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Zimbabwe doctors turn screws on govt
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Human rights doctors have intensified their call for transparency from the Zimbabwean government regarding the use of revenue generated from the sugar tax. The Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) has pressed authorities to disclose how the funds collected from the special surtax on sugar content in beverages are being utilized.
In a letter dated January 13, 2025, addressed to the Health and Child Care ministry's information officer, ZADHR, through their lawyers Kantor & Immerman, expressed disappointment over the lack of acknowledgment of their request for information submitted on December 16, 2024. The letter cites section 7(2) of the Freedom of Information Act [Chapter 10:33], which mandates an immediate written acknowledgment of such requests.
"It has been close to a month since you received the request. You have failed and/or neglected to provide an immediate acknowledgment of request as provided by the law," the letter stated.
The doctors emphasized that under section 8(1) of the Freedom of Information Act, the ministry has until January 17, 2025, to respond to their request.
The request seeks detailed information on the revenue collected from the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion for the surtax on sugar content in beverages, as stipulated under SI 16 of 2024 (Customs and Excise Tariff Amendment Notice 2014). Additionally, they are demanding an account of how this revenue has been used, specifically asking for a breakdown of cancer drugs and medical equipment procured from the surtax, and the distribution of these resources to hospitals across the country.
Last month, George Guvamatanga, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, disclosed that US$30.8 million had been collected from the special surtax on sugar content in beverages as of November 2024. However, he pointed out that the procurement of drugs and medical equipment falls under the Health and Child Care ministry's jurisdiction, not the Finance ministry.
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube had initially proposed the tax in the 2024 national budget as a means to create a cancer fund, with a tax rate of US$0.02 per gram of sugar in a refreshment beverage. This rate was later revised to US$0.002 following industry pushback, and further reduced to US$0.0005 starting January 1, 2025.
The ongoing demand for transparency underscores the urgency for accountability in how public funds are managed and utilized, particularly in addressing critical healthcare needs such as cancer treatment. The doctors remain resolute in their pursuit of clear answers to ensure that the special surtax is being used for its intended purposes.
In a letter dated January 13, 2025, addressed to the Health and Child Care ministry's information officer, ZADHR, through their lawyers Kantor & Immerman, expressed disappointment over the lack of acknowledgment of their request for information submitted on December 16, 2024. The letter cites section 7(2) of the Freedom of Information Act [Chapter 10:33], which mandates an immediate written acknowledgment of such requests.
"It has been close to a month since you received the request. You have failed and/or neglected to provide an immediate acknowledgment of request as provided by the law," the letter stated.
The doctors emphasized that under section 8(1) of the Freedom of Information Act, the ministry has until January 17, 2025, to respond to their request.
Last month, George Guvamatanga, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, disclosed that US$30.8 million had been collected from the special surtax on sugar content in beverages as of November 2024. However, he pointed out that the procurement of drugs and medical equipment falls under the Health and Child Care ministry's jurisdiction, not the Finance ministry.
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube had initially proposed the tax in the 2024 national budget as a means to create a cancer fund, with a tax rate of US$0.02 per gram of sugar in a refreshment beverage. This rate was later revised to US$0.002 following industry pushback, and further reduced to US$0.0005 starting January 1, 2025.
The ongoing demand for transparency underscores the urgency for accountability in how public funds are managed and utilized, particularly in addressing critical healthcare needs such as cancer treatment. The doctors remain resolute in their pursuit of clear answers to ensure that the special surtax is being used for its intended purposes.
Source - newsday
