'Where are the cancer machines?' asks Khupe

Opposition Member of Parliament Thokozani Khupe has demanded a full disclosure from Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube on how proceeds from the sugar tax are being utilised in the fight against cancer, amid growing concerns over a lack of transparency and worsening conditions for patients.

The sugar tax, introduced in the 2024 national budget, charges US$0.001 per gramme of sugar and was earmarked to support cancer treatment through procurement of critical equipment, modern drugs, and improved infrastructure. By November 2024, over US$20 million had reportedly been collected from the levy.

Raising a point of national interest in Parliament, Khupe said there was little to no visible evidence that the funds were benefiting cancer patients.

"The proceeds from this tax were intended to be directed specifically towards the fight against cancer, to procure life-saving equipment, essential medicines and to strengthen the overall cancer response infrastructure," Khupe told the House.

She called for a ministerial statement to clarify the status of the sugar tax fund, specifically asking how much money remains beyond the US$38 million already said to have been disbursed.

Khupe pressed for answers on the progress made in acquiring state-of-the-art cancer treatment machinery and medicines, and demanded to know what measures were in place to ensure transparency, efficiency, and value for money in the procurement process.

"The urgency of this request cannot be overstated," she said. "Every day of delay costs us lives. We are losing mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters — productive citizens whose potential contribution to society is being lost due to late diagnosis, inadequate treatment or lack of access to modern cancer care."

Khupe lamented the dire state of the country's cancer services, where patients often face long delays, critical shortages, and late-stage diagnoses that dramatically reduce survival chances. A recent Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care report revealed that non-communicable diseases now account for 36% of deaths in Zimbabwe, with cancer ranking among the leading causes.

"The fight against cancer is not merely a medical issue," Khupe emphasized. "It is a moral imperative and a national priority."

Her demands come at a time of heightened scrutiny of government procurement practices, following revelations that controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo allegedly received a US$437 million contract to supply cancer treatment equipment without going through the formal tender process. Chivayo has denied the allegations.

Khupe's call adds pressure on the government to provide clarity and ensure that vital funds raised in the name of saving lives are not lost to corruption or mismanagement.