Political Correspondent
HARARE – Zimbabwe’s urban cash transfer programme, designed to cushion vulnerable families from economic hardship, has effectively collapsed after Treasury cut funding, Social Welfare Minister Edgar Moyo revealed in parliament this week.
The minister conceded that no funds have been disbursed this year under the much-publicized social protection scheme, leaving hundreds of thousands of registered beneficiaries without crucial support.
“No additional funds have been received from the treasury for the cash transfer programme,” Moyo stated while responding to a question from Luveve MP Discent Bajila (CCC) about how many Bulawayo households had benefited between January and June 2025.
The minister’s disclosure revealed that although 219,849 people were registered in Bulawayo under the “cash for cereal” scheme, only 39,293 actually received payments – and that was back in October 2024. Each recipient received the equivalent of US$8 through NetOne’s OneMoney platform.
The World Food Programme (WFP) had complemented government efforts by providing cash to 15,000 people, adding a further US$5 top-up for nutritional needs. However, this support was insufficient to cover the growing needs of urban poor households.
MP Bajila expressed deep concern over the programme’s collapse:
“What was touted as a safety net for the urban poor has instead become another stalled programme, exposing vulnerable families to deepening food insecurity.”
The Bulawayo case mirrors the national picture where hundreds of thousands of poor households were registered but never received support. The admission has raised serious questions about the government’s commitment to protecting struggling households through sustainable social protection financing.
With inflation continuing to erode purchasing power and food prices remaining volatile, the suspension of cash transfers has left the country’s most desperate citizens without a crucial lifeline, potentially worsening urban hunger and poverty levels.
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