The Government of Zimbabwe has announced strict new measures to curb spending by public officials, including an immediate clampdown on the purchase of luxury vehicles and non-essential foreign travel.
The funds saved from these cuts will be redirected towards key sectors such as healthcare and education.
The move forms part of wider cost-cutting reforms being implemented under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), aimed at improving financial discipline across government.
Authorities say the measures are necessary to reduce pressure on the national budget and prioritise spending that delivers direct benefits to citizens.
Under the new policy framework, the acquisition of high-end vehicles for official use will be tightly controlled, while foreign trips by public servants will be subject to stricter approval processes to ensure they are justified and essential.
According to a government statement, the initiative falls under NDS2’s “Expenditure Rationalisation” pillar, which seeks to eliminate unnecessary and inefficient spending. Officials acknowledged that excessive vehicle procurement and frequent overseas travel have become costly practices that are no longer sustainable.
The government said that over the next five years it will enforce firm controls on non-essential expenditure, with savings channelled towards critical areas such as public health, education, infrastructure development, and social protection programmes.
Authorities emphasised that the reforms reflect a commitment to responsible financial management, ensuring public resources are used efficiently and in ways that support national development priorities and improve the lives of Zimbabweans.
