SECOND REPUBLIC SESSION II (2023) ELEVENTH POST-CABINET PRESS BRIEFING 5TH DECEMBER, 2023
1.0 REPORT ON THE THIRD 100-DAY CYCLE PROJECTS OF
2023
Cabinet received reports on progress made in the implementation of priority projects for the Third 100-Day Cycle of 2023, as presented by the Ministers of Women Affairs, Community, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development; Youth Empowerment, Development, and Vocational Training; and National Housing and Social Amenities.
1.1 The Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities, Honourable Daniel Garwe, highlighted the following achievements for projects under his purview:
(i) Construction of four 3-storey blocks of flats at Dzivarasekwa in Harare is 97% complete, with the project expected to be completed by 31 December, 2023.
(ii) Construction of four 4-storey blocks of flats in Marondera is 90% complete.
(iii) The Binga Housing Project, which involves the construction of 20 housing units, is 99% complete. Construction of 17 core houses and ablution facilities has been completed.
(iv) Construction of four by 4-storey blocks of flats at Mtawatawa in Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe has so far seen the completion of foundation excavations for 3 blocks, while brickwork up to the ground floor has been completed for one block.
(v) Sewer reticulation is 85% complete, while roadworks are 80% for the Lupane Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle Settlement Regularisation and Sanitisation Project.
1.2 The Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Honourable Monica Mutsvangwa, reported that the following progress has been recorded on projects under her purview:
(i) The construction of Masvingo Safe Market in Masvingo City which aims at improving incomes and livelihoods as well as providing a safe working space for women is underway. The project will create 60 direct jobs and sustain more than 300 other indirect jobs. The project is 85% in terms of completion.
(ii) The Ministry is facilitating the registration of 90 Micro, Small and Medium enterprises and 10 Community Groups. Sensitisation and mobilisation of informal enterprises, and issuance of certificates of incorporation, among other activities have so far been done.
(iii) 50 projects drawn from the country’s 10 provinces have been identified for funding under the Zimbabwe Community Development Fund. Community groups will benefit from the Fund through access to loans at concessionary rates.
(iv) The project on the Establishment of 7 Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) District Unions and 1 Provincial SACCO Union in the Midlands Province is 40% complete.
(v) Construction of the Chirundu Traders Market, which is being done in phases is expected to be completed by August 2024. The project involves the construction of the Main Market, an Administration Block, and Ablution Facilities. Activities leading excavations and laying of the foundation are on course for completion during the current cycle.
(vi) Construction of the Gwanda Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Traders Market, which will house 56 traders, is 90% complete.
1.3 The Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development, and Vocational Training, Honourable Tino Machakaire, reported on the progress of the projects being implemented by his Ministry as follows:
(i) Under Drug and Substance Awareness, a total of 596 378 youths were reached with anti-drug and substance abuse information across all provinces, representing 50.5% towards the planned target for the Cycle.
(ii) On the Registration of District Youth Associations 16 352 youths were mainstreamed into climate-smart agriculture, climate change mitigation, and adaptation programmes, translating to 100% accomplishment.
(iii) Construction of the Sizinda Vocational Training Centre in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province is at 95% completion.
(iv) Construction of the Marange Vocational Training Centre in Manicaland Province is 80% complete.
(v) Construction of Nyahochi Vocational Training Centre in Mashonaland East Province is 97%, with only construction of the sceptic tank soakaway outstanding.
2.0 MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF ZIMBABWE AND THE SWISS CONFEDERATION FOR THE AVOIDANCE OF DOUBLE TAXATION WITH RESPECT TO TAXES ON INCOME AND CAPITAL GAINS AND PREVENTION OF EVASION AND AVOIDANCE
Cabinet considered and approved the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Government of Zimbabwe and the Swiss Confederation for the Avoidance of Double Taxation with respect to Taxes on Income and Capital Gains and Prevention of Evasion and Avoidance, which was presented by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi, as Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Legislation.
The public is informed that the Agreement will create a favorable environment for investment in Zimbabwe and the Swiss Confederation, through cooperation in tax administration. It will provide protection to taxpayers against double taxation of the same income in the two tax jurisdictions.
3.0 RATIFICATION OF THE AFRICA FINANCE CORPORATION ESTABLISHMENT AGREEMENT
Cabinet adopted the ratification of the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), which was presented by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi, as Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Legislation. Ratification of the Agreement will help Zimbabwe foster economic growth and industrial development to enhance productivity and economic growth.
The Africa Finance Corporation offers services and solutions aimed at supporting the growth and development of world-class infrastructure providing end-to-end support on transactions. Benefits of membership to the AFC include the following: (i) higher investment allocation; (ii)better pricing or financial terms; (iii) relatively longer tenors on loans; and (iv) private sector development.
4.0 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF NATIONAL HOUSING AND SOCIAL AMENITIES OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE AND THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING, UTILITIES AND URBAN COMMUNITIES OF THE ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT
Cabinet approved the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities of the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities of The Arab Republic of Egypt, which was presented by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi, as Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Legislation.
The Memorandum of Understanding is on cooperation in the field of affordable housing and new building technologies for sustainable development. This entails providing low-cost housing and the provision of social amenities within the framework of a Joint Commission of both Governments, under the Bilateral Cooperation Framework between Zimbabwe and Egypt.
5.0 UPDATE ON THE NATIONAL CHOLERA OUTBREAK RESPONSE
The Minister of Health and Child Care, Hon. Dr. Douglas Mombeshora updated Cabinet on the Cholera outbreak situation and the response thereto. The nation is informed that as at 30 November 2023, Zimbabwe’s cumulative suspected cholera cases were 9 895, with 9 466 recoveries and 53 confirmed deaths.
Harare Metropolitan Province, with 607 cases, recorded the highest number of cases during the period 24 to 30 November, 2023. This represented a decrease by 98 cases from the cases recorded the previous week. Similarly, slight decreases were recorded in the number of cases in the Mutare Rural and Buhera Districts of Manicaland Province.
The case fatality rate decreased to 2.2%. The decreases in cases and in the case fatality rate are due to prioritized and targeted interventions in the three hotspots.
In other areas, Oral Rehydration Points manned by community health promoters are being set up in communities to bring services closer to the people, while training in case management and rapid response using workstations are ongoing.
Health education on cholera prevention and control measures, including hygiene promotion, is ongoing in all the country’s provinces. In light of the foregoing cholera situation, Cabinet emphasizes once again the following additional measures being implemented:
1. Intensified school health education on cholera and other diarrhoeal diseases;
2. Improving water, sanitation and hygiene in communities; and
3. Continued intensification of Risk Communication and Community Engagement, including the involvement of religious and local leadership in the fight against cholera.
6.0 REPORT ON HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT’S ATTENDANCE AT THE UN CLIMATE CONFERENCE – COP 28
Cabinet received the Report on His Excellency the President’s Attendance at the United Nations Climate Conference (Cop 28), which was held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, as presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Honourable Dr Frederick Makamure Shava.
The nation is being informed that His Excellency the President, Cde E.D. Mnangagwa, led a delegation to the World Climate Action Summit held during the 28th Session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change from 1 to 2 December, 2023.
In his intervention during the opening segment, His Excellency the President highlighted that Zimbabwe continued to suffer from the negative impacts of climate change, with the illegal sanctions imposed on the country hindering mitigation efforts.
He underlined that the efforts of developing countries must be supported by equity and justice. Key issues discussed at CoP 28 include the following:
1. the Loss and Damage Fund, which generated initial pledges of US$549 million, surpassing the targeted US$400 million, will help vulnerable countries cope with the impact of climate change;
2. the UAE announced the creation of a new private investment fund geared towards climate solutions, starting with a contribution of US$30 billion;
3. India offered to host CoP 33 in 2028;
4. More than 110 countries committed to triple renewable energy and double efficiency by 2030; and
5. The first Global Stocktake would be a critical assessment of progress towards meeting the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, and course correction will be needed to reset climate ambition and action.
Cabinet noted that His Excellency the President successfully participated at the CoP 28, which offered Zimbabwe an opportunity to advance its engagement and re-engagement agenda. The Conference of Parties allowed Zimbabwe to showcase various adaptation initiatives that the Second Republic is implementing, especially through climate-proofed agriculture.
I THANK YOU