Sometimes you will forgive us all the time for praying that all this crop of old leaders that come with ‘isms’, endless of them are elevated to higher service so that we fix Zimbabwe. We are tired. Why should the Commission get policy direction from the Minister? It is therefore an extension of his office and the appointments. The Chairman was right and that is brave. I commend you for that. The appointments are shrouded in a lot of secrecy. What is the fear? Bring them to Parliament and they are interviewed like all other Commissioners. Put their qualifications in the newspapers for the public to review them. Why do we fear each other as Zimbabweans? Lay out their credentials for public scrutiny.
Let me come to the question of corruption over land. I am aware that as per Section 282, traditional leaders are empowered to administer communal land and to protect the environment. This Commission must consult them when allocating land. We respect our traditional leaders, but there is one worrying thing that is flowing down from the Cabinet in true osmotic fashion down to the lower echelons of a leadership to the traditional leaders. It is corruption and it is coming from Cabinet. His Excellency must be told that some traditional leaders are now corrupt. They are busy selling land out there. They have caught onto the corruption grave train.
So, the Commission must be empowered to deal with that, but if we have staffed the Commission with cadres of the ruling party, it is unfortunate because they will not stand up to these traditional leaders. Let me come to the question of security of tenure. It is absolutely not clear in the crafting of this Bill. What is happening is Minister here and Minister there. Where property rights are not defined, there is absolutely no investment.
Let me quote from Strive Masiiwa. I know that he is not a favourite of the other side of this House. He has applied his mind to the rule of law in terms of aiding investment and I quote. “These days investors have access to decisions made in your country’s courts. During due diligence, they study these judgements carefully. They also study press statements made by those in leadership and talk to other investors who are already investing in your country. No serious investor simply puts up money without looking at the rule of law in a country.” But, need I say more Mr. Speaker, I am reminded about the whereabouts of Dangote.
I am reminded about the Russian deals that The Herald was singing about. They were practically screaming about them and the merger deals. I do not have to say more regarding this. Those who have ears have heard. They also look at how you treat members of the opposition, your prisoners and issues of whether you deny each other food aid as countrymen. – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.]-
Hon. Speaker, let me address myself to the question of partnerships in agriculture. It is commendable to bring in investors but a lot of thought must be put into these partnerships. The Commission must therefore be empowered to investigate partnerships, those people that come in to partner locals. The Commission must preside over those contracts. This Government needs to listen to its people. There is commotion over ARDA in Kezi, Maphisa and all over. ARDA is causing a lot of commotion together with its partner Trek, but this Government does not listen to people. People are demonstrating every day. Demonstrations are taking root in the rural areas because this Government does not listen.
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