Zimbabwe’s Finance Minister, Mthuli Ncube has said that the security sector in the country must be allocated more funds considering its immense sacrifice to the country.
Speaking after presenting his 2020 Budget statement which like previous budgets have been criticised for prioritising the security sector at the expense of other sectors such as agriculture, industry and health, Ncube said:
The 2020 National Budget will, therefore, strive to provide for medical provisions, school fees and pension for our war veterans given the immense sacrifice to the nation.
“This will also include funds for income-generating projects, with $1,5 million having been already availed for a cattle-rearing project.
He also indicated that the Budget targets to improve accommodation, equipment, mobility, and institutional provisions for security sector personnel.
Ncube’s remarks come when the country is facing severe starvation due to the El Nino induced drought, Cyclone Idai, low power generation in the country and failure of agriculture schemes such as the Command Agriculture.
He also speaks when the health sector is literally grounded as is noted by the inadequacy of medicines and equipment in public health institutions health, salary strike by health caregivers and suspension of mortuary operations by some hospitals.
More: The Herald