined road, nothing. Everything that is coming from these informal settlements is being driven into the parts, those little small parts of Harare that were well planned and governed. It speaks volumes about the kind of people we are as Zimbabweans or we are as the residents of Harare. This is the time. The time is now to reflect on ourselves and join hands and correct the wrongs that we have caused in our cities. They will be beautiful cities. Harare can be a sunshine city again. Thank you very much.

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

*HON. SEN. CHIEF CHIKWAKA: Mr. President Sir, I move that time for Questions Without Notice be extended by 15 minutes.

HON. MHLOTSHWA: I second.

Motion put and agreed to.

*HON. SEN. MANYENGAVANA: Thank you Mr. President. My supplementary question to the Minister is that I heard him speaking of privatisation on refuse collection and water supply. I have discovered that you are doing quite a lot. You said you take everything from the council, services like refuse collection and the issue to do with water reticulation. My question is, how will we safeguard our citizens in regards to the upward review of the payments of the bills? What will you do as Government to keep the tariffs low?

*HON. GARWE: Thank you Mr. President. I would like to thank the Hon. Member for the question. I would like to inform you that as we are going to sit with the ministries, what we are going to look into first is the issue to do with the rates. They have to review them downwards. All those business people know everything. If you look at what we are doing in roads, water and refuse collection, the rates are going down. That is the first issue.

The second issue is that right now, Mr. President, all the people in here are paying water which they are not getting. Council is just charging people water bills which they are not receiving. I cannot see anything which is coming as a threat to Members of Parliament. We are trying our level best to ensure that people have a safe living where we have good roads, good refuse collection and everything. This will not lead to an upward review of these funds. The Hon. Senator is afraid of some imagined rates.

The private sector does not necessarily refer to an increase in rates, no. The private sector is bringing efficiency in service delivery, working together with the local authorities and working together with Central Government. The local authorities are partners, by the way, in the partnership agreements that are there, there is Central Government represented by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, there is the local authority, in the case of Harare, Harare City Council is a signatory to that agreement and the private sector. So, there is no way the private sector player will wake up one day and decide to increase rates or anything else without sitting down with the partners in that agreement. So, please do not be afraid of the unknown. There is nothing like that. Thank you very much.

HON. SEN. TSHABANGU: Thank you Mr. President Sir. This is a follow-up question. What is the Ministry doing to identify and address the poor planning in workmanship within Harare regarding drainages because most roads or most pathways do not have drainages at all?

HON. GARWE: Thank you so much Mr. President. Thank you Hon. Sen. Advocate Tshabangu for such a pertinent question – [Laughter.] – [HON. SEN. TSHABANGU: I receive.] – Ooh you are not an advocate! I withdraw that statement Hon. Senator Tshabangu. Mr. President Sir, let me take you back to the month of November in the year 2023, where His Excellency declared that we take service delivery with the seriousness it deserves. He launched the blueprint on no compromise to service delivery. The key pillars that were mentioned in the service delivery blue print is:

Recrafting of our masterplans for all the cities, including the existing infrastructure, road infrastructure, sewer infrastructure, drains infrastructure, water infrastructure and many others. We did that the whole of 2024 and I am happy to inform the House that all the 92 local authorities have submitted their masterplans which are dealing with that.

The second pillar was on the financial administration. You may want to know that the City of Harare finance management system was the old paperwork files, manual. So, we said we want to move all the local authorities from the manual system of finance management and adopt the use of new technologies and software that ensures we digitise our administration of all the local authorities and we have done that.

The third pillar and important tool Mr. President Sir, is that to deal with the assets that are owned by local authorities. The majority of local authorities did not have the inventory of the assets that they own, be they fixed assets or any other form of assets. They did not have an idea because they had not done anything and the President directed that we must work with them and ensure that they have got systems to ensure that we have a software system that assists in managing the auditing of their assets. All the local authorities have done that, including Harare.

These are the measures and interventions that we are doing to ensure that we bring back our local authorities to speed, we bring back our local authorities to the upper-middle income status that we are all looking forward to have and we bring our local authorities to jell with us to the Vision 2030. Thank you.

*HON. SEN. CHIEF CHIKWAKA: Thank you so much Hon. President of Senate Sir. My question is directed to the Leader of Government Business. We are proud as a nation that we have different minerals and this helps us to alleviate poverty in our country. How far have we gone so far on the issue to do with the mining of oil and gas? When will this help to bring revenue to our country? I thank you.

*THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY (HON. SEN. MATUKE): Thank you Hon. Senator Chief Chikwaka. As of now, we still have a long way to go. The company has not indicated the quantity of oil underground. On the issue to do with gas within our country, of late the His Excellency, the President of Zimbabwe appointed a minister responsible for oil and gas. After implementing this, Zimbabwe will be one of the countries that will be supplying gas to its citizens and the quantity of oil underground, engineers are still working on it and are yet to furnish the public. I just want to tell the Senate that a lot is being done on gas and oil. I thank you.

*HON. SEN. CHITSAMBA: Thank you Hon. President of Senate Sir. My question is directed to the Leader of Government Business. I would like to know the number of children that are allowed to access BEAM per school. I thank you.

THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF SENATE (HON. SEN. KAMBIZI): Hon. Senator, the Minister of Public Services is here and he is responsible for answering this question.

MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR

AND SOCIAL WELFARE (HON. E. MOYO): Thank you Hon. President of Senate Sir. At the moment, I do not have those figures. The Hon. Senator must pose the question as a written question so that I investigate because the numbers depend on the size of the school. On small schools situated in very remote areas, you will find that the numbers are commensurate with the size of enrolment and also the location of the school. So it depends with the school and the area where it is situated. Let me take this opportunity to indicate that BEAM has not been paid for quite some time. The last payment on BEAM was made in 2022. From 2023, there was part payment and we have been engaging the Ministry of Finance and Treasury so that they can bring BEAM payments up to date. They have promised that in the very near future possibly beginning next week, they are going to be giving us resources. Not all of them at one go but as a cash management strategy, they will be giving us in tranches.

So, the BEAM programme is still on, we have been receiving disturbing reports that some schools and some leaders in the countryside have been telling people that BEAM has been discontinued, that is not true. BEAM is a social security programme that deals with vulnerable students and it is still on. We have already sent out circulars on the guidelines of how the selection should happen. So, we should be seeing a lot of activity towards selection of BEAM beneficiaries so that as the money becomes available, those students will be paid for.

In fact, no school must send away any child who is on BEAM because the responsibility for their fees is with Government and not with the child or the parent. I thank you.

^∞HON. SEN. MUPANDE: Speech not recorded as there was no interpretation for Tonga.

THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF: Order! There is no translation, I have been informed that the Tonga translator is in the National Assembly and not even one Hon. Minister is understanding that language. We are sorry about that and once the issue of translation has been attended to, I will ask you to ask your question.

⁺HON. SEN. S. MOYO: Thank you Mr. President. I am going to direct my question to the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Hon. Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu.

We note that Civil Servants earn their salaries in the local currency, the ZiG and most companies, especially in Bulawayo, do not take ZiG – whether you are buying stationery, bread and other basics.

My question is, how prepared is Government in terms of conscietising companies so that they should accept ZiG? Even for companies that are closing, like OK Zimbabwe and also the reasons why the companies are closing. I thank you.

⁺THE MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE (HON. N. M. NDLOVU): Thank you Mr. President. I want to thank Hon. Senator S. Moyo for that pertinent question which is quite an important question.

Looking at the economic situation in our country, firstly, I also note that as Zimbabwe, we have our own currency, the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) which is money that is earned by Civil Servants and with a US dollar component also allocated to them. Other companies are using the same template, they use both US dollar component and ZiG. What is legal in Zimbabwe is that, any Zimbabwean can use which ever currency they have because we are in a multicurrency era.

We meet these challenges now and again, where we hear that there are companies that do not accept local currency. If you note in the past few days, we have been looking at what is being imported into Zimbabwe, what is being sold, the people who trade in different goods and who do not take the local currency.

We have been noting these things even in the past and we have engaged the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) noting that big companies have been complaining that they were caught in-between a rock and a hard place especially by adhering to the official rate. Government does not have a programme which forces people to use a particular rate through price controls. There are no price controls in Zimbabwe. We were engaging business people in the past week. They were saying that they noted that it is quite easy to do business now because they are not being prosecuted for using any rate of their choice because most of the times, the official exchange rate is that of a willing buyer – willing seller.

Mr. President, there are a number of reasons for the closing of companies. If you were following our news, yesterday, OK Zimbabwe changed the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Finance Officer was replaced as well and I believe the Chief Operating Officer was changed as well. This was done through an official statement which clarified that this is a move which is meant to resuscitate OK Zimbabwe. We are working together with our captains of industry so that we help each other when they face challenges in order to prevent the closure of companies. I thank you Mr. President.

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

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE

ADDRESSING OF REMUNERATION DISCREPANCIES AFFECTING TEACHERS IN GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS

HON. SEN. KATUMBA asked the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare to apprise the House on the following:
a) Government’s plans towards addressing remuneration discrepancies affecting teachers in Government Schools and
b) Government policy on the remuneration of teachers in private schools.

THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND SOCIAL WELFARE (HON. E. MOYO): Mr. President, I refer to the question by Hon. Senator Katumba regarding Government’s plan to address remuneration discrepancies affecting teachers in Government schools.

Mr. President, it should be noted that there are no salary discrepancies between teachers in Government Schools. Currently all teachers are paid under a standard remuneration framework for the Public Service depending on the salary grade which takes into account such considerations as qualifications and seniority. However, all teaching staff is paid a monthly teaching allowance of USD80 paid in local currency at the prevailing interbank rate, which is limited to teachers and headmasters.

The following are the current levels of remuneration for teachers, deputy headmasters and headmasters;

DISGNATION	GRADE	TOTAL PACKAGE	USD PAYABLE IN USD HARD CURRENCY	BALANCE PAYABLE AT PREVAILING EXCHANGE RATE
Headmaster	E3	461	320	141
D/Headmaster	E2	458	320	138
D/Headmaster	E3 (Degree)	448	320	128

It should be noted that if there are any discrepancies, they do arise from personal voluntary deductions which apply to individuals and this is by choice and cannot be used as a basis to claim differences. Such voluntary deductions include such issues as loans, medical and funeral insurance amongst others.

Mr. President, issues of low remunerations and compressed wage differentials can only be addressed through a review of the remuneration framework, which is subject to the availability of resources, which we are always eagerly awaiting during any reviews. Any other discrepancies which might be there across sectors are being dealt with in the context of the job evaluation exercise undertaken by Government.

(b) to state Government policy on the remuneration of teachers in private schools.

Madam President, the current Government policy is that private and trust schools determine their own remuneration framework guided by their National Employment Councils for the Welfare and Educational Institutions. It should be noted that teachers in Private and Trust schools were removed from the Government payroll in 2016 after the Civil Service Audit Report, which noted the commercial aspects of private and trust schools and their capability to determine their own remuneration framework. I thank you.

POLICY REGARDING LABOUR PRACTICES BY FOREIGN-OWNED COMPANIES

HON. SEN. MOYO asked the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare to explain Government policy regarding labour practices by foreign-owned companies operating in Zimbabwe to ensure local employees of these companies are not subjected to unfair labour practices or discriminatory treatment compared to foreign nationals employed by the same companies.

THE MINISTER OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL WELFARE (HON. E. MOYO): The Government of Zimbabwe is committed to ensuring that all employees, regardless of the nationality of their employer, are treated fairly and with respect. The Constitution of Zimbabwe, Labour Act (Chapter 28:01) and other relevant regulations, including Collective Bargaining Agreements of (CBAs) of National Employment Councils (NECs) mandate fair treatment and non-discrimination in the workplace. These laws apply equally to local and foreign-owned companies and are designed to protect the rights of all employees.

Foreign-owned companies are required to comply with the same labour laws and regulations as local companies. This includes provisions related to wages, working conditions, health and safety and non-discrimination.

Following complaints from some stakeholders within the Mining Industry on the ill-treatment of local employees by foreign employers, His Excellency, the President, Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa launched a responsible mining audit initiative in 2023. As a starting point, the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare intensified workplace inspections in the eight provinces across the country to address concerns raised. Compliance with the regulations is therefore monitored regularly through inspections. In cases where violations are identified, appropriate legal action is taken to ensure corrective measures are implemented. These include withdrawal of licenses, closure of businesses, prosecution and deportation of the foreign nationals.

Employees who have been subjected to unfair labour practices or discriminatory treatment have the right to report their concerns to their respective National Employment Councils or to the Department of Labour Administration. The Ministry provides such mechanisms for addressing disputes such as conciliation and arbitration. I thank you.

PROTECTION OF CONSUMERS FROM FAKE PRODUCTS

HON. SEN. TONGOGARA asked the Minister of Industry and Commerce to inform the House the measures that have been put in place to ensure consumer protection from fake products.

THE MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE (HON. N. M. NDLOVU): Thank you very much Madam President. Madam President with your indulgence questions Numbers 7, 8 and 9 all asked by Hon. Senator Tongogara are related, if I may address them collectively. I thought there will be a lot of repetition in answering them. I will make an attempt to make sure that they are all adequately attended to.

Madam President, let me first appreciate the questions asked by Hon. Tongogara on the three questions. The Constitution of Zimbabwe as read together with the Consumer Protection Act [Chapter 14:44] underpin consumerism in Zimbabwe. Importantly, Sections 10 and 17 of the Consumer Protection Act provides for a right to safety and health as well as the right to fair, honest dealing and protection from unconscionable conduct.

Allow me Madam President to break the three questions into five key areas. The first one I will address the mechanisms for consumers to raise concerns and complaints. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has established consumer complaints hotline in all the 10 provinces. I attach these hotlines and I hope they will be then availed in the Hansard.

Ministry of Industry Region	Hotline	Landline
Harare	08004532	0242791823
Gwanda	08004521	0842824106
Manicaland	08004523	0202064126
Bulawayo	08004524	0292267412
Chinhoyi	08004525	06721079
Bindura	08004526	0662106811
Mash-East	08004527	0652321965
Masvingo	08004528	0392262135
Midlands	08004529	0542225146
Trade Measures Bulawayo	08004530	0292460936

I want to highlight that we are as a Ministry, still in the process of making the above hotlines and we have engaged our service providers to this end.

Further Madam President, the Consumer Protection Commission has also established hotlines under the Ministry in Harare, Bulawayo and Mutare and is planning to have a footprint in all the provinces, resources permitting. As a Ministry, we also undertake Consumer Education Awareness Campaigns through the media, radio, television so that consumers are aware of their rights and mechanisms to raise these complaints. We also leverage popular talk-shows like Mai Chisamba Show to heighten the publicity.

I now address the issue of how such complaints are addressed. The Ministry has adopted a Whole of Government approach, wherein all the relevant enforcement agencies such as ZIMRA, the Department of Immigration, the ZRP, the Consumer Protection Commission and the Trade Measures Department inter alia, work together in the Education and Awareness Campaigns as well as enforcement blitz. In this regard, the complaints are addressed as follows:

-Investigations on specific complaints, to find out the real issue.

-Penalties are raised.

-Prosecution Notices are issued.

-Fines, seizures if necessary. Any expired and underweight products are instantly seized for destruction. The CPC has since partnered with Geo Pomona Waste Management for the destruction, to ensure that the condemned products do not find their way back into the market.

The third issue I want to address Madam President is on measures that have been put in place to ensure consumer protection from fake products. Cabinet has established an Inter-Ministerial Taskforce which I chair as the Minister of Industry and Commerce to deal with the problem of fake goods as well as other business malpractices in the marketplace. The taskforce that has been rolled out throughout the country’s ten provinces is made up of different Ministries, Departments and Agencies. Its mandate includes to;

-Conduct market surveillance checks.

-Gather intelligence, share information and conduct investigations on currency manipulation and smuggled and counterfeit goods among other offences. Engaging stakeholders and raising awareness on the sale of counterfeit and smuggled goods; conducting raids and seizures on underweight as well as counterfeit and smuggled goods, as well as making policy recommendations on the combating of business malpractices economy. The respective authorities are already seized with the need to institute strict penalties for offenders to deter participation in counterfeiting activities. The taskforce teams include among others, the task force ZIMRA, Law Enforcement Authorities, Immigration Authorities, Immigration Officials, Local Authorities, Consumer Protection Bodies, Small to Medium Enterprise Authorities, Citing out Departments as well as the Monetary Authorities – the Central Bank.

The Government aims to combat counterfeit goods by promoting local production, enhancing border security and increasing enforcement in order to ensure that businesses operate in accordance with established laws and regulations, industry standards, thereby safeguarding consumer welfare and maintain a level playing field for all stakeholders. The Ministry conducts consumers’ awareness campaigns to inform consumers of the devastated effects of purchasing fake products. The Ministry has established partnerships with law enforcement agencies such as ZIMRA, ZRP and other organisations to enhance our efforts to combating counterfeiting and these partnerships have enabled us to conduct inspection of products and standard enforcements to ensure product adherence to quality standards. The partnership has also enabled us to constantly share information with border control agencies to improve detection and interception substandard goods. It has also enabled us to capacitate ZIMRA and other Border Control Agencies on identifying counterfeit products.

I move Madam President Ma`am, to number 4 which is the establishment of the business malpractices command centre at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. As the Chair of the taskforce, which I have spoken to, the Ministry has established a command centre at our head office with the mandate to coordinate the anti-smuggling activities taking place in all the ten provinces. In this regard, the Command Centre produces a consolidated weekly report and accordingly to update cabinet on developments and therein inform the requisite policy interventions necessary to address pertinent issues. The last issue I wish to address relates to the measure that have been put in place to ensure food safety and quality control in terms of regulations sale of expired products.

Food security is primarily the preserve of the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, mainly plays a complimentary role. However, as a Ministry, we do the following: the Ministry administers the Trade Measures Act and the Consumer Protection Act (Chapter 14:14) Statutory Instrument of 2024 on the Consignment Based Conformity Assessment Programme which is meant to protect consumers from the sale of substandard and underweight products. The Ministry is also conducting ad hoc tests of food products. Wherein samples are submitted to Standard Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) for laboratory testing to ensure that consumers are not exposed to harmful products. I thank you.

THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF SENATE (HON. SEN. DUBE): I praise the Hon. Minister of Industry and Commerce (Hon. N. M. Ndlovu) and encourage him to speak to other Ministers to emulate him and come to the House and respond to questions and Committee reports - [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, Hear.] - Hon. Minister N. M. Ndlovu, you are leading by example, Keep it up! We thank you as a House.

HON. SEN. GOTORA: Point of interjection from what you have said. Now that the leader of Government Business is here with us. I think he is the right person of ours to share our concerns and views about what happens in this House because you are the Heard of this House.

THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Order! Hon. Senator Gotora. I think we have done a lot. Can we please finish the question, the time will be over now.

HON. SEN. GOTORA: No, it is not a question. I am actually complimenting what you have said.

THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Yes, I understand what you want to say but because of time, let us finish the questions.

WRITTEN SUBMISSION TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE

PENSIONABLE AGE FOR LOCAL AUTHORITY EMPLOYEES

HON. SEN. MAVENYENGWA: Asked the Minister of Local government and Public Works to explain to the House the position regarding pensionable age for local authority employees taking into cognisance the age limit which was raised from 65 to 70 for Government employees and to further state whether this has been aligned to the new age limit.

THE MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS (HON. DR. GARWE): I wish to advise the House that, the Public Service Commission extended the age of retirement for the civil service from 65 to 70 years of age. Consequently, the principle brought about by the Public Service (Amendment) Regulations Statutory Instrument (SI) 197/2024 to extend the age of retirement for local authority employees will apply.

Questions With Notice were interrupted by THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF SENATE in terms of Standing Order Number 67.

MOTION

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY (HON. SEN. MATUKE): Madam President, I move that Orders of the Day, Numbers 1 to 9 be stood over until Order of the Day Number 10 on today`s Order Paper has been disposed of.

Motion put and agreed to.

MOTION

INTERNET CONNECTIVITY AROUND MAITENGWE BORDER POST

Tenth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Report of the Thematic Committee on Indigenisation and Empowerment on the Status of Community Share Ownership.

Question again proposed.

THE MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE (HON. N. M. NDLOVU): Thank you Madam President for the opportunity. I want to thank you for according me this opportunity to respond to the report made by the Parliamentary Thematic Committee on Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment regarding the Economic Empowerment Bill and the status of the Community Share Ownership Trusts (CSOTs). Before I respond to the issues raised, I would like to give a brief background of legislative developments impacted on CSOTs.

The amendment to the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act through the Finance Act No. 1 of 2018, negatively impacted on CSOTs funding. Qualifying businesses withdrew funding since it was no longer mandatory for them to fund the CSOTs. As a result of the amendment, majority of the CSOTs collapsed. Following the demise of NIEEB, the ministry is doubling its effort to revive the CSOTs. Selected CSOTs projects will be funded from the NIEEF fund and the Ministry is strategically focusing on CSOTs enterprise development projects as a strategy to ensure sustainability.

Economic Empowerment Bill, the ministry appreciates and noted the observations and recommendations of the esteemed Committee, amongst others which are as follows:

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce should ensure that the Economic Empowerment Bill provides for Community Share Ownership Trusts (CSOTs) establishment, revival and survival as a tool to community empowerment. Madam President, I would like to advise that the draft of Economic Empowerment Bill is now undergoing considerations at the AG’s office. I am pleased to note that whilst most of the recommendations will be taken on board, this august House still have an opportunity to input into the Bill before it is finalised. Without preempting the Bill, the recommendations have been taken note of and will be duly considered.

The Bill should provide for a mandatory funding of CSOTs by qualifying companies (Companies exploiting resources and operating within communities). Madam President, I am unable to address the Bill preemptively at this time. The recommendations have been duly noted and will be thoroughly reviewed and considered.

The ministry should develop a monitoring mechanism by April 2025 to ensure CSOTs are run transparently and to the satisfaction of the communities involved. Madam President, I am happy to advise that the ministry is already seized with the matter. Functional boards are being fully constituted. In November 2024 a National Strategic CSOT workshop was undertaken in Kadoma to discuss and share CSOT best practices. The ministry shared and discussed a CSOT policy and procedure manual. I am happy to advise that for the 2023 financial year, our internal auditors have already audited the CSOTs. A national CSOT strategic planning workshop will be undertaken.

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce should ensure that the new Economic Empowerment Bill carries provisions which widen the list of qualifying businesses apart from only mining entities to other sectors like tourism, conservancies and other extraction and manufacturing companies operating within communities. Madam President, I cannot preempt the Bill at the moment. The recommendations have been taken note of and will be duly considered.

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce should come up with provisions to ensure that CSOTs are autonomous in their operations to detach them from frequent meddling by Rural District Councils as observed. Madam President, the two are already autonomous. By law and policy, the two are also detached. They are complimentary with clarity of roles.

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce to propose a statutory instrument to ensure provision of budgetary allocation to bail out existing CSOTs. Community Share Ownership Trusts (CSOTs) are designed to be funded by qualifying companies exploiting resources in their respective constituencies. However, noting that there are existing CSOTs going through some funding challenges, the Ministry has taken measures to utilise the NIEEF fund to revive the CSOTs. It maybe difficult to legislate a dedicated fund.

In conclusion, I would like to thank you once again Madam President for convening this meeting. I thank you.

HON. SEN. S. MOYO: I move that the debate do now adjourn.

HON. SEN. MUZODA: I second.

Motion put and agreed to.

Debate to resume: Tuesday, 4^th March, 2025.

MOTION

REPORT OF THE THEMATIC COMMITTEE ON CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE ENQUIRY INTO THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT

First Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Report of the Thematic Committee on Climate Change, on the inquiry into the impact of climate on human-wildlife conflict, induced by Climate Change in 2024.

Question again proposed.

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY (HON. SEN. MATUKE): I move that the debate do now adjourn.

Motion put and agreed to.

Debate to resume: Tuesday, 4^th March, 2025.

MOTION

OVERHAUL OF DILAPIDATED STADIA

Second Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on deplorable sports infrastructure in the country.

Question again proposed.

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY (HON. SEN. MATUKE): I move that the debate do now adjourn.

Motion put and agreed to.

Debate to resume: Tuesday, 4^th March, 2025.

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY (HON. SEN. MATUKE): I move that the debate do now adjourn.

Motion put and agreed to.

Debate to resume: Tuesday, 4^th March, 2025.

On the motion of THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY (HON. SEN. MATUKE) The Senate adjourned at Twenty-Five Minutes to Five O’clock p.m. until Tuesday, 4^th March, 2025.

SENATE HANSARD 27 FEBRUARY 2025 Vol. 34 No. 29

SENATE HANSARD 27 FEBRUARY 2025 Vol. 34 No. 29

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