Govt to appoint new ZIMRA board chairman, top management

The Treasury says it is close to finalising the appointment of a substantive chairman for the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) board.

The tax authority is also putting the final touches to the recruitment of top management including customs director, finance director and a substantive Commissioner General following the resignation of Ms Faith Mazani effective January 31, 2021.

Responding to questions during ZIMRA's fourth annual general meeting (AGM) yesterday, secretary for Finance and Economic Development George Guvamatanga said the authority had functioned without a substantive chairman for some time while Treasury was waiting for the conclusion of legal proceedings as the matter was before courts.

In September 2019, the then ZIMRA board chairman Dr Callisto Jokonya was hauled before courts on allegations of abuse of duty as a public officer after it was alleged he renewed an employee's contract without following due processes.

"As the Ministry, we could not move ahead of what was happening before the courts and could not give guidance on the appointment because we were advised to wait for the legal proceedings as you know the matter was before courts.

"But the issue of a substantive chair is currently under review," said Mr Guvamatanga who was representing Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube at the AGM.

Professor Ncube said the AGM — the fourth in 20 years since Zimra's formation — was testament to Government's commitment in promoting transparency and accountability in which the authority shared with key stakeholders' its years' performance, as well as the plan for the current year and the near future.

He also challenged ZIMRA to exhaust all revenue collection potential beyond set targets, cognisant of the fact that such targets were set in line with the tax administration's capacity to administer current policies. The authority has already shown resilience in performance at a time Covid-19 pandemic posed challenges to business operations and revenue collections.

Said Professor Ncube: "Treasury notes the resilience demonstrated by ZIMRA in the collection of revenue, notwithstanding the challenges associated with the Covid-19 pandemic. I note that revenue collections also continue to benefit from the self-assessment system, buttressed by the numerous revenue collection agents that withhold specified taxes at source.

"It, thus, becomes critical for the Revenue Authority to enhance the information technology platform, which is key in electronically connecting operators, agents and general taxpayers to facilitate seamless and uninterrupted connectivity, thereby guaranteeing prompt payment of taxes, regardless of geographical location of taxpayers."

Professor Ncube also alluded to the need to harness revenue that remains concealed in operators that have not yet fully embraced the fiscalisation programme. "I note that the majority of operators have not fully fiscalised their operations, including, in particular, ensuring that fiscalised devices are linked to the ZIMRA server," said Professor Ncuibe.

He also commented on efforts being carried out to plug revenue leakages, eradicate corruption, improve service delivery and harness technology that promotes ZIMRA's core business.

Among the key measures, strict implementation of the Electronic Cargo Tracking System, as well as full automation of ZIMRA systems have been identified as key in eliminating transit fraud and other revenue leakages associated with physical interface with taxpayers.