News / Regional
Govt plans to tax churches
23 Oct 2013 at 14:39hrs | Views
The government says plans to tax churches will only be applicable to commercial ventures undertaken by religious organisations not donations.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Walter Mzembi said there are no plans to tax donations to churches but profitable business conducted by the church like the hiring of halls and conferencing facilities.
Mzembi was speaking after meeting United Kingdom-based Bishop Climate Irungu.
Mzembi said the opening up of Statutory Instrument 125 and 126, which allow the tourism sector to import goods duty free, will also assist the church import infrastructure materials.
Bishop Irungu said Zimbabwe is a safe destination compared to other countries as people can freely move anytime of the day.
Minister Mzembi said religious tourism is one of the major branches of tourism as statistics show that 30 percent of the global movement is motivated by religion.
In Zimbabwe, a number of churches have shrines which their followers visit every year, among them the Johane Masowe shrine, ZCC Mutendi shrine and the ZAOGA prayer mountain in Bindura.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Walter Mzembi said there are no plans to tax donations to churches but profitable business conducted by the church like the hiring of halls and conferencing facilities.
Mzembi was speaking after meeting United Kingdom-based Bishop Climate Irungu.
Bishop Irungu said Zimbabwe is a safe destination compared to other countries as people can freely move anytime of the day.
Minister Mzembi said religious tourism is one of the major branches of tourism as statistics show that 30 percent of the global movement is motivated by religion.
In Zimbabwe, a number of churches have shrines which their followers visit every year, among them the Johane Masowe shrine, ZCC Mutendi shrine and the ZAOGA prayer mountain in Bindura.
Source - zbc
