GOVERNMENT raked in the equivalent of US$25,4 million from the newly introduced sugar tax in the first half of the year.
The government introduced a sugar tax on soft drinks in 2024 to discourage excessive sugar consumption and to raise revenue for healthcare improvements, particularly for cancer treatment.
Funds collected from the tax have been earmarked for the purchase of cancer diagnostic and treatment equipment. The money is also supposed to buy new cancer equipment for public hospitals.
“Part of the funds is being ring fenced for therapy and procurement of cancer equipment for diagnosis. During the period January 2025 to May 2025, resources amounting to ZiG685,8 million, which is equivalent to US$25,4 million, has since been mobilised.
“The responsible Ministry has already initiated the necessary procurement processes for the equipment with the target to receive delivery before the end of the year,” said the Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube in his 2025 mid-term fiscal review statement presented in Parliament on Thursday. —New Ziana
