via Villagers bray as govt taxes donkeys – New Zimbabwe 10/02/2015
THE cash-strapped government has introduced a $2-per-head livestock levy, enraging villagers and farmers who have described the move as a throwback to the settler Ian Smith regime.
The levy adds to other taxes imposed on farmers including land tax for beneficiaries of the government’s controversial land reforms.
Efforts to confirm the development with deputy agriculture minister (livestock) Paddy Zhanda were not successful late Tuesday but a serious cash squeeze in a failing economy has seen the government even trying to tax vendors.
Villagers in Wedza told NewZimbabwe.com that they had been given until 4pm Wednesday to settle their livestock tax arrears by officials from the agriculture ministry.
Unimpressed, most said the government was bringing back policies once used by the reviled Smith regime which was toppled at independence in 1980 after a bitter bush war.
Some also said they did not understand where the government expects them to get the money since the State-run Grain Marketing Board (GMB) was not paying for grain deliveries.
“I send my maize harvest to GMB but they have not paid me and now the government wants me to pay the cattle levy. Where do I get the money to pay for my 123 herd?, asked Mugove Kagonye.
“They (government) do not want us to sell our maize to any other organisation other than the GMB which does not pay … and now this directive!”
Added another villager who said he was a war veteran: “Are these our Members of Parliament who are passing these destructive policies in Harare?
“I fought to remove the oppressive colonial system and now it’s back to haunt me 34 years later!”
Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) spokesperson Henrik Olivier said he was aware the government once mulled the idea of a livestock tax but was not sure if it had now been implemented.
“It’s news to me that villagers and farmers are being made to pay the proposed levy,” he said.
“I need to make a follow up with relevant authorities to get a clear picture.”
An official from the local livestock department referred questions to head office in Harare but suggested that the levy would be used to buy dipping chemicals.
COMMENTS
Talk about living in the stone age
whilst they are at it , why not tax the cats, dogs, chickens, pigs, goats lemikhoba esiphaleni and hey this government can be rich. Oh how much more can we take- just when we think things cant be worse.
whilst they are at it , may start taxes on cats, dogs, pigs, goats,goblins and toilets. Just when u think things cant be worse.
Woulld not be surprised if they start taxing prostitutes . They dont have any shame if they had a way they would tax the blind man on the street
Alas! Maybe a tax for taking a dump in the toilet.
During Smiths time, the farmers in the reserves were charged a nominal figure which wasn’t a levy or tax, but was known as a Dipping Fee. This enabled the cattle to be dipped in dip tanks provided by the Government, with chemicals provided by the Government. Inspectors used to live in the reserves to check that the dip went well, in order that ticks and related diseases were dealt with. This system worked extremely well. I wonder what condition those dip tanks are in today?
I am trying to make sense between taxing an old ma $2.00 per donkey versus forgiving $270M dollars fraudulently acquired by shefs plus many other frauds not being pursued due to party affiliations. This is despicable and makes one to throw up. Compound that with money bleeding out of the mining enterprises. Zimbabwe is very rich but our custodians are very selfish and milking the public to the bare bones.I have seen truck in Zimbabwe costing over $100,000.00 which normally cost about 50-60 thousand in US. This is basic thievery. Why should government pay and give people luxury when they can’t even take care and be good custodians of basic resources. God bless Zimbabwe.
$10 per cow and hut , $7,50 per husband and wife, $5 per Child ,$2,50 for the every single ,would be better for Zim for some time.
Time to learn how the french solved thear daily lifes many years ago.
Zimbabweans should not complain, you voted them into power, you can vote them out.
We have millions infected with HIV and will die soon, do something meaning full with yourselve before you die and take up arms against grace who is running this beautiful country into the ground