Third meeting decisions matrix

(1) Public Enterprises Reform Programme: State Lotteries and Gaming Board

As part of efforts to implement its previous resolution on the partial privatisation of loss making public entities, Cabinet considered a submission by the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage on the State Lotteries and Gaming Board.

It was noted that the Board was operating viably in fulfilment of its mandate. Cabinet therefore resolved to retain the State Lotteries and Gaming Board as it is.

(2) Principles for Amendment of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) and the introduction of the Zimbabwe Media Commission Bill

Cabinet considered Principles for the repeal of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, commonly known as AIPPA, presented by the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services. The principles give rise to the introduction of three separate Bills, namely: the Access to Information Bill; The Zimbabwe Media Commission Bill and the Protection of Personal Information/ Data Protection Bill.

However, at today’s meeting, only the principles for the Bill to introduce the Zimbabwe Media Commission were considered.

Cabinet noted that the proposed amendment is in fulfilment of the requirement to align the country’s democratic processes and accordingly approved the principles.

(3) Principles for the Amendment of the Police Act

Following presentation by the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage of the Principles for the amendment of the Police Act to align it with the Zimbabwe Constitution, Cabinet approved the Principles, thereby paving way for the drafting of the actual Bill.

(4) Update on the Strike Action by some teachers

The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education informed the Cabinet that following two meetings held during the previous week with the striking Teachers Unions, the Unions decided to call off the strike action and instead, to pursue the path of dialogue with Government over their working conditions.

Cabinet commended the Unions for heeding the call to prioritise the interest of the learners as well as the country to the improvement of the teachers’ working conditions.

(5) Report on the 32nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Governments of the African Union

Cabinet received a report by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade on the 32nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Governments of the African Union held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 10 t0 11 February, 2019.

The Summit was held under the theme; “Year of Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons: Towards Durable Solutions top Forced Displacements in Africa”.

On the sidelines of the Summit His Excellency the President held a number of meetings with foreign dignitaries highlights which included the following:

1. Meeting with the Group chief executive of Ethiopian Airways, who expressed willingness to enter into strategic partnerships with Air Zimbabwe and to make Zimbabwe the hub of aircraft maintenance in the region.

2. Meeting with Mr Achim Steiner, the UNDP Administrator, who expressed willingness to assist Zimbabwe with funding for projects by the youth and women.

3. Courtesy call by the president of the Trade and Development Bank, which is involved in the implementation of the Batoka Gorge Power Project and the funding of the Zimbabwe-Belarus Projects.

4. SADC Heads of State and Government Consultation, which expressed support and solidarity with Zimbabwe and issued a statement called for the immediate lifting of sanctions.

5. Meeting with the President of Estonia where they discussed bilateral cooperation between the two countries, especially in the area of ICT

(5) The 2019 ZIMSEC Examination Fees for Grade 7, O’ and A’ Levels

Following a presentation by the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education and after careful consideration of the plight of the parents owing to the economic hardships the country is currently going through, Cabinet decided to keep the 2019 ZIMSEC Examination Fees for Grade 7 O’ and A’ Levels unchanged.