Parliament Session Tuesday 02 June 2026| Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 Read in Parliament

Hinzugefügt: 2026-06-03

[00:00:02]I know I might not be the headmaster, but I'm the prefect.

[00:00:06]So, please, >> please be careful.

[00:00:13]I have an announcement to make.

[00:00:16]I have to inform the house that I have received a nonadverse report from the parliamentary legal committee on the climate change management bill HB 5A 2025.

[00:00:31]Are there any notices of motion?

[00:00:38]Yes, honorable Janji. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

[00:00:44]I rise to give notice that tomorrow the 3rd June of 2026 we'll give a we will move a motion that this house considers and adopts the report of the portfolio committee on local government public works national housing on a petition uh from Tinashi Matika and Kosana of Wang on the Jo local government administration in Wang seconded by honorable.

[00:01:17]So I submit. Thank you.

[00:01:20]>> Thank you honorable Janji. Are there any further notices of motion?

[00:01:26]>> Yes honorable speaker. I do have two.

[00:01:29]>> Yes honorable please go ahead. Koga.

[00:01:33]>> Thank you honorable speaker. Uh before I I I move uh my notices of motion.

[00:01:38]Honorable speaker, uh allow me to warmly congratulate our honorable speaker, uh speaker Menda, on the occasion of his birthday on the 31st of May.

[00:02:00]>> Honorable speaker, >> orderable speaker honorable members Order.

[00:02:12]>> Order. Honorable members. Honorable Manga, >> please.

[00:02:18]Have a bit of decorum there.

[00:02:22]Is there anything wrong with somebody being whised? Happy birthday.

[00:02:28]>> You must be coming from the wrong parts of Zimbabwe.

[00:02:31]>> The deputy chief has a best order. Order on the best thing. Honorable order.

[00:02:39]>> The deputy chief has the best order.

[00:02:42]Honorable member.

[00:02:47]Honorable members, let's not get over excited.

[00:02:51]No, we can't do that. Please.

[00:02:55]Honorable.

[00:02:57]Go ahead.

[00:02:59]Thank you, honorable speaker. I wish to comment on his transparency, balance and exemplary leadership that he continues to guide this house with dignity, fairness and wisdom.

[00:03:14]Honorable speaker, his qualities of other [music] institutional memory and unwavering commitment to this house is rightly emulated.

[00:03:34]We wish to honor his guidance not only in this parliament, honorable speaker, but in regional and continental bodies such as IPU and others.

[00:03:47]We wish to say to our honorable speaker, happy birthday.

[00:03:56]Now, honorable speaker, I go to my emotions. I give notice that this house takes note of the report of the portfolio committee on transport and infrastructural development on the 2025 third and fourth quarter budget performance reports for the ministry. I so submit.

[00:04:16]>> Thank you honorable Kika. Are there any further notices of motion?

[00:04:21]>> Honorable speaker I said I do have two.

[00:04:23]>> Oh I beg your pardon. Yes. Thank you.

[00:04:26]You might you may go ahead. Order honorable members.

[00:04:30]>> I give notice that honorable speaker tomorrow that this house takes note of the delegation report of the 152nd assembly of the interparliamentary union and related meetings held in instabu te from the 18th to 23 of October 2025. I so submit.

[00:04:51]>> Thank you honorable Karika. Are there any other further notices of motion?

[00:04:58]I have uh three points of national interest here with me. The first honorable member to take the floor is honorable A Danzi.

[00:05:17]>> Good afternoon honorable speaker.

[00:05:19]>> Good afternoon. I rise on a point of national interest to place on record the profound appreciation of this Augusta house for the bold and historic strides being taken by his excellence Dr. Edwa [music] in championing the meaningful in championing the meaningful inclusion and elevation of women in the governance and leadership of our own great nation.

[00:05:49]Mr. Speaker say we have recently witnessed a defining moment in Zimbabwe's constitutional judicial history with the appointment of Justice Elizabeth Guunza to the esteemed office of Chief Justice which is a historic first that signals a fundamental transformation.

[00:06:21]Order.

[00:06:23]>> Honorable Honorable Manga, this should be your last warning.

[00:06:31]>> All right.

[00:06:33]This is your last warning. Next time I will ask you to leave the house.

[00:06:38]The cameras must not deter us from our for from our duty.

[00:06:42]Please.

[00:06:44]Can honorable Dani be heard in silence?

[00:06:49]>> Mr. Speaker, >> we have recently witnessed a defining moment in Zimbabwe's constitutional and judicial history with the appointment of Justice Elab Gua to the esteemed office of Chief Justice which is a historic first that signals a fundamental transformation in how this nation values the intellect, integrity and capability of women. I thank you.

[00:07:22]Thank you. Thank you so much uh honorable Danzi. It it is indeed a very pertinent issue that you brought up. uh there have been a lot of conventions and uh and meetings toward the emancipation of women in society and it's it's very healthy and it's very encouraging to see our president his excellency comrade emerang living that route by appointing women to take charge of such powerful and high institutions. So definitely we want to commend our president for that stance.

[00:08:05]The next honorable member to take the floor is honorable M. Kummed.

[00:08:14]>> Afternoon Mr. Speaker, sir.

[00:08:16]>> Good afternoon.

[00:08:18]I rise on a point of national interest regarding the ongoing validation and securitization of title deeds being undertaken by the department of deeds, companies and intellectual property through the digital land administration platform.

[00:08:40]Honorable speaker, the objective of strengthening property rights, improving the integrity of land records and protecting citizens from the land drought is both commendable and necessary.

[00:08:58]Thousands of Zimbabweans have invested their savings in acquiring homes and residential stands and any initiative that enhances confidence in property ownership deserves support.

[00:09:16]However, Mr. Speaker sir, there is growing public concern regarding the affordability, accessibility and practical implementation of this exercise.

[00:09:32]Information currently available to the public indicates that property owners may be required to engage conveyances at a cost of approximately $200 US.

[00:09:52]This excludes that and other associated administrative expenses.

[00:10:00]However, Mr. Speaker said for many families $200 represents several months of disposable income for pensioners, for civil servants, for widows, informal traders, and many lowincome households.

[00:10:23]Such costs are simply beyond reach.

[00:10:28]A program intended to secure citizens property rights should not inadvertently become a source of financial hardship, uncertainity or exclusion for the very people it seeks to protect. Honorable speaker, these concerns are further compounded by the implementmentation framework established under statutory instrument 76 of 2025.

[00:11:02]the regulations provided for a transisional period ending on 18th July 2027 after which citizens are expected to have validated and securitized their title deeds.

[00:11:20]While this the objective of modernizing and securing land records is commendable, there are legitimate concerns as to whether this exercise can realistically be completed within the available time frame at present, Mr. Speaker, the relevant services remain concentrated primarily in Harare and Bulawa, property owners from other provinces, particularly elderly citizens, pensioners and those residing in rural communities may face significant travel, accommodation and administrative costs in accessing this process. process.

[00:12:12]Without adequate decentralization of services and robust public awareness programs, there is a risk that many lawabiding property owners may struggle to comply with the requirements through through no fault of their own.

[00:12:33]Therefore, it is therefore an urgent there is therefore an urgent need for clarity on several issues of public concern.

[00:12:45]Number one, whether participation in the validation and securitization process is voluntary or mandatory. Number two, whether existing title deeds remain fully valid and legally enforcable.

[00:13:02]pending validation.

[00:13:05]Number three, what measures are being put in place to protect vulnerable groups from excessive costs associated with the process?

[00:13:16]Number four, whether government has considered subsidizing, reducing or waving fees for pensioners, low income earners and other vulnerable citizens.

[00:13:30]Number five, where the government intends to decentralize the validation and securitization process to all provinces in order to improve accessibility and reduce the burden on citizens.

[00:13:46]Number six, how rural communities, elderly citizens, and persons residing far from conveyancing services will be accommodated and assisted. And lastly, Mr. Speaker, what safeguards exist to ensure that no citizen loses, compromises, or is deprived of their property rights solely due to the inability to afford or access the validation process.

[00:14:23]Honorable speaker, land and home ownership are matters of dignity. their matters of security, inheritance and economic empowerment.

[00:14:36]Any reform in this critical sector must therefore strike a balance between modernization, affordability, inclusivity, and social justice.

[00:14:51]If not carefully implemented, a well-intentioned program risks placing an additional burden on ordinary citizens who are already facing significant economic challenges. I therefore respectfully, Mr. Speaker said, request that the responsible minister provide a comprehensive ministerial statement to this house.

[00:15:20]clarifying the legal status of existing title deeds.

[00:15:24]>> Right.

[00:15:25]>> The cost implications of the program.

[00:15:28]>> Order. Order. Or order. Honorable members.

[00:15:32]>> Honorable I I think we have had the jinx of your of your presentation.

[00:15:39]uh as we stand guided by the standing orders book uh points of national interest are primarily supposed Please take your seat when I talk and switch off your mic.

[00:15:52]Points of national interest are primarily supposed to be one minute statements but because you are bringing up a very pertinent issue I I had indulged you but you seem now to want to go on and on and repetitively so to say. So I think basically >> I was wrapping up Mr. Speaker I was on my last sentence >> please order order take take your seat honorable I think uh you are lucky because this government is led by a listening president and and listening ministers.

[00:16:27]So all your concerns that we have put across today which are concerns for every Zimbabwean uh on this issue are duly all noted. The minister is here present and he's been listening to you very carefully and I'm sure the minister will will finish the house with a ministerial statement to to to guide us accordingly on how this proceeds. But uh all in all your your prayers have been heard and they shall be duly answered. Thank you. The next >> the next member to take the floor on the point of national interest.

[00:17:06]>> There's just one more honorable minister.

[00:17:10]>> Okay m Mr. Speaker, while I respect what you have said, that was not a point of national interest. Perhaps what she could have done was to ask a question or request the committee because there are lots of technical details that are required.

[00:17:31]Parliament in session here is not supposed to deal with details that she was asking. Perhaps if she could have asked uh the clerk to organize so that you summon the permanent secretary, the the chief regist so that the committee can be availed an opportunity to ask and appreciate what is happening that would help. But if you want a ministerial statement h would probably not do justice. But the relevant committee if it interrogates that it will allow parliament to appreciate the process in a better way. I submit.

[00:18:11]>> Uh thank you very much honorable minister for your prompt response and guidance and I I hope honorable GD you shall be guided accordingly. Like I said it's a very very important question and and matter. So maybe if you could follow the direction given by the honorable minister, it will help us all. It will help the whole house cuz I'm sure every member of parliament here is got the same issue uh that is happening in their constituencies and people are seeking for answers. So let's let's follow the route given by the honorable minister so that we have a comprehensive response that we can give back to our people.

[00:18:55]Right. The next member to take the floor is honorable M.

[00:19:02]Uh good afternoon Mr. Speaker.

[00:19:05]Afternoon.

[00:19:06]>> I rise to share a point of national interest.

[00:19:10]Uh um subject recognition of uh first lady Dr. Oxil Nagaba's visit to the National Sport Stadium for the football match between Scotland FC versus Caps United FC.

[00:19:36]The first attendance highlights the importance of investing in sports as a vehicle for community development and economic growth. Increase the visibility of sporting events can attract sponsorship and financial support benefiting local teams and our local athletes.

[00:20:00]President stimulates and advocates for national cohesion.

[00:20:05]Sporting events bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds, fostering a spirit of togetherness and unity. It boosts local tourism.

[00:20:16]Highprofile matches at National Sports Stadium can can enhance tourism leading to increased business for local vendors and service providers.

[00:20:26]This is a step towards positioning Zimbabwe as a hub for international sporting events, further stimulating economic growth.

[00:20:34]It's also a measure that addresses drug and substance abuse. By actively engaging in sports and public events, we send a clear message to the youth regarding the importance of healthy lifestyles and the dangers of drug abuse involvement.

[00:20:55]Point of order.

[00:20:58]Point of order, Mr. Speaker.

[00:21:02]Point of order. Mr. Promoting involvement in sports can serve as a positive part for young people diverting them from negative influences.

[00:21:18]Order I would I would I would rather prefer that you allow him to finish and if you have any objection let's let's do that.

[00:21:32]>> Mr. Speaker one minute statement of national Honorable members.

[00:22:25]Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The first's commitment to attending this match reflects strong leadership and sets a positive example for governance.

[00:22:34]It signals a proactive approach by government representatives to engage with citizens and inspire participation in communal activities. I therefore make a recommendation that parliament should consider the implementation of policies that further promote sport investments, community involvement and strategy that combat drug sub drug and substance abuse, ensuring a healthier, more cohesive and more cohesive society.

[00:23:00]Parliamentarians should also follow suit. So I submit.

[00:23:05]>> Thank you.

[00:23:09]>> Point of privilege. Point of privilege.

[00:23:11]Honorable speaker.

[00:23:12]Yes, honorable. How are you?

[00:23:17]Yes.

[00:23:53]Honorable.

[00:24:03]Point of order.

[00:24:06]Yes. Honorable.

[00:24:08]>> Thank you very much. Honorable speaker.

[00:24:10]Honorable speaker. I had indicated that I have a point of national interest. I would like to think that there was just an administr administrative mishap. Um I had indicated to our chief whips that I've got a point of national interest and if you can allow me to to proceed.

[00:24:30]Uh it will be order please take your seat honorable s and switch off your mic.

[00:24:37]Uh, honorable chief whips, uh, can you please make sure that you you take honorable su's name for for the next day's point of order.

[00:24:48]Uh, without fail, please. M speaker I indicated that to honorable Pinduka who is the acting chief whip from uh ZanPF and surely I think she supposed to be afforded that and to to raise her I did that honorable >> order right we shall we shall indulge you the next time honorable point of order of Order.

[00:25:23]>> Order.

[00:25:24]>> Point of order.

[00:25:26]>> Order. Honorable.

[00:25:28]Order.

[00:25:32]>> Please, please switch off your mic.

[00:25:36]Unfortunately, I've made a ruling on that one. And I am not going back.

[00:26:39]Uh honorable the the the gods are with you today. I we shall allow you to do but please like you said it's going to be a short one.

[00:26:52][music] Uh thank you so much honorable speaker for allowing me to speak to my point of national interest. I rise on a point of national interest in light of the world's menstrual hygiene day that is commemorated globally on the 28th of May every year. The 28th representing the average length of menstrual cycle. It is a day set aside to recognize that ministration is not just a women's issue but is a community issue that requires collective responsibility and action.

[00:27:26]The theme was together for a period friendly world and seeks to break the silence surrounding menstrual health and hygiene ending stigma and ensuring universal access to safe menstrual products and hygiene facilities.

[00:27:43]What is the situation in our country?

[00:27:44]Honorable speaker, UNICEF estimates that 72% of menstrual access to menstrual hygiene products, safe facilities, and open education uh changes outcomes for girls and young women. What is the call of action that I'm um putting before the House? Communities, governments, schools, families, and development partners must work together to ensure menstrual hygiene products are affordable and accessible to all. We must break the silence, stigma, and shame surrounding ministration through encouraging open and inclusive conversations on this subject matter. I thank this house for allocating a budget line for sanitary wear in the 2026 national budget and for recognizing the impact of period poverty on our young girls especially from lowincome families in high density saburs and in rural areas. I however call for increased allocation for this vital budget line to reduce the appalling figures of period poverty and the attendant disastrous impacts as alluded to earlier. I am so happy that the Minister of Finance is in the house.

[00:28:58]Men and boys have a critical role to play too in supporting menstrual health and dignity. By promoting understanding, respect and support, they create safe and enabling environments where girls and women can thrive without discrimination and embarrassment. I also applauded parliament for its various charity initiatives and further call for a focus on donating menstrual hygiene products to keep girls in school with dignity especially in high density suburbs uh and in rural schools.

[00:29:30]I further call for increased support for local paid making uh sorry local paid making initiatives and women led enterprises through incentives that increase production and reduce cost to ensure availability and affordability of menstrual hygiene products. I also strongly believe that a period friendly world is a world that recognizes the challenges that some women and girls go through during ministration including severe period pains. I therefore encourage this house and executive to adopt progressive employment policies such as menstrual leave to allow female workers to take paid time off when experiencing severe period symptoms. Zambia just next door uh has such a progressive policy. Menal health is a human is human rights uh health, education and gender equality issue. Menstrual hygiene must be a priority and a human right and not a class issue and a privilege for a select few. When we support menstrual dignity, we protect the future of girls and strengthen our communities. I so submit.

[00:30:40]Thank you.

[00:30:45]Thank you honorable sach. It's a it's also a very pertinent issue that you have raised and I hope uh all departments will be guided accordingly.

[00:30:56]Uh orderable members uh I think going further shall we try and conform to the requirements of the standing orders on on these issues pertaining national interests. We can't have people going on and on for 5 minutes and above on something that is prescribed in the standing orders.

[00:31:22]Like I said before, I'll repeat again. I prefer a situation whereby you you li with your chief whips so that you try and compress these matters of of national. They are very important but they need to be compressed so that we stick to time right. A notice of presentation of bill uh the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.

[00:32:02]>> Thank you.

[00:32:05]Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Sir, Mr. Speaker, I rise to present the Constitution of Zimbabwe amendment number three bill of 2026.

[00:32:23]The the bill, Mr. speaker introduces a set of constructive reforms that taken together reinforce constitutional governance, strengthen democratic structures, clarify institutional mandates and harmonize Zimbabwe's constitutional order with tested and successful practices in other progressive jurisdiction. I support Mr. Speaker.

[00:32:52]Thank you very much honorable minister of justice, legal and parliamentary affairs. [snorts] The clerk will read the bill for the first time.

[00:33:07]>> Constitution of Zimbabwe amendment number three HB1 1226.

[00:33:14]One day for second reading honorable minister.

[00:33:20]Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Sir, tomorrow, Mr. Speaker, sir, uh, order, order, order. Thank you very much, honorable Minister of Justice, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs.

[00:33:47]The clerk will now read the first order of the day.

[00:33:54]>> Mr. Speaker, I move that orders number one to 25 be stood over until order number 26 has been disposed of.

[00:34:05]>> Seconds.

[00:34:06]>> I second. Honorable speaker, >> you said order number 26, right?

[00:34:17]Honorable government chief whip you said order number 26.

[00:34:22]>> All right. Thank you. So the clerk will read the 26th order of the day.

[00:34:29]>> Agenda debate on motion on the report of the public accounts committee on the audited financial statements for the agricultural and rural development authority order in the auditor general's report on state on the enterprises for the year ended 31st December 2023 SC 42 2025.

[00:34:50]>> Thank you. When this debate was agenda on 28th April 2026, the question before the house was a motion by honorable Mateu that this house considers and adopts the report of Hey, what is happening there?

[00:35:13]Order. Order.

[00:35:18]The question before the house was a motion by honorable Mateau that this house considers and adopts the report of the public accounts committee on the audited financial statements for the agricultural and rural development authority ada in the auditor general's report on the stateowned enterprises for the year ended 31st of December 2023 SC 42 2025. Is there any further debate?

[00:35:48]I've got a I've got a a list of honorable members here whom I shall ask to take the floor on this matter. The first honorable member to take the floor is honorable V Muto.

[00:36:06]Thank you. Thank you uh Mr. Speaker.

[00:36:10]uh from the the report uh the ADA report uh a lot of issues were uh highlighted uh and also we note that uh in terms of the uh financial reporting standards uh the the items were also flagged in by the auditor general and from the recommendations Mr. speaker. Uh the the committee actually gave a lot of recommendations uh which we also think that if they are dead to uh they would actually bring the the financial systems of ADA into order because what is actually important is in all these structures in terms of uh the the the the structure of ADA uh right from the accounting officer uh the the the responsible authorities in terms of ensuring that the the financials in terms of the the reporting standards is aligned in terms of if in terms of international accounting reporting standards uh that also was uh highlighted in the in the report uh also uh again Mr. Speaker, in terms of uh the the the recommendations again uh the the the issues of uh uh the the issues that we also highlighted there in in terms of the the the reporting again on the assets in terms of their valuations. Again uh this again a a an issue of uh the the the systems that has to be added to because month in year out these issues Mr. speaker they are highlighted in various reports from the uh audit auditor general's reports and again it also then has to uh that the the accounting officer which is the responsible authority in the uh uh the the the the also had to ensure that uh as we present these various recommendations uh from the observations that were made by the the local authority. It is not expected that the same issues again are raised next year. Mr. speaker. Uh which would then also highlight the issue of performance because the times now it then becomes a performance issue where I also believe that in terms of uh uh the the performances we have got the the the the employer which is the public service commission. I also want to think that they also have to be saved with the reports in terms of the recommendations.

[00:39:05]So that the employer should know what the their employees are also doing in terms of what they asked to do and whether they are following that and so that we we we don't expect to see the same recommendations uh the same issues highlighted in but in terms of uh remedial remedial actions uh which then becomes very minimal but otherwise ADA is very critical uh institution in as far as the agricultural development of this nation and uh the to ensuring that the rural communities, the commercial communities they uh do the contract farming and as such all the systems or what they are doing is very important for this nation and also we do hope and trust that the recommendations that were made by the uh the committee should also be implemented so that as a nation we move forward towards an upper middle income society towards the vision 2030.

[00:40:14]I do submit Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

[00:40:18]>> Thank you honorable.

[00:40:20]The next member to take the floor is honorable.

[00:40:28]>> Um thank you honorable speaker say for the opportunities.

[00:40:33]Um, I also want to add my voice on the uh public accounts committee report pertaining to uh the uh to following the observation that was made by the auditor general in terms of financial reporting.

[00:41:02]>> Order.

[00:41:03]Can we do our movements in silence?

[00:41:06]Honorable members order.

[00:41:18]Right.

[00:41:20]Can honorable play please be heard in silence.

[00:41:26]Oh, >> thank you honorable speaker.

[00:41:28]Um I I I I want to also uh add my voice um on the park public accounts committee's report on um ADA the financial reporting following the auditor general report.

[00:41:55]According to the reports, according to the order general's opinion, um a qualified opinion was issued to ADA where specific and certain items were indicated in terms of uh the shortcomings that were associated with their financial reporting. Specifically, it was observed that um uh by by the order general, it was observed that um the authority did not review the residual values and useful lives of assets as well as not carrying out impairment assessment of uh such assets. This was indicative of a deficiency in terms of asset management and reporting and um that that was not moving in line with the requirements of the international public sector accounting standard that uh paratas are required to present their financials in a way that gives a clear fair view of the financial position of an entity. To this end, failure to do such valuations of assets or revaluations means that uh the statement of opposition could not review uh correctly the financial position in terms of assets of uh the paratub.

[00:43:33]However, um the director indicated that uh following this observation by the order general um the authority subsequently did evaluation for the financial year ending 31 December 2023.

[00:43:48]This was indicative of u the zeal of the paristo upon the recommendations that were made or the observation that were made by the auditor general. Um it is rec it was recommended by the committee honorable speaker said that the sub uh uh in the following uh financial years or the years of assessment the paristor should actually present the financial statements in a true and fair view that will actually give the consumers of such financial statements a true view as to what is the actual financial position by uh uh constantly undertaking the revaluation of assets so that the correct residual values of assets will be presented in the financial statements as well as proper carrying out of impairment assessment as is required by IPS uh be conducted accordingly. Uh honorable speaker say I want to submit.

[00:44:56]Thank you very much.

[00:44:59]Thank you honorable Mukberry. The next honorable member to take the floor is honorable Mangondo.

[00:45:14]Thank you honorable honorable speaker sir.

[00:45:19]I rise to add my voice to the uh report uh from the public accounts committee.

[00:45:27]uh relating to other financial statements for the years 2021 and 2022 which were um tabled uh on the order general's report for the year ended 31 December 2023.

[00:45:47]Honorable speaker say the reporting of the order general highlighted two major >> order honorable mangu please please raise your mic so that you are audible.

[00:46:02]Thank you.

[00:46:03]>> Thank you honorable speaker. Um the auditor general highlighted two major issues which were then um interrogated by the uh public owns committee. Uh the first issue has to do with um the valuation of property planned in the equipment in terms of IPS.

[00:46:28]um the order general and or they observed that the the uh management of ADA had not revalued their assets uh for a period of time.

[00:46:44]The management of ADA in response to the inquiry by the public accounts committee indicated that um uh they had their uh assets valued revalued in and verified in the year 2023 and um that this should be then appear in the 2024 general report.

[00:47:12]to that extent. Honorable speaker say um the committee also um interrogated the issue of the assets register.

[00:47:28]Uh after the report of the order general had also indicated that um uh they do not have a proper asset register framework.

[00:47:40]Um um the management of ADA indicated the measures that had been taken uh to correct uh the discrepancies that had been observed by the aud.

[00:47:59]Um to that extent the committee recommended that um uh the other management should uh provide the necessary documentation and verification as well as decoding of those assets by 30 September 2026.

[00:48:24]Um honorable speaker, this was a very short uh audit report and uh it also highlights the fact that I think management at ADA had attended to the issues that had been raised and therefore honorable speaker I will not waste the house time and um would like to commend ADA for taking appropriate measures. us to to rectify the issues that have been raised by the order general indeed by the committee.

[00:49:02]Um, thank you honorable speaker for giving me this opportunity. I submit.

[00:49:08]>> Thank you honorable Mango. The next member to take the floor is there. Oh, audit report.

[00:49:58]standards.

[00:50:23]Number 16.

[00:50:43]International accounting standards.

[00:50:55]Accounting standards number one assets equipment.

[00:51:36]accounts.

[00:51:47]Financial accounting standards Thank you honorable.

[00:52:13]The next member to take the floor is honorable W.

[00:52:17]Sir, honorable speaker.

[00:52:53]My property assets.

[00:53:20]Honorable speaker, the next honorable member to take the floor is honorable.

[00:53:53]Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for giving this opportunity to debate on a report of the public accounts committee on the audited financial statement of ADA.

[00:54:15]The committee undertook this inquiry following the assurance of qualified audit opinion on others financial statements for the 2021 and 2022 financial year which is clear indication of the material weaknesses in financial reporting and governance systems.

[00:54:39]Uh honorable speaker, the committee's findings revealed serious deficiency failed to review the risual values and useful lives of its assets and did not carry out impairment assessment as required by applicable accounting standards.

[00:55:09]Furthermore, some assets recorded in the asset register could not be physically verified, raising concern about the existence, safeguarding and proper accounting of public assets.

[00:55:29]These weaknesses point to significant lapses in internal controls and expose public resources to risk of misappropriation, misappropriation and loss or misusing.

[00:55:52]In addition, honorable speaker, the committee observed weaknesses in the disposal and verification of assets.

[00:56:02]Although the disposal of certain assets had been approved as far back as 2020, implementation was delayed partly due to external factors such as coid9 pandemic and only later regularized.

[00:56:28]Order honorable honorable man.

[00:56:33]Honorable Honorable Sani, could you please approach the chair?

[00:56:42]Could you please approach the chair?

[00:56:46]Honorable Sani, please approach the chair.

[00:56:50]You may go ahead.

[00:56:54]Mr. Mr. Speaker, the inability to verify some assets physically further underscores deficiencies in recording in record keeping and asset tracking systems which are fundamental components of sound financial management.

[00:57:15]These findings have broader implications for governance, finance integrity and public trust.

[00:57:26]Inaccurate or incomplete asset records distort the true financial position of the authority.

[00:57:40]Mr. Speaker ADA is doing a great job in our nation of providing food security.

[00:57:52]most two of their shortcomings were rectified and uh I think uh most of the facts have been said by uh other MPs uh who have already uh contributed.

[00:58:16]So I can uh safely say I can I I I submit uh honorable speaker.

[00:58:28]Thank you honorable.

[00:58:31]Next honorable member to take the floor is honorable.

[00:58:40]>> Thank you Mr. Speaker. Say good afternoon.

[00:58:44]Honorable >> afternoon, >> honorable speaker, I want to thank you for giving me this opportunity to debate the report of the public accounts committee on the audited financial statements of the agricultural and rural development authority. ADA.

[00:59:08]Honorable speaker, while this report focuses on order, the issues that are coming out, the issues the report is highlighting are a sobering reminder of the challenges we face in ensuring accountability, transparency across all our state-owned enterprises.

[00:59:34]Mr. Speaker say this report is not merely a technical report that is filled with the accounting jug.

[00:59:46]This is a report that speaks to the very heart of how we should manage our nation's strategic assets, how we should ensure food security and most importantly how we uphold the trust reposed in us by the people of Zimbabwe.

[01:00:09]Honorable speaker, the committee analyzed financial statements for the year 2021 and 2022 as already alluded to and the findings are quite frankly deeply concerning.

[01:00:26]The auditor general issued a qualified audit opinion for the two years pointing to a litany of lapses in asset management and financial reporting.

[01:00:42]Honorable speaker, the auditor general at the ADA failed to properly value its properties to properly value its plans and and equipment.

[01:01:00]And for a massive organization like AD with vast land holdings and extensive infrastructure, this is not a trivial omission.

[01:01:12]The failure to review the residual values and useful lives of assets as well as the lack of impairment assessments means that the figures in their financial statements were essentially guesswork.

[01:01:27]This is a clear breach of the international public sector accounting standards IPS and a serious red flag for anyone trying to understand the true financial health of ADA.

[01:01:45]Honorable speaker, ADA by its very nature is the cornerstone of our agricultural sector.

[01:01:53]It is a state-owned enterprise charged with the monumental task of driving rural development and spearheading agricultural productivity.

[01:02:04]The assets under its management that is the land, the machinery, the infrastructure are national assets. They are the tools for our prosperity.

[01:02:17]Therefore, when the auditor general issues a qualified audit opinion on others financial statements for the years 2021 and 2022, this house must sit up and take notice.

[01:02:32]A qualified opinion is a red flag.

[01:02:36]It is a sign that in the professional judgment of the auditor general, the financial statements do not present a true and fair view in certain material respects.

[01:02:50]Mr. Speaker, the most glaring finding of these reports is a systematic failure on asset management. The auditor general observed and our inquiry confirmed that ADA did not review the residual values and useful lives of its assets.

[01:03:14]Furthermore, ADA failed to conduct necessary impairment assessments and perhaps most dis disturbingly some assets listed in the register could not be physically verified.

[01:03:30]Mr. Speaker, when an entity does not track the useful life of a machine, it cannot plan for its re replacement.

[01:03:42]And when it does not assess impairment, it may it may be overstating the value of its assets, masking a true picture of its financial health. And when it cannot find a listed assets, it raises a terrifying spectre of poor control and the potential for misuse or worse theft of public property.

[01:04:10]Mr. Speaker, how can we as a nation plan our agriculture stat strategy when we don't know the true value or even the physical existence of the very assets needed to execute the strategy. This is not just bad accounting. It is a profound failure of stewardship.

[01:04:33]Mr. Speaker, there is also the issue of the violation of statutory obligations and the best practices that is expected of stateowned enterprises.

[01:04:46]The failure is not just an operational oversight but it is a direct violation of our legal and ethical frameworks and I will start with non-compliance with IPSAS. This is an issue that has been discussed already. Honorable Mumbberry mentioned it and other honorable members, but honorable speaker, I would want to say that the refusal or the inability to conduct these assets reviews is a direct contravention of the international public sector accounting standards and Zimbabwe as a country, we are modernizing our financial reporting. We are telling the world that Zimbabwe is a good place to invest where we are deal with global best practices and these standards are not optional. They are the benchmarks for transparency. A failure to comply is a failure to meet our international commitments as a country.

[01:05:47]Then the other issue honorable speaker is non-compliance with the public finance management act.

[01:05:55]This brings me to our own homegrown legal champions of accountability which is the public finance management act.

[01:06:05]The public finance management act is the supreme law of financial conduct in this country.

[01:06:12]It places clear and equal responsibilities on accounting officers to manage the financial affairs of their entities with prudence, care and diligence.

[01:06:26]The failure we have seen and unearthed as a committee, the inability to account for assets, the lack of valuation, the weaknesses in internal controls are a direct affront to the spirit and later of the public finance management act. Honorable speaker, it clearly represents a dereliction of duty.

[01:06:53]Then the issue of good governance.

[01:06:57]Honorable speaker, good governance is built on the pillars of transparency, accountability and responsiveness.

[01:07:07]And when a board approves the disposal of assets in year 2020 yet it is only ratified later maybe because they cited that there was COVID 19 and they this again showed a mouth excuse of delay. we may question the effectiveness and the responsiveness of that governance structure.

[01:07:37]So if this was approved by the board and nothing was done, where was the oversight?

[01:07:44]Where was the pressure to execute? The lack of regular timely asset verification is a symptom of weak internal control environment. This is a governance breakdown that puts the entire organization at risk. So these are the issues that I'm raising honorable speaker especially looking at the negatives that we can point to the board and management. But honorable speaker, I may also want to point out some positives with regards to progress that have been made by other management in addressing some of the issues that were highlighted by the public accounts committee.

[01:08:34]The first issue is their response to the audit findings.

[01:08:39]Honorable speaker, following the observations by the auditor general regarding the lack of regular asset reviews, I'm happy to say the management has taken a corrective measure to address those issues that were raised by the auditor general.

[01:09:07]Then there is also the issue of the 2023 valuation report and I would want to point out again that the 2023 valuation report was completed. The director of finance confirmed that the authority subsequently conducted a full valuation of assets for the financial year ending 31 December 2023. This was as a result of the findings of the auditor general and I would want to applaud other management for taking a corrective step which was as a result of the findings that came from the auditor general and some of the issues that were raised by the public account committee.

[01:09:52]As I conclude, honorable speaker, the findings in this report are a serious wake up call for government for the public accounts committee as we do our oversight.

[01:10:09]We cannot and must not tolerate a culture of mediocrity in our state-owned enterprises.

[01:10:17]These are not private companies.

[01:10:20]These are companies that are funded and they belong to the people of Zimbabwe.

[01:10:28]The public finance management act was not written to be ignored. IPSA standards were not adopted to be symbolic. Good governance is not a buzzword. It is the absolute minimum requirement for running a national institution.

[01:10:46]Let this debate serve as a clear signal that this parliament through the public accounts committee we will not relent.

[01:10:57]We will continue to shine a light on every corner of public finance. We will continue to hold the gate picker gatekeepers to account. Mr. Speaker, I move that this report be adopted. I so submit Thank you.

[01:11:20]Uh were you the chair were the chairperson of this report?

[01:11:28]I thought honorable mate was so honorable mate please move for the for the adoption.

[01:11:40]>> Uh thank you very much u Mr. speaker sir. Uh just needless to say um as the all the honorable members here who have debated this uh this this this motion this report by the public accounts committee I think it's imperative to note that um there is need uh for the full adoption of IPSAS uh by ADA and I'm glad the minister of agriculture is in the house and also our recommendations which I want to repeat to the minister and I'm also glad the minister of finance is here because uh in 10 days he will need to uh to produce treasury minutes to this effect in terms of the law. So there were two recommendations that the the the committee gave uh to to government which was one to in that um the authority should institutionalize a formal set of management framework uh that ensures regular review of uh residual assets useful lives and impairment in accordance to IPSAS. It it is worrying uh Mr. speaker to note that um some assets listed in the register could not be physically verified um indicating obviously the the weak controls or potential risk of misuse. So the public accounts committ is concerned that um uh the the assets could not be verified. Uh so with this I move the adoption.

[01:13:08]>> Sorry honorable mate. Perhaps we jump the gun because the minister of agriculture is here in the house. So you might have wanted to respond to I mean to to this report.

[01:13:23]So maybe shall we just just roll in just thank you. No, no. I I'm I'm being guided here. It's supposed to be the Minister of Finance.

[01:13:58]Uh who will respond to this?

[01:14:04]On a point of order, uh Mr. Speaker, >> um what is the point of order?

[01:14:10]>> In terms of the law, uh the public accounts committee recommendations are responded within 10 working days in in in terms of treasury minutes by the Minister of Finance. So, the Minister of Finance has 10 days to uh to to to make an official response to this house. I thank you.

[01:14:38]Thank you. Uh right, honorable Mate, what what is supposed to happen procedurally is that the minister will respond through the treasury minutes. So therefore do not move for the adoption of the report now until the minister has has responded. So we we can now just move for the adjoinment of the debate right speaker >> I don't know if you can indulge me >> thank you Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker h I have never seen a situation whereby the minister responds to a public accounts committee report. The public accounts committee report is responded to only through treasury minutes. The minister of finance what the minister of finance will do is the minister of finance is going to be the chief coordinator to all MTAs to ensure that all reports made by parliament is by the public accounts are responded are responded to through treasury minutes but the ministers can respond to any other business of other committees which is not the public accounts committee I think they need to verify that one thank you Mr. So the adoption must go ahead with the I think you are saying exactly what I just said. You're just saying it in a different tone and and a different voice but I said exactly that.

[01:16:05]My my tone is a bit cockish and yours was a bit hard right honorable acting government chief move for adjintment of the debate.

[01:16:18]>> Mr. Speaker say good afternoon.

[01:16:20]>> Afternoon.

[01:16:21]>> I move that the debate do now.

[01:16:24]>> Who second?

[01:16:29]>> I second Mr. Speaker sir.

[01:16:31]>> It has been moved that the debate be now agenda. Is there any debate?

[01:16:37]I put the question that the debate be now agend. Those who are of that opinion will say I.

[01:16:42]>> Those of the contra opinion will say no.

[01:16:44]I think the eyes of it. The eyes of it.

[01:16:46]The question is accordingly affirmed and the debate is agendable government chief to tomorrow. Mr. Speaker sir, >> thank you.

[01:17:03]Shall we move to the next order?

[01:17:04]Honorable acting govern. Thank you Mr. Speaker. Say um we go straight to order number 27.

[01:17:14]The cler will read uh the 27th order of the day.

[01:17:21]Agend debate on motion on the report of the public accounts committee on a Zimbabwee's 2020 audited accounts in the 2022 auditor general's report for stateowned enterprise for the 31st December 2023 SC58 of 2025.

[01:17:40]When the debate was ajourned on the 28th of April 2026, the question before the house was a motion by honorable Mateu that this house considers and adopts the report of the public accounts committee on air Zimbabwe's 2020 audited accounts in the auditor general's report on state-owned enterprises for the year ended 31st December 2023.

[01:18:08]Is there any debates?

[01:18:10]I've got a list of the following members that I shall ask to take the floor. The first honorable member to take this floor is honorable Tim Muary.

[01:18:27]Thank you honorable speaker. say um in terms of um a Zimbabwe the order general noted that there were variances in the opening balances or the financial statements of the period under review. Uh it according to the order general's report um there was a significant variance amounting to 92,480,450.

[01:18:56]This is a significant amount which was identified between the closing balances of the previous financial year and the opening balances of the year under review. So this disagreement between the figures um is actually indicative of lack of proper adjusting of events after uh reporting debt as per requirement of um if and IPS.

[01:19:30]However, the management noted that um the discript the discrepancy was um a result from an adjusting entry which was passed in 2020 to account for retrenchment costs that were incurred during the uh reconstruction period. Uh to this end, honorable speaker, it was confirmed by the water general that this issue was rectified, which is actually good news to hear. And it was then recommended by the committee that management should always recognize all costs as and when they are in this is actually in line with the requirements of the acruals accounting principle or accounting basis that is under international public sector accounting standards. So the IPS require that uh accounting for all transactions should be on acrual basis rather than on cash basis. So cost should be matched to the periods under which they are incurred rather than the periods under which they are paid.

[01:20:41]Also there was a complete violation of IAS2 in Ephes that is for inventory evaluation and also as the requirement of IPSAS in that um the invenuation was not done properly for the period under review as uh the order general noted that um there was a a large there was a large uh an immense amount of repres representing any venry that had not been recognized in the final statements and um that had been recognized in the final statements without corresponding phys physical accounting at the end of year. The and this violating the requirements of the um accounting standards that there should be uh a proper counting of the physical existence of inventory units that are actually sitting in the books of accounts. rather than simply taking the closing uh balances in the ledger accounts then record them in the financial statements without count physical counting or stock count.

[01:21:57]management or airline officials. I have attributed this to uh covid-19 induced lockdown since this period was affected by covid-19 lockdowns that we are actually restricted physical stock count due to such lockdowns by the year end. Um the it was reported by the officials that um inventory accounts have been duly conducted in the years years that followed and the resultant values have been actually verified and agreed upon by the auditors. This actually is indicative of the zeal by the officials to also act upon the observations and the recommendations made by the auditors. Um there was also a key um factor [snorts] that was that affects um uh transparency and proper accountability that was noted in terms of delayed financial statements reporting or submissions for auditing.

[01:23:09]It was discovered that um the final statements for 2023 have not been submitted for audit as at at 3 June 2025 and that actually is in violation with uh the requirements of uh public finance management act specifically section 28 subsection one uh that requires that um there is need for uh any uh public entity to meet uh the required annual audits debt. And also section 12 of the public entities corporate governance act requires timely submission of um financial statements for auditing section 12 subsection 3 was also violated violated to this end. It was therefore recommended uh that um as we should submit all outstanding financial statements to the order general by 31 August 2026. This was a recommendation that was made by the committee since this is a fundamental requirement to enhance um accountability to enhance transparency. Since the ordinary general now acts as uh the w watchdog of the public to give a um a reasonable assurance that the financial statements uh represent a true and fair view of what actually transpired in terms of financial position as well as financial performance. So if they are not submitted in time then the accountability and transarency question is not answered. It was also recommended that um by the government that um the government should also take um a a timely submission of financial statements uh as part of uh performance contracts for accounting officers uh as um a key initiative also to improve accountability and transparence.

[01:25:18]It was also discovered madame speaker ma'am that um the internal audit function um had some loopholes as um it was discovered that the Zimbabwe's internal controls were not subject to frequent reviews which is a key fundamental to improve the internal checks to improve the internal controls before actually conducting the external audits. So this was actually discovered that this was due to the lack of the company's internal audit function and this actually also violated the requirements of the public entities and corporate governance act that there should be a functioning um internal audit system that actually does the checks and balances before the external audits. Um, honorable speaker me I want to submit.

[01:26:18]Thank you.

[01:26:27]Thank you uh honorable.

[01:26:30]The next honorable member to take the floor is honorable to >> thank thank you madam speaker.

[01:26:43]Uh Madame Speaker uh in terms of uh the statement of financial position uh for decisions to be made.

[01:27:01]There has to be uh information and the statement of financial positions informs in terms of the the viability in terms of the status of the the the entity. So uh the the assets and the liabilities uh informs on the the balance sheet. So uh the issue of the inventory valuation uh which was picked highlighted that uh there was no corresponding uh uh uh figures in terms of uh counting in terms of checking the the assets as in the uh inventory uh report. uh this will then give a wrong information on the statement of financial position and thereby wrong decisions are also made but however uh the in terms of the responses also came through that that was then since rectified uh in terms of the public entity and the corporate governance act madam speaker again the issues of uh uh the internal auditors which was also picked by uh the auditor that the entity I think took for 18 months uh without internal audits. So that that also then h give the uh entity a a challenge particularly in terms of the the systems and in terms of the processes and procedures that should be or that are done in the entity thereby giving us uh the uh information that might not be correct. Erh so the the committee actually recommended that the the entity should ensure that they they are uh in line they operate in line in terms of the laws of the land particularly in terms of the public entity corporate governance act and in terms of also the public finance uh management act. Uh again in the in in the report Madame Speaker uh there was the issue of the uh the asset the aircraft which were the value of what 30 million uh which was actually not uh an impairment test was not done in terms of the standards again in terms of the accounting standards and that would also then give the wrong information in terms of the uh the decisions because when the statement of financial positions is availed, uh decisions are made based on those numbers. Uh again, uh Madame Speaker, uh the the report highlighted the issues of staffing uh where uh the key positions uh like the CEO eventually I think they eventually uh stabed some of them. But still uh the chief financial officer is still outstanding. That is a very key position which would actually be why we are getting these uh uh kind of reports particularly uh in terms of the the the the the process in terms of the procedure in terms of the quality gain of of of the statement of financial position and uh this will then lead to uh wrong decisions made because of the the the the wrong numbers or or maybe uh not very fine numbers.

[01:30:49]But uh the the the report also alluded that a lot of other challenges were there.

[01:30:57]But uh what we see as the biggest problem is the the the entity still to submit as uh when we engage them they they were still to submit 2023 uh reports. We are now in 2026. uh madame speaker that also poses challenge whereby recommendation if that will be done they they they should be done and implemented otherwise right now we are recommending on uh we are talking right now of 2019 2019 report and we're in 2026 yes there was COVID and all others but all other ministries also ministries had the same uh situation but did submitted uh the the reports So it's very important to get the right people at their right jobs. Earlier on I alluded that in all this the employer should be available. The public service commission should know because some of these also can then become performance issues whereby whether we have got the right people for the right job or not and as such the the the employer should also be saved with these recommendations so that they also advise from the employer's perspective but otherwise we anticipate more improvement from the assurance that we got from the the CEO in terms of all the other recommendations and challenges which uh they had again the there was a an aircraft which was uh which is still packed right now in South Africa and we we believe the management is should rectify that because this is a national asset which is outside the country and it might then get start to get charges or other cost that may arise from from that. So, Madame Speaker, uh I think much has been said from the report. Uh I do submit. Thank you.

[01:33:08]>> Thank you, honorable um to uh I now recognize uh honorable Pinda.

[01:33:17]>> Thank you, Madame Speaker. I move that the debate do now.

[01:33:27]Okay. It has been moved that the debate be now adjourned.

[01:33:32]Is there any debate?

[01:33:45]Okay. 4 seconds.

[01:33:48]Seconded, Madam Speaker.

[01:33:52]>> Okay. It has been moved that the debate um be now adjourned. Uh is there any debate?

[01:34:02]I pull the question that the debate uh be now adjourned. Uh those who are of that opinion will say I.

[01:34:12]>> Those um of the contrary opinion will say no.

[01:34:18]I think the I save it. The I save it.

[01:34:21]The question is um accordingly affirmed and the debate um is adjourned >> to what date >> to tomorrow. Madame Speaker recognize Chief Web. Thank you, Madame Speaker. Me. Um, I move that we proceed straight to order number 28 on today's order paper.

[01:34:58]>> Okay. The clerk will read the 28th order of the day.

[01:35:05]Agend debate on motion on the need to recognize domestic and unpaid care work in Zimbabwe as a vital part of national development.

[01:35:20]uh when this debate was adjourned on the 14th May 2026 uh the question before the house was a motion by honorable Oanda as uh set forth uh on page one uh,263 of today's order paper is there any debate honorable Maposa >> Maposa.

[01:35:47]>> Yes.

[01:35:48]>> Honorable Maposa.

[01:35:49]>> Yes. There's debate. Honorable Madame Speaker. Ma'am.

[01:35:51]>> Okay. You can take the floor. Honorable.

[01:35:53]>> Good afternoon, Madam Speaker.

[01:35:55]>> Afternoon honorable member.

[01:35:56]>> Thank you so much. I rise uh thank you so much for the opportunity that you have given me. I rise to support the motion moved by honorable user and seconded by honorable PO on the urgent need for Zimbabwe to recognize the value and support unpaid domestic and care work worker.

[01:36:20]Honorable speaker, madam, one of the greatest contradiction in modern economics is that the work which sustain humanity every single day is often is often the work least recognized by the economic system.

[01:36:38]Before a teacher enters the classroom, before a minor enters the shaft, before a doctor enters the hospital, the hospital, before this parliament even conveys the here, there is invisible labor and has already taken place somewhere in in our homes. Honorable speaker, madam, someone has cooked, cleaned and care for children, attended to the sick, fetch water, gathered firewood and emotional health families, family togetherness.

[01:37:16]Honorable speaker, yet despite carrying the nation quietly on their backs, million of women's and remains statistically invisible in national economic calculations. Honorable speaker, madam, if all women in Zimbabwe stopped unpaid care worker for just one week, our economy would immediately experience a social and productivity crisis.

[01:37:41]Honorable speaker, madam, hospitals would feel it, schools would feel it, workplaces would feel it again, committee would feel it, this house itself would feel it as well.

[01:37:56]The tragedy is that we only not we only notice unpaid care worker when it stops and not when it continuous sustain the society.

[01:38:09]Honorable speaker madam I submit that unpaid care work is not mere a woman's issue. It is an econom economic infrastructure issues.

[01:38:21]It is an important as roads, electricity and water systems because it supports the human capital upon which every economy depends.

[01:38:34]Honorable speaker, madam, countries that fail to recognize care economic eventual experience reduced female productivity.

[01:38:42]>> Order. Honorable order. There's a notice here. Um there's uh this car with uh this number plate AFB 9246 a Land Cruiser Prado is blocking other um uh motorist in the car park.

[01:39:02]The owner please may you go and uh remove your car.

[01:39:11]You can go ahead honorable.

[01:39:14]>> Thank you honorable speaker. Madam I take it again. I submit that unpaid care worker is not merely a woman's issue. It is an economic infrastructure issues. It is important. It is important as roads, electricity and water system because it supports the human capital upon which every economy depends on.

[01:39:38]Countries that fail to recognize care economic eventual experience reduction fe productivity.

[01:39:45]Decline mental health, rising school dropouts, rates among girls, weakened family structure and integration poverty.

[01:39:57]Honorable speaker, madam, the mo the modern economy is changing rapidly through artificial intelligence, automation and digital information. Yet even the most advanced technologies cannot replace human care.

[01:40:16]emotionally supported family naturally.

[01:40:18]Honorable speaker, madam, the machine may uh automate functions but the but they cannot raise children with combustion care for elderly parents with dignity or maintain the social coherence in our communities.

[01:40:38]This means that care worker is not outdated labor. It is a strategic nation labor.

[01:40:46]The challenge before h before us therefore is in this. How can Zimbabwe build a 21st century economy while continuing to ignore one or its largest labor sector simply because it is unpaid.

[01:41:01]Honorable speaker, madam, I wish to introduce a flesh dimension to this debate.

[01:41:07]We often discuss infrastructure in in terms of bridges and highways. But there's also what economic now call social infrastructure.

[01:41:18]Social infrastructure include access to clean water, child care facilities, rural clinics, safe public transport, electrification and digital connectivity. Why are this important is this in this debate? because poor infrastructure increased the unpaid labor burden on our women.

[01:41:42]Honorable speaker, madam, a woman with no uh a woman now nearby water source may spend 4 hours fetching water daily.

[01:41:52]A girl without existed less at night.

[01:41:55]A mother without affordable ch caretaker loses opportunity for education or entrepreneurship.

[01:42:04]A rural grandmother without health care facility becomes unpaid fulltime caretaker givers. Therefore, when we invest in infrastructure, we cannot we are not only building roads, we are reducing unpaid labor hours and restoring dignity and economic participation. Honorable speaker, madam, unpaid care worker also has major implication for national productivity and GDP growth. Around the world, countries are now attempting uh to qualify the economic value of unpaid labor because economic increase is recognized that traditional GDP.

[01:42:46]Honorable speaker, madam, measure has undermined women's contribution to economic. Zimbabwe must move in the same direction.

[01:42:54]I therefore strongly support the proposal for the national survey on unpaid care and domestic work. In fact, this survey should become institutionalized with our national statistics system so that future national budget and economic blueprint are informed by the estics of unpaid labor.

[01:43:19]Honorable speaker, madam, I also propose that parliament push for the development of a a care economic framework within our national development strategy. Such a framework should should include tax incentives for employers offering children's uh child care support, community child care centers, flexibility work arrangement, expansion of rural water systems, digital inclusive of women and targeted financial support for caregivers of persons with disability and the elder.

[01:43:58]Honorable speaker madam honorable speaker madam there's another dimension we are discussing the mental health but killed by unpaid caregivers many women are single experience exhausted stress and emotional burn out while society normalizes endless sacrifice as part of womanhood we must not build a society where resilience is expected only from women who system fail to support them.

[01:44:35]A caring nation must also care for the caregivers.

[01:44:39]Therefore, I fully support this motion and urge this house to move beyond symbolic towards correct policy reform, budget commitments and institutional recognization of unpaid and domestic worker. Honorable speaker madam. So I submit.

[01:45:02]>> Thank you honorable ma.

[01:45:06]I now recognize honorable.

[01:45:18]Thank you madame speaker.

[01:45:21]Uh thank you Madame Speaker for giving me the opportunity to debate on this uh very important uh motion and uh Madame Speaker I think this motion touches the hearts of many members of parliament including myself especially women. Madame Speaker, I rise to support this important motion that calls for the recognition in support of unpaid care and domestic work. Uh firstly, Madame Speaker, unpaid care work is the invisible backbone of our economy.

[01:46:04]Every day, Madame Speaker, women and girls spend countless hours cooking, cleaning, fetching water, caring for children, caring for the sick and the elderly. This work sustains family and communities, yet it is not counted in our national income, nor it is rewarded.

[01:46:31]Without it, Madame Speaker, our economy would simply not function.

[01:46:38]Secondly, Madame Speaker, this burden falls on women and girls, creating deep gender inequality because they spend much of their time on unpaid uh uh work. Many girls are forced, Madame Speaker, to drop out from school while women are denied opportunities to earn income, participate in leadership and also to advance their careers. Madame Speaker, the situation um becomes even more severe when we consider the various shocks that affect households.

[01:47:24]Madame Speaker, during um uh uh uh the uh I can just recite during the issue of COVID, Madame Speaker, it was even worse because mothers were also doing uh double work to go to look for the food for the family and also to look after the the elderly. Madam Speaker, during the economic shock shocks such as unemployment or inflation, family relies even more on unpaid care work to survive, increasing the burden on women.

[01:48:04]Madame Speaker, in times of health shocks, Madame Speaker, such as also illness or disease outbreak, women and girls are expected to provide additional care without any support, often at the expense of their own health, Madame Speaker. And no one will even take care of them after they also take care of other uh family members. Climate related shocks, Madam Speaker, such as droughts and water shortages also worsen the situation.

[01:48:39]Madame Speaker, women and girls are forced to travel longer distances to fetch water, firewood and also increasing physical strain and that will also reduce time for education, income generating activities. Similarly also social shocks that is also including family breakdowns or also migration.

[01:49:02]Madam speaker they also often leave women as primary caregivers without resources or without assistance.

[01:49:11]Madame speaker I can also highlight the issue of shocks that also exposes women to financial vulnerabilities. Madam Speaker, without this income, Madame Speaker, or social prot uh protection, they may also resort to prostitution, especially our young girls to survive because they will be also need to look after their parents. There is no also safety, Madam Speaker, during this crisis. It also deepens the issue of poverty and reinforces cycles of inequalities across generations. Madame Speaker, Madame Speaker, I would also want to go uh to to to touch on uh what I think will also help us as a as a as a as a nation to try by all means to reduce the vulnerability amongst our families.

[01:50:08]Madame Speaker, this motion provides practical solutions. There's also a national survey to measure the economic value of unpaid care work with uh that will also ensure it to be recognized and also included in the national planning that will also madam speaker increase the investments in social services and infrastructures such as health care, clean water and energy. It will also burden madam speaker reduce the burden on the issue of protecting women from these shocks. Madam Speaker, some may argue that the government cannot afford such measures, Madam Speaker, but I can high I can say Madam Speaker, in reality, Zimbabwe cannot afford to uh to ignore this issue. Investing in care infrastructure and social protection will also strengthen resilience against shock and also promotes inclusive uh uh economic growth. Madame Speaker, I therefore, Madame Speaker, urge the House to adopt this motion because it also touches the the the the the U rural women and also the middlecl class women.

[01:51:24]Madame Speaker, may I also go to the issue which I think you will also help where I think if we share a household and caregiving responsibility equally among its family members, Madame Speaker, it will also help. Madame Speaker, I propose that the we must also improve access to affordable child care and elderly care services in our nation. We must also, Madame Speaker, promote flexibility working hours that will also promote work options that will also help our women, especially those who are looking after the elderly. We must also, Madam Speaker, recognize unpaid work in economic policies and strategies as a nation. We must also provide social protection and support programs for caregivers. Madam speaker, we all know that we used to have manua in our rural communities that we used to help our community and I strongly feel that if you also give a renumeration for women who are also do doing this important work for our nation, it will also help us to grow and also to unite as a nation.

[01:52:41]Madame Speaker, I would also want to urge um uh our members of parliament to promote economic uh uh stability in our rural constituencies so that we also give support I know very well it's not going to be easy but the issue of counseling because these women and these young girls they also need counseling because it has a trauma effect when it comes to issue of looking after the elderly and looking after the sick because at the end speaker, Madame Speaker, I would also want to thank uh the move of this motion because when I was reading the plea, Madame Speaker, it will also help us as a parliament to make sure that we also take care of our beloved ones because when it when we talk of uh women empowerment. We must also recognize these women who are also doing the the the work for our nation. We have got women, Madam Speaker, who are looking after uh uh children with disabilities.

[01:53:53]Madam Speaker, those women, they take care of the children and they spend the whole day without even going to work.

[01:54:01]Obviously others were working but by the end of the day they will lose their employment and they will end up looking after these uh young uh uh uh children who are um uh uh who want to be assisted by their mothers. So as a nation if we have a budget for these people it will also uh help us to go a long way. Madam Speaker, in conclusion, Madam Speaker, recognizing unpaid care work is not just about fairness. It is about protecting v vulnerable populations uh from economic uh uh health and environmental shocks while unlocking national development.

[01:54:43]Madam Speaker, because it will also help our nation to grow. It will also help to support our women. I therefore urge this house, Madame Speaker, to adopt this motion. I so submit.

[01:55:00]>> Thank you uh honorable Kin.

[01:55:04]I now recognized um >> Thank you, Madame Speaker. I move that the debate do now.

[01:55:13]>> We second.

[01:55:16]>> I second, Madam Speaker.

[01:55:18]>> Thank you. Uh, I now recognize the honorable minister.

[01:55:29]>> Thank you, Madame Speaker. Ma'am, Madame Speaker, I rise to give notice that tomorrow I will move that the provisions of standing orders number 53 subsection 1, 66, subsection 2, and 68 subsection 5 regarding the automatic agendment of the House at 5 minutes to 7:00 p.m. on sitting days other than a Friday and 25 minutes past 1:00 p.m. on a Friday.

[01:56:09]private members motions taking precedence on Wednesdays after question time and that question time shall be on Wednesdays respectively be suspended with effect from Wednesday 3 June 2026 and subsequent sittings in respect of the constitution of Zimbabwe amendment number three bill and any other government business I shall submit. Madame speaker, >> thank you. Uh, honorable minister, order honorable.

[01:57:01]>> It has been um order honorable.

[01:57:06]It has been moved that the debate be now adjourned.

[01:57:11]Is there any debate?

[01:57:15]Yeah.

[01:57:19]of privilege.

[01:57:32]Digest Point of privilege.

[01:58:18]honorable members, I have an announcement again. Uh the car with number plate AFB 92 46 uh Land Cruiser Prado is blocking.

[01:58:35]Honorable minister, please. Honorable member, may you go out and remove your car, please.

[01:58:42]This is the second time.

[01:58:47]>> Point of privilege.

[01:58:52]>> Thank you, Madam Speaker.

[01:58:53]>> Point of privilege, madam speaker.

[01:58:54]>> I move that the house do now.

[01:59:01]>> But I've got a point of privilege, Madam Speaker.

[01:59:05]Order honorable point of privilege.

[01:59:07]Order honorable order. Order.

[01:59:14]>> It has been moved that the house.

[01:59:19]Order. Honorable.

[01:59:23]It has been moved that the house.

[01:59:27]I've got a point of privilege.

[01:59:38]What? Honorable Sasha.

[02:00:00]I put the question that the house jun those who are of that opinion will say I those >> those of the contrary opinion will say no I >> no >> I think the I have it the I have it the question is accordingly affirmed uh and the house is adjourned >> to what date honorable >> to tomorrow madame Thank you honorable minister. The house is now adjourned.