Swift Action Required . . . President sets licences, fees overhaul deadline

Staff Reporter

GOVERNMENT must finalise the review of licences, permits, levies and fees during the first quarter of this year to continue improving the ease of doing business, President Mnangagwa has said.

In his remarks at the first Cabinet sitting of the year at Munhumutapa Building in Harare yesterday, the President said the directive aligned with the Second Republic’s commitment to reform and enhance the business environment, attract investment and improve service delivery.


The review of levies, licences, fees and permits across sectors, including health, agriculture, retail, tourism, transport, energy, manufacturing, broadcasting, telecommunications, liquor, construction and financial services, has been ongoing since last year at his instigation, with some sectors having already implemented the new rates.



“These impactful changes should be implemented through the timely release of the necessary Statutory Instruments. I am aware that notable headway is evident with reform measures having been completed in some sectors,” said President Mnangagwa.

He challenged ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to enhance engagement with a broader cross-section of industry players and stakeholders, as the country’s Executive must be receptive to the viewpoints, observations and recommendations of Zimbabweans.


“This is at the core of our ‘People-centred Government under our ruling party, ZANU PF’,” said the President.



Vice President Dr Kembo Mohadi greets fellow members of Cabinet, flanked by Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga (right) and Defence Minister Oppah Muchikunguri-Kashiri (left) yesterday.

Patriotism, unity of purpose, ingenuity, hard, honest work and resilience exhibited during the five-year implementation of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), the President said, should be carried over to yield results during the NDS2 period.


“The culture of results is now an embedded part of who we are, in the Second Republic and indeed as a people.


“It is, therefore, incumbent on this Cabinet to sustain the ongoing development momentum, towards a people-centred, multi-pronged and transformative economic growth,” he said.

The inter-connected nature of the country’s economy, added the President, remained essential to leveraging the growth of sectors such as agriculture, mining, infrastructure development, energy, tourism and manufacturing.

In this regard, he said he expected that Cabinet members work with greater synergies, collaboration and complementarity.



Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere (standing third from left) converses with Lands Minister Dr Anxious Masuka (sitting row left), Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe (second from right) and Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs Minister Monica Mavhunga.

“Our approach to the execution of duties and responsibilities must reflect the maturity of members and not petty competitiveness,” said President Mnangagwa.


He said the country remained hopeful of a successful agricultural season on the back of favourable rainfall patterns.


“We remain positive that this will bring about success in the agriculture sector, to bolster our national food security and agri-business. Regrettably, some areas may encounter crop losses due to heavy rains received,” he said.

As such, the President said Government will continue to implement concrete measures to mitigate the negative effects of weather-related disasters and challenges.

The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka, is expected to prepare a comprehensive report for consideration by Cabinet to ensure that affected and vulnerable communities are appropriately cushioned.

President Mnangagwa said the well-being of neighbouring countries in the region was also as essential as the country’s own, hence Government under the auspices of ZIMAID, will continue rendering the necessary support to the affected nations.

“This is the ethos of Ubuntu, as Africans.



Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube (left) exchanges greetings with his counterpart Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries,Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka.

“Our neighbours, in parts of Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia and northern South Africa, have not been spared from the adverse impact of climate change-related disasters. This saw the loss of lives, damage to infrastructure and property as well as disruption of livelihoods.


“Guided by the enduring spirit of SADC solidarity, my administration, under the ZIM-Aid framework, will continue to do its part towards mitigating the vulnerabilities of affected communities by mobilising relief supplies,” he said.

The President also urged motorists and citizens to continue exercising extreme caution on the roads and adherence to pre-cautionary warnings from the Civil Protection Unit and Meteorological Service Department.

“As we embark on our duties during the year, let us remain inspired by the hopes, aspirations and trust which Zimbabweans have placed on our ruling revolutionary mass party, ZANU PF.

“The decisions we make, and the results we realise or lack thereof, impact the destiny of our motherland, Zimbabwe.

“Let us all, remain guided by the principle of servant leadership and our national development philosophy ‘Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhu-le-ke-lwe ngabanikazi balo’,” said President Mnangagwa.
Source: Herald