Cabinet adopts measures to curb unsustainable accumulation of waste

Cabinet considered and adopted measures to address the solid waste management challenges across the country, especially in urban areas, as presented by the Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Honourable Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu.

Cabinet highlights that the deplorable state of cleanliness across the country, particularly in urban areas is due to local authorities’ ineptitude and negligence in collecting and managing solid waste disposal. On its part, central Government has made interventions to redress the situation, including introduction of the National Clean Up Campaign in 2018 and declaration of a State of Disaster in Harare Metropolitan Province in 2023. An Emergency Solid Waste Management Programme is currently being implemented under the State of Disaster declaration. However, noting that the mismanagement of solid waste persists, Cabinet approved the following measures to curb the unsustainable accumulation of the waste:

That a Statutory Instrument will be promulgated to make the National Clean Up Programme compulsory for Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Local Authorities, the business sector, vendors, retailers and manufacturers;
That Local Authorities should localise the SI by promulgation of the relevant by-laws;
That funds collected by Local Authorities from residents for waste management will be ring-fenced in-order to ensure that the Authorities do not divert the funds to other uses, with EMA supervising the usage of the funds;
That deterrent fines for public littering will be introduced and enforced, and repeat offenders charged with no option of a fine but given mandatory community service;
Road and rail authorities will be compelled to ensure that road and rail servitudes are litter-free, and to undertake regular clean ups along the servitudes and at lay-bys;
Public transport vehicles that dump waste along roads shall be fined up to Level 8 with the responsible transport operator or owner also being liable;
All Political Parties should be compelled to mobilise their constituents to remove their campaign materials from the environment and ensure that it is properly disposed of with the assistance of local authorities;
That massive awareness and education programmes and be undertaken, starting with a re-launch of the National Clean Up Programme in order to embed a mindset against littering and general disorder.

In the medium-term, more efficient usage and disposal of plastic carrier bags and PET containers will be promoted in order to address the challenge of plastic waste. Long-term measures include increased waste recycling business and introduction of levies to deter the importation of materials such as plastics and disposable nappies whose management of post-consumer use is problematic. The education curriculum will also have deliberate learning programmes on cleanliness and management of waste from the lowest levels going up.

REPORT BY THE INTER-MINISTERIAL TASK FORCE ON DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Cabinet received and approved the Report by the Inter-Ministerial Task Force on Drug and Substance Abuse, as presented by the Minister of Defence and Chairperson of the National Committee on Drugs and Substance Abuse, Honourable O.C.Z. Muchinguri-Kashiri.

The nation is informed that the National Committee has been frequently meeting in light of the observed increases in cases of drug and substance abuse. The meetings cover reports from the pillars over the period 7th July to 23rd September, 2023. The Pillars of the National Committee are as follows: the Supply Reduction; Demand Reduction; Harm Reduction, Treatment and Rehabilitation; Psycho-Social Support and Community Re-Integration; Media and Information pillars.

Under the Supply Reduction Pillar, raids and operations against drug suppliers, dealers and peddlers are regularly conducted, and a total of 5 367 offenders were arrested during the period 7th July to 23rd September, 2023. This represents a sharp increase on the 4 328 arrests made for the whole year of 2022. A total of 81 bases, where drug users and peddlers converge to sell and consume drugs, were destroyed during the period under review.

Cabinet highlights that four ZRP Drugs and Narcotics Units have been established at four border posts, namely: Beitbridge; Victoria Falls; Chirundu; and Mutare. These posts at points of entry are meant to curtail the inflow of drugs. Inland posts have also been established at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe, Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo and Victoria Falls airports. New technologies like drones are also being used to monitor the country’s borders in addition to the traditional surveillance methods in order to reduce smuggling and trafficking of drugs.

Interventions by the Liquor Licensing Board have reduced unlicensed liquor outlets, vendors and peddlers as well as licensed outlets operating outside the agreed terms and conditions. These include inspections of premises, investigations against public complaints and cancellation of licenses. The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has cancelled 7 licenses for wholesalers and deregistered one. Going forward, Cabinet agreed to enact the relevant legislation for the establishment of a Drug Elimination Agency to govern and coordinate all national activities on drug and substance abuse.

Regarding the Drug Reduction Pillar, the following measures have been undertaken to reduce the desire for illegal and illicit drugs: awareness raising and public education; peer-to-peer support; guidance and counselling; community dialogues; exhibitions; and livelihood skills and entrepreneurship capacity building programmes. In terms of awareness programmes, a total of 715 515 people were reached through various activities including Higher and Tertiary Education institutions mandatory awareness campaigns, and engaging artists and sportspersons as Ambassadors. The National Committee is developing standard information dissemination tools that will be used by the sub-national structures, traditional leadership and religious organisations in conscientising families and communities. Guidance and counselling sessions as well as maintenance of a safe school environment continue to be a priority for Government.

Under the Harm Reduction, Treatment and Rehabilitation Pillar, drug rehabilitation services were provided in Government and private health institutions. A total of 1 093 new patients were attended to at mental health institutions. Of special note is that the first standalone Government drug rehabilitation centre was opened at Chipadze Detox Centre on 24 July 2023.

Pertaining to Psycho-Social Support and Community Re-integration, there are two outpatient rehabilitation and psycho-social support centres in Bulawayo and in Harare. Other activities under the pillar include parenting programmes, online psycho-social support services, and research and evidence gathering.

Going forward, Cabinet agreed on the following measures to strengthen the Anti-Drug and Substance Abuse Programme:

That two pillars dealing with legal and policy issues and finance and resource mobilisation will be constituted;
That all idle Provincial Covid-19 isolation facilities will be converted into multi-sectoral drug rehabilitation centres;
That Dr Agnes Mahomva will be appointed as the National Coordinator of Inter-Ministerial Taskforce on Drugs and Substance Abuse;
To urgently resume capacitation of sub-national structures including traditional leaders and religious group leadership on drug and substance abuse. All citizens are urged to participate in the efforts at all levels as consultations are happening across the country; and
Members of the media have a shared responsibility to identify the networks distributors and inform the nation on the types, effects and bases of the criminal networks of drug peddlers within the communities and expose such criminals. All media organisations should also accelerate anti-drug abuse messages across all communities.

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE AND THE AFRICAN FEDERATION FOR CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS’ ASSOCIATIONS ON CO-OPERATION IN THE FIELD OF PROVISION OF TRAINING OF PROFESSIONALS IN THE AREAS OF PLANNING, ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING, HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT

Cabinet considered and approved the memorandum of understanding between the Republic of Zimbabwe and the African Federation for Construction Contractors’ Associations, as presented by the Attorney-General, Honourable Prince Machaya on behalf of the Chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on Legislation.

The nation is advised that the Memorandum of Understanding develops cooperation between Zimbabwe and the African Federation of Construction Contractors’ Association in the training of Zimbabwean professionals in planning, architecture, engineering, housing development and management. AFCCA is an expert organisation with membership in over 29 countries, whose mandate is to create a link between the construction industry and the commercial market, in addition to capacity building. The Memorandum of Understanding will therefore afford Zimbabwe the opportunity to tap into AFCCA’s vast network.

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MALAWI ON CO-OPERATION IN THE FIELD OF DIGITALISATION

Cabinet considered and approved the Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Republic of Malawi on the Corporation in the field of Digitalisation as presented by the Attorney-General, Honourable Prince Machaya on behalf of the Chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on Legislation.

Cabinet advises that the Memorandum of Understanding will foster co-operation between the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Republic of Malawi in the fields of ICTs, digitalisation, digital public service delivery and the digital economy.

The co-operation will assist the two countries to cope with the rapid changes which are taking place in the digital space due to the impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Cabinet wishes to highlight that the two parties will co-operate in the following areas of common strategic interest: formulation and implementation of digitalisation policies and laws; implementation of joint projects for the actualisation of a Single Digital Market; exchange of information and experiences on digitalisation and rapid technological advancements; and the management of radio frequency spectrum. The other areas include implementation of joint digital Government initiatives, development of relevant digital skills, digitalisation and training initiatives, promotion of pooled demand to achieve economies of scale towards purchase of critical elements, and promotion of the participation of vulnerable groups in the Single Digital Market. These activities will be implemented through promotion of exchange programmes, convening of joint seminars and workshops and other co-operative modalities that may be mutually agreed upon.

ACCESSION TO THE SADC PROTOCOL ON EXTRADITION

Cabinet considered and approved Zimbabwe’s Accession to the SADC Protocol on Extradition, as presented by the Attorney-General, Honourable Prince Machaya on the behalf of the Chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on Legislation.

The nation is being informed that the objective of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Extradition is to reduce crime levels through extradition of persons wanted for prosecution or the imposition or enforcement of a sentence in the requesting Member States.

Through the Protocol, SADC Member States agreed to ensure speedy response and co-operation in assisting the prevention of crime and eliminating threats to the security of members through mutual assistance on matters of extradition.

Some of the clauses covered in the Protocol include the following: mandatory grounds for refusal to extradite; optional grounds for refusal; channels of communication and required documents; provisional arrest; concurrent requests; surrender of a person; expenses; final provisions; and amendment. Accordingly, accession to the Protocol will go a long way in ensuring that criminals with a tendency to seek refuge in members’ jurisdictions outside their own are speedily brought to book.

UPDATE ON THE BAYHOUSE MINE DISASTER AND THE PLANE CRASH IN MASHAVA

Cabinet received updates on the Bayhouse Mine Disaster in Chegutu Mashonaland West, District and the Plane Crush in Mashava Masvingo District in Masvingo Province, which both occurred on 29 September 2023, as reported by the Minister Local Government and Public Works, Honourable Wiston Chitando.

Regarding the Bayhouse Mine Disaster, Cabinet advises that it has since been confirmed that a total of 39 miners were trapped in a kilometre-long tunnel at the mine on the fateful day. A total of 13 people escaped when the mine collapsed, 9 were rescued, 4 bodies were retrieved, 6 are still trapped under a large boulder, while 7 are missing. Government has instituted the following interventions:

A State of Disaster has been declared by His Excellency the President, Dr. Cde. E.D. Mnangagwa.
The District Civil Protection Committee was activated, and it promptly reacted by assessing the situation and coordinating the response efforts, including engaging surrounding mining companies to assist in the rescue operations and establishing a Command Centre at the mine.

iii. The deceased have been accorded State-assisted funerals, which covers burial services, provision of grain and funds to manage the burials.

The mine owner is providing food for the rescue team as well assisting with burial arrangements.
Efforts to retrieve the remaining bodies and account for the missing persons are ongoing.

On the Mashava Plane Crush, Cabinet informs the public that the RioZim plane had 6 male persons on board and was travelling from Harare to Murowa Diamonds. The National Civil Protection Fund is being used to assist the bereaved families. Government, through the Civil Protection Unit is meeting the following costs: