HARARE – Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube announced his 2019 budget on Thursday under the theme, “Austerity for Prosperity”.

The budget offered little relief to Zimbabweans, apart from the decision to lift duty on sanitary pads.

Everywhere else the budget implored the suffering population to take more pain – from raising traffic fines to way above the average salary; raising fuel prices through to requiring Zimbabweans importing vehicles and other goods like perfumes to pay duty in foreign currency.

Civil servants, hoping for some cheer, were told that even their bonuses would be less than usual. The bonus will only be paid on the basic salary, and not on the allowances as well.

We combed social media to gauge how Zimbabweans received the budget, and here is what some of you had to say:

Strangely, it’s a crime to trade in forex. But the government wants duties and taxes for several items paid in forex. Salaries are paid in RTGS. There is no cash in the banks. No amount of fancy quotations will mask the irrationality of these policies. $1 billion for Defence and Home Affairs? Is Zimbabwe about to go to war? Surely this is where the focus of any austerity measures should begin?

Fadzayi Mahere on Twitter

The government will pay tobacco farmers (who bring in foreign currency) in RTGS dollars and then demand duty in US dollars. A very cruel government.

Edmund Kudzayi on Twitter

Mthuli Ncube may admire Thatcher, but he appears to have forgotten to include a “Big Bang” in his maiden budget speech. In the absence of changes to monetary policy, cuts to expenditure, improved public financial management and additional revenue will have little impact.

Nick Branson on Twitter

Car duty in forex effectively means that from November 23 our cars are all undervalued unless you have a USD denominated insurance policy.

@ZRSamukange on Twitter

So if the our government has funds to compensate folks (white farmers), when am I getting mine? For loss of my pension? My savings? My dad’s? My entire life in Zim really. Who will compensate me?

Everjoice Win on Twitter

We all know government is looking for more revenue streams and road safety is important but an increase in the scale of fines from a maximum of $30 to $700 in a low-income society is grossly disproportionate. In reality, it opens opportunities for rent-seeking police officers.

Alex Magaisa on Twitter

I wish to congratulate Mthuli Ncube on a historic, responsible and disciplined budget, which both cuts costs and contains crucial confidence building measures to stimulate economic growth. The core message – austerity for prosperity – is a central component of our strategy to restructure, reform and rebuild, and I am confident that in years to come, this will be seen as a pivotal moment in Zimbabwe’s economic recovery.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Twitter

Ncube declares a 5 percent wage cut for senior civil servants – directors up to President. Also includes parastatals and commissions. That sounds great at first sight. Except that these chaps probably earn the bulk of their remuneration from allowances, especially travel allowances.

Alex Magaisa on Twitter

If you cut a salary by 5 percent, then use a Swiss jet to travel the world, have you made a saving?

Fadzayi Mahere on Twitter

Your salary is in RTGS. Customs duty in USD. If you convert your RTGS to USD you will be jailed 10 years.

Wellence Mujuru on Twitter