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- Report on the Cyclone Idai Disaster
Cabinet received a comprehensive update from the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing on the ongoing food relief and recovery efforts in the aftermaths of the Cyclone Idai disaster.
Cabinet was briefed that distribution of food and non-food items is now continuing on a selective basis, prioritising areas where there is greater need.
While relief material distribution to a few inaccessible areas continues, considerable progress is being made in opening access routes to several previously inaccessible areas. Government has since directed all affected districts to switch from an emergency to a planning mode, where food distributions are conducted on a monthly schedule, with quantities calculated to last for a month per person.
Furthermore, Cabinet applauds efforts underway to restore potable water supplies and livelihoods through borehole drilling and rehabilitation, canal desiltation and repair of pumping systems. Of particular note is the progress in the school latrine rehabilitation programme, which has covered 20 schools to date, in Chimanimani and Chipinge districts.
A temporary geophysical map has since been drawn, indicating areas and their degrees of proneness to disasters in the regions affected by the cyclone. All the SMEs affected by the cyclone have been recorded, and modalities are already being put in place to assist them rebuild their businesses.
His Excellency the President, Cde E.D. Mnangagwa, is scheduled to hold a meeting with the 12 chiefs from Chimanimani and Chipinge on May 2, 2019, at Chief Mutema’s homestead in Ngaone, to deliberate on early recovery plans for the districts.
Invitations have been extended to corporate companies which adopted schools for rehabilitation in order for them to confirm their commitments, and those which are still to come on board to do so at the event. Arrangements are currently underway for His Excellency the President to visit Dombwe in Mozambique, where our people were buried, to thank Mozambicans for according dignity to our departed brothers and sisters.
His Excellency the President shall, on behalf of the Government and people of Zimbabwe, commiserate with the people of Mozambique, who were worse affected by the Cyclone Idai Disaster than ourselves through the provision of some relief assistance.
Cabinet wishes, once again, to express its profound appreciation for the overwhelming response by both locals and the broader international community to calls by His Excellency the President for offers of assistance towards the victims of the cyclone.
Furthermore, Cabinet members are each mobilising at least $1 000 towards support of those affected by Cyclone Idai, and the contributions will be presented at an opportune time.
- Principles for the Magistrates’ Court Amendment Bill
Cabinet considered and approved principles for the Magistrates’ Court Amendment Bill as presented by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.
The principles seek to align the Act with the Zimbabwe Constitution.
In addition, the amendments seek, inter alia:
to provide that all magistrates take the oath of office before the Chief Justice or any other person duly delegated by the Chief Justice;
to provide for the right of a litigant to be represented by a legal practitioner of their choice;
the inclusion of procedures for the enforcement of the fundamental rights and freedoms of persons; and
to provide for the composition of Magistrates court to adjudicate on civil and criminal cases.
- Delivery of the Embraer Plane
The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development informed Cabinet that the long-awaited Embraer plane has now been delivered in the country, having landed at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport around 9am this morning (yesterday).
This marks a significant step in efforts to revive the national airline, Air Zimbabwe.
- Update on the just-ended Zimbabwe International Trade Fair
The Minister of Industry and Commerce informed Cabinet that the 60th Edition of the ZITF held in Bulawayo from April 23 to 27, 2019, was highly successful in terms of the quality of products, attendance numbers and the uptake of networking concurrent events availed.
Additionally, a marquee measuring 1 000m2 was made available to accommodate the overflow of exhibitors. The ZITF was officially opened by the President of the Republic of Uganda, His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
- Progress on the Wheat Programme.
Cabinet was briefed by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement on the status of preparations on the 2019 Wheat Production Programme.
More particularly, Cabinet was informed that all the critical inputs for the wheat production programme are now in place.
Cabinet, therefore, calls on our farmers to redouble efforts towards the production of wheat for the country.
- Basic commodity price increases
Cabinet expressed concern over the ongoing price increases which are imposing extreme hardships on our people.
To alleviate the suffering of the majority of our people, Cabinet is putting in place mechanisms to ensure foreign currency is made available to the business community for the procurement of raw materials for production process.
This will go a long way in stabilising prices.
In light of this initiative, Government is appealing to business to exercise restraint and stop the wanton increase of prices.
Online Reporter