The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Budget, Finance Economic Development and Investment Promotion has started public consultations for the 2026 National Budget with the Government being urged to allocate more resources towards healthcare, education and other social services to cushion citizens against high cost of living.
Speaking during the public hearings in Bindura on Monday, participants said there was need for the budget to stimulate economic growth and to create employment.
“The Government should allocate more resources in the education and health sectors to address the plight of the vulnerable groups in communities who have borne the brunt of the economic hardships the country is facing.
As you’re aware that teachers have been struggling for quite some time due to several factors which include inadequate salaries being offered by government,” said Gibson Chigama from Education Coalition of Zimbabwe.
Sam Sadobe an advocate of the rights of persons living with mental illness said the Government should set aside funds for their empowerment in the various programmes.
“Government should set aside funds specifically for mental health in the national budget especially to fund programs and initiatives for people suffering from mental illnesses as we’re getting discriminated in each Andy budget process due to state of our colleagues who are in need of medical assistance.
“We also need to come up with schemes specifically for them. Whenever there are programmes or distribution of inputs for agriculture, we also need to reserve a quota for them so that they can take care of themselves and their families,” said Sadobe.
Kenneth Chigwada told the Committee that budget should provide tax incentives to boost economic growth.
“We want the Government to use tax incentives to stimulate growth of the economy and provide employment opportunities especially the youths should be supported in all sectors of the economy,” he said.
The National Budget is expected to be presented by Finance Minister, Mthuli Ncube, next month with Parliament now conducting a countrywide consultative process to gather views on what citizens consider to be addressed in the 2026 National budget.
The countrywide hearings will end on Saturday 10 October.
