The Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) has formally requested information from the government regarding the use of funds generated from the sugar tax. The group is seeking transparency on whether the revenue has been used for its intended purpose, such as purchasing cancer treatment supplies.
In a letter to the Ministry of Finance, ZADHR’s legal team, Kantor & Immerman, referenced the Freedom of Information Act (Chapter 10:33) as the basis for their request. They asked for an account of the sugar surtax collected since its introduction on February 9, 2024, and details on which hospitals have received cancer treatment drugs and equipment.
George Guvamatanga, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, acknowledged receipt of the request and assured that a response would be provided in accordance with the law.
The sugar tax, initially set at US$0.02 per gram, was introduced by Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube in the 2024 budget. However, it was later revised to US$0.002 per gram, with plans to reduce it further to US$0.0005 starting in January 2025. The tax was expected to generate funds for cancer treatment, and by September 2024, the government reported that US$18 million had been raised.
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