MOPANI Copper Mines has been ordered to pay over K240 million tax liability to the Zambia Revenue Authority-ZRA for the years 2006 to 2010. Of the amount, over K140 million covers tax liabilities from 2008 to 2010 while K100 million caters for the years 2006 to 2008.
The order has been made by the Supreme Court in a 63-page Judgement. Chief Justice Ireen Mambilima, Supreme Court Judges Mumba Malila, and Nigel Mutuna handed down the judgment. The judgment is on the backdrop of the appeal filed in the Supreme Court by MOPANI, disputing the Tax Tribunal ruling of 2010.
In 2010 the Tax Tribunal passed a ruling in favour of ZRA, obligating MOPANI Copper Mines to pay the latter the tax liability. This was after the ZRA advanced the complaint before the tribunal when Mopani Copper Mines failed to settle the tax liability.
Meanwhile, the Government has proposed measures to Mopani Copper Mines, aimed at sustaining its operations. Finance Minister, Bwalya Ng’andu has disclosed this to journalists after his Ministerial delegation held a closed-door meeting with management at Mopani copper mines.
Flanked by Labour Minister, Joyce Simukoko, Mines Minister, Richard Musukwa and Copperbelt Province Minister, Japhen Mwakalombe, Dr. Ng’andu said it is now up to the mine management to engage Glencore.
Dr. Ng’andu explained that the government expects feedback from Glencore, the owners of Mopani Copper mines.
He said the government hopes the issue of Mopani mine will be concluded within the few coming weeks, in order to put the matter to rest.
And Mopani Copper Mines Board Chairperson, Moses Chilangwa said the mining firm is ready to listen to the government, as the two parties try to find a solution to the matter
How much is Mopane owed in VAT refunds compared to the alleged Tax Liability?
Just take Mopani back, GRZ.
@ CHIKUBABE: EXACTLY MY QUESTION
For the people, of the people, by the people. Democracy with democratic arms of government looking out for the people by justice delivery. Meanwhile your bally sold these mines for peanuts. Think about that
$500m VAT
Why don’t you just close Mopani Copper Mines like you did the Post?
It took 10years to write 63 pages.
So suspicious indeed, this The Post Newspaper formula.
Mopani just pack and go, it’s done, mine is closed.
@Chikubabe, and what has VAT got to do with tax liability of corporation? If MOPANI/GLENCOR felt like VAT is something they can take the Govt to court over, why haven’t they done so already?
What is this nonsense of always trying to defend tax cheats/evaders in Zambia nowadays? You are the same people who were defending Mmembe and his POST NEWSPAPER when it was clear the man was a tax cheat to the core. If Govt didn’t take these foreign economic mercenaries to court to collect what legally belongs to Zambia, you will be equally shouting from mountain tops about how the Govt is inept and irresponsible. So what do you want Govt to do when companies are not paying their fair share of taxes? Solutions please…!
These mining companies are practically paying nothing in taxes already,…
Continue…
so I see no other reason why they should fail to settle such small amounts in taxes other than pure greed. So again I ask, what in h3ll does VAT got to do with a tax liability case that went to court and MOPANI lost? People, let us get real!!
When is ZRA going to pay over ZMK 1 billion in VAT refunds to various companies?
The PF have really messed up Zambia including the Judiciary and ZRA.
The rot must be stopped.
if Mopani had won the case, cadres belonging to a known political party would have been cerebrating. Because Mopani lost some of these cadres are insinuating that the Judiciary in Zambia is corrupt. Indeed we have a lot of losers in our country!! My thinking is that its high time Zambians took over ownership of all mines in Zambia. It is shameful that 50 years after independence a politician can say, “when I become the president, I will bring Anglo back.”
Thank you super Mambilima and our wonderful supreme Court judges! The bottom linenus Mopani said they would open operations if the govt looked into their tax liability. We now have a ruling but will the govt let them off paying that tax ordet fraustrating ZRA?
How is it possible for Glencore to have failed to pay tax all these years? What DO WE the people actually get from our mines?