Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Defence and ZANU-PF National Chairman, speaking at the Pre-Budget Seminar for the 2026 National Budget in Bulawayo, emphasized the importance of investing in national defense for sustained peace and security.Â
Muchinguri mentioned that the Zimbabwe military has already used up $6i4 00 000 of the $900 Million that they requested in 2026 and soldiers on boarder patrols are not being paid. She suggested that the Zimbabwe military should be using their skills such as in construction and engineering to bid for tenders so that they are not just a service centre but an income generating unit.
…Ministry request a review of the allocation of 969 million to address the accumulate… accumulated debt of 614 million, as well as meeting the 2026 requirement. Late payments, especially to members deployed on border patrol operations, subject them to corrupt activities, thus undermining the credibility of the defense force.
Tinotuma musoja kuenda kunoita ma… ma border. Kurikuuya nema drugs ikoko. Unobribwa ne 10,000 US dollars….when we are failing to provide them with allowances.
Writing on X, Muchinguri said:
At the ongoing Pre-Budget Seminar for the 2026 National Budget in Bulawayo, I underscored that peace is neither accidental nor self-sustaining – it is hard-won and requires continuous investment in national defence. I highlighted the imperative of enhancing our defence capabilities to effectively address emerging security threats through strategic support for the Air Force of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe National Army, with particular focus on infrastructure development and operational readiness. A secure nation forms the bedrock of sustainable development. Our efforts to combat drug and substance abuse will remain limited unless we adequately support the soldiers and police officers who safeguard our borders.
