In Zimbabwe, the army's leadership has told Parliament that its soldiers are going without the basics of a dignified service: borrowed ceremonial uniforms, barracks without reliable water or power, and a flagship hospital standing nearly finished yet unopened. The Defence Minister places the blame on delayed releases from the national Treasury, a familiar tension in which a state's promises to its guardians travel more slowly than the needs they are meant to meet. Whether the money arrives and the building finally receives its first patients will show whether these are passing hardships or the
Zimbabwe Defence Minister Says Soldiers Borrowing Uniforms as Treasury Delays Hit Army Hospital and Barracks
Soldiers are borrowing uniforms, lacking reliable water and electricity in barracks, facing accommodation gaps, and officers are being sent abroad for treatment.
Many have to borrow. This does not give us the dignity we deserve.
In Zimbabwe, the army's leadership has told Parliament that its soldiers are going without the basics of a dignified service: borrowed ceremonial uniforms, barracks without reliable water or power, and a flagship hospital standing nearly finished yet unopened. The Defence Minister places the blame on delayed releases from the national Treasury, a familiar tension in which a state's promises to its guardians travel more slowly than the needs they are meant to meet. Whether the money arrives and the building finally receives its first patients will show whether these are passing hardships or the beginnings of a longer erosion.
Soldiers in Zimbabwe's army are borrowing ceremonial uniforms from one another, and the Defence Minister, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, says the cause is simple: Treasury is not releasing money on time. The ministry should issue three uniform sets to every soldier but has managed only two. Its uniform budget of $620 million meets roughly a quarter of the need, she told Parliament, and she said plainly that the situation denies the forces the dignity they deserve.
The heaviest loss is the Manyame Hospital, the army's flagship health project. The 149-bed building has been 97% complete for two years, but it cannot open because the army cannot equip it, and the contractor has left the site over non-payment. The minister argued it would serve the general public as well as soldiers, and that opening it would save the country considerable foreign currency. For now, officers who need treatment are being referred to India. "This structure is ready," she said.
The wider picture she gave Speaker Jacob Mudenda is one of strain: housing gaps, a lack of transport that forces costly vehicle hires, weak health services, barracks left without water and power over unpaid bills, and low morale caused by poor pay.
The account rests on the minister's own words. No independent figures on the arrears, the contractor's claim, or the timing of Treasury payments are offered. What is clear is the ministry's position: a nearly finished hospital standing idle, barracks running on interrupted services, and a uniform budget that meets a quarter of the need. What comes next is whether funds are released, whether the contractor returns, and whether Manyame finally opens its doors.
Soldiers in Zimbabwe's army are borrowing ceremonial uniforms from one another, according to the country's Defence Minister, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri. She described the practice as part of a wider squeeze on the armed forces, one she blames on Treasury failing to release money on time.
The uniform shortfall is the most concrete example she gave. The ministry is required to issue three sets of uniforms to each soldier, but has managed only two. The uniform budget stands at $620 million, set against a bid of ZiG4 billion. By her account, that covers just 25% of what the ministry says it needs. "Currently the ministry is failing to meet the requirement for ceremonial uniforms. Many have to borrow," she said, adding that the situation does not give the forces the dignity they deserve.
The larger casualty is the Manyame Hospital, the army's flagship health project. The building has been 97% complete for two years and is designed to hold 149 beds. It cannot be commissioned, the minister said, because the army has been unable to equip it, and the contractor has left the site over non-payment.
Muchinguri-Kashiri argued that the hospital would serve more than soldiers. She said it would also treat the general public, and that opening it would save the country a great deal of US dollars. Officers who need treatment are currently being referred to India. "This structure is ready," she said.
Other projects have stalled as well. She named the Dzivaresekwa housing scheme, along with rehabilitation work in some places that she did not specify.
She laid out the broader picture to Speaker Jacob Mudenda. Institutional accommodation has a serious gap. Transport is lacking, which forces the ministry into expensive vehicle hires. Health services are inadequate. And unpaid utility bills have left some barracks without water and electricity, while morale is low because of poor salaries.
The account comes from the minister's own statements, and the report offers no independent figures on the arrears, the contractor's claim, or the timing of Treasury disbursements. What it does establish is the ministry's stated position: a hospital that is nearly finished but idle, barracks with interrupted services, and a uniform budget it says meets a quarter of the need.
What to watch next is whether Treasury releases funds, whether the contractor returns to Manyame, and whether the hospital is finally commissioned.
Citations marquantes
Currently the ministry is failing to meet the requirement for ceremonial uniforms. Many have to borrow.— Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Minister of Defence
The hospital is ready and would serve soldiers and the general public, saving a lot of US dollars if operational.— Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Minister of Defence (paraphrased)
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