Parliament has called on the Ministry of Health and Child Care to provide a fully fledged and detailed account of how funds collected through the sugar tax have been used, following a ministerial statement recently presented by Deputy Minister Sleiman Kwidini.
The presentation responded to an inquiry made in February by legislators demanding to know how the sugar tax has been utilised since its introduction by Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube.
Read: https://cite.org.zw/where-is-the-sugar-tax-going-mps-press-govt-over-cancer-funding/
Legislators said the account of funds only covered up to November 2024, without stating how much had been collected throughout 2025.
The sugar tax was introduced on 1 January 2024 to discourage excessive sugar consumption and generate revenue for the treatment of lifestyle-related diseases such as cancer.
The levy was initially set at US$0.02 per gram but was later reduced to US$0.001 per gram in February 2024 after objections from industry.
Kwidini outlined that US$30.8 million collected in 2024 had been utilised. He said the funds were being channelled towards strengthening Zimbabwe’s cancer diagnosis and treatment capacity, as part of the government’s broader strategy to address the rising burden of non-communicable diseases, particularly cancer.
He said contracts had been awarded for two low-energy radiotherapy machines to be installed at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and Mpilo Central Hospital. He added that two other machines had already been delivered and were awaiting installation.
Kwidini further said plans were in place to purchase additional equipment, including CT scanners, MRI machines, mammography units and other diagnostic technologies aimed at improving early detection and comprehensive cancer care.
However, legislators dismissed the submission, saying it fell short of a satisfactory account of how the funds had been used.
Bulawayo Central MP Surrender Kapoikilu said the statement did not adequately explain how much revenue had been collected since the tax was introduced, nor did it clearly outline what specific equipment had been purchased.
“When we requested the ministerial statement, we did not request what has been presented now. We wanted to know how much was collected from inception to date, and what the money was used for,” Kapoikilu said.
“Yes, he gave us a figure that by November 2024, we had collected 30.8 million. What did the ministry buy? Did it buy linear accelerators that radiate cancer? Did it buy simulators? If it bought those, how much were they? If they bought those, which type, because there are different types of linear accelerators? Proton therapy machines, did you buy them? Did you buy a UPS system? Because these machines are not just plugged in like a television or an electric kettle.”
“Did you buy diagnostic machines, because treating cancer starts with diagnosis? If you cannot diagnose cancer, you cannot conquer it. We are expecting the minister to tell us whether they bought endoscopes. Endoscopy means seeing inside the body. Are you seeing inside the lungs, which is bronchoscopy? Are you seeing inside the oesophagus, which is oesophagoscopy? Are you seeing inside the stomach, which is gastroscopy? Did you buy those machines?”
Mbizo constituency MP Corban Madzivanyika echoed similar concerns, calling for a comprehensive inventory of equipment procured using the funds. He said Parliament needed clarity on the number of machines purchased, their types and where they had been distributed.
“We need to know how many X-ray machines, CT scanners, MRI machines and other critical equipment were acquired, including life-support and patient care equipment such as ventilators, wheelchairs and hospital beds,” he said.
Another MP, Edwin Musoriwa from Dzivaresekwa, criticised the statement for focusing only on 2024 figures, noting that the sugar tax continues to generate revenue daily. He argued that the ministerial statement should provide a broader and more updated overview.
“This was more like a response to a question rather than a full ministerial statement. We need updated figures, including collections for 2025,” he said.
Acting Speaker of Parliament, Phelandaba-Tshabalala constituency MP Joseph Tshuma, concurred with fellow legislators, calling for a revised and more detailed ministerial statement to be presented before the House. He effectively directed the Deputy Minister to return with a comprehensive account of sugar tax utilisation.
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