By Sharon Tawuya
Harare, (New Ziana) —The Parliament of Zimbabwe has deployed four teams across the country to conduct public consultations for the 2027 National Budget starting from Mondasy to Friday next week.
The Portfolio Committee on Budget, Finance and Investment Promotion will lead the hearings to gather citizens’ views on spending priorities, taxation and economic measures to be contained in next year’s budget.
Team A will cover Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland East where it will be in Guruve at St Joseph Roman Catholic Church on Monday, Wedza South at Sadza Growth Point on Tuesday, Rushinga at Chimhanda Growth Point on Wednesday, Chikomba East at Nharira Business Centre on Thursday, and Goromonzi High School and Dimbiti Primary School on Fridasy.
Team B will cover Harare, Mashonaland West and Midlands with hearings starting on Monday in Dzivarasekwa at the Dzivarasekwa 3 Hall and in Mbare at the Mai Misodzi Hall, moving to Karoi on Tuesday at the Chikangwe Hall and Lion’s Den at Murereka Primary, Wednesday in Chegutu, Thursday in Zhombe at Joel Business Centre, Thursday in Shurugwi at the Tongogara Association Hall and Friday in Gweru at the Gweru Theatre Hall.
Team C will be in Matabeleland North, Bulawayo and Matabeleland South with the schedule including Victoria Falls at Mosiatunya High School on Mondasy, Hwange at Lwendulu Hall on Tuesday, Nketa Hall and Magwegwe Hall in Bulawayo on Wednesday, Matobo at Pagati Primary and Antelope Mine at Falcon Hall on Thursday, and Filabusi at Mthwakazi Hall on Friday.
Team D will cover Manicaland and Masvingo, with hearings in Watsomba at DairyBoard Grounds and Mutare at Queens Hall on Monday, Nhedziwa Business Centre in Chimanimani West on Tuesday, Chisumbanje Township Shops on Wednesday, Renco Mine and Rutenga Community Halls on Thursday, and Gutu at Maungwa Secondary on Friday.
Parliament has invited the public, interested groups and organisations to attend and make written submissions to the Clerk of Parliament.
The pre-budget consultations have become an annual ritual before the National Budget is announced, usually in late November.
They are anchored in the Constitution, which requires public involvement in legislative processes and in the public finance law, which obliges the government to consult citizens on the budget.
The exercise ensures the budget is people-driven and responsive to community needs, allows citizens to influence the way revenue is raised and allocated, as well as strengthens transparency, accountability and Parliamentary oversight of public finances.
Views gathered from the provinces are consolidated into a report that informs the Budget Strategy Paper and the final budget.
New Ziana
