Opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) president Nelson Chamisa has dismissed Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube’s mid-term budget review saying it exposes citizens to extreme poverty and suffering.
Posting on micro blogging twitter, Chamisa among other issues called for the dollarisation of the economy and the reduction of the tax burden on citizens.
“The recent mid-term budget review confirms that Zimbabwe is in a serious leadership crisis and citizens are exposed to extreme poverty and suffering. I say this for the following reasons: At a time where inflation has reached 257% in July and people in extreme poverty are 7.9 million (49%), the budget disbursements to social is extremely low, e.g., ministry health has been given 27% of the budget by June instead of a min of 50%.
“When the consumer basket for a family of 5 has topped ZWL$140K, government raises salary of the lowest paid civil servants to $35K (excluding the US$175) and raise the tax free threshold to $50K, both of which are far below the consumer basket and poverty datum line. The following must be done immediately, dollarisation which will immediately eliminate distortions, forward pricing and multiple pricing; Restoration of the US$540 as a starting salary;
“Holistic tax reform. Reduce the tax burden on citizens and the business in general. As part of the tax reforms, we will remove the 2% tax and streamline taxes; Remove distortions especially in the agricultural sector and construction sectors which has created a casino economy,” Chamisa said
He called for the elimination of the currency auction system and the reforming of the central bank and the budget process.
“The elimination of the Currency Auction and reforming the RBZ through limiting the power of the central bank. Separating the roles of central banking and financial services supervision. Reforming the budgetary process, so that the budget comes from parliament and not from ministry of Finance. The budget must come from the Citizens -a Citizens-centered budget.
“Radically dealing with the corruption pandemic and instituting special mechanisms to eliminate and punish the corrupt. Holding credible, free and fair elections preceded by a comprehensive pact on electoral reforms. Only a leadership change will rescue our beautiful country and in no time turn and transform this Zimbabwe from ruins to greatness,” he said
