The opposition Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) has accused NAREP President Elias Chipimo Junior of defending Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda’s intentions to refund mining companies for personal interests.
In a statement made available to media today, FDD Spokesperson Antonio Mwanza says Mr. Chipimo is a beneficiary of the mines through his connection to Corpus Globe, a law firm he founded and whose major clients are the mining companies.
Mr. Mwanza has challenged Mr. Elias Chipimo to come out in the open and take the people of Zambia to court so that they pay his associate clients, the tax refunds he is demanding.
On Sunday, Mr Chipimo defended Minister of Finance Alexander Chikwanda’s decision to pay over US$600 million in value added tax (VAT) refunds to mining companies.
Mr Chipimo said Mr Chikwanda should not be blamed for wanting to effect the VAT refunds to mining companies because that is what the law requires.
“Every Finance minister since 1997 has been refunding mining companies for the VAT that they pay when they bring goods and equipment. It is surprising to see the current Minister of Finance Alexander Chikwanda being criticised for advocating VAT refunds to mining companies,” Mr Chipimo said.
Below is the full FDD Statement
FDD responds to ELIAS CHIPIMO’S campaign on vat refunds to mining companies
In the last few days we have seen Elias Chipimo Jr, President of NAREP wage a brazen campaign demanding that the government of Zambia refund the mining companies the over US600 million Dollars that it owes them in tax arrears.
He has been so overzealous in his advocacy and defense of mining companies to a point of attacking individuals such as FDD President Edith Nawakwi who has raised concern that that the mining firms should prove their demands by producing relevant documentations before ZRA.
Actually, in his overzealousness he has even claimed that President Edith Nawakwi refunded the mines when she served as the country’s Finance Minister.
At first we opted to ignore Mr. Chipimo because we took it that he was just fishing in his desperation to gain public attention by cloning himself to President Edith Nawakwi so that he can assume some political relevance. After all this is a man who once came up with a bizarre and fairytale ‘Blueprint’ to have a caretaker government when our laws clearly spell out how government is formed.
But when we dug deeper we discovered that Mr. Chipimo’s defense of the mines is driven by something deeper. Personal interest. The man is an interested party in the mines.
Mr. Elias Chipimo Jr is a beneficiary of the mines through his connection to Corpus Globe, a law firm that he founded and whose major clients are the mining companies. He is the lawyer and Chikwanda is the supplier. It is not about what VAT Regulation No. 18 says. No. It is about bread and butter.
As FDD, we challenge Mr. Elias Chipimo to come out in the open and take the people of Zambia to court so that they pay his associate clients, the tax refunds he is demanding. He shouldn’t hide behind our elder brother, Mr. Alexander Chikwanda or try to play Smart Lawyer.
No. Mr. Chipimo is protecting his associate clients, the mines.
For the record, President Edith Nawakwi worked around the clock, as Finance Minister looking for investors to invest in our mines. Negotiations between government and foreign investors had collapsed prior to her appointment as Minister of Finance. The mining industry in Zambia was in total disarray. And it took Edith Nawakwi to convince foreign investors to invest in the mines and secure thousands of jobs for our Zambian brothers and sisters.
Since Mr. Chipimo knows how to read we ask him to read the Chamber of Mines of Zambia Statement of 24th September, 2014 on VAT rule 18. He will learn from the statement that the privatization process spanned a period of three years, from 1997 to 2000. The mining industry only became fully operational in 2000. By then Edith Nawakwi was not Finance Minister, so how then was she authorizing the payments of VAT refunds when she was no longer Minister of Finance?:
Mu Tonga wambakuti Malweza atalikila kumunda. Zambia is in trouble; all its children are defending foreign capitalists. Iyee tata ichalo chesu natulola imipamba. Ba Chipimo twapapata imipamba yakulisha. Imilonge yayamba ukumonekela mu September nga mu December tukamonenshi?
Ba Chipimo, just come out in the open and defend your clients. Do not hide behind our elder brother, Hon. Chikwanda. At least the Minister has been gracious enough to admit that he is a supplier to the mines. Mr. Chipimo, to this end we urge you to go ahead and take legal action against the people of Zambia on behalf of your mining clients.
As FDD we demand for a fair and equitable tax regime that does not only benefit the foreign mining firms but the local Zambian people as well. To us VAT Rule No. 18 is not fair and equitable since the mining firms are now making super profits. We therefore call for its amendment.
As Mr. Chipimo defends and campaigns for his mining clients to get US600 million Dollars in tax refunds he should at least have a modicum of morality and sympathy to feel for the mothers who are giving birth on the floors of our deplorable clinics. He should feel for the farmers who have not received their dues despite selling their maize to FRA. He should feel for the young girl who walks 10 kilometers to go to school. These people want the tax from the mines to ease their lives.
It is a shame that an upcoming politician like Mr. Chipimo who desires to lead our country can be advocating for the continuity of unfair tax regulations simply because others in the past had done so. What a tragic reasoning from our smart lawyer.
Prepared and issued by:
Antonio Mwanza
FDD Spokesperson.
Even on privatisation , he benefited greatly ,HH revealed on the assingment that this Chipimo was legal council during the looting ,these are thieves who should not be voted into power.Him and HH are the reason the people of Luanshya are suffering .
@Robin
HH and Chipimo were selected by MMD in which Sata was a strongman influencing decision making in the party. The two provided the advice on what the the heavily subsidised parastals were worth. After their evaluation, it was up to Sata and his bosses to either proceed with the sell or not.
The MMD decided to sell so that they then can loot the money. Privatisation money was handled by Francis Kaunda on behalf of the MMD government. If you need answers as to why the People were not paid their dues after privatisation, please consult Francis Kaunda, Sata and Valentine Chitalu. Unfortunately, the late Chiluba is gone.
This fight is getting interesting… Edith Nawakwi teaming up with Mmembe and Wynter standing in the shadows,,, vs Chikwanda and Chipimo,,!! yavivuka!!
Am waiting for HH to make a statement and declare his stand (which side??),,, he was there during privatization
@Nostradamus boi,,,, what is your president ba Miyanda saying??.. ,, my president ba Mpombo is still studying the case,,, hopefully president Never Mumba will give us a closing prayer after the fight,,,
whatever happens Zambia resources must not be raped!!
The major reason why the parastals were sold off for song is because they were run down because of nepotism and cronyism during Kaunda era. Top jobs for these companies were not given on merit but on connections one had with the UNIP party. If you remember, during UINP era it was PIG- party and its government ideology operating at all levels of government.
It would only be fair to start apportioning blame on KK and his UNIP then on MMD who sold the companies off and looted the money using Zamtroop account for which Sata was a part of.
come on LT what is there to moderate in my comment?????
I despise this Robin but he talks sense
This Chipimo is disingenuous too theoretical and is only a liability he is just an improved Cosmo Mumba
Can someone please pass a puke bucket?
Thanks
One common criticism of the African Value System is that it’s hypocritical structure is a confusing labyrinth that makes it impossible to self-actualize despite the continent’s abundant resources. Our PhD (pull him down) mentality is embedded in our way of thinking such that the first thing we look for is killing each other’s achievements and/or dream.
In this case Chipimo is seen here as a villian because the mines are his clients … you know what? Good for Chipimo, who is stopping Mr. Mwanza here from being in the same position to have the mines as his clients? I guess Mr. Mwanza has not worked as hard as Chipimo for him and his cohorts to have the mines as their client(s).
It is a free world, find out how Chipimo built his Corpus Global Enterprise and do the same, no one is…
It is a free world, find out how Chipimo built his Corpus Global Enterprise and do the same, no one is stopping you baba. One even more importantly, it is the current law. VAT Refunds are part of our Revenue Code and as such we as a country have to honor our obligations just as the corporations (investors) have to honor theirs.
As for the poor, please … give me a break!!! You are only talking about the poor in the Judas Iscariot mode so that you can keep the alabaster bottle to yourself. Read Jesus response to the question of the poor and you would have a better understanding of issues at hand. In the meantime, uphold the law as your party aspires to take over the business of the smart people of the Zambian Enterprise some day. Good luck … Life Is A Serious Enterprise!!
Politics in zambia are now just personal and don’t care about substance?
Nawakwi is even the one who sold that mine to Anil who is now bragging
there,z man was dending chikwanda for their pockets.what membe raise on mine,chikwanda&taxation needs zambians with brains not ones who think with their a-holes.
All this is because the PF has not been bold enough to come up with a clear taxation policy on the mines and fully explain to all stakeholders what role the mining industry is supposed to play in Zambia’s socio- economic development.Because of unclear direction on many policy issues, many things are now subject to speculation and thus decision from high levels of political offices are creating alot of suscipition. Can the Finance and Mines and other Ministers please address all policy and legal issues related to the taxation of the mines and report transparently about the dealings of the mines to create confidence in the citizenry. We are getting tired of this going around the circles.
Chipimo normally speaks sense, even when he disagrees with the govt on whatever issue and for that I respect him as opposed to hurling insults at the govt just so one can get attention like others that we know. However on the VAT refunds for the mines, I personally believe and here I differ with the govt that we should NOT refund these mines who already are ripping off the nation in many ways. Other financial measures can and should be put in place to cushion the operations and functioning of the mines. For instance rather than the govt paying refunding the mines, the govt should rather reduce certain taxes the mines are paying such as PAYE or customs and excise duties on specific machinery. This might be the approach they are actually considering as opposed to a direct payment.
Do not comment on things you do not understand. The provides for someone to claim VAT if Input VAT is more than Output VAT which is the case for the mines. Minning is business like any other business and shareholders put in their capital. You do you always want to reap where you did not sow. Give the refund to the mines for when they import machinery they pay VAT but their Outputs are lower hence refund. Paper work and documentation can be handled by ZRA themselves.
As much as it physically hurts me, I must partly agree with 2020vision here. Njalamimba, while you are right about the VAT mechanism, the real issue here is the failure of the mines to adhere to VAT rule no. 18. You cannot pay out refunds when one of the conditions, a critical condition for that matter, has not been adhered to. The arguments forwarded by the mines to explain why they cannot comply are flimsy in my opinion. Its like you go into a bank to withdraw money, one of the conditions is to provide ID. If you do not have ID, you do not get the money. I do not think a mine would fail to get copies of import documentation from their customers. Rule 18 ensures mines do not export to themselves overseas and then claim VAT. Show documentation, get your refund. Simple.
@2020 Vision and the rest of the ignoramus, please give us a break. Chipimo and Chikwanda are just saying Zambia should comply with the norm in relation to VAT.
On your way back from South Africa you will be refunded VAT on the goods you buy there at Beit Bridge. When you arrive in Zambia you may pay VAT to the Zambian Government.
The same principal applies to the mines. They are not supposed to pay VAT on the copper that is known to have left Zambia. This rule (18) is unenforceable and should never have been introduced because the mining companies have no idea where the copper goes. They sell to intermediaries who who sell it in complex ways e.g. futures.
I feel even more sorry for Zambian manufacturers and other exporters.
Mr Mwanza, you spoke well for Zambian citizens. Your impassioned plea proves your party has quality and discernment! Edith Nawaki is a giant among men. Edith for President!!
FDD have earned their strips for the Development in their party name by standing up, for chasing alternative ways, to grab a ‘slice’ of our Mines revenue. Zambia is second largest copper producer ‘in the world,’ yet we are far under developed and not gaining from this resource.
We must find alternatives to the current sorrowful situation. FDD have the finger on the pulse, by pointing out the connections between the mining companies and their benefactors within our gov’t. There is a clear conflict of interest, when gov’t officials and others tussling for power are detractors to change.
patriot Abroad sure who told u, that Zambia is the second largest copper producer,stop embarrassing urself , in Africa yes we are currently second Congo DRC has surpassed us ,try to google we re number 8 in the word.
@Mazabuka
Thank you for your correction. However, the embarrassment is yours, since you present no argument of your own. But rather like an underhand, mildly informed cyber bully you post mediocre corrections; that thankfully do not detract from an elegant argument with essence.
@roy
What 2020vision suggests is how we should be thinking on our copper industry. We are simply not getting enough out of these investors: (‘For instance rather than the govt paying refunding the mines, the govt should rather reduce certain taxes the mines are paying such as PAYE or customs and excise duties on specific machinery. This might be the approach they are actually considering as opposed to a direct payment’).
We need to find a way. No one staes Chipimo is wrong, but rather that his stance and support of mines and VAT Rule 18 may be related to his interests in the mines and prevents him from entering a debat on alternative ways to raise more Revenue from mines. Personally favour nationalisation. We will exhaust our copper resource and future generations will not…
@ Patriot Abroad
It looks like you do not have slightest idea about excise duty.
Can you please enlighten us about mining machinery (HS Code will suffice) which is subject to excise duty? By the way, excise duty is not subject to refund. In so far, only Pepsi managed to pocket excise duty thanks to RB and Musokotwane criminal disregard of the C&E Act and VAT Act.
As to VAT, every single business (above minimum T/O limit) claims regularly on monthly basis VAT input.
illiteracy level in Zambia is just too high to comprehend.
@kambongola
Your literacy levels aren’t any better! Start your sentence with Capital I not small cap i.
I think that ought to be illiteracy levelS not level. Also grammatically your sentence does not work. Does one ‘comprehend’ illiteracy? Perhaps one could have tried that sentence with ‘poor’ literacy levels or even illiteracy levels are ‘high?’
I could be wrong, but I think it is ‘nitwit-ish,’ to judge online blogs for ordinary people, with even more ignorant literate levels. This is a common second language peoples forum.
You could try BBC blogs for your comprehension.
Typical Zambian Politics! Elias raised a well researched and factually correct statement but the FDD decide to attack the man at a personal level!
Can FDD refute that Rule 18 has been in existence since 1997? That the VAT Act requires exporters to be refunded tax paid on their business purchases? That all Finance Ministers since 1997 have actually been refunding VAT to exporters until August 2013? That rule 18 as it currently is the only one in the whole world that is so onerous and absurd to the point where is now punishing rather than encouraging exports? All exporters, including Chilanga Cement, York Farm, Zambia Sugar etc are affected.
Elias’s piece is correct in all aspect I.e VAT principles, understanding of Tax Law and the Facts. Let FDD discuss these instead if they…
@ Roy
Well said.
But then, how many real “tax payers” are contributing?
Chipimo was on the spot with his contribution, whilst FDD has shown theirs IGNORANCE in tax matters.
Even the UK Canada and US have in their tax system the equivalent of vat 18 Its there by nature of mining mineral sales Its like a loop to sales and the profit bottom like that seeks to maximise taxes in corporate and vat itself without leaving a GAP to companies with little ethics and co operate Governance to patch holes in national treasury without any support to values being claimed
In mining environment where ethics and honesty is the culture one can relax but even then the people who are administering the tax system will need to be protected including the finance minister himself from being misunderstood in the Future
Mr Chipimo s mother at ZRA need to be protected as well
I find Lusakaeconomics work on this issue well researched and Mr Chipimo should consult the lusakaeconomics and protect people from falling into mud and be misunderstood for there decisions in the future
Documentary evidence on refunds supports ZRA and the treasuries and leaves little room for being misunderstood in future to have funded the private mines
The mark of attracting FDI is also adherence to ethics and best standards in operation of business Those genuinely investing will not hide but support vat 18
Lets pay particular look at financial statements we receive from mines and test globally with filled statements and sometimes go further and see application of…
@ Retarded General
Can you PLEASE clarify what you mean by VAT 18?
Please stop pretending that you are educated in consumer taxes.
VAT 18? LOL
Thieves from one tribe supporting each other to loot.
Taking time to read and having a balance of subjects is important but all translet into a true and fair financial statements as enshrined below The same statement read and relied upon in other parts shall be the same statements provided in Zambia with fair earning flags not suiting the needs over and under stating appropriately
Take time :
IFRS 9 has a major update, plus IFRS 14 and 15 are new.
Take as many as you wish!
There are 4 Winzip/rar files (at the top centre of the page):
2014_IAS_1-20_.zip,
2014_IAS_21-41_.zip,
2014_IFRS_1-15_+_FINREP.zip
+
2014_Others_IFRS_.zip:
-Introduction
-IFRS – Grabbing the tiger by the tail (training issues and commentary)
-Conceptual Framework
-Consolidation (3…
One common criticism of the African Value System is that it’s hypocritical structure is a confusing labyrinth that makes it impossible to self-actualize despite the continent’s abundant resources.
Our PhD (pull him down) mentality is embedded in our way of thinking such that the first thing we look for is killing each other’s achievements and/or dream.
In this case Chipimo is seen here as a villian because the mines are his clients … you know what? Good for Chipimo, who is stopping Mr. Mwanza here from being in the same position to have the mines as his clients?
I guess Mr. Mwanza has not worked as hard as Chipimo for him and his cohorts to have the mines as their client(s).
It is a free world, find out how Chipimo built his Corpus Global Enterprise and do the same, no one is stopping you baba. One even more importantly, it is the current law.
VAT Refunds are part of our Revenue Code and as such we as a country have to honor our obligations just as the corporations (investors) have to honor theirs.
As for the poor, please … give me a break!!! You are only talking about the poor in the Judas Iscariot mode so that you can keep the alabaster bottle to yourself. Read Jesus response to the question of the poor and you would have a better understanding of issues at hand.
In the meantime, uphold the law as your party aspires to take over the business of the smart people of the Zambian Enterprise some day. Good luck … Life Is A Serious Enterprise!!
FDD’s statement makes good reading but as appealing as it sounds, it’s devoid of fact. Whose document is Rule 18?. Who is suppose to honor it?. As Zambia let’s begin to have arguments that are well researched.
There is no research in Antonio’s statement except wild accusations and exposure of ignorance at the highest level. Contrary to popular belief, most mines are not making super profits at the moment. Metal prices are currently depressed and some marginal mines are even making loses and some even face the threat of closure while many are just breaking even, particularly underground mines with high operating costs.
But besides the current situation in metal prices, rule 18 is Zambia’s document and we must learn to honor our obligations. You can’t just change rules in business
Anybody can do that. But dont support wrong things because you want to rip the country off. You must be bemba because these support each other in stealing.
All you need to do is look at the level of argument by this FDD Sales Representative and you will know where the party is headed. Clearly exposed. No substance, no quality, no vision, but full of Ad Hominems. Please FDD answer the question: Are we obliged by law to pay back the VAT to the exporter? Are accruing debt by keeping monies that will be paid anyway, or not? The nonsense of who is connected to what through how is a waste of precious time. People are connected to the mines in many ways, even by having a relative as a mine work. Should everything end up being “interest” then no one will make any rational judgment over the matter. With the levels often exhibited by FDD and UP… on serious & complex matters I don’t think we got capable leaders in the opposition.
@ Lundu
Sharply noted. Concur. Chap also delivers his message ad nauseam!
How can anyone vote for him.
VAT and Privatization are two different subjects, please do not miss lead us. Chipimo did not mention privatization but on VAT and the mining. Please face facts and not twisting the facts.
One party with zero seats criticizing another party with zero seats… Who cares?
Ba FDD, your understanding of complex economic issues is appalling. Yesterday it was Yotam Mutayachalo exhibiting his grade 7 ignorance on electricity matters, today it is Antonio Mwanza trying to outdo his colleague with another empty rant on VAT refunds.
You must be jokers if you aspire to rule this country with such ignorance. Anyway, you might just be lucky, after all this country sometimes shows such a propensity.
People of Zambia do not condemn Chipimo for nothing. The young man is right. The zambian lwa says we should refund the exporters. What we need to do is change the VAT alrticle 18 altogether. But as it is now we are abrogating the laws that we ourselves made. Magande and Edith know the facts anf that is why they have kept quite otherwise they couls have been the first ones to cry out.
What amazes me and is confirmed by the so-called press release and some bloggers is that we set the law aside and begin our emotional roller coasters and self-mutilation. This Mwanza empty tin has decided to side-step the detail of what Nawakwi did with regards to VAT Rule 18 when she was Finance Minister. Indirectly he has exposed her as having been inept and by projection unworthy of being a leader of this country. It is only in Zambia where an organization and individuals can be allowed to even amass tax liabilities in excess of one year’s worth! Small wonder you appoint foxes to guard hen houses.
Just like I have said. Nawakwi cannot run away from this problem. In fact this was introduced in order to attract investors.
Instead of attacking the minister and Chipimo, FDD should focus their fight on the amendment of the said law. Until then, the law must be applied, although painful because Zambia needs that money.
Nawakwi the FDD President was part of the Chiluba government therefore part of the problem. There is nothing wrong with what Chipimo said. It is law and you cannot bend it. Problem is that we Zambians are lazy and when we see a successful person we accuse them of all sorts of things such as Satanism etc. Talk of poverty levels 60% of it is self inflicted. UNIP left government more than 20 years ago so stop blaming them for this and that. Just do the job.
You are very right. I once heard a ridiculous tale about a fleet of cars driving out of a graveyard at night and apparently one of them is the one that I ended up driving! There is this sad mentality of substituting statutes with superstition and emotion. The end result is we neglect all those not paying tax and instead accuse defenders of right things of wrongdoing. That is how useless the Zambian psyche is.
You pipo why are twisting facts. The pipo are not saying Chikwanda should not pay back tax to mines. What they are saying is that let the mine owners produce proof that they exported this much according to Vat rule 18.Its like you go to the back and the bank is saying produce your ID before we give your money. What chikwanda wanted to is that he wanted to pay minus take in consideration VAT rule 18.THis is theft. So all of you who are saying government should change this article are not patriotic to Zambia. FFD is right both Chikwanda and Chipimo are indirectly beneficiary. I hope all the kolwestans are able to understand my simple explaination.you busy supporting each other so that mwibe.Produce evidence of your true value of your exports full stop.
can the opposition grow up, please!!!!!!!!!
Mr Mwanza’s statement is appealing but devoid of fact and exposes ignorance at the highest level.
Zambia must honor business obligations, particularly if they are backed by law as is the case. Let’s learn to do research. Lets argue professionally. I find Mr. Mwanza’s statement devoid of professionalism. The argument was too personal and introduces lots of dilution to the VAT argument. Honorable people with the right information may chose to stay away from the argument since it has turned personal with populist agendas.
Contrary to popular belief, metal prices are currently depressed and high cost mines such as our old underground operations are hardly making any money and so the question of super profits does not apply for your information.
chipimo is the new style of opposition not the others who even oppose when birds make their nests In state house gardens.
Really this issue must be debated with sober minds.
1. Do the mines have documentation of the goods they buy, the price etc? if they cant produce the documentation then I say don’t refund them coz they are hiding something …they want to steal from us.
2. This is the time as Zambia we structured a good tax package for the mines so that even if we refund the VAT, we will gain from the other taxes.
3. Time is now to remove all the tax holidays on mines , let it be a win-win relationship.
Please GRZ and PF hear what Zambians are saying…God gave us this copper for us to benefit from it not only foreigners to benefit. Listen and hear good otherwise the blood of poor Zambians will one day cry against you.
Peace and Prosperity to Mother Zambia.
Refunds with documentary evidence is important and supports the people making the decision
For my retarde friend either way the support to refund in vat 18 with documents by mines improves the Top line Sales and increases the other taxes assuming that the Operating and Financial Leverage of these firms are recouped by that increased Contribution on the Top line
Let them comply with best accounting standards with entities they support and provide documentation to prove and refunds can be structured
As for Chipimo he is not a leader but an opportunist who has at this point missed it and FDD are patriots
An equity and fair transparent mining business environment…
@ Retarded General
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS “VAT 18”.
There is:
1. Constitution of Zambia, Art.114 (which confers exclusive right to Parliament to impose any form of TAX, with exclusion of by-laws);
2. VAT Act (Principal Legislation passed by Parliament in accordance with Art. 114 of the Constitution and assented by President) and
3. VAT Regulations (Subsidiary Legislation in which Minister of Finance sets Regulation for implementation of VAT Act and such Regulations must be in conformity with provisions of the Principal Act (VAT Act).
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS “VAT 18”
@Libertrade
You are a tideous individual. You know he means VAT Rule no.18.
He is correct. Nothing wrong with asking for proof of sale. ZRA are correct to be demanding those documents of sale as control. Produce proof, get your VAT Returns.
Any gov’ts is entitled to set its laws and they must be obeyed, ZRA must continue to withhold funds until they produce documentation, ITS NOT ABOUT VAT. ITS ABOUT CONTROL.
I feel like bombing a church… casue the preacherman is lying
The Issue here is that is the government obliged to pay the VAT refund or not. you chaps criticising and pretending to care about zambians,do you know the liquidity state of the mining firms at the moment? do you know that over 40,000 jobs are at risk if mopane and kcm closes down.then you are there with utufumo twanu ati we care about zambians.if the goverment is in a capacity to pay let them do so coz its within the palamiters of the laws of zambia,so that the mines can improve their liquidity. other wise the risk of closures are too high and not even any of you will employ even one shimaini in your organisations. if we have too much strength to talk lets tolk realistically and not just to be heard.
@Alenzo
We cannot be held at ransom by non conforming mining investors. They just cannot mine and go with our products and not pay the correct tax by withholding the real sales worth.
The investors will not go away, it’s too lucrative for them. This is about Zambia having some control on our mines.
Nothing wrong with asking for proof of sale. ZRA are correct to be demanding those documents of sale as control. Produce proof, get your VAT Returns.
Any gov’ts is entitled to set its laws and they must be obeyed, ZRA must continue to withhold funds until they produce documentation, ITS NOT ABOUT VAT. ITS ABOUT CONTROL.
So much idiocy here and several commentators seem unable to see through. first Edith Nawakwi sends someone else to go on the attack, why? because she want in the future to tell you guys with small brains and short memory that she did not say that she as finance minister did not pay back VAT refunds as Chipimo Pointed out. The law of the land is the Law, if it says VAT must be paid back, why keep the money? to accrue more debt for the Country? And please stop painting the mines as if they are the worst villains here, we still depend on them for the bigger % of our exports. The biggest liability our country has is stupidity!!!
Victor
The biggest idiocy is our gov’t not running the mines themselves! Nationalise.
Why depend on investors to come in and run our mines. We don’t know the worth of the sales they make. We must have documentary evidence. What could be wrong with that?
As poverty becomes a thing of the past for many leaders, then the problem will be how to get the rich and the poor to work together and live together in peace and harmony.
The new people driven constitution and institutional reforms is the key here!These will seal up all the perceived loopholes and abuzardidies!
Don’t refund them. After all they have stollen more than enough. Just the other day the Indian owner was even insulting us for selling him the mine at a give away price. Please Mmembe keep fighting these mineral thieves.