Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA Berlin Msiska (second right) and
Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe look on during official
opening) offices in Choma
FINANCE Minister Alexander Chikwanda says the Government is open for dialogue with the Church mother bodies over the recently implemented Statutory Instrument number 103 of 2013.
The SI 103 of 2013, which came into effect in November, last year, subjects Public Benefit Organisations to pay tax for imported motor vehicles, motor parts and other materials.
Last week, Catholic bishops threatened to withdrawal their support in education, health and other social welfare services if the Government did rescind its decision to revoke Statutory Instrument (SI) number 103 which subjects them to paying tax on import of motor vehicles and other materials.
The threats were echoed by other Church mother bodies, the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) and Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) who complained that the introduction of SI number 103 of 2013 was crippling the organisations’ operations as it had become costly for them to render social services to the vulnerable.
Mr Chikwanda said in an interview that the Government appreciated the role that the Church played in offering services in education, health and other services to the vulnerable people.
The minister said it was unfortunate that some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) had been abusing the tax exemption on these categories for political or personal gain.
He said the Patriotic Front (PF) administration was a listening Government which was ready to serve the interests of the people.
“This Government is for the people and is open for discussions. We are willing to dialogue with the Church bodies, who are our partners in development,” Mr Chikwanda said. “Churches like the Catholics are partners in development and their contribution to the nation is feasible.”
He said the Government realized that Church bodies had well-established structures and had over the years contributed effectively to the well-being of the vulnerable in society and that the Government was willing to dialogue with them over the issue.
Mr Chikwanda was responding to the statement by the Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) which had threatened to withdraw services in education, health and other areas they were offering if the Government did not revoke SI 103 of 2013.
He said the Government had great respect for Catholic priests as they were not only spiritual leaders but the Government treasured their advice on national development.
Mr Chikwanda said the Government would appreciate advice from the bishops using proper channels as both of them were working for the well-being of the people of Zambia.
Ready to dialogue after you have signed the SI?? Before you make policy changes, learn to engage stakeholders!!
My thoughts exactly. Ready to negotiate after imposing, negotiate selectively at that…
It’s very simple, only exempt churches that deserve it such as the Catholic, SDA and Salvation Army. Surely churches like Imakando’s and Pentes in general don’t deserve tax exemptions, they are limited companies.
please give what belongs to caesar to caesar no one should exempted from paying tax and you earn a lot of money every saturday & sunday we all know that religion is probably a scum
I fully support the Minister of Finance for removing this tax from Churches. It is not all of them but some owners of these churches have abused this facility and amassed wealth for themselves without giving a penny to the poor. We see this every day. They have made supernormal profits without paying what is due under the Law.
The Minister should be encouraged to remain firm on the matter.
Ba scientist. The people who benefit from this donations were you want the churches to pay tax is not the churches but your poor relatives.
Sometimes learn to understand before you Issue a statement.
Dont be like this govnment of fools.
@mad scientist.
I agree with Namona this mad scientist is insane.
First you implement, then you ask for dialogue. This is government by trial and error.
It is the born again churches who have been abusing the system as they like to wallow in riches
kekekekekekee..ba CNP aabo..
For God’s sake! Do you even have ears to listen mr minister. Many of you in government have benefited from the social services offered by these churches. Shame on you!
Diving into a swimming pool without first making sure that there is water in it!
In fact they should be double taxed 2cover 4the losses.I agree jst some churches not all.these ministries around haa its 2much!They make huge sums of money.They always preach about tithe.give and u will receive more aleluya…….thats what they say at the expense of the poor.