adminMashudu Netsianda Senior Court Reporter
BULAWAYO football giants and Premier Soccer league title contenders, Highlanders Football Club, were yesterday fined $300 for failing to account for VAT as well as not submitting income tax returns to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra).The club’s treasurer, Jerry Sibanda (46) pleaded guilty on behalf of the club to charges of contravening sections of the Income Tax Act (failure to account for VAT and failing to submit income tax returns to Zimra).
Bulawayo magistrate Mrs Gladmore Mushove convicted the club and gave it an option to either pay a $300 fine or risk having its property attached.
Asked why the club has not been remitting income tax returns to Zimra, Sibanda in mitigation, said:
“Your Worship when I took office early this year, the books were in shambles and some documents were missing as funds were misappropriated. I am very sorry and we promise that we will address the anomaly.”
In passing the sentence, the magistrate took into consideration that Sibanda who was representing the club was a first offender and that he inherited the mess left by his predecessor.
Prosecuting, Ms Tafadzwa Mutsambiwa said during the year 2009, Highlanders FC which was in business unlawfully and without any reasonable excuse, failed to submit to Zimra any returns pertaining to their trade when such documents were due in contravening the Income Tax Act.
The court was told that during the same period, Highlanders FC was in business making sales at their club house situated on Stand Number 50 Robert Mugabe Way in Bulawayo and again failed to account for VAT.
The matter came to light following a routine check by Zimra’s revenue specialist from the audit section, Praise Mushure.
A report was then made to the police and action was taken.
Online Reporter