Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, [email protected]
In a major crackdown on corporate tax evasion, five Bulawayo firms have been hit with heavy fines for deliberately defrauding the Government of substantial revenue.
The representatives of the following companies — Bekisisa Investment, Alpha Signature Institute, Whixbee Investments, Major Furniture Shop and Sheworld Solutions — appeared before Bulawayo Provincial Resident
Magistrate Mr Themba Chimiso for contravening Section 81(1)(a) of the Income Tax Act, Chapter 23:06 – “failure to submit income tax”.
At the conclusion of the trial, the five companies were convicted and sentenced. Bekisisa Investment was fined US$900, while Alpha Signature Institute was sentenced to pay US$200. Whixbee Investments was sentenced to pay
US$100, Major Furniture Shop was fined US$400, and Sheworld Solutions was fined US$300.
In sentencing the five errant companies, Mr Chimiso said the prevalence of offences of this nature was a cause for
concern, noting that the Government loses huge amounts of money meant for national development.
“The Government loses millions of dollars meant for the national fiscus. Such unscrupulous business practices by errant private businesses ought to be censured by the courts, as this hampers national development,” he said.
“The malpractice by the errant companies calls for deterrent sentences to deter like-minded elements,” said Mr Chimiso.
Prosecuting, Mr Samuel Mpofu told the court that on 25 March 2022, June 2022, September and December 2022,
Major Furniture Shop did not submit quarterly tax returns.
The court heard that again on 20 December 2023 and 25 March, Major Furniture Shop failed to submit First
Quarterly Payment Date returns for the year 2023 as required by the Act, despite being reminded to submit them
through emails on several occasions.
Mr Mpofu said on 25 March 2026, Alpha Signature Institute was supposed to submit first quarter income returns for the period extending from January 2026 to 25 March 2026.
“Alpha Signature Institute failed to submit the returns to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority as required. The complainant made a follow-up by sending email reminders to the accused, but the accused failed to comply, leading
the complainant to file a report with the police and the subsequent arrest of the accused person,” said Mr Mpofu.
Continues on www.chronicle.co.zw
It was heard in court that during the period extending from January 2026 to February 2026, without just cause,
Whixbee Investments also failed or neglected to submit VAT returns to the Commissioner of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority.
On January 21, the complainant made a request to Sheworld Solutions to submit income tax returns for the firtst quarter of the year 2026, that is, the period of January to March 2026, before the due date. The court heard that
Bekisisa Investment evaded tax on several occasions.
The accused failed to comply with the requirements after the matter was reported to the police, leading to the accused’s arrest.
