$1 Billion allocated to defense,war vets and home affairs

Treasury has announced that it has allocated more than USD1 billion to the security ministries of Defense and Home Affairs.

The Minister of Finance & Economic Development Professor Mthuli Ncube said, "Treasury allocates US$546.9 million for the Ministry of Defence and War Veterans. Similarly, a total of US$517.8 million is allocated for the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage."

Ncube emphasised that to achieve Vision 2030, law and order enforcers are very important players.

"Of the key drivers for economic transformation in pursuit of our Vision 2030, peace and security take centre stage. The economic challenges that have been with us over the past few years, have, without exaggeration, taken a toll on the state."Said Ncube

"Mr Speaker Sir, I propose that through the 2019 Budget, we extend support towards the Ministries of Defence & War Veterans Affairs and Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage in the following respects:

•     Maintenance of existing equipment and facilities;
•     Training and development;
•     Re-equipment, refurbishment and upgrading of facilities;
•     Research and development;
•     Limited recruitment against natural attrition;
•     War Veterans welfare as per the relevant Act; and
•     Rations and medical supplies

The allocation comes at a time when the people of Zimbabwe have mistrust when it comes to the security services due to the post electoral violence incident that left six people dead in an altercation between rioters and the Zimbabwe Defense Forces.