Online Reporter
Michelle Musandinyoze
THE Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, which oversees critical safety net programmes, has adopted inclusive frameworks — including disability budgeting — to ensure no one is left behind, despite persistent underfunding and delays in Treasury disbursements, a Parliamentary report has revealed.
However, the effectiveness of these initiatives is being severely compromised by financial bottlenecks.
According to the ministry’s third-quarter budget performance report, presented by Zvimba South legislator and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Cde Taurai Dexter Malinganiso, only 20 percent of the ministry’s 2024 budget allocation had been released by 30 September last year.
This has resulted in mounting arrears, particularly within the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM), with ZWG133 million outstanding — comprising ZWG63 million carried over from 2023 and ZWG70 million required to cover tuition and examination fees for all three terms in 2024. Despite learners attending school and sitting for examinations under BEAM, not a single dollar had been disbursed by the end of the third quarter, the report stated.
The report also noted that 10 332 learners benefited from career fairs held in Matabeleland North and Mashonaland provinces.
According to the committee, the delay in disbursing funds is not only derailing service delivery but also placing an unbearable burden on schools and families.
The ministry’s disability programme is also under strain. Despite procuring and distributing 150 assistive devices and reaching 3 712 beneficiaries through per capita grants, the programme still falls short of meeting national demand.
The report acknowledged that while the ministry has made commendable progress through disability budgeting and aligning policies with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, much more could be achieved if Treasury released allocated funds in a timely manner.
The impact of the El Niño-induced drought has added further pressure. Although 6,2 million food-insecure individuals received assistance, the report warned that logistical challenges caused by delayed funding were severely disrupting food delivery.
“Despite challenges related to underfunding and the non-release of approved allocations, the ministry managed to help over 6,2 million food-insecure individuals who received food assistance in response to the El Niño-induced drought. At times, transporters halted grain deliveries, disrupting food distribution and severely impacting vulnerable communities in urgent need of assistance,” the report stated.
On a positive note, the report highlighted that the cash-for-cereals programme for poor urban households, which commenced in October last year, is providing critical support to affected families — although not all those in need have benefitted.
The Parliamentary Committee urged Treasury to prioritise timely disbursement and increase allocations in the 2026 National Budget. Key recommendations include the full adoption of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) by December 30 to improve financial transparency, strengthening financial forecasting to align budget allocations with real-time needs, and increased investment in food assistance, healthcare, and drought resilience programmes.
The committee stressed that without adequate and timely funding, the ministry cannot fulfil its constitutional mandate to protect the most vulnerable.
“Sufficient funding should be allocated to key social protection programmes, including food assistance and healthcare, to mitigate malnutrition, reduce poverty, and enhance the well-being of vulnerable communities in the 2026 National Budget.
“The ministry should strengthen financial planning and forecasting mechanisms to align budget allocations with real-time needs by 30 December. Additionally, the adoption of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) framework should be expedited to enhance financial transparency and accountability,” the report read.
The report concluded that the ministry is unable to effectively support social welfare programmes due to chronic underfunding, which has also affected BEAM and other drought resilience initiatives.
