Despite Zimbabwe’s economic turmoil, many Zimbabweans reacted with surprise after Mtuli Ncube was named Africa’s Best Finance Minister of the Year.
Another user called it “the biggest joke of the decade.”
Economists say Zimbabwe’s unemployment rate is as high as 85%.
According to Reuters, up to 80% of transactions are done in US dollars due to a lack of trust in the local currency.
Reputation Poll International, an organization that claims to “manage reputations”, presented Ncube with the award on Sunday.
The minister, who was appointed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2018, told the state-run Herald newspaper that he was delighted with the honour.
He said he and his Treasury team were being recognized for their work “at the forefront of economic transformation.”
But activist Hopewell Chin’ono said on the X show that the award was an “insult” to Zimbabweans.
In particular, he expressed disbelief at Mr Ncube’s recent budget, which Mr Chin’ono described as “the most anti-people national budget in Zimbabwe’s history”.
The move is expected to increase taxes and also raise passport fees from $120 to $200 (£160), making them the most expensive in the region.
Chin’ono added that Ncube is “leading the worst economy in the world” brought about by “misguided and corrupt policies”.
Zimbabwe’s economy has been struggling for decades. The Zimbabwe dollar was withdrawn in 2009 when inflation reached a staggering 231 million percent. This means that prices are constantly changing.
Critics blame the ruling Zanu PF party, first under Robert Mugabe and then Mnangagwa, for mismanagement. They in turn blamed Western sanctions.
Zimbabwe held a controversial by-election over the weekend after MPs from the main opposition party, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), were recalled.
Zanu PF candidates won seven of the nine by-elections, but remain three seats short of the two-thirds parliamentary majority needed to amend the constitution.