Source: Govt to continue reviewing taxes, levies: Ziyambi – herald
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
GOVERNMENT will continue reviewing taxes and levies to ensure they reflect economic realities, improve the ease of doing business and support Zimbabwe’s drive towards attaining an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
This was revealed by Zanu PF secretary for Legal Affairs, Cde Ziyambi Ziyambi, who is also the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, while addressing the party’s Mashonaland West Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meeting in Chinhoyi on Saturday.
The meeting discussed preparations for the party’s 23rd National People’s Conference, which will be hosted by Mashonaland West Province in October.
Delegates were also briefed on President Mnangagwa’s assent to Constitution Amendment Act No. 3 and measures being put in place to activate Civil Protection Units across districts to support Zimbabweans returning from South Africa.
Addressing party members, Cde Ziyambi said the Second Republic remained committed to creating a conducive environment for both citizens and businesses by rationalising taxes and levies.
“We are in the process of reviewing levies and taxes. We do not want to overburden our citizens and businesses with excessive taxes and levies,” he said.
“The exercise is comprehensive and includes local authorities so that we streamline operations and create a more predictable business environment.”
The review builds on recent fiscal measures introduced by Government to ease the cost of doing business, while maintaining revenue for national development.
In the 2026 National Budget, Treasury reduced the Intermediated Money Transfer Tax (IMTT) on ZiG-denominated transactions from 2 per cent to 1,5 percent to encourage the use of the local currency and lower transaction costs, while making the tax deductible for corporate income tax purposes.
The Government also adjusted Value Added Tax (VAT) from 15 per cent to 15,5 percent as part of broader tax reforms.
Cde Ziyambi said the review was also aimed at eliminating disparities in charges imposed by different local authorities, which had become a deterrent to investment.
“We have a local authority that was charging a levy of about US$4 000, while another council was charging between US$20 and US$40 for the same service. That was discouraging investors. The rationalisation exercise seeks to ensure uniformity in the way business is conducted across the country,” he said.
Cde Ziyambi also hailed President Mnangagwa’s efforts to improve national connectivity through the reintroduction of direct Air Zimbabwe flights between Harare and London, saying the development would enhance trade, investment and travel convenience.
“The President has made travelling to and from London easier through the introduction of direct flights, reducing travel time significantly. This improves connectivity and enhances the ease of doing business,” he said.
The direct Harare-London service is expected to significantly reduce travel time for passengers who previously relied on connecting flights through regional and international hubs.
On party affairs, Cde Ziyambi said Zanu PF was embracing modern digital technology within its cell structures to improve transparency, accountability, communication and monitoring of programmes at the grassroots level.
Meanwhile, Zanu PF Mashonaland West provincial chairperson Cde Mary Mliswa-Chikoka welcomed the signing into law of Constitution Amendment Act No. 3, describing it as a significant milestone for governance and national development.
She urged party structures to support Zimbabweans returning home from South Africa.
“The party has been directed to ensure that our people coming back home are received, supported and integrated with dignity. No one should be left behind,” she said.
Cde Mliswa-Chikoka said Civil Protection Committees would work with Government departments and other stakeholders to coordinate shelter, food and other essential services for the returnees.
The meeting was also attended by Zanu PF Politburo members, Cdes Christopher Mutsvangwa and Webster Shamhu, Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Marian Chombo and other senior party officials from the province.
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