Parliament debates motion to make it mandatory for companies to contribute to community ownership schemes

1. c) Community Share Ownership Schemes be extended beyond the mining sector and include other sectors/industries such as agriculture, manufacturing and other resource intensive sectors; and
2. d) mechanisms to hold companies accountable for the socio-environmental impacts of their operations be established.

HON. HAMAUSWA:  I second Mr. Speaker Sir.

HON. C. HLATYWAYO:  Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.  I rise to move that this House urgently considers the enactment of a mandatory corporate social responsibility by the name Community Share Ownership Schemes (this name is just a proposal that can be altered after the adoption of the motion) for all registered companies operating within communities across all sectors.

Mr. Speaker Sir, this is in fulfilment of the country’s national objectives as clearly stated in Chapter 2, Section 13 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.  Under National Development 13 (4), it states that, ‘the State must ensure that local communities benefit from the resources in their areas’.

This motion Mr. Speaker Sir, seeks to ensure that companies contribute meaningfully to the development of the areas in which they operate and address the adverse impacts which their operations have on local communities.

Hon. Speaker, the essence of this motion is simple but profound. Companies must contribute a mandatory percentage of their profits, a proposal of 5% towards the development and well-being of the communities they work from.  This contribution will be channelled into projects determined by community share scheme committees which will be established in each constituency.

These committees are meant to get the communities more involved in their own developmental affairs in fulfilment of section 13 (2) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe which states that, ‘measures referred to in this section must involve the people in the formulation and implementation of development plans and programmes that affect them’.

Mr. Speaker Sir, these committees will prioritise and oversee projects such as the improvement of road infrastructure, water and sanitation systems, healthcare facilities and educational needs of the community, all areas that are crucial for the well-being of local residents.  

Hon. Speaker, while I acknowledge that the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill is attempting to address this issue to some extent by incorporating Community Share Ownership Schemes for mining companies, it is prudent Mr. Speaker and timely to expand this principle beyond the mining sector. Sectors such as agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, construction and distribution among other vital sectors in the category of secondary and tertiary industries must also be held accountable for the socio-economic as well as environmental impact of their activities.

These companies have in many instances degraded the very communities they operate in and made profits out of the communities’ sweat and expense. Polluting water sources, damaging roads with heavy machinery and leaving behind a trail of destruction. This motion Mr. Speaker, is therefore crucial because it mandates them to invest in the people and places they are profiting from, thereby leaving no one and no place without a meaningful footstep of their God-given resources.

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