The Sunday News
Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has been challenged to continue plugging revenue leakages which are being done through tax evasion, tax avoidance, smuggling and under-declaration of imports, as it celebrates 20 years of service.
Tax evasion
In a speech read on her behalf during the Zimra 20th anniversary celebrations in Bulawayo on Friday, by the deputy director of Local Governance Ms Beaulah Gwaze, Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube congratulated the revenue authority for attaining two decades of continuous and dedicated service to the nation.
“Your indelible and positive footprints are evident through the collection of revenue to adequately fund Government projects, programmes, social services among other Government obligations. I also wish to challenge you to continue plugging revenue leakages which are being done through tax evasion, tax avoidance, smuggling and under-declaration of imports.
“Let us find ways of inculcating a sense of responsibility, patriotism among our traders, citizens and corporates,” said Minister Ncube.
She said the revenue authority should start to explore ways and means on how to offer service delivery in a largely digital economy and the issue of broadening the tax base should be given top priority. The minister said Zimra should come up with innovative ways that will compel citizens to voluntarily fulfil their tax obligations and citizens should have confidence that their cent is going to be used for their direct or indirect benefit.
Zimra
“Zimra should take up the issue of tax education and ensure it is introduced at an early age in order to inculcate ideals of responsibility and tax morale among school children towards the development of the country.
“I also wish to challenge you to continue plugging revenue leakages which are being done through tax evasion, tax avoidance, smuggling and under-declaration of imports.
“Let us find ways of inculcating a sense of responsibility, patriotism among our traders, citizens and corporates,” added Minister Ncube.
She said to date, the value of all the accommodation infrastructure owned by Zimra was about US$11,8 million while the value of office infrastructure development projects was about US$23,9 million excluding the Beitbridge border post upgrade.
The minister said the revenue authority was doing well in catalysing development across the country, with housing projects for its members of staff that continue to be expanded in border areas such as Plumtree, Beitbridge, Victoria Falls, Kazungula, Nyamapanda, Mt Selinda among other centres.
Zimra Domestic Taxes Region 2 regional manager, Mr Lisani Dube said the major motivating factor behind the setting up of the tax collector was embracing of the International Best Practice where revenue authorities were seen as a possible solution to critical problems, such as poor revenue performance, low rates of compliance and ineffective staff, and corruption.
Poor revenue
He said over the last 20 years, the organisation has undergone massive changes like restructuring, introduction of new systems, an expansion drive into smaller towns and setting up of new border posts among others and this has seen them become stronger and efficient than ever before.
“Zimra as an organisation is fully aware of the role it has to play in the realisation of the national goal of making Zimbabwe an Upper Middle Class Economy by 2030.
“Our pledge to the people of this great nation of Zimbabwe going forward, we as the revenue collecting arm of Government, will continuously evolve and embrace new ways to ensure that Zimbabwe is Open for Business.”
Mr Dube said all forms of underhand dealings and corruption will be fought vigorously to ensure that adequate resources are availed to the State to fulfil its mandate of providing social services to the generality of Zimbabweans.
Zimra was established on 1 September 2001 and turned 20 on 1 September 2021. It is mandated to collect revenue, facilitate trade and travel, advise Government on fiscal and economic matters and protect civil society.
