The 2025 National Budget, offered below the theme “Building Resilience for Sustained Economic Transformation,” has been met with criticism from opposition leaders who argue that it prioritises protection spending over essential sectors like agriculture, well being, and training.

According to the funds, defence spending has been allotted ZiG18 billion, dwarfing investments in well being (ZiG28.3 billion) and training (ZiG46.6 billion).

This has raised considerations amongst opposition leaders, who argue that such militarisation doesn’t advance the nation’s improvement objectives, notably at a time when residents are fighting meals insecurity and collapsing providers.

Welshman Ncube, chief of a faction of opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), famous that the funds reveals obvious contradictions, misplaced priorities, and an alarming disconnect from the realities dealing with peculiar Zimbabweans.

The authorities has projected a 6% GDP progress for 2025, hinging on “normal to above-normal rainfall” and macroeconomic stability.

However, the previous cupboard minister has argued that this optimism “ignores the deep-seated structural challenges in the economy, including unsustainable public debt now standing at US$21.1 billion”.

“The authorities initiatives a 6% GDP progress for 2025, hinging on regular to above-normal rainfall and macroeconomic stability.

“Yet, this optimism ignores the deep-seated structural challenges in our economy—unsustainable public debt now standing at US$21.1 billion, weak institutions, and an economic environment marred by inflationary pressures and governance failures,” he acknowledged.

“Defence spending is prioritised with an allocation of ZiG18 billion, dwarfing investments in essential sectors like agriculture, well being, and training.

“At a time when citizens struggle with food insecurity and collapsing services, how does such militarization advance our development goals? Resilience cannot be built on fear—it requires investment in people.”

Corban Madzivanyika, Mbizo MP, described the funds’s declare of attaining 6% financial progress whereas implementing austerity measures as a “glaring contradiction” that may solely serve to exacerbate the struggling of essentially the most weak residents.

“The proposed budget’s claim of achieving 6% economic growth while implementing austerity measures is a glaring contradiction that will only serve to exacerbate the suffering of our most vulnerable citizens,” Madzivanyika mentioned.

“Austerity measures, characterised by robust fiscal and financial insurance policies, have been extensively discredited as a recipe for financial stagnation, rising inequality, and social unrest.

“It is nothing wanting financial malpractice to pursue insurance policies that may inevitably result in decreased authorities spending, increased taxes, and elevated rates of interest, all of which is able to suffocate financial exercise and crush any hopes of attaining the touted 6% progress price.

“We urge the federal government to rethink this flawed funds and as a substitute prioritize insurance policies that promote financial stimulus, social welfare, and inclusive progress.

“This could be achieved by investing in essential sectors resembling training, healthcare, and infrastructure, whereas additionally implementing progressive taxation insurance policies that handle earnings inequality and promote social justice.

“Anything less would be a betrayal of the public’s trust and a recipe for economic disaster.”

The funds has additionally launched new income measures, together with a ten% withholding tax on betting winnings, a Fast Foods Tax, and taxes on the rising sector.

However, these measures have been criticised for concentrating on an overburdened populace with out addressing corruption, a most cancers that siphons billions from public coffers.

Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube has justified the funds, arguing that it goals to offer financial reduction and assist key sectors.

He has additionally provided token reduction on tax-free earnings threshold, Capital Gains Tax on Marketable Securities, and VAT deferment on vitality sector, amongst different measures.