Zim-Botswana to combat cross-border livestock rustling
UPDATE ON SUMMER CROPS AND
TOBACCO MARKETING
THE Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Honourable Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuka, presented the Update on Summer Crops and Tobacco Marketing, which was adopted by Cabinet.
Cabinet wishes to inform the nation that the country produced 2.57 million tonnes of maize and traditional grains during the 2022/2023 season. Zimbabwe consumes 2.2 million tonnes of maize/traditional grains (1.8 million tonnes for food and 400 000 for stock feed). This translates to 6 027 tonnes daily, with 4 931 tonnes going towards human consumption. The monthly human consumption requirement is 150 000 metric tonnes.
Cabinet wishes to assure the nation that there will be enough grain before the commencement of the next maize/traditional grains intake in April 2024.
Wheat stocks of 247 371 tonnes as at 28 January, 2024 will last eleven months, at a monthly draw down rate of 21 000 tonnes.
Regarding the summer crops marketing update, the nation is informed that the to total marketed crops was 526 082 tonnes for the, 2022/2023 summer crops, out of which the GMB purchased 210 579 tonnes. The GMB intake constituted 39 percent market share for all the marketed crops.
Pertaining to tobacco, a total of 36.8 million kilogrammes has been exported this year, at an average price of US$7.33 per kilogramme, compared to the 11.6 million kilogrammes exported over a similar period in 2023 at an average price of US$4.31 per kg.
As the nation may recall, from a record production of 296 million kilogrammes under the Second Republic, 236 031 405 kilogrammes of tobacco worth US$1 237 342 456 was subsequently exported in 2023. Most of the tobacco being sold in 2024 is destined for the Far East, Africa, the Middle East and European Union markets.
A total of 88 747 082 kilogrammes of seed cotton was marketed as at 25 January, 2024, compared to the 55 972 612 kilogrammes UPDATE ON PREPARATIONS FOR THE
2023/2024 SUMMER SEASON Cabinet considered and noted the Update on Preparations for the 2023/2024 Summer Season, which was presented by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Honourable Dr. A.J. Masuka.
The nation is informed that a total of 3 027 559 hectares was planted to crops during the 2023/2024 Summer Season, out of the targeted 3 674 000 hectares. Of the total planted area, 1 676 274 hectares was planted to maize, 362 541 hectares to sorghum, 141 169 hectares to pearl millet, and 271 823 hectares to groundnuts.
A cumulative 2 283 272 metric tonnes of maize and 271 623 metric tonnes of traditional grains is expected from the planted area. A total of 11 932 505 plots which are equivalent to 744 588 hectares had been prepared under the Climate-Proofed Presidential Pfumvudza/Intwasa Programme by 20 November 2023, compared to the 5 867 292 plots equivalent to 366 706 hectares that had been prepared by 21 November, 2022 and 4 602 209 plots equivalent to 287 640 hectares by 19 November, 2021. This is a reflection that farmers are adopting the recommended climate-proofing interventions, especially during the El Nino condition.
The nation is further being assured that there is adequate water for irrigation, with the national dam storage level at 84.8 percent as at 1 February, 2024. Cabinet also wishes to advise the public that the 31 percent reduction in water charges for farmers has since been effected as directed. 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 cholera cases are on the decrease in Zimbabwe. The Ministry of Health and Child Care continues to institute control measures that include: distribution of water treatment chemicals at the point of use; training of water point committees; demonstrations on handwashing; setting up of oral rehydration points; engagement with religious leadership; and awareness and health education.
The Ministry also received 60 000 litres of Intra-Venous fluids, tents and other cholera supplies from the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund in the previous week, thereby strengthening measures to control the disease.
As efforts to fight cholera continue, the priority actions for the next 12 weeks, especially for Harare and Chitungwiza, include the following:
Oral Cholera Vaccine Deployment to the targeted hot spots; Procurement of
Cholera Response Medicines, Supplies and Commodities; Mobilisation of additional funding to support the cholera response at national and Sub-national levels for optimal and comprehensive response to the outbreak; and Support for the implementation of the integrated community strategy to optimize access to safe water and sanitation. Other initiatives will include applying the concept of Clean cities and environment by prioritising deployment of law enforcement agents to: remove all food vendors from undesignated areas in all suburbs; supervise removal of refuse from areas where this has been dumped and make sure this does not pile up again; and monitor and halt gatherings for religious and funeral purposes in other known hotspots until the situation normalises. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE AND THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA ON COOPERATION TO COMBAT CROSSBORDER LIVESTOCK
RUSTLING
Cabinet considered and approved the Memorandum of Understanding between the Republics of Zimbabwe and Botswana on cooperation to Combat Cross-Border Livestock Rustling, which was presented by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Hon. Ziyambi Ziyambi as the Chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on Legislation.
The nation is informed that the Memorandum of Understanding aims to establish a legal framework for cooperation between the Republics of Zimbabwe and Botswana in order to harmonise efforts on combating livestock rustling and any other associated crimes. This initiative also seeks to maintain the historic ties between the Parties through cooperation, while respecting national sovereignty.
5.0 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE AND THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA ON IMMIGRATION COOPERATION
Cabinet considered and approved the Memorandum of Understanding between the Republics of Zimbabwe and Botswana on Immigration Cooperation, which was presented by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Hon. Ziyambi Ziyambi as the chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on Legislation.
The memorandum reflects the desire to cooperate in the area of immigration by both Parties, born out of the Parties’ mutual belief that cooperation will foster stability and prosperity. The Memorandum aims to establish a legal framework for cooperation of both Parties in immigration matters. Areas of cooperation include: facilitation of movement of persons; anti-human trafficking and smuggling; capacity building; harmonisation of immigration related laws and policies; and the establishment of onestop border post, among others.
MEMORANDUM ON THE PRIVATE MEMBER’S DEATH PENALTY ABOLITION BILL
Cabinet considered and approved the Memorandum on the Private Member’s Death Penalty Abolition Bill, which was presented by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Hon. Ziyambi Ziyambi as the Chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on Legislation.
The nation is informed that a Private Member’s Bill was introduced in the National Assembly, and its main purpose was to abolish the death penalty in Zimbabwe through the amendment to the Criminal Law Code and the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act.
Following ongoing debates locally, regionally and internationally on whether or not the death penalty should be abolished, the Government of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs conducted countrywide grassroots consultations in 30 districts of Zimbabwe, three districts per each of the ten provinces, after which a Report was produced.
From these consultations, critical comments and views were expressed for, and against the death penalty.
Cabinet approved the abolition of the death penalty and agreed that the circumstances attracting death penalty options include where the murder is committed against a prison or police officer, or minor or pregnant woman; or it is committed in the course of other serious crimes or where there was pre-meditation.
In view of the need to retain the deterrent element in sentencing murderers, it is expected that the new law will impose lengthy sentences without violating the right to life.
The existence of aggravating circumstances may attract life sentences.
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