Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Online Correspondent
The Forestry Commission has slashed its monthly expenditure from about US$310 000 to US$110 000 while clearing eight months of salary arrears, director-general Mr George Manyumwa has said.
Presenting the commission’s 2025 operational performance report, Mr Manyumwa said the cost-cutting measures were part of efforts to move the institution towards financial self-sufficiency.
“The organisation transitioned from reliance on fiscal support to self-generated revenue, significantly enhancing financial sustainability,” he said.
Mr Manyumwa said the commission also generated more than US$3 million in combined income and savings through strategic partnerships.
“Successful renegotiation and signing of strategic partnerships generated over US$3 million in combined income and savings,” he said.
The partnerships also resulted in the transfer of selected operational responsibilities to partners, absorption of some staff by partners and mobilisation of vehicles and equipment for conservation activities.
Mr Manyumwa said the commission has strengthened its financial controls through centralisation, which helped curb leakages and improve expenditure management.
“Centralisation of financial controls eliminated historical leakages and strengthened expenditure discipline,” he said.
The commission’s closing liquidity increased by 306,7 percent to ZWG25,7 million while operating cash flow more than doubled to ZWG25,9 million.
Despite the financial gains, the Commission recorded a comprehensive deficit of ZWG73,2 million in 2025 compared to a surplus of ZWG19,1 million the previous year.
Mr Manyumwa attributed the deficit largely to a ZWG59,6 million fair-value adjustment loss on investment property, while expenditure increased by 54,5 percent against a 4,9 percent increase in revenue.
On staff welfare, he said the commission has cleared eight months of salary arrears and introduced a fixed pay date.
“Eight months of salary arrears were fully cleared and a fixed 25th-of-month pay date was established, restoring staff confidence,” he said.
The commission also recorded a 68 percent reduction in the area burnt in gazetted forests, from 28 500 hectares to 9 100ha.
Mr Manyumwa said this followed 40 fire awareness and capacity-building campaigns, 1 500 Forest Protection Unit patrols and the construction of 3 750km of strategic fire management breaks.
However, the national area burnt remained high at 985 314,73ha against a maximum target of 500 000ha.
“The Forestry Commission is therefore working closely with EMA and all key stakeholders to strengthen an integrated approach to fire prevention, early warning, rapid response and law enforcement,” he said.
The Commission was also recognised as the most improved parastatal, while Mr Manyumwa attained a performance rating of 4,36 out of six.
He said the Commission will focus on cost discipline, revenue diversification and provincial financial self-sufficiency as it builds on the reforms.
