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Bongani Ndlovu, Chronicle Reporter 

MORE developmental projects are set to be implemented in Binga in Matabeleland North during the third 100-day cycle.

This was said yesterday by Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa, during the post-Cabinet briefing. 

A report of the first, second and third 100-day cycle was presented to Cabinet by the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs and Monitoring, Implementation of Government Programmes, Dr Joram Gumbo.

Under the third 100-day cycle, there are 489 projects that are targeted to be implemented with 189 of these set to be priority projects. 

Binga will see the implementation of borehole drilling, upgrading of Binga District Hospital, construction of houses and the establishment of Twasumbuka Community Radio Station. 

Minister Mutsvangwa said there are a total of 189 priority projects across the 10 provinces that will be implemented under the third 100-day cycle that started on August 31 and will end on December 8.

She said the projects include mines and mining development, dam construction, irrigation development, transport and health Infrastructure, provision of water, road construction, housing and social amenities and ICTs. 

“These projects are expected to positively impact the livelihoods of the populace. 

“Under the Binga Development Initiative, projects will be implemented in the following areas, borehole drilling, empowerment of special interest groups, the establishment of Binga industrial and training college which will graduate into a polytechnic. 

“Construction of a Vocational Training Centre in Binga, upgrading Binga Hospital, electrification of clinics, construction of houses for flood victims and the establishment of Twasumbuka Community radio station.  These projects are designed to address the socio-economic development deficiencies in Binga,” said Minister Mutsvangwa. 

She said Cabinet also received and adopted reports for the first and second 100-day cycle projects and priority projects for the third 100-day cycle of 2022 presented by Dr Gumbo.

“A total of 164 projects have been implemented under the second 100-day cycle, which ended on August 30 2022. 108 of these projects were on target, while 129 had average performance of 61 percent to 100 percent. Targets set for some of the projects were adversely affected by the constrained fiscal space coupled with price escalations which have been witnessed during the course of implementation,” said Minister Mutsvangwa. 

Under the cycle cited, some of the projects completed include the construction of the Gwanda State University Engineering laboratory and innovation complex, establishment of innovation centres for dry-land agriculture in Chivi district and at Lupane University. 

She said others include decentralisation of passport services to Beitbridge District, Matabeleland South Province, the establishment of the Nust Campus radio and the establishment of the Lupane Magistrates Court.

Minister Mutsvangwa said Cabinet considered and approved General Amnesty 2022 as proposed by the Minister of Justice Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi. 

She said the amnesty was to decongest the country’s prisons. 

“Section 112 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, provides that the President after consultation with Cabinet may exercise the power of mercy to grant pardon to any person convicted of an offence against the law. The rationale behind the proposal is to decongest the prisons whose population as of 29 August 2022, stood at 22 114 against an official holding capacity of 17 000 inmates.

“The situation means that 4 798 inmates do not have adequate floor space as required by the Constitution and compromises the health of inmates among other challenges,” added the Minister.

She said the amnesty excludes prisoners who were previously released on amnesty, serving a sentence imposed by Court Martial, those who escaped lawful custody, and those who committed specified offences.

“These specified offences include murder, treason, rape or any sexual offence, carjacking, robbery, public violence, human trafficking, unlawful possession of firearms contravention of the Zesa and PTC Acts and contravention of Mobile Act and any conspiracy incitement or attempt to commit any of these offences,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.