Ncube’s Cost-Cutting Drive Caps Civil Service Wage...

Ncube’s Cost-Cutting Drive Caps Civil Service Wage Bill at 50%

Zim Now Reporter

Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, has announced that government will cap the civil service wage bill at no more than 50% of the national budget, as authorities intensify efforts to curb runaway spending and safeguard fiscal stability.

Speaking on the development, Ncube acknowledged that the wage bill remains disproportionately high despite recent reforms. “We agree that this is high. Clearly, this is of concern to us as Treasury, and we will make every effort to manage this,” he said. “It used to be 80%, and we’ve come a long way, but really we don’t want to go below 50%. In fact, in our target list, it should be maximum 50%, no more than 50%.”

The new ceiling comes against a backdrop of painful restructuring measures. Between September 2024 and June 2025, government shed 3,000 jobs, while biometric audits have been rolled out across ministries and agencies to flush out ghost workers.

Ncube said unavoidable commitments such as pensions will remain protected, but Treasury is moving to rationalise posts, streamline foreign missions, cut travel budgets, and “right-size” the public workforce.

The measures build on a comprehensive review by the Public Service Commission across 21 ministries. That assessment unearthed grade promotions outside job evaluation rules, duplication of duties between directors and chief directors, managerial staff outnumbering non-managerial staff, and specialist posts without progression pathways.

As a corrective step, government has begun a nationwide programme of rationalisation, re-skilling and upskilling. A new compensation framework is also being introduced to promote equity through a salary structure aligned with equal pay principles.

Ncube stressed the reforms were not only about cost-cutting but about making the public service more efficient and sustainable. “Civil servants work very hard, and they want better conditions,” he said. “But we have to strike a balance that ensures the state can meet its obligations without being consumed by wages.”