eBusiness Weekly
BH24 Reporter
HARARE – Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube has appointed a new board for the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA).
Industrialist Mr Calisto Jokonya is the new chairman and will be deputised by Mrs Josephine Matambo.
Other board members include Mr George Guvamatanga, Mr Isaac Kwesu, Mr Memory Nguwi and Dr Morris Bekezela Mpofu.
The appointments are with effect from 19 December 2018.
The main task of the new board includes enhancing the efficiency of revenue collecting systems through upgrading information technology systems to ensure the taxpayer registration database is up to date.
ZIMRA is expected to invest $13 million towards automation and modernisation of operations with the aim of reducing revenue leakages, next year, according to Treasury.
This comes as Government is considering giving the authority absolute powers to descend heavily on tax dodging companies so as to recover the outstanding $4,5 billion in revenue leakages which had a detrimental effect as it compelled Government to issue Treasury bills and borrowing to finance budget deficit.
“The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority will also invest $13 million during 2019, towards automation and modernisation of its operations in order to strengthen its online services to the public as well as reduce revenue leakages.
“To fully benefit from the advances in technology, Government is upgrading its public digital infrastructure essential in providing public service which is easier, quicker and more convenient for people to use at lower costs than current methods,” said secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development Mr Guvamatanga.
By mid next year, the new board is also expected to have linked the Zimra systems with, among others, the National Registration Database, Company Registration Database, Deeds Office, Zimstat, National Social Security Authority, Investment Agency and ZIMDEF to ensure accuracy, reliability and traceability of taxpayers.
The new appointments, Minister Ncube said, were made after consultations with President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
