By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) and other responsible authorities should address factors driving smuggling and tax non-compliance, as concerns grow over increasing border requirements and costs for ordinary residents and small-scale traders.
The concerns were raised during a question-and-answer session at Open Policy Discourse Meeting held on Thursday, January 29 Summit Lodge in Beitbridge.
The meeting was organised by the Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET).
Councillor for Ward 3 Beitbridge Urban, Takavingei Mahachi, said while ZIMRA’s call for tax compliance was important, authorities must also look into the challenges pushing residents into informal and illegal trading practices.
“ZIMRA and other responsible authorities should look at the push factors making people resort to smuggling,” said Mahachi.
He said crossing the border has become increasingly difficult due to the many requirements and roadblocks along major routes.
“The border has now become difficult to pass as the requirements needed inside are many, and along the high way they have installed roadblocks, some of which go to an extent of asking travelling vehicles to return to the border post even after travelling more than 60 kilometres,” he said.
Mahachi further urged ZIMRA to strengthen tax education among communities, noting that many residents lack knowledge of the taxation system.
“Many residents do not fully understand the taxing system, therefore ZIMRA should consider installing satellite information officers where an ordinary person can easily access assistance in residential areas,” he said.
Echoing the same sentiments, Residents Association representative Joseph Chipanga said the issue of multiple charges and departments at the border post needed urgent attention.
“This must be addressed because there are many departments and sections at the border post we are taxed to, including cameras, dog sniffing departments, agriculture and health amongst others,” said Chipanga.
Beitbridge Vendor and VISET Coordinator Martha Maphosa also shared her experience, explaining how high border costs have affected cross-border traders.
“I used to have a cross-border car but now I am no longer doing it, as I was spending more than 4,000 rands at the border and the profit becomes little or none,” said Maphosa.
In response, ZIMRA supervisor at Beitbridge Domestic Taxes Office, Blessing Pfigu, acknowledged the concerns and assured stakeholders the suggestions would be forwarded for consideration.
He said ZIMRA remains committed to engaging communities and improving compliance through education and accessible registration processes.
The workshop brought together vendors, residents, local leadership and government stakeholders to promote transparency, accountability and inclusive participation in public finance management.