State firms owe Zimra US$450m

Official reports have exposed swelling defaults in a broad range of taxes due to government by 15 State firms, including the troubled ZBC and NRZ.

The 15 firms accounted for nearly half a billion dollars in unremitted taxes last year.

It emerged 15 public enterprises failed to remit close to $450 million in outstanding taxes to Zimra adding to the turbulence that hit State coffers last year according to a report by the auditor general.

Government is struggling to settle crucial commitments, including paying a bloated civil service in time and funding vital health care and education requirements.