NDAMU SANDU/CHENGETAI ZVAUYA
Zimbabwe’s new Finance minister Mthuli Ncube has said government will embark on fiscal consolidation to arrest runaway spending which continues to outstrip revenue generated.
In the first half of the year, government’s expenditure was $4 billion as it surpassed the target by $1,5 billion and resultantly the budget deficit was at $1.44 billion.
Speaking to journalists after the swearing in of ministers at State House today, Ncube said fiscal consolidation would be given top priority. He said government would ensure that “we live within our means or move towards that”.
“It’s a process. We need a kind of three-year process of fiscal consolidation not a big bang approach,” Ncube said.
Ncube said President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s vision of the economy attaining middle income status by 2030 was doable and requires “pushing forward with stronger growth that is sustained and that is shared”.
“The pillars include restoring confidence in the economy, working externally on the arrears clearance front and making sure that external investors are interested in Zimbabwe again,” he said.
The swearing in ceremony saw 20 ministers and two ministers in the offices of the Vice Presidents, Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi take oaths before President Mnangagwa. Nine ministers of State for provinces and 13 deputy ministers also took their oath of loyalty and secrecy and swearing their allegiance to respect the Constitution.
The ceremony was witnessed by several dignitaries that include senior government officials together with relatives and family members of the ministers.
Defence and War Veterans minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri said she was looking forward to her new portfolio and was ready to lead a professional force.
“I feel great being the first female in the country to be minister of Defence. I have a military background as I have worked with most of the top commanders in the army since we were together in the trenches during the war of independence.” she said.
“The thrust of the new cabinet is economic development and as minister of Defence, I want to invite investors to come in the country and invest since we are going to be providing maximum security for their investments. I will be working with President as he is the commander in chief of the army and we are all ready to start work,” she said.
Industry and Commerce minister Mangaliso Ndlovu said it was an honour to be tasked to oversee the revival of the economy.
“As a young man at 38 years it is great challenge to work and revive the economy. I will be following the mandate given to me by President Mnangagwa, that we want to open industries and employ young people who are unemployed. It is a major challenge, that I am looking forward to it,” he said.
“I have been working in the business industry in Matabeleland province for the past 10 years so I know the challenges facing our country at the moment which is unemployment of our youth.”
The following ministers took their oath today:
Finance and Economic Development – Professor Mthuli Ncube
Defence and War Veterans – Oppah Muchinguri- Kashiri
Local Development Public Works and National Housing – July Moyo
Foreign Affairs and International Trade – Sibusiso Moyo
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare – Sekesai Nzenza
Industry and Commerce – Mangaliso Ndlovu
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage – Cain Mathema
Primary and Secondary Education – Paul Mavima
Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development – Amon Murwira
Lands, Agriculture, Water, Culture and Rural Resettlement – Perrance Shiri
Energy and Power Development – Joel Biggie Matiza
Mines and Mining Development – Winston Chitando
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services – Monica Mutsvangwa
ICT – Kazembe Kazembe
Health and Child Care – Dr Obediah Moyo
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs – Ziyambi Ziyambi
Environment, Tourism and Hospitality – Priscah Mupfumira
Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation – Kirsty Coventry
Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development – Sithembiso Nyoni
