The Sunday News
AS we might all know, the importation and exportation of certain goods and substances is possible and also restricted under certain conditions such as the production of a relevant permit or licence, while some substances or goods are not allowed to be imported whatsoever.
In our case, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has been mandated with the enforcement of import and export restrictions and prohibitions. The Government department says most of these controls are done in the interest of the public.
The controls are meant to protect the consumer against dangerous and harmful drugs, hazardous substances, expired drugs, pornographic, objectionable or undesirable materials and harmful substances which include skin lightening creams, soaps and lotions, among others.
Some of the controls are also meant to protect the environment against destruction of fauna and flora as well as extinction of endangered species.
In addition, other controls, according to Zimra, are meant to protect revenue; conserve foreign currency; maintain export standards or intellectual property against infringement of rights such as trademarks, copyrights, designs or patents.
The role of Zimra in this regard became more pronounced when the Government gazetted Statutory Instrument No 64 of 2016 recently which removed some products from the open general import licence, a development that tightened the screws on the importation of some basic commodities, furniture and building material. After the announcement of the new regulation, there was a lot of hullaballoo resulting in violent protests in the Beitbridge border town.
What came out of the whole scenario, which was however, unfortunately seized by some misguided thugs and opposition political elements, was that the new regulation was not communicated effectively to the public. While the new law was simply in good measure looking at protecting the local industry and lessening the churning out of the country US dollars, Rand and other foreign currencies, and only a “restriction”, it was interpreted by the public as a “ban”.
Nonetheless, last week, the Deputy Minister for Industry and Commerce, Cde Chiratidzo Mabuwa, said Zimra will soon announce a list of selected items that people can import for personal use. The Deputy Minister reiterated a point said by Government before that permits for the importation of some goods in the SI 64 of 2016 were only required for businesses shipping into the country goods for resale not individuals buying from outside the country goods for personal use.
“The issue of individuals importing items for personal use is purely administrative which the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority is working on and they will soon be announcing a list of selected items people can bring in for personal use. Some distortions about the new statutory instrument as a ban are unfounded,” she said.
We urge Zimra to move with speed to clear the air, and also want to remind the organisation and other arms of Government that providing citizens with adequate information on priorities, programmes, and activities of Government stabilises the political situation in a country as it leaves opportunists bent on causing havoc with no room to maneuver.
Communication is an important function of Government, responsible for improving three principle elements of government: effectiveness (building broad support and legitimacy for programmes), responsiveness (knowing citizens’ needs and responding to them), and accountability (explaining Government stewardship and providing mechanisms to hold governments accountable), according to The World Bank.
