The 2025 National Budget, presented under the theme “Building Resilience for Sustained Economic Transformation,” has been met with criticism from opposition leaders who argue that it prioritises defense spending over critical sectors like agriculture, health, and education.
According to the budget, defence spending has been allocated ZiG18 billion, dwarfing investments in health (ZiG28.3 billion) and education (ZiG46.6 billion).
This has raised concerns among opposition leaders, who argue that such militarisation does not advance the country’s development goals, particularly at a time when citizens are struggling with food insecurity and collapsing services.
Welshman Ncube, leader of a faction of opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), noted that the budget reveals glaring contradictions, misplaced priorities, and an alarming disconnect from the realities facing ordinary Zimbabweans.
The government has projected a 6% GDP growth for 2025, hinging on “normal to above-normal rainfall” and macroeconomic stability.
However, the former cabinet minister has argued that this optimism “ignores the deep-seated structural challenges in the economy, including unsustainable public debt now standing at US$21.1 billion”.
“The government projects a 6% GDP growth for 2025, hinging on normal to above-normal rainfall and macroeconomic stability.
“Yet, this optimism ignores the deep-seated structural challenges in our economy—unsustainable public debt now standing at US$21.1 billion, weak institutions, and an economic environment marred by inflationary pressures and governance failures,” he stated.
“Defence spending is prioritised with an allocation of ZiG18 billion, dwarfing investments in critical sectors like agriculture, health, and education.
“At a time when citizens struggle with food insecurity and collapsing services, how does such militarization advance our development goals? Resilience cannot be built on fear—it requires investment in people.”
Corban Madzivanyika, Mbizo MP, described the budget’s claim of achieving 6% economic growth while implementing austerity measures as a “glaring contradiction” that will only serve to exacerbate the suffering of the most vulnerable citizens.
“The proposed budget’s claim of achieving 6% economic growth while implementing austerity measures is a glaring contradiction that will only serve to exacerbate the suffering of our most vulnerable citizens,” Madzivanyika said.
“Austerity measures, characterised by tough fiscal and monetary policies, have been widely discredited as a recipe for economic stagnation, rising inequality, and social unrest.
“It is nothing short of economic malpractice to pursue policies that will inevitably lead to reduced government spending, higher taxes, and increased interest rates, all of which will suffocate economic activity and crush any hopes of achieving the touted 6% growth rate.
“We urge the government to reconsider this flawed budget and instead prioritize policies that promote economic stimulus, social welfare, and inclusive growth.
“This can be achieved by investing in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure, while also implementing progressive taxation policies that address income inequality and promote social justice.
“Anything less would be a betrayal of the public’s trust and a recipe for economic disaster.”
The budget has also introduced new revenue measures, including a 10% withholding tax on betting winnings, a Fast Foods Tax, and taxes on the emerging sector.
However, these measures have been criticised for targeting an overburdened populace without addressing corruption, a cancer that siphons billions from public coffers.
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube has justified the budget, arguing that it aims to provide economic relief and support key sectors.
He has also offered token relief on tax-free income threshold, Capital Gains Tax on Marketable Securities, and VAT deferment on energy sector, among other measures.
The military is the zanupf's backbone..