Significant progress recorded in mapping settlements for title deeds
CABINET received an update on the country’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and a report on the procurement and roll-out of vaccines, as presented by thechairman of the Ministers’ Committee on the National COVID19 Response, Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care, Honourable Dr CGDN Chiwenga.
The nation is advised that, as at 28 November 2022, the country’s cumulative cases since the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020 stood at 259 164, with 253 005 recoveries and 5 620 cumulative deaths. The recovery rate was 98 percent, with 539 active cases having been reported. The pandemic remains under control.
Regarding the national vaccination programme, Cabinet wishes to inform the nation that, as at 27 November 2022, a total of 6 569 603 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine had been administered, while 4 937 735 people had received their second dose, and 1 239 453 their third dose. A total of 3 million Covid-19 vaccine doses were received from the People’s Republic of China, 1 million of which were donated by the First Lady of the People’s Republic of China, to the First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa.
In light of the upcoming festive season, Cabinet resolved on the following strategies in order to ensure that the pandemic is kept under check:
◆ Strengthening enforcement and adher
ence to WHO Covid-19 protocols; ◆ Strengthening genomic sequencing to quickly identify any imported new variants; and
◆ Introducing an electronic vaccination register to enable easy identification and follow up of those yet to receive second and third doses.
Report on the national grains status, wheat harvesting And deliveries
Cabinet received and considered the weekly report on the national grains status, wheat harvesting and deliveries, as presented by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Honourable Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuka.
Cabinet advises that the grain stocks at GMB as at November 27, 2022 stood at 555 504 tonnes comprising 477 059 tonnes of maize and 78 445 metric tonnes of traditional grains. Using the monthly consumption rate of 49 294 tonnes, the available grain will last for 11,3 months. In general, the grain situation shows that the country remains food secure.
Wheat stocks at GMB stand at 174 072 tonnes, and this will provide 8,2 months’ cover at a consumption rate of 21 000 tonnes per month. The cumulative harvested area of the 2022 winter wheat crop stands at 72 663 hectares, translating to 92 percent of the planted area. The total production now stands at 326 166 tonnes of wheat, at an average yield of 4,4 tonnes per hectare.
Update on preparations for the 2022/2023 summer cropping season
Cabinet considered and adopted an update on preparations for the 2022/2023 summer pro
duction season, as presented by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Honourable Dr Masuka.
Cabinet advises the nation that the country continues to be in the normal to above-normal rainfall category, despite the reduced rainfall activity experienced during the past week. Most areas across the country have received rainfall expected at this time of the year.
Inputs distribution, registration and training on Pfumvudza/Intwasa are in progress, with distribution continuing to be done according to agro-ecological zone requirements. Cabinet highlights that 82 percent (58 958 tonnes) of the received basal fertiliser has been distributed across the provinces, while 69 percent (14 297 tonnes) of the received top dressing fertiliser have been distributed. Planting has commenced in many areas.
Under the National Enhanced Agricultural Productivity Scheme (NEAPS), both AFC and CBZ have commenced registering farmers, with inputs being availed. CBZ is targeting to support a total of 170 000 hectares under maize (150 000 hectares) and soyabeans (20 000 hectares), while AFC is targeting 65 000 hectares under maize (55 000 hectares), soyabeans (5 000 hectares), traditional grains (2 000 hectares) and sunflower (3 000 hectares).
Cabinet would like to highlight the following areas planted for the major crops:
◆ Maize, 95 593 hectares compared to 33 119 hectares at the same time of the previous season;
◆ Soyabeans, 1 415 hectares compared to 677 hectares at the same time of the previous season;
◆ Sorghum, 2 570 hectares against 756 hectares the previous season;
◆ Cotton, 518 hectares and
◆ Tobacco, 53 571 hectares versus 38 312 hectares at the same time of the previous season.
Regarding livestock, the nation is informed that a total of 291 750 chickens and 3 158 goats have been distributed under the Presidential Rural Poultry and Goat schemes, respectively.
Meanwhile, a total of 435 boreholes have
been drilled under the Borehole Drilling Programme across the country, up from the 368 boreholes reported on 15 November, 2022.
Progress report on the implementation of Phase 2 of the enhanced emergency preparedness and disaster management programme
Cabinet adopted the progress report on the implementation of Phase 2 of the enhanced emergency preparedness and disaster management Programme, which was presented by Vice President Honourable Dr CGDN Chiwenga.
Under Phase 2 of the regularisation of dysfunctional, illegal and irregular settlements, Government has prioritised the construction of flats in Dzivarasekwa and Senga, with a target of at least 2 relocation sites in each city or town.
Construction works on the four blocks of flats funded by Government at Dzivarasekwa have now progressed to 65.8 percent of completion. Roads and sewer construction are each 95 percent complete, while the car park and culvert are 75 percent and 100 percent complete, respectively.
Overall progress on the four blocks at the Senga former Messengers Camp in Gweru stands at 31.75 percent. Cabinet wishes to highlight that payments to contractors for budgeted infrastructural projects are being expedited, following the completion of value-for-money and due diligence exercises which were being undertaken on the projects.
On the mapping of settlements against approved layout plans, the public is advised that significant progress has been achieved. Following the successful mapping of settlements at Caledonia, Hopley, Saturday Retreat, Cowdray Park, Retreat Farm, Gimboki (Mutare) and Karoi, the Zimbabwe Geospatial and Space Agency (ZINGSA) has further mapped settlements at Eyecourt, Eyerstone, Chizororo, Derbyshire and Granville.
The next stage involves verification of settlements to determine those which conform to planned land-use in order to allow for regularisation, followed by issuance of title deeds.
On a related matter, the Second Republic is addressing concerns of planned settlements without adequate basic services. In that respect, it will be recalled that focus has been on addressing infrastructure provision on an initial 16 Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle settlements identified countrywide. Highlights include the commencement of works at the Lupane Local Board Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle site and the completion of engineering designs for onsite infrastructure such as sewer and roads at the Gwanda Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle site.
Meanwhile, the Government notes and sternly warns against the sprouting of settlements on some State-owned land. Strict action will be taken against those, including leaders, who are found in clear breach of the country’s rural and urban land use laws.
Under the Second Phase of the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP 2), a cumulative 125,3km of roads have been constructed, reconstructed or rehabilitated, while 7 764,9km have been pothole-patched and 577.7km gravelled. A total of 9 676.7 km has been graded, while 228 drainage structures have been constructed, and 138,2 km of road resealed or overlaid. Payments to contractors are being expedited.
Regarding the investigation and prosecution of land barons, the public is informed that a total of 347 arrests were made, and 91 cases are before the courts, while 57 have since been finalised, with 6 convictions having been secured.
Accordingly, devolution funds will be availed to the Harare City Council and other urban municipalities for the purpose of strengthening the local authorities’ law enforcement capacity.
Meanwhile, the relevant legislation is being reviewed for the ZRP and municipal police to work together more efficiently, and for the establishment of municipal courts.
On the management of wetlands, Cabinet advises that the first phase of gazetting all ecologically sensitive areas has now covered Harare, Chitungwiza, Ruwa, Epworth and all the head waters in the seven catchment areas spanning 252 855.15 hectares. A five-year rolling plan on wetland restoration from 2021 to 2025 is being supported by Government in a phased approach. Six wetlands covering a total area of 600 hectares have been rehabilitated.
With regard to housing cooperatives, a dispute resolution committee to assist the registrar of cooperatives has been established. To date, a total of 129 cases have been resolved in 2022 alone, countrywide.
On the provision of workspaces for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Government is working in collaboration with local authorities, the private sector and development partners on renovating existing spaces or putting up new modern workspaces for MSMEs, with designs taking into account the type of businesses or trades to be housed.
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