Zimbabwe Speaker Calls for Budget Oversight and Social Service Prioritization

Jacob Mudenda, Speaker of Parliament, called for the 2027 National Budget to prioritize social services and infrastructure development. He urged lawmakers to strengthen oversight of public spending and ensure allocated funds translate into tangible benefits for citizens. Mudenda stated that the budget must fund national and international commitments, such as the Abuja Declaration’s requirement for 15% of public expenditure for health.

Mudenda emphasized that Parliament's control over public finances is a critical tool for accountability. He challenged members of Parliament to track public expenditure down to the grassroots level, including village clinics and rural classrooms, while enforcing reporting requirements under the Public Finance Management Act.