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Auxilia Katongomara Entertainment Correspondent
ZIMBABWEAN artistes are now compelled to pay full duty when importing musical instruments as the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority has again invoked statutory instrument 136 of 2003. Artistes were enjoying exemption of duty after the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) had reached an agreement with Zimra to relax some sections of the statutory instrument to allow artistes to import instruments without hassles.
In an interview, NACZ director Elvas Mari said his organisation had engaged Zimra to relax some sections of Statutory Instrument 136 of 2003 during the economic challenges as artistes were struggling to acquire foreign currency to import instruments.
“What is happening now is that Zimra is now implementing the statutory instrument as it is. We had negotiated during the economic crisis because they could not access foreign currency, but now the economy has improved,” said Mari.
This means only registered arts organisations can import goods with a tax rebate.
Last week various arts associations notified their members of the suspension of the duty free importation of musical instruments.
The Zimbabwe Music Rights Association wrote to members on its Facebook page: “Dear Members. The duty-free importation of musical instruments has been suspended by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority until further notice. Musicians are now compelled to pay full duty on importation of musical instruments.”
NACZ deputy director Nicholas Moyo added that his organisation was continuously engaging Zimra for artistes’ benefit.
“The statutory instrument is for the arts organisations and so Zimra applies the statutory instrument not on what we as the arts sector want. We want to continuously engage Zimra and to widen the scope of people who can access the duty-free facility,” said Moyo.
He said although the statutory instrument was directed at arts organisations, the final benefactor was the artiste.
From 2003, the artistes have been enjoying duty-free importation of instruments.
Previously, artistes had complained that duty was too high as they were struggling to buy new instruments.
Bongani Ndlovu