Zimbabwe Defence Forces Should Get Govt Tenders: Parly Committee Says Ahead Of Budget

Zimbabwe Military Should Be Allowed To Get Lucrative Govt Tenders: Parly Committee Drops Bombshell Ahead Of Budget

A powerful parliamentary committee — the Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs, Security Services and War Veterans Affairs — has dropped a bombshell, declaring that the Zimbabwe Defence Forces should be allowed to compete for and win major government tenders. The recommendation is being presented as an urgent solution to a crippling funding crisis within the military, as revealed during the pre-budget hearings in Harare.

The proposal would push soldiers beyond the barracks and into the billion-dollar construction arena.

A Massive Budget Shortfall

The dramatic call comes after the committee exposed the true scale of the Defence Ministry’s financial crisis. On 7 November 2025, during budget presentations, committee chairperson Honourable E. Maoneke revealed a jaw-dropping gulf between what the military says it needs and what Treasury is offering.

According to the Parliament of Zimbabwe, the Ministry requested an eye-watering ZWG 77,431,265,143. Treasury, meanwhile, capped its allocation at only ZWG 17,530,189,000 — leaving a staggering shortfall that sent shockwaves through the hearing.

“Hon. Maoneke underscored that a strong defence force is the cornerstone of a strong and secure nation, as the military serves as the first line of defence in protecting civilians and preserving national sovereignty,” Parliament reported.

Despite the severe pressure, MPs praised the Defence Ministry for holding the line on national security.

Turning Soldiers Into Builders And Contractors

Faced with the funding crisis, the committee proposed a radical shift that would see soldiers stepping into roles traditionally handled by private contractors. Parliament outlined the committee’s bold vision for a new, revenue-generating ZDF.

The committee stated that the ZDF, like the police, has long operated as a service provider with little to no means of generating revenue. That must change, they argued.

“The Committee recommended that Treasury consider allowing the ZDF to utilise its skilled and trained manpower in key national development projects such as road construction and rehabilitation, as well as the building of institutional accommodation,” the report stated.

But this is far more than an idea of soldiers patching up potholes. The committee wants the ZDF to become a heavy-hitting player in Zimbabwe’s construction sector.

“Furthermore, the Committee proposed that the ZDF be given the opportunity to participate or compete for government tenders in areas such as road rehabilitation programmes, and the construction of schools, hospitals, and institutional infrastructure,” Parliament announced.

This would open the door for the army to bid for multi-million-dollar contracts.

A Push For Military Self-Sufficiency

The committee insists the move is not optional — it is necessary. Allowing the ZDF to bid for tenders is presented as the only realistic way to keep the defence forces functioning without endlessly squeezing the Treasury.

According to Parliament, the proposal would allow the ZDF to “mobilise internal resources, reduce dependency on Treasury allocations, and contribute more directly to the country’s infrastructure development.”

If approved, this would mark one of the most significant shifts in Zimbabwe’s defence policy since independence — and could directly inject the military into the heart of national economic activity.

The proposal now sits before Treasury as the Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube and his team finalise the 2026 budget.