Proportional Representation Legislator Thokozani Khupe has strongly criticized the delayed disbursement of funds by the Ministry of Finance, warning of severe consequences for the country’s public services and citizens.
Speaking during a parliamentary session, Khupe said the delays were hampering the effectiveness of government ministries, leading to the underutilization of allocated funds and, in some cases, loss of life.
“This failure to release funds on time is unacceptable,” Khupe said. “It undermines the work of critical ministries, jeopardizes service delivery, and, tragically, has cost lives.”
The legislator urged the Ministry of Finance to address the delays, highlighting how the bottlenecks were leaving critical sectors such as health and education in crisis, despite adequate allocations in the national budget.
Khupe also warned that unspent funds risk being rolled over into the next fiscal year, creating inefficiencies in public spending and denying vulnerable communities access to essential services.
She called for urgent measures to streamline the fund disbursement process, stressing that it was a matter of accountability and public trust in government.
