Mbizo legislator Corban Madzivanyika has challenged the Ministry of Finance to explain how US$27.3 million in sugar-tax revenue was spent on healthcare equipment, arguing that the amount paid for four cancer-treatment machines was excessive.
Madzivanyika, who is affiliated with the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), raised the issue in the National Assembly during debate on the 2026 Mid-Term Fiscal Review. He said the equipment supplied to Zimbabwe’s two major referral hospitals did not appear to justify the expenditure recorded by Treasury.
According to the legislator’s assessment, each machine should have cost no more than US$500,000, inclusive of duty and freight. On that basis, he estimated the combined cost of four machines at approximately US$2 million—about US$25.3 million below the reported expenditure.
“Each machine costs US$500,000 at maximum, including duty and freight charges, but we are seeing the Government spending US$27 million for four cancer machines,” Madzivanyika said.
“That is outrageous, Hon. Minister. That is totally out of this world.”
The MP called for an investigation into the procurement process, suggesting that public funds may have been misappropriated. However, he did not table documentary evidence in Parliament to support his price estimate, nor did he identify the manufacturers, models or technical specifications used for comparison.
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube disputed the suggestion that the full amount had been spent solely on four radiotherapy machines. He said the allocation covered a wider healthcare package that included diagnostic equipment, medicines and other supplies.
Ncube nevertheless acknowledged that the costs could require further scrutiny and said the key issue was whether the country received value for money.
“In terms of the pricing, there may not have been value for money and I should check that,” Ncube said.
“If he has some information, I will encourage him to give it to me directly, and then I can investigate appropriately.”
The minister did not provide lawmakers with an itemised breakdown showing the amounts paid for the radiotherapy machines, CT scanners, medicines and other supplies included in the programme.
The expenditure follows remarks made in June by Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora, who said the first phase of the programme had secured four radiotherapy machines—two multi-energy units and two low-energy units. He put the total cost of the package at about US$27 million and said it also included two CT scanners.
The competing explanations have increased pressure on the Treasury and the Health Ministry to publish a detailed procurement breakdown showing the equipment supplied, unit prices and associated costs.