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Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) is on course to surpassing its half year revenue collection target, with the final report set for release by the end of this month, an official has said.
Zimra board chairman Mr Callisto Jokonya told The Herald on Monday on the sidelines of the tour of Beitbridge Border Post by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Budget, Finance and Economic Development that they had set a target of $4,8 billion.
“Our performance to date has been more or less on target. For us to finalise the half year-end performance, we need to put the report together,” said Mr Jokonya.
“If we look at the first quarter, you will note that we did well since we exceeded inflation by 13 percent. This time, according to indications in the first two months, we have been on target. Currently, we are looking at the last month and compiling all the figures put together with what is also going to be refunded to the clients.
“This will then give us a final outlook of the actual revenue performance figure, (but) we are well on course to meet our target.”
The board is expected to meet on July 20 to work out the figures when management has presented them.
Mr Jokonya said the target for the half year was $4,8 billion and “we will be able to meet” it.
In the first quarter of 2019, Zimra surpassed the set target in both gross and net terms, with gross collections amounting to $2,059 billion against the set target of $1,455 billion.
Meanwhile, the parliamentarians were on second phase of touring ports of entry to assess operational challenges and revenue performance in line with Government’s drive to address the country’s doing business environment.
Speaking during the tour, Zimra’s regional manager for Beitbridge Mr Innocent Chikuni said they had exceeded their half year revenue target by 30 percent.
He said at Beitbridge Border Post, they had set a target of $378 million and collected $494 million. Mr Chikuni said although they were doing well in terms of revenue collection, Zimra was facing a litany of challenges, including human resources and staff accommodation shortages, which is impacting on their ability to fully deliver their mandate.
“At the moment we have 261 workers and need an additional 59,” he said.
“In terms of accommodation, we have an acute shortage and are renting 25 houses at $220 per room, putting out (the) monthly bill at $59 000.
“To make matters worse, five landlords have given us notice to vacate.”
Mr Chikuni said they did not have adequate vehicles and manpower to curb smuggling along the border with South Africa, which stretches 255km.
He called on Government to increase budget commitments for border authorities to close leakages to maximise revenue collection at Beitbridge.
Online Reporter