News / National
Bulawayo MPs appeal for social welfare funding
26 May 2025 at 08:28hrs | Views
Legislators from Bulawayo have called on the government to urgently release funds allocated to the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, saying continued delays are severely hampering efforts to assist Zimbabwe's most vulnerable citizens.
Speaking during a recent session in the National Assembly, Cowdray Park MP Arthur Mujeyi (Zanu-PF) raised concern over the ministry's operational challenges, pointing to significant funding arrears that have disrupted key social support programmes.
"The ministry requested the funds, but the delay in release caused a delay in project completion," said Mujeyi. "For instance, if we look at the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM), the delay in funding has caused serious challenges. They are reportedly in arrears of about ZiG135 million, which is a lot of money."
BEAM is a government initiative designed to support orphans and vulnerable children with school fees and other learning-related expenses. However, schools and beneficiaries have been left stranded as funds remain unreleased.
Mujeyi said ZiG70 million in BEAM funding from the first to the third term of 2024 remained unpaid, compromising the effectiveness of the ministry and the education of thousands of children.
"We have witnessed situations where, due to delays in funds, the department has failed to pay for transport to reach rural areas where people are facing hunger," Mujeyi added.
His concerns were echoed by Pumula legislator Sichelesile Mahlangu, who said late disbursements had also affected hospitals and patients.
"At hospitals, there is AMTO [Assisted Medical Treatment Orders], which also gets money from social welfare. The delays have made patients unable to receive treatment," Mahlangu said.
Both MPs called on the government to prioritise timely funding for the ministry to ensure uninterrupted support for vulnerable communities, especially amid increasing socio-economic challenges.
Observers say the repeated delays threaten not only critical services but also the credibility of government-run social safety nets.
Speaking during a recent session in the National Assembly, Cowdray Park MP Arthur Mujeyi (Zanu-PF) raised concern over the ministry's operational challenges, pointing to significant funding arrears that have disrupted key social support programmes.
"The ministry requested the funds, but the delay in release caused a delay in project completion," said Mujeyi. "For instance, if we look at the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM), the delay in funding has caused serious challenges. They are reportedly in arrears of about ZiG135 million, which is a lot of money."
BEAM is a government initiative designed to support orphans and vulnerable children with school fees and other learning-related expenses. However, schools and beneficiaries have been left stranded as funds remain unreleased.
Mujeyi said ZiG70 million in BEAM funding from the first to the third term of 2024 remained unpaid, compromising the effectiveness of the ministry and the education of thousands of children.
"We have witnessed situations where, due to delays in funds, the department has failed to pay for transport to reach rural areas where people are facing hunger," Mujeyi added.
His concerns were echoed by Pumula legislator Sichelesile Mahlangu, who said late disbursements had also affected hospitals and patients.
"At hospitals, there is AMTO [Assisted Medical Treatment Orders], which also gets money from social welfare. The delays have made patients unable to receive treatment," Mahlangu said.
Both MPs called on the government to prioritise timely funding for the ministry to ensure uninterrupted support for vulnerable communities, especially amid increasing socio-economic challenges.
Observers say the repeated delays threaten not only critical services but also the credibility of government-run social safety nets.
Source - Southern Eye
