The highlights of the $8.2bn (£6.3bn) budget include a 5% salary cut for all senior government workers including in state enterprises.

Mr Ncube has also announced plans to re-register civil servants in an audit aimed at purging "ghost" workers. The government currently spends 90% of its budget on paying salaries squeezing out resources meant for infrastructure development.

The finance minister has also announced plans to tighten rules on the government’s local borrowing. The presentation was marred by scuffles between security and opposition members.

Police dragged out opposition MPs for refusing to stand when President Mnangagwa entered the chamber.