Suburban
Cabinet considered and approved the proposed National Wetlands Policy and Guidelines. The policy will guide wetlands management for incorporation in development planning by Government, the private sector and development partners, Traditional Leaders, communities and individuals.
The Policy will facilitate the establishment of an effective and efficient institutional and legal framework for integrated management, and enhance capacity building within relevant institutions involved in the management of wetlands.
Government will designate all wetlands as areas that are unsuitable for settlement, gazette all ecologically sensitive wetlands, undertake orderly relocation of people in order to pave way for the rehabilitation of wetlands, and enforce the requirement for Environmental Management Agency certification for any developments in sensitive wetlands. There shall be efficient measures for waste management from point of source, with stiff penalties being imposed for the offence of discharging waste into wetlands.
Government shall establish wetland education centres countrywide, set up functional local wetland management institutions, restore the powers of Traditional Leaders in wetland management, and strengthen legislation to protect various habitats found on wetlands. Government will also intensify the development of climate change mitigation measures to safeguard wetlands, establish and develop recreation and eco-tourism facilities for sustainable wetland management, and promote efficient techniques and technologies for crop and livestock production on wetlands where these activities are considered appropriate.
Treasury will avail in tranches the resources required to kick-start the rehabilitation of 20 wetlands, 2 per province, before the onset of the 2021/2022 rainfall season.
Cabinet is informing the nation that, the number of families in wetlands/irregular settlements stands at 31 257. The provision of relief to distressed households at the Budiriro Hall Holding Camp in Harare and other sites is ongoing. Government intends to provide alternative accommodation for the households before the end of 2021, since the construction of flat apartments for the relocation exercise is now underway at various sites.
Regarding the first four blocks of flats in Dzivarasekwa which are targeted for completion by 31st December 2021, deck shattering, steel reinforcement and electrical tubing on Block 7 have been completed. Labour recruitment for the flats project is continuing, with the active involvement of the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation. Out of the 53 recruits, 12 are trainee bricklayers from the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development which will provide more artisans, including carpenters and plumbers.
Under the former Messengers Camp projects, Treasury availed ZW$200 million for construction works to commence at the Highfield (Harare ) and Senga (Gweru) camps. The Public Works Department will construct four of the eight blocks at the Senga camp, with the remaining four blocks being reserved for tendering. Treasury has provided ZW$140 million to enable works to commence.
The 14 Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle settlements will constitute the First Phase, while the costing of additional settlements is ongoing. Cabinet has directed that the First Phase should commence forthwith, utilising the ZW$75 million already provided by Treasury to implement works at Cowdray Park in Bulawayo (ZW$40 million); Binga (ZW$7.5 million); Cross Dete ( ZW$7.5 million); and in Masvingo City (ZW$20 million). In order to allow meaningful works to commence before the onset of the 2021/2022 rainfall season, Treasury has undertaken to disburse ZW$450 million by October, in tranches of ZW$150 million in August, ZW$150 million in September, and ZW$150 million in October 2021.
With regard to settlements currently on land that was not officially acquired, a nationwide verification exercise is being undertaken by a team constituted by the Ministries of Local Government and Public Works; National Housing and Social Amenities; and Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement. The initial ten farms that have so far been identified in this regard are Highwood, Rockwood, Umzi and Sussex under Mazowe District; Glen Forest, Gletywn, Lot 1 of Eyercourt, Remainder of Carrick Creagh of Borrowdale Estate, and Remainder of Churu Farm under Harare; and Arcon in Goromonzi District. The farms are expected to be considered for regularisation, and this will encompass proper layout plans and engineering drawings as well as the resolution of double/multiple allocations. The verification exercise is expected to be completed by November 2021.
Government is also examining the possibility of regularizing Caledonia and Marydown Estate under Goromonzi District, through provision of modern human settlement infrastructure. The Zimbabwe National Geospatial and Space Agency will use drones to identify places where plans were not followed, and beneficiaries found to be compliant will be issued with title. Under the Smart City concept, the model adopted for Melfort under Mashonaland East Province will be replicated in Figtree in Matabeleland South Province, and Chirundu in Mashonaland West Province.
Cabinet wishes to inform the nation that the (roads rehabilitation) programme continues to register significant progress, as evidenced by increased activity around the country.
Cabinet directed that the Emergency Road Rehabilitation be intensified in order to improve the state of roads and thereby facilitate the movement of essential supplies as well as ease of travel by ordinary road users.
Cabinet noted with deep concern that some fuel companies are abusing the foreign currency obtained from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Auction to procure fuel and then sell the fuel to consumers in foreign currency. The companies are supposed to follow laid down regulations, in order to enable the general motoring public to access fuel in the local currency. Cabinet was furnished with a comprehensive list of the companies and retail outlets abusing the foreign currency facility, and directed that firm action be instituted against the unscrupulous traders. The action involves prosecution of offenders, cancellation of fuel trading licences, or a heavy fines as shall be determined by the team of relevant line Ministries in conjunction with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe as the source of the funds so abused.
An abridged version of the post-Cabinet Media Statement presented by Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa.
