In a strange and shocking statement, War Veterans Minister Chris Mutsvangwa said that CCC MP Fadzayi Mahere should not speak about the national budget because she is not an expert in finance or economics. This idea is not only wrong but dangerous. It shows how some leaders want to keep the public out of decisions that affect their lives every day.
Mutsvangwa seems to think that only financial experts should talk about the budget. He forgets that the budget is not just about numbers. It is about people. It is about schools, clinics, roads, food, jobs, and the future of families across Zimbabwe. Every citizen has a right to know how their money is being used—and MPs like Mahere are there to ask questions and protect that right.
Economics is not only for experts. It is part of life. It connects with politics, law, medicine, farming, and even education. Economics is the study of how to use resources wisely to meet people’s needs. That is something every Zimbabwean understands in their daily struggles to survive. When someone speaks up about how government money is spent, they are doing their job as a citizen or a leader—not pretending to be an economist.
In fact, many countries, including Zimbabwe, have tried to use what is called “participatory budgeting.” This means allowing ordinary people to help decide how public money is used. It makes government more honest, fair, and open. But Mutsvangwa’s words go against this idea. He wants to block citizens and MPs from asking questions.
Why would he do that? Maybe because when more people watch the budget closely, it is harder to steal. It is harder to lie. It is harder to hide bad spending. Zimbabwe has a long history of problems in this area. Sometimes the government spends money it did not plan for. Sometimes it borrows more than allowed by law. Sometimes it uses money without Parliament’s approval. These things break the rules and weaken trust in the budget system.
Fadzayi Mahere is not wrong to speak up. She is doing her duty. She is saying what many people feel: the budget is failing them, and they deserve answers. And the truth is, the law is on her side. The Public Finance Management Act says that the government must follow certain steps and respect Parliament and the public when planning and spending money. But too often, those in power ignore these rules.
If Mutsvangwa really believes in good government, he should welcome questions. He should support laws that stop overspending and corruption. He should stand with the people, not try to silence them. Instead, he is showing fear—fear of accountability, fear of democracy, and fear of losing control over public money.
Zimbabwe needs leaders who believe in openness. The country needs to fix its budget process and stop acting like it is a secret club for experts and politicians. That is how corruption grows. The budget must be made by the people, for the people, and with the people. Only then can we build a fair and honest system that serves all Zimbabweans.
In the end, this is not just about Mahere or Mutsvangwa. It is about whether Zimbabwe will be a country where leaders listen to the people—or a country where they lock the doors and talk to themselves. The people have the right to speak. And those in power must learn to listen.