MPs Demand Full Accountability on Zimbabwe’s Sugar Tax Funds

HARARE – Members of Parliament have demanded a comprehensive breakdown of how funds collected through Zimbabwe’s sugar tax have been used, intensifying pressure on the Ministry of Health and Child Care to improve transparency and accountability. The calls follow a ministerial statement presented in the National Assembly by Deputy Health Minister Sleiman Kwidini, responding to a February inquiry by legislators on the utilisation of proceeds from the tax introduced by Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube.

Introduced on 1 January 2024, the sugar tax was designed to curb excessive sugar consumption while generating revenue to fund treatment of non-communicable diseases such as cancer. Kwidini told Parliament that US$30.8 million raised between January and November 2024 had been channelled towards strengthening Zimbabwe’s cancer diagnosis and treatment capacity. He said contracts had been awarded for radiotherapy equipment at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and Mpilo Central Hospital, while additional machines had already been delivered and were awaiting installation. The ministry also plans to procure critical diagnostic equipment, including CT scanners, MRI machines, and mammography units, to enhance early cancer detection and care.

However, legislators said the statement fell short of expectations, noting that it excluded figures for 2025 and lacked specifics on how the funds were spent. Bulawayo Central MP Surrender Kapoikilu criticised the ministry for failing to provide a detailed account.

“We wanted to know how much was collected from inception to date, and what the money was used for,” he said.“What did the ministry buy? Did it buy linear accelerators? Which type? How much did they cost?”

Kapoikilu emphasised that cancer treatment equipment involves complex and costly infrastructure, requiring clarity on procurement details, including supporting systems such as uninterrupted power supply (UPS) units.

Mbizo MP Corban Madzivanyika echoed the concerns, urging the ministry to specify quantities and types of medical equipment purchased.

“We need to know how many X-ray machines, CT scanners, MRI machines and other critical equipment were acquired,” he said, adding that essential hospital items such as ventilators, wheelchairs and beds should also be accounted for.

Health policy analysts say transparency in earmarked taxes is critical to maintaining public trust.

“When a tax is introduced for a specific purpose, such as cancer treatment, there must be clear reporting mechanisms showing impact and value for money,” said Harare-based public health expert Dr. Nyasha Mutizwa.

Acting Speaker of Parliament Joseph Tshuma backed the legislators’ concerns, calling for a revised and more detailed ministerial statement. He directed the Ministry of Health to return to Parliament with a comprehensive report outlining total revenue collected since inception and a clear itemised breakdown of expenditures. The debate highlights growing scrutiny over Zimbabwe’s sugar tax and its effectiveness in addressing the rising burden of non-communicable diseases, particularly cancer.

Zimbabwe sugar tax funds