The Sunday Mail
Mashonaland East Province was once called “the administrative hub of factionalism” and without doubt the province has been dogged by several problems ranging from lack of tertiary institutions to allegations that there is still a large number of white farmers in the province. The Sunday Mail (SM) caught up with the newly appointed Minister of State for Mashonaland East Province, Cde Joel Biggie Matiza, who outlines his vision after the departure of Cde Ray Kaukonde, who was once considered the political kingpin in the province. Read on . . .
SM: What can the people of Mashonaland East Province expect following your appointment as the Minister of State for Mashonaland East Province?
Minister Matiza: The trajectory that I’m pursuing is holistic and all-encompassing and is essentially aimed at bringing all the stakeholders of Mashonaland East together so that the province has unity of purpose as we embark on the accelerated implementation of Zim-Asset and bringing sanity to the political realm of Mashonaland East Province and align it to one centre of power reposed in the First Secretary of Zanu-PF and the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Cde RG Mugabe.
SM: What is your position regarding concerns that there is still a large number of white farmers in your province?
Minister Matiza: My position is crystal clear and is guided by the policy of the Ministry of Lands. All occupants of gazetted farms without offer letters are settling there illegally, and currently I’m in the process of establishing the exact number of white farmers who have no right to be on gazetted farms.
By end of January, I should be taking action together with the Provincial Lands Committee to quickly bring to sanity the issue of white farmers who have remained on gazetted land through unsanctioned and corrupt linkages. I intend to dismantle the corrupt architecture in land distribution, and take on board our youths and the Women’s League and adhere religiously to the 20 percent quota for war veterans in A1 Land Distribution and also consider them for A2 allocations.
SM: Cde Minister, your province has seen a fair share of co-operatives that have fleeced people of their hard-earned cash. How do you intend to solve this?
Minister Matiza: It is true that districts like Goromonzi and Seke have had issues to do with co-operative wrangles involving collection of monies from the public and unaccountability of funds resulting in constant fights. As the Resident Minister, I intend to get to the bottom of the matter to comprehend the issues before taking action soon. I will work hand in glove with the Ministry of Co-operatives and Small to Medium Enterprises and the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing and will stand guided by the law. However, I would like to categorically state that those implicated in corrupt activities and stands scams will meet the full wrath of the law.
SM: Mashonaland East has no recognised big tertiary institution like other provinces like Chinhoyi and Bindura. What is your vision for the province?
Minister Matiza: The proximity of Mashonaland East Province to Harare is a plus to the development of world-class tertiary institutions. In the past we have failed to harness the proximity of the province to Harare through the development of synergies with established local tertiary institutions.
My tenure will witness an epoch of working together with a multifarious of stakeholders. We have the Marondera State University Bill, which is currently before Parliament, which is laying the establishment foundation of a State University in Marondera, Mashonaland East Province. I intend during my tenure to see the operationalisation of the university and also, intend to pursue vigorously the establishment of a polytechnic to impart practical skills to our youths.
To augment the establishment of State universities, land will be offered for the establishment of church-based university institutions. Marondera already has Women’s University, and I look forward to the establishment of similar such institutions. This thrust is in line with the fourth cluster of Zim-Asset, that is human capital development upon which the development of the country is predicated upon. This will be implemented in the short-to-medium epoch.
SM: Honourable Minister, what practical steps are being taken to ensure that Community Share Ownership Trusts are fully operational in your province? There has been an outcry in Mutoko as granite companies continue plundering the resources without tangible benefits to the rural populace?
Minister Matiza: As the Resident Minister of Mashonaland East Province, I am aware that some companies have not committed their pledges of seed money which is supposed to drive the various Community Share Ownership Trusts in the province. My coming will see a review of who has contributed what, against the expected nomenclature of what the policy of the Ministry of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment lays down. I will be guided by the law and NIEEB. On the issue of the granite companies, I urge them to have a human face and urge them to undertake corporate social responsibility and positively transform the districts that they operate in. I will also see to it that their pledges materialise and that they walk the talk.
SM: Mashonaland East province is an agricultural province. How do you intend to ensure that there is food security in the province?
Minister Matiza: I’m cognisant that the province has a huge potential to excel in agricultural production. The President, His Excellency Cde R.G. Mugabe, has already given the province a headstart through the provision of agricultural inputs, courtesy of the Presidential Inputs Programme. All districts have received seed maize/sorghum and are in the process of receiving basal fertiliser being delivered right up to ward level at no cost. This benevolence from the Head of State and Government has already set the province ahead in ensuring food security at the household level. However, to augment this I intend to ensure the maximal use of dams and irrigation infrastructure in the province to mitigate the scourge of climate change. In this, I will be working with the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development and officials from Zinwa as well the beneficiary communities so that communities take ownership of these empowerment programmes. I foresee the Food Security Cluster being vigorously implemented in the short term.
SM: Mashonaland East province has redundant industrial infrastructure. Do you foresee revival of this vital sector of the economy?
Minister Matiza: The provincial capital Marondera has not been spared and suffered from the sanctions-induced malice which decimated and annihilated the local industry. However, a multi-sectoral approach will see me engaging our industry and commerce compatriots to re-open the industries.
I am already engaging the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Honourable Mike Bimha, on the urgent establishment of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for Marondera, which will attract investment to the provincial capital and create employment.
Marondera town already has a robust rail and road transport network, and clean water as well as electricity which are all essential ingredients for accelerated economic development. The proximity to the capital city of Harare is also an important factor which I see as aiding the success of the SEZ. As you are aware, Zim-Asset clearly states that the establishment of SEZ is one of the strategies that will enable Zimbabwe to achieve economic growth and reposition itself as a strong economy in the region.
I also intend to tap into the growing informal sector which is contributing positively the economy. I will also engage our Chinese all-weather friends with the irresistible investment opportunities offered by the provincial capital.
SM: Service delivery by local authorities is a critical component in the achievement of Zim-Asset. How do you intent to work together with the local authorities for the betterment of the province?
Minister Matiza: Service delivery is a critical matrix in the achievement of Zim-Asset. Local authorities are mandated as Government nearer to the people to deliver critical services like road infrastructure, housing, schools, clinics and water and sewage reticulation.
Local authorities should focus more on service delivery and regaining the confidence of ratepayers through accountability. The issue of local authorities management living lavish lifestyles at the expense of service delivery should be a thing of the past in Mashonaland East Province. I will work with the local authorities to realise a betterment of the services they offer and ensure that issues of accountability are brought to the fore. I therefore appeal to all stakeholders to work together so that the province realises its full potential.
SM: Since your province has been mired in political controversy and with the departure of Ray Kaukonde and his lieutenants, how do you see it going forward?
Minister Matiza: It is true there is a leadership void that needs to be filled in quickly and measures must be taken to bring confidence in the province. I have met the heads of departments, JOC and war veterans. This was to get briefings and in the case of war veterans to explain to them the new position. War veterans are a powerful integral part of the Mashonaland East body politic especially on issues to do with land, which at the present moment is very emotive and highly topical.
I will be meeting the provincial council soon so that they brief me on their programmes. However, as from January 5-10 2015, I will be touring the province to meet the stakeholders in the districts, assessing the implementation of Zim-Asset and explaining to the party membership the political development in the party. I will be accompanied by some members of the provincial council
SM: How do you see factionalism being stamped out in the province?
Min JB Matiza: Well, factionalism will be one of the things that I will be watching closely because this has a bearing on development. The opportunity to stamp it out is when the party holds its national party district elections.
The best ingredient to this is to make sure the election process is transparent with no vote buying then we will have true and competent leadership in the party. I also think the dissolution of provincial council and holding fresh elections will be a solution to this problem. I will be very involved in this.
SM: Lastly, Honourable Minister, is it true that you are a Mnangagwa man?
Minister Matiza: No, that’s not correct. I have always been for the President. In fact, that’s why I had problems with previous leadership.
I refused to stoop so low as to belong to any faction. Of course I worked very well with VP Mnangagwa at the Rural Housing and Social Amenities Ministry. We started the ministry from scratch the two of us.
It was sheer hard work that made us close. Just like Cde Chombo at the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing.
It was 18 months of hard work and we went along very well.
I believe in firstly loyalty to the party and President and secondly in hard work and consistency and the rest is taken care of. So there is no need to belong to factions. No there is no need for that.
