Zimpapers Logo

Ninth Meeting Decisions Matrix: 26 March, 2019

1. Report on the Cyclone Idai Disaster

Cabinet Decision

Cabinet received a comprehensive update report from the Chairman of the Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Management Committee on the ongoing rescue and search efforts in the aftermath of the Cyclone Idai Disaster,

Cabinet noted with satisfaction the considerable progress that has so far been made in reopening access routes to the severely affected areas in Chipinge and Chimanimani districts.

Cabinet also greatly appreciates the overwhelming response by local corporates, churches, individuals as well as cooperating partners and other countries in the region and beyond to calls by Government for assistance towards the victims of the disaster. Pertaining to the way forward, Cabinet resolved as following:

1. In the short-term:
2. a) to intensify the ongoing search and recovery efforts;
3. b) to prioritise the provision of clean water and sanitation, distribution of food relief, medical supplies and emergency shelter facilities:
4. c) to hasten the opening of roads and rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure:
5. d) to lodge a comprehensive appeal for disaster relief support; and
6. e) to invite local corporates and business associations to adopt schools and clinics for purposes of rehabilitating their damaged infrastructure.
7. In the medium-term:
8. a) to carry out a disaster vulnerability assessment of the Eastern Highlands area, with particular focus on the Chimanimani and Chipinge districts:
9. b) to come up with a contingency plan which should address issues of land use planning, appropriate housing designs and construction, and where necessary, the relocation of schools and residential settlements; and
10. c) to carry out measures to strengthen national disaster response systems, including expediting the establishment of a centre for monitoring disaster response systems.
11. Principles of the Amendments to the Labour Act (Chapter 28.01)

Cabinet approved a proposal by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs on principles to Amend the Labour Act (Chapter 28.01) in order to align it with the Zimbabwe Constitution.

The amendments principally seek to provide for the qualifications and appointment of all judges of the Labour Court.

The proposed amendments had been omitted in the General Laws Amendment Bill at the time the Bill was submitted to Parliament.

3. Proposal on De-siltation and Riverbed Mining

Cabinet considered and approved a proposal by the Minister of Mines and Mining Development to grant 11 companies permission to undertake mechanised riverbed mining.

The applications by the companies had previously been approved by Government.

However, Government had subsequently issued a statutory instrument to ban all mechanised riverbed mining in 2014.

The statutory instrument was amended in 2018 by the repeal of these restrictions.

Furthermore, it was resolved that any new applicants for de-siltation and/or riverbed mining be considered under joint venture arrangements with the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation, which will be tasked with the responsibility of overseeing compliance with environmental provisions.

4. Public Enterprises Reform: Silo Food Industries

With respect to the Public Enterprise Reform Programme, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development updated Cabinet on progress made following the de-merger of the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) into the Strategic Grain Reserve division and a commercial arm, Silo Food Industries.

The minister highlighted that the following steps of progress had been made towards operationalisation of Silo Food Industries:

that Silo Food Industries is set to begin operations in its new status from 1 April 2019

that various institutions have already expressed interest to partner Silo Food Industries; and

that Silo Food Industries requires US$54,7 million and RTGS $40 million to finance its operations over a 5-year period.

Taking into cognisance the critical role Silo Food Industries is set to play in the economy, Cabinet approved the following:

1) That the process of appointing the Silo Food Industries Board be expedited to give necessary strategic guidance and oversight to the entity.

2) That the funding proposals from potential strategic partners for Silo Food Industries be submitted for consideration and approval by Government; and

3) That Government’s minimum equity holding in Silo Food Industries be 26 percent.