Online Reporter
Farirai Machivenyika
Senior Reporter
THE 2026 National Budget should focus on the provision of social services, including education, health care and funding for people living with disabilities, the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Budget, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion has heard.
The committee was told this during a meeting at Epworth Community Hall to gather the public’s views on issues they want addressed in the budget.
“There should be a budget for disability, we are looking forward to the 2026 budget having a budget line for disabilities for all the ministries, departments and agencies,” said Ms Samantha Sibanda from the National Association for the Care of the Handicapped.
She also called on the Government to increase the money for social protection for people with disabilities from the current US$8 to at least US$50.
Ms Sibanda also urged the Government to encourage the manufacture of assistive devices for persons living with disabilities.
Mr Nelson Chako, a resident of Hopley, bemoaned the increase in drugs and substance abuse in the suburb and pleaded for the construction of rehabilitation centres.
“Drug abuse has become a menace for us as Hopley residents, and we ask if the budget could provide resources for the construction of one or two rehabilitation centres,” he said.
“We are also facing a critical shortage of safe drinking water, and it’s a dire situation which should be addressed.”
Munyaradzi Chimivara said the Government should increase funding for health to take into account the withdrawal of donor funding.
“Treasury should provide the Ministry of Health and Child Care with more resources, especially for procurement of condoms following the withdrawal of donor funding,” Mr Chimivara said.
“Funds collected from levies like the sugar tax should be ring-fenced so that they are used for their intended purposes.”
Mr Livison Hannock said the Government should also construct schools in Hopley.
“There is only one council school in Hopley and children are waking up as early as 5 am to go to schools in Glen Norah, Highfield and Glen View,” he said.
“We have had incidents where children are hit by cars while crossing the busy Harare-Beitbridge highway,” he said.
In his remarks, acting Chairperson of the Committee, Cde Tanatsiwa Mukomberi, said the consultations were a constitutional requirement.
“This is a requirement of the Constitution that we consult the people in the budget and law-making process,” he said.
The committee will compile a report to be tabled in Parliament once the consultations are completed.
