Zimra operating on thin budget, says Pasi

budget.
“In terms of the Revenue Authority Act we are entitled to receive a percentage from the revenue collected the previous year for our operations in the next financial year but for some years now that has not been happening,” he said.
“Last year we asked for US$105 million for infrastructure development at our border posts but we only got US$22 million,” he added.
Mr Pasi said this had resulted in the deterioration of infrastructure at border posts. He said the situation had been worsened by the shortage of skilled staff at the ports of entry.
“The issue of staff shortages is a reality. We used to have a staff complement of 1 200 before 2008 but we lost over 650 experienced staff. But since 2009 we have been recruiting but you only recruit at a pace that your budget allows you to,” he said.
Mr Pasi admitted that corruption was rife at border posts, adding the authority was taking steps to deal with the issue, which he described as “a cancer” needing concerted efforts to be eradicated. Members of the committee, which included the chairman Goromonzi North legislator Paddy Zhanda, expressed dismay at the conditions prevailing at most border posts. The committee said infrastructure at virtually all the posts required massive renovations while delays especially at Chirundu and Beit Bridge were soiling the country’s image. – New Ziana.