Vehicle Sales Consultant - JAC (Harare)

Vehicle Sales Consultant – DONG FENG (Harare)

Billing Supervisor (Harare)

Sales Representative (Harare)

Auto Electrician: Artisan (Chipinge)

Sales Representatives (Harare)

Director Human Resource (Mutare)

Legal & Compliance Manager (Harare)

Processes Analyst (Harare)

Finance Manager Corporate (Harare)

STATEMENT BY THE HON. MINISTER OF FINANCE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENT PROMOTION ON TAX POLICIES ADOPTED BY GOVERNMENT TO GUIDE CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR
1. Government, in observance of the principles of transparency and accountability, takes this opportunity to enlighten the general public on the broad tax policy considerations that have traditionally guided the development of the taxation system, in particular, consumption-based taxes.
2. Consumption taxes are charged on the consumption of goods and services and are generally imposed at the time of the transaction. Targeted tax instruments may, thus, be used to influence or re-direct such consumption, especially, where consumption is deemed or scientifically proven to impose negative externalities to Society.
3. Development and refinement of tax policy measures has always been a result of a consultative process involving business, consumer organisations, civil society, academia, Government Agencies and the general public, among others. Such consultations are in view of the fundamental roles of Stakeholders to exercise their Constitutional right to influence public policy in a responsible manner, with a view to developing this Great Nation.
4. Government has recently noted with concern, the imposing nature of the input from some stakeholders on recently introduced tax measures, notwithstanding the distinct role between stakeholders and policymakers.
5. The implementation of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) is premised on the recognition that bold and transformative measures are needed to underpin the drive towards the attainment of our Vision 2030.
6. One of these measures includes the introduction of the Beverages Sugar Content Tax aimed at addressing quality of life and health matters through mobilising revenue that would be channelled towards such causes.
7. The Beverages Sugar Content Tax has been misconstrued as a levy on sugar when it is applied differently. The tax is, rather, applied on the sugar content in beverages (drinks) specified in current legislation.
8. Government wishes to categorically state that the tax does not apply to sugar in general, hence, should not be misinterpreted as affecting ordinary consumption. Producers of sugar, are, thus, not affected.
9. Specifically, the tax is applied on the Added Sugar in specified beverages, excluding natural sugar, with a view to encouraging responsible consumption of sugar contained therein. It is scientifically proven that excessive consumption of added sugar in beverages is linked to an increased risk of non-communicable diseases.
10. The revision of the tax to US$0.001 per gram is a clear testimony of the commitment by Government to carefully consider and adopt constructive input from relevant stakeholders.
11. Government is also aware that some Producers cannot immediately reconfigure their production processes, whilst there is a commitment to reduce the sugar content by other manufacturers. On the other hand, consumers have to also make the conscious choice to consume responsibly, in view of the negative impact of excessive consumption of sugar on their health status.
12. Government has already made a commitment to initially ring-fence the revenue generated from the Beverages Sugar Content Tax for therapy and procurement of cancer equipment for cancer diagnosis. As a sign of such commitment, Treasury will be commissioning the machines purchased therefrom, and subsequent procurements will be advised accordingly.
13. Notwithstanding the above, Treasury notes the unjustifiable increase of prices for some beverages which is unreasonably attributed to the impact of the Beverages Sugar Content Tax. Such behaviour by the responsible manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers is a clear demonstration of incorrect interpretation and, in some cases, profiteering.
14. Government has, at its disposal, the prices charged by such operators prior to the introduction of the tax, the maximum impact of the Beverage Sugar Content Tax on the beverages in question and the expected prices thereof.
15. Government will continue to consult, as wide as possible, with relevant stakeholders, with a view to ensure enactment of evidence-based policies.
16. In addition, Government remains committed to the implementation of measures targeted at the timely realisation of the NDS1 objectives, also conscious of the Mantra, “Nyika inovakwa nevene Vayo/llizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo”.
Hon. Prof. M. Ncube 
MINISTER OF FINANCE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENT PROMOTION 
27 February 2024
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Mthuli Ncube Defends Unpopular Sugar Tax, Says Beverages Price Increases Are Unjustified | Full Statement

The Government has reimposed duty on cooking oil, maize meal, milk, sugar, rice, flour, salt, bath soap, washing soap, washing powder, toothpaste and petroleum jelly imports.
In May 2023, the Government allowed the importation of the aforementioned products duty-free in response to shortages and rapid price changes as suppliers resorted to forward pricing.
The repeal of the duty-free status was gazetted on Wednesday, 31 January, by the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube in Customs and Excise (Suspension) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 (No. 272) published in Statutory Instrument 10A of 2024. Reads the SI:
<blockquote>
IT is hereby notified that the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, in terms of section 235 as read with section 120 of the Customs and Excise Act [Chapter 23:02], has made the following regulations:-
1. These regulations may be cited as the Customs and Excise (Suspension) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 (No. 272).
2. The Customs and Excise (Suspension) Regulations, 2003, published in Statutory Instrument 257 of 2003 (hereinafter called “the principal regulations”), are amended by the repeal of section 91 (Suspension of duty on Cooking Oil, Maize meal, Milk, Sugar, Rice, Flour, Salt, Bath Soap, Laundry Soap, Washing Soap, Washing Powder, Toothpaste and Petroleum Jelly) with effect from 1st February 2024.
</blockquote>
The repeal of the duty-free status is somewhat not surprising as the 2024 national budget proposed various taxes which have deepened citizens’ suffering.
Whilst Ncube backed down on some of his “outrageous” revenue-raising proposals, businesses and citizens now pay more taxes/fees than in 2023.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Govt Reimposes Duty On Basic Grocery Items

Players in the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) sector have bemoaned the recently introduced government measures meant to formalise the informal sector saying they will push them out of business.
Over the years, Zimbabwe’s informal sector has grown to contribute an estimated 70% of economic activity but the growth has not translated to significant fiscal revenue thereby pushing the government to introduce measures to ensure compliance.
SMEs with US$25 000 yearly income are now required to register for value-added tax (VAT).
Formal businesses are now restricted from doing business with informal traders without VAT licences.
Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Zimbabwe executive director, Farai Mutambanengwe said the tax regime “criminalised” most of the informal sector.
He made the remarks at the Unpacking the Finance Act seminar held last Friday hosted by the Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Ministry. Said Mutambanengwe (via NewsDay):
<blockquote>
It looks like this tax regime is criminalising most of the informal sector. It’s not the issue of us not wanting to pay but the tax regime is quite radical.
The thing is if you look at the people selling on the streets, how are they going to pay those taxes? The city council will only have a lot of people to run after. This system will push the SMEs into non-compliance.
The policies that you are also implementing, are continuously increasing the number of taxations and they are going to facilitate the shunning of tax payments continuously.
We, as MSMEs, are trying to grow but these taxes are choking businesses. We are going to sink rather than grow to develop the economy.
The tax regime was supposed to be gradually implemented to avoid choking the sector.
The approach of the tax system should be gradual. The taxation system should be simplified so that they can understand.
The taxes are quite complicated, and we need to understand where they are coming from.
As SMEs, we are just trying to make a living and we try to formalise our businesses as well. We want to comply, but some of these taxes are unreasonable.
Some of these entrepreneurs do not even know the benefits of being formal. They need to be educated.
</blockquote>
According to the 2022 Labour Force Survey published by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT), over 2.8 million Zimbabweans derived their living from the informal sector compared to 495 000 in formal employment.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

New Taxes Will Drive Us Out Of Business - SMEs

Workers in the retail and wholesale sector have appealed to the Government to exempt those whose earnings are below the prescribed minimum wage from being taxed.
Addressing journalists in Harare, Progressive Retail Wholesale Workers Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Phillip Mafundu implored the Government to review the tax bracket saying the current system is leaving them poorer. Said Mafundu (<a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200022115/retail-workers-bemoan-taxation-low-salaries">via NewsDay</a>):
<blockquote>
We appeal to the Finance Minister (Mthuli Ncube) to revisit the issue of taxing to say how can someone who is getting US$265, which is not even a living wage, be taxed? It is our view again to say the tax bracket should be changed.
They say US$100 is tax-free, and then what can we do with US$100? Our proposal is very simple, we are saying if the government wants to tax its citizens the tax should start from a living wage where I get something that is above the basic.
If we calculate our basics and they come to US$300-400 that should be taxed, but if I am left with US$100 and you tax that automatically I cannot even pay my rent.
So that is the concern, the minimum wage should be raised and the tax bracket should also be raised. The minimum wage should not even be taxed.
</blockquote>
Mafundu said tuckshops and unregistered traders were benefiting from the current situation by not paying their workers a living wage and demanded that they comply.
He also urged the National Employment Council (NEC) of the commercial sector to implement the new section 56 of the Labour Act [Chapter 28:10] and allow other unions with membership to negotiate for their members saying workers in the sector.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Retail Workers Want To Be Exempted From Paying Income Tax

The Government is targetting informal traders for taxation in a bid to increase revenue and also over fears that as the economy becomes more dollarised, the tax base could decrease by 25 percent as the informal sector fails to pay tax.
Zimbabwe’s economy is largely informal, and as a result, the country’s tax collection agency, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) faces several challenges in raising revenue to fund the Government’s operations.
<a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/tax-dragnet-closes-in-as-govt-targets-informal-traders/">Business Times</a> reported Treasury sources as saying the fiscal authorities were targetting foreign-owned shops among several strategies to broaden the tax base. Said a source:
<blockquote>
The government has a programme that is targeted towards compliance with reserved sector regulations with particular attention to foreign-owned shops in the downtown area.
Those that have not complied are duly required and requested to comply with the law.
Definitely, this will increase tax revenue into fiscus while reducing a lot of illicit transactions that have also been taking place in that area.
</blockquote>
In his mid-term budget strategy paper, the outgoing Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mthuli Ncube, said the Government will devise various strategies to increase its tax base. He said:
<blockquote>
Achieving the target collections is underpinned by tax administration initiatives that enhance enforcement and tax compliance, in particular, of business processes and adoption of new technology, among other initiatives.
Expansion of the base through embracing emerging industries, including those in the informal sector, as well as capturing the digital marketplace where sellers and buyers of goods and services converge through e-platforms will ensure that eligible taxpayers contribute towards national development.
</blockquote>
The president of the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers Denford Mutashu told Business Times that the integration of informal traders into the economy was a welcome development.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Govt Targets Informal Sector To Broaden Tax Base

The <a href="http://www.pindula.co.zw/Zimbabwe_Revenue_Authority">Zimbabwe Revenue Authority</a> will garnish the bank accounts of defaulting taxpayers to recover US$2 billion starting January 2017.
In emailed responses to questions from The Sunday Mail, Zimra board secretary and director for legal and corporate services Ms Florence Jambwa Garnishee orders are used only as a last resort to collect outstanding taxes when all other strategies, include negotiations, would have failed. However a Zimra official who spoke to the paper on condition of anonymity said Zimra engaged taxpayers who owe us and arrange payment plans, but they have defaulted on such payment plans while others never bothered to come to make arrangements hence the decision to garnish.
Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries president Mr Busisa Moyo urged Zimra to come up with “persuasive” revenue collection methods as garnishing accounts will do more harm than good.
More:<a href="http://www.sundaymail.co.zw/taxman-gets-hangmans-noose/"> Sunday Mail</a>

Mthuli Ncube Latest News

Latest Jobs