Half-way to 100-Day Cycle: Ministries score notable progress

Since its inception, the Second Republic has put in place measures to attain Vision, that, is to become a prosperous and empowered upper middle income society by 2030. Thus, the goal of the 100-day cycle programme is to promote Zimbabwe’s growth and economic development.

Today, Cabinet received reports as at Day 50 in the implementation of priority projects for the first 100-day cycle of 2023, as presented by the respective ministers.

1.1 The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade reported on the following projects under his purview among others:

i. The refurbishment of the Foreign Service Institute Administration block which is 95 percent complete is set to offer diplomatic service training to civil servants and foreign delegates;

ii. The ministry is refurbishing ambassadors’ residences in South Africa, Germany and the United States as well as chanceries in Maputo and Beira in Mozambique and the defence attache’s residence in Pretoria, South Africa.

1.2 The Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Honourable W Chitando reported on the projects being implemented by his Ministry as follows:

i. Construction of the carbon steel plant by Dinson in Chivhu-Mvuma has reached 60 percent of completion, and is set to produce 600 000 tonnes of steel annually, generate US$600 million and employ 2 000 workers;

ii. The upgraded Number 7 and 8 furnaces at Zimasco high carbon ferrochrome in Kwekwe are expected to produce 70 000 tonnes of ferrochrome annually which will generate US$150 million in revenue. The project has already employed 87 locals;

iii. The Sabi Star Mine lithium processing plant in Buhera District of Manicaland Province has reached 80 percent completion, and is expected to yield an annual turnover of US$600 million and employ 400 workers;

iv. The expansion of the Pickstone Peerless Mine in Chegutu District of Mashonaland West Province has reached 79 percentcompletion, and is set to employ nearly 400 workers; and

v. Construction of the Prospect Resources lithium plant in Goromonzi District in Mashonaland East Province has been completed, and the plant is set to employ 2 000 workers.

1.3 The Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Honourable Kirsty Coventry reported on projects being implemented by her Ministry as follows:

i. Two youth fishing projects in Binga district in Matabeleland North Province have been assisted to obtain fishing permits, as part of the wider programme to empower citizens to optimally utilise local resources;

ii. The refurbishment of the Beitbridge interact centre in Matabeleland South Province is gathering pace;

iii. The establishment of the Binga Vocational Training Centre in Matabeleland North Province is expected to equip youths with life and entrepreneurial skills;

iv. Under the community skills outreach Programme,

• 162 youths at Magunje Vocational Training Centre in Mashonaland West Province have been trained in solar installation, motor mechanics, building and painting, carpentry and welding;

• At Kukwanisa Vocational Training Centre in Mutasa District of Manicaland Province, 150 youths have completed training in Nursery Management;

• At Mushagashe Vocational Training Centre in Masvingo Province, 150 youths have completed training in plumbing, welding, baking and uniform production;

• At Umguza Vocational Training Centre in Matabeleland North Province, 68 youths have completed training in welding at Tabudirira Vocational Training Centre in Mutoko District of Mashonaland East Province, 150 have completed training in building, welding, carpentry and baking;

• At Sizinda Vocational Training Centre in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, 150 youths have completed training in Catering and Cosmetology; and

v. Construction of the Kanyemba Arts and Culture Centre in Mashonaland Central Province has started.

1.4 The Minister of State for Presidential Affairs and Monitoring Implementation of Government Programmes, Honourable JM Gumbo reported on the projects being implemented by the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency. He highlighted the following: 

i. Under road maintenance, road surfacing has reached 50 percent on the Binga-Siakobvu Road in Matabeleland North Province, and 30 percent on the Nyakasikana-Masango-Karanda Road in Mt Darwin District of Mashonaland Central Province, while the Monte Casino Road in Marondera District in Mashonaland East Province has been completed;

ii. Regravelling of roads on the Lubimbi-Nswazi Road in Binga District has reached 27 percent, the Mandiva-Berejena Road in Chivi District has reached 45 percent, while the Filabusi-Mbondo-Avoca Road in Insiza District and Macingwane-Empandeni Road in Mangwe District have been completed;

iii. Construction works on Gunguhwe Bridge in Gokwe North District have reached 80 percent; the Nzoumvunda Bridge in Muzarabani District has reached 60 percent, while works on Makugwe Bridge in Mwenezi District have reached 12.5 percent. Other works are as follows : Chimunhu Pipedrift in Gokwe North District, 55 percent; Kahanda Pipedrift in Sanyati District, 10 percent; and Dlamaswazi Pipedrift in Bulilima District, 90 percent; and

iv. In order to ensure that communities access clean water, 1 033 boreholes have been maintained, while 17 new ones have been drilled and 39 have been sited.

1.5 The Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Honourable Monica Mutsvangwa reported as follows:

i. The establishment of community radio stations has transformed, focused and united rural communities. The stations have become authoritative sources of accurate and reliable information on voter registration, health issues and the Second Republic’s Vision 2030. 

In that regard, the following progress is being reported: the completed Nyami Nyami FM expansion and relaunch to Platinum FM in Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West Province was commissioned on 15 April, 2023; the Beitbridge Shashe community radio station was completed and launched on 18 February, 2023.

The minister noted progress on the following projects: Mbembesi Radio Community Trust has secured a studio building, and installation of equipment is ongoing; the Radio Bukalanga project in Plumtree District has identified the site, trained staff and procured studio equipment. The Madziwa Community Radio Trust in Mashonaland Central Province has also identified the site, trained staff and procured studio equipment; The Twasampuka Community Radio Station in Binga District has completed studio renovations and obtained studio equipment; the Power FM Transmission Studio Modernisation Project and the National FM Studio Modernisation Project now await shipment of equipment from Germany.

ii. In order to bridge the rural to urban information gap, the ministry has reintroduced the mobile cinema also known as the bioscope interactive outreach programme. During the current cycle, the programme was rolled out to Manicaland Province at Kopa and Ngangu in Chimanimani District, and at Gaza and Madziyire in Buhera District.

iii. With regard to undocumented national heroes and heroines, research has been conducted, and obituaries have been documented on 6 previously undocumented National Heroes, namely: Comrades David Guzuzu, Godfrey Manyerenyere; Mtshane Khumalo; Percy Ntini; Godwin Dube; and Commissioner Stanley Matunhira. The project resonates well with the thrust of the Second Republic to honour befitting heroes from the First Chimurenga / Umvukela and the Second Chimurenga / Impi YeNkululeko, under a united and free Zimbabwe.

2.0 Proposed partnerships for the  development of Harare-Chirundu and the Karoi-Binga road projects

Cabinet received and approved proposals on the partnership between the Government of Zimbabwe and Bitumen World Pvt Ltd; Masimba Holdings Ltd; Tensor Systems Pvt Ltd; Exodus and Company Pvt Ltd and Fossil Contracting Pvt Ltd to upgrade, rehabilitate, widen and construct the 352 km Harare-Chirundu Road, with Prostruct Consulting Engineers providing consultancy services for the project. The two projects are among many others which the Second Republic is implementing in order to provide state-of-the-art road infrastructure to facilitate easier movement of goods and services and thereby boost economic activity and uplift livelihoods.

The project on the upgrading, rehabilitation and widening of the Harare-Chirundu Highway is intended to complement the North-South Corridor Development programme which incorporates critical infrastructure such as the modernised Beitbridge Border Post, the Beitbridge-Harare Highway, and the Mbudzi Interchange. The Harare-Chirundu regional trunk road will be split into five equal sections of 67.8 km for the contractors to design and undertake works. 

Upon completion within the envisaged 24 months, the project will deliver a safer and more efficient road network as well as access to critical economic areas along the route, and enhance regional connectivity by ensuring that transit traffic connects seamlessly.

The Minister also reported that works have already commenced on the Beitbridge-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls road.

Cabinet also approved the proposals on the partnership between the Government of Zimbabwe and Tensor Systems Pvt Ltd, and Masimba Holdings Ltd on the upgrading of the 265km Karoi-Binga road from gravel to surfaced standards, using loan financing. The road provides an essential gateway link between the country’s popular tourist spots, Kariba and Victoria Falls, and will support numerous economic activities by enhancing the utilization of local resources in tourism and hospitality, agriculture, mining and fishing.

3.0 Zimbabwe’s  Response To The COVID-19 Pandemic

Cabinet received an update on the country’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the roll-out of vaccines, as presented by the chairman of the Ministers’ Committee on the National Covid-19 response, Honourable Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care, Gen (Rtd) Dr CGDN Chiwenga.

The nation is being informed that the cumulative COVID-19 cases as at 29 April, 2023 stood at 264 683, with 258 914 recoveries and 5 686 deaths.

There were 83 active cases, and no deaths were recorded during the week under review. There were 15 new hospital admissions, compared to the 14 recorded the previous week, with 5 being in intensive care.

Regarding the national vaccination programme, a total of 7 193 224 first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, 5 380 264 second doses and 1 980 348 third doses, have so far been administered. Cabinet is urging all those who have not yet been vaccinated to do so and also adhere to all COVID-19 public health and social measures.

4.0 Update on the response to the cholera outbreak

Cabinet received and considered the update on cholera as presented by the Honourable Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care.

The nation is being advised that as of 29 April 2023, the cumulative suspected cholera cases were 588, with 550 recoveries and 4 deaths.

Matabeleland South and Manicaland Provinces continue to contribute the highest number of suspected cases to date, with 195 cases (33.2 percent) and 161 cases (27.4 percent), respectively.

Regionally, 8 out of 16 SADC countries have reported cholera outbreaks, with most suspected cholera cases reported from Malawi (58 171) and Mozambique (26 841).

In light of the continued increase in cholera cases, a multi-sectoral approach in responding to the cholera outbreak is being enhanced with focus on addressing water and sanitation needs in affected areas.

5.0 Report on the mapping exercise un Zimbabwe Exemption Permit holders in South Africa

Cabinet received an update report on preparations for the expected return of Zimbabweans who are currently resident in South Africa and are going to be affected by the non-renewal of their work permits in that country beyond the 30 June 2023, deadline.

Cabinet wishes to assure the nation that the Second Republic has elaborate plans to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens who face an uncertain future in foreign lands and are desirous to return to their motherland. As the situation stands, more than 178 000 Zimbabwean nationals will require assistance, since they will be regarded as illegal immigrants in South Africa after 30 June, 2023. 

Accordingly, the Technical Committee on the Return of Zimbabwean Nationals, which was set up by Cabinet, has designed a comprehensive repatriation and reintegration plan comprising three elements, namely: the pre-arrival; arrival; and post-arrival stages. 

Under the plan, facilities at the Beitbridge and Plumtree border posts have already been inspected in order to ensure preparedness for the impending repatriation task. The physical mapping exercise which the technical committee conducted in South Africa reached out to nearly 10 000 Zimbabwean nationals across the nine provinces of South Africa. The cechnical committee assisted those in need of identity and related documents.

6.0 Update On The Implementation Of The National Housing Delivery Programme

Cabinet received an update on the Implementation of the National Housing Delivery Programme, which was presented by the Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities, Honourable D Garwe. Cabinet wishes to inform the nation that as the Second Republic maintains its stance on ensuring decent housing for all citizens under the National Development Strategy, significant progress is being witnessed across all provinces. The target is to deliver 220 000 housing units and related social amenities by 2025, and Government resources are being complemented by the private sector and individual developers inclusive of Diasporans. The number of ongoing projects has reached 346, and these have so far yielded a cumulative figure of 49 150 completed houses and 136 850 fully serviced stands. 42 706 houses are under construction, while the servicing of 43 605 stands is in progress. The completed housing units and serviced stands currently reflect 86 percent of the set target which has now been surpassed by 23 percent. Cabinet has therefore agreed that the target should be revised to a million houses by 2025.

Under the settlement densification component of the housing delivery programmes, the nation is being informed that high-rise flats are under construction in Dzivarasekwa in Harare Metropolitan Province (72 percent of completion); Dombotombo in Marondera (60 percent of completion); Beitbridge (65 percent of completion); and Mutawatawa in Uzumba-Maramba Pfungwe in Mashonaland East Province, (8 percent of completion). Blocks of flats are also under construction at former Messengers Camps in Highfield in Harare and Senga in Gweru (32 percent of completion). In Binga District, the 37 housing units being built for households which were affected by floods have reached 76 percent of completion.

Cabinet further wishes to inform the nation that as the implementation of the Smart City Concept is gathering momentum, potential investors have been identified for Melfort in Mashonaland East Province where the initial phase will take up 400 hectares. Similar plans are being developed for Figtree in Matabeleland South Province, and for Chirundu in Mashonaland West Province where land is being identified.

The regularisation of informal settlements has reached greater heights following the launch of the issuance of title deeds by His Excellency the President on 22 March 2023 in Epworth. Regularisation initiatives are underway in Seke District under Manyame Rural Distrisct Council; Caledonia, Harare South and Hatcliff North; Gimboki in Mutare; and Cowdry Park in Bulawayo. In all these settlements, an elaborate mortgage system is being designed for beneficiaries to pay for services at reasonable cost upon completion of developer works. In addition, Zimbabwe as the current Shelter Afrique Bureau Chair, has applied for a US$25 million Sovereign Loan Facility for social housing development. Project sites have already been identified in all the 10 provinces.

7.0 Update From The Ministry Of Primary And Secondary Education

Cabinet received an update from the Minister of Primary and SecondaryEducation, Honourable Dr E Ndlovu as the opening of the Second Term of 2023 approaches.  Cabinet wishes to assure the nation that the Ministry is ready for the task of ensuring the smooth opening of schools. Surveillance is being conducted in order to ensure that all health issues pertaining to schools and the safety of learners are attended to as part of the preparations.

The nation is being informed that the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) June 2023 examinations are scheduled to start in mid-May, and security around examination papers is being tightened. The mop-up registration exercise for the examinations is scheduled to take place from 8th to 12th May 2023, and all stakeholders are being assured that no penalties will be imposed on candidates for registering during this extended phase.

The examination fees equivalent in the local currency will be announced on 5 May, 2023. Most of the pupils registered for the June examinations will be re-sitting, since the first-time candidates are not eligible before they complete their Continuous Assessment Learning Activities.

The nation is further being informed that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education participated at the Transform Africa Summit in Victoria Falls last week as it refocuses the country’s education to adopt digital technologies. The Ministry also commemorated International Girls in ICT Day, and participated at the 63rd Edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair under the theme “Grooming Children for Innovation and Global Competitiveness”. The Ministry also conducted a workshop in Redcliff in order to update internal stakeholders on the review of the Competencebased Curriculum.

8.0 The Transform Africa Summit

Cabinet received and noted with satisfaction the brief report on the hosting of the Transform Africa Summit which Zimbabwe hosted in Victoria Falls last week. The nation is being informed that His Excellency the President hosted 5 Heads of State and Government who included His Majesty King Mswati III of Eswatini; and Presidents Paul Kagame of Rwanda; Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia; Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi; Faure Gnassingbe of Togo. The summit was attended by more than 4 000 delegates who included 40 ministers; Information Communication Regulators from many countries; African Union Commissioners; the International Telecommunication Union Secretary-General and Directors; United Nations Agencies; investors; technology partners and innovators.

The nation is being informed that Zimbabwe achieved a lot in terms of prospects for investment in information communication technologies, tourism and education as well as in image building and the re-engagement and engagement sphere.

9.0 Review Of The 63rd Edition Of Zimbabwe International Trade Fair

Cabinet noted with satisfaction the brief review of the 63rd Edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair which took place in Bulawayo from 23rd to 29th April, 2023. In particular, Cabinet expressed appreciation for the resounding participation by Government ministries, departments and agencies as well as the private sector and international exhibitors. The entire exhibition space was taken up, amid indications that the 64th Edition in 2024 will require more land to accommodate more participants, dignitaries, officials and the general public.