Mthuli Ncube has done a u-turn and issued a statement saying that COVID-19 vaccines will be administered freely to all Zimbabwean citizens. This is after he made some statements to the effect that some private citizens would be required to pay in order to get the vaccine. These outrageous utterances were not well received by the wider populace who demanded an explanation. The Finance Minister says his utterances were taken out of context.

FREE COVID 19 VACCINES TO ZIMBABWE CITIZENS

1. It has come to my attention that, my comments about the payment for the COVID-19 vaccine, have been taken out of context.
2. I would like to make it clear that, the vaccines that the Government is procuring with the support of our international partners and friends, will be made available for free, to the Citizens of Zimbabwe.
Hon. Prof M. Ncube MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
04 February 2021

A heartless liar

Despite claims that his words were taken out of context, this is not the case. Government officials in Zimbabwe just do use words like sorry. It’s beneath them. The heartless Finance Minister still refuses to offer financial support to the informal sector which he is taxing to its knees. Hospitals are still inadequately equipped and nurses still need PPE. This is the same Minister who banned the import of ex-Jap vehicles ostensibly to protect the environment when the country is struggling financially and has no industry to talk about. The Finance Minister’s heartlessness simply drew more ire than he anticipated and he got more push back from his own party and kin.