Online Reporter
Trust Freddy
Zimpapers Correspondent
THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has launched a strategic partnership with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to enhance the country’s capacity to investigate and prosecute tax crimes.
The collaboration, established under the Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB) initiative, aims to curb illicit financial flows (IFFs), which currently cost the African continent an estimated US$90 billion annually.
Speaking at the official launch in Harare, ZIMRA Commissioner General Regina Chinamasa described the initiative as a strategic development that aligns with the goals of the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).
“This initiative being launched today also supports ZIMRA’s strategy of building a modern, intelligence-driven revenue administration,” she said.
“One that can detect sophisticated financial crimes, protect the revenue base, and strengthen voluntary compliance across the economy.
“The partnership comes at a time when tax crimes have become increasingly complex, often involving digital platforms and cross-border transactions.”
She also stressed the importance of the partnership, adding that ‘borderless’ crimes require a unified international response.”
“Tax crime is not a victimless offence; when taxes are evaded, development is delayed,” the Commissioner stated.
“Our response must be equally borderless. This is why the partnership we are launching today is both timely and strategic.”
To counter this, the TIWB programme will provide ZIMRA with specialised technical assistance and expert mentorship.
“We will also benefit from the exchange of global best practices in tax crime investigation and enforcement. Every successful tax investigation strengthens compliance and every increase in compliance strengthens domestic resource mobilisation.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative Challa Getachew said: “Today’s launch of the TIWB partnership between the Zimbabwean and South African tax authorities on tax crime investigation marks an important milestone in leveraging taxation through fighting tax crime for improved domestic resource mobilisation and wellbeing of the economy and the people of Zimbabwe.”
The Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB) programme is a globally respected initiative that empowers developing countries through practical, hands-on capacity building.
By facilitating a collaborative environment where local revenue administrations work directly alongside seasoned experts, the programme fosters the development of sustainable investigative skills.
