Doctors Demand Answers: Where Is the Sugar Tax Money Going?
Doctors in Zimbabwe are demanding transparency from Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube over the use of money collected from the sugar tax. The Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) has formally requested detailed information on how the revenue has been utilised since the tax was introduced earlier this year.
Call for Transparency
ZADHR, through their lawyer Precious Chakasikwa of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, penned a letter to Ncube on 21 November 2024. The letter questions how much has been raised from the sugar tax and how the funds have been spent. Specifically, ZADHR seeks clarity on whether the money has been used to purchase cancer drugs and equipment, as originally promised.
“We are requesting an account of the total revenue collected from the sugar tax since its implementation on 9 February 2024 under Statutory Instrument 16/24,” the letter reads. “We also want a detailed report on what cancer-related resources have been procured and the list of hospitals that have received these items.”
The association invoked Section 7 of the Freedom of Information Act, citing the need for transparency and accountability in managing public funds.
Government’s Promises in Question
In February 2024, the government introduced a levy on sugary beverages, stating it aimed to reduce sugar consumption due to its links to cancer. Ncube defended the tax, explaining that the funds would be “ring-fenced” for cancer treatment and equipment procurement.
“The sugar tax is a direct response to concerns over the adverse effects of sugar consumption,” Ncube said at the time. “The revenue will be used for cancer therapy and to ensure critical equipment is available in hospitals.”
However, nearly ten months later, doctors are asking whether the funds have been allocated as promised.
ZADHR added that they expect a timely response from the Ministry of Finance. At the time of publishing, Minister Ncube had yet to respond to the request publicly.
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The post Where Is the Sugar Tax Money Going? Doctors Demand Answers from Mthuli Ncube appeared first on iHarare News.
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