The Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development has clarified the utilisation of the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund, stating that limited resources are constraining its ability to support all students on industrial attachment.
Responding to a question in the Senate, Deputy Minister Simelisizwe Sibanda said ZIMDEF is currently providing attachment allowances primarily to students from polytechnic institutions and those enrolled in apprenticeship programmes.
He noted that while the fund plays a critical role in supporting skills development, its financial capacity is insufficient to extend similar support to university students.
“The number of university students requiring attachment allowances each year is significantly higher than the fund’s current capacity. As such, ZIMDEF is unable to extend support to university students without compromising its sustainability,” Sibanda said.
He added that the Ministry is exploring ways to expand the fund’s resource base to enable broader and more equitable support in the future.
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Addressing concerns over the currency in which allowances are paid, Sibelisizwe Sibanda explained that ZIMDEF collects contributions in both United States dollars and Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG).
He said the fund prioritises the use of its US dollar revenues for capital-intensive projects and programmes across tertiary institutions, including universities, polytechnics, teachers’ colleges and research agencies.
“As a result, allowances for students are often disbursed in ZiG, in line with the fund’s revenue mix and expenditure priorities,” he said, adding that this approach ensures continued investment in institutional development and innovation.
However, Senator Angeline Zindi challenged the Ministry to provide detailed data on beneficiaries, citing concerns from students and employers. She said some students claim they are not receiving any allowances, while some companies contributing to ZIMDEF allege that the funds are not reaching beneficiaries on attachment.
Zindi requested that the Ministry present a list of students who have received allowances, including the currency in which payments were made.
In response, Sibanda said such detailed statistics would require a formal written request to enable the Ministry to compile and present accurate information to the House.
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