Finance Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane says there is need for prudent action to bring sanity and orderliness at the Kasumbalesa Border post.
Dr. Musokotwane says the government in its effort to enhance trade between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo ( DRC)., will also support infrastructure development at the border in order to capture the informal trade going on at the border.
He said this when he visited the border that the government longs to develop infrastructure at all border posts to international standards adding this is to stimulate trade in the region.
“We want all the border posts across the country to be in good shape and the environment should be something to admire,” Dr. Musokotwane said.
Expressing his disappointment at the levels of hygiene and disorderliness, the minister has since directed the Zambia Revenue Authority-ZRA to submit to his office a plan on how best to improve infrastructure and other facilities at the border.
And Copperbelt Province Minister, Elisha Matambo has called for sanity at the border post which he described as the most important in the province.
And speaking earlier, Kasumbalesa border post ZRA Assistant Station Manager- Customs, Donald Simbwalange said small scale business is not captured at the border due to the lack of supporting infrastructure.
Mr. Simbwalange also emphasised the need to work on the Chililbombwe-Kasumbalesa road which he said is in a deplorable state and is a barrier to meaningful trade between the two countries.
He said from January 2021 to November 19,2021 Kasumbalesa border has collected a total of K188 million against a revenue target of K199 million..
Mr. Simbwalange said the authority is optimistic the deficit of K11 million will be raised before the end of the year in order to achieve the annual target.
“The parking yard which has a holding capacity of 1,400 trucks is in a bad state and this also includes the transshipment area. This has caused discomfort among stakeholders as they pay a crossing fee of US $100 to the concessionaire,” he said.
Mr. Simbwalange said government should construct a well organised market with modern infrastructure where enhanced grade can take place where ZRA can set up offices that would increase domestic fax collection points.
“The biggest challenge is on managing small scale Cross border graders whose business volumes we cannot measures. There is inadequate infrastructure at the border to enable officers capture information small scale traders who trade in large numbers approximately 12 thousand people crossing per day into and out of the country,” Mr Simbwalange said.
“…..He said from January 2021 to November 19,2021 Kasumbalesa border has collected a total of K188 million against a revenue target of K199 million…..”
Fair to say this has been happening for the past 10 to 20 years , yet monies go unaccounted once in Lusaka………
Kusema ni kutaka
THAT BORDER POST IS RIDDLED WITH CORRUPTION
ZRA TO BLAME
OF THE GOODS SOLD 80% DONT PAY DUTY
TAKE A GOAT IN A CAR ACROSS DUTY IS CHARGED
PUT ONE ON A BICYCLE ITS FREE
IT IS KNOWN MORE THAN 500 BICYCLEs CROSS EVERY DAY CARRYING FREE GOODS
Your government is a disappointment sir! Get to work! You promised people alot of things. Stop complaining. I am irritated by this incompetent govt
Kasumbalesa chaos was born courtesy of corrupt PF bcoz that’s how they thrived in cheating and thievery.
Iwe chi Kaizar Zero how about the non fulfilled 2011 promises of PF who ended with “less money in our pockets after 10yrs” ??????
Mlevi we promised infrastructure development which was going to bring about accelerated development which would in turn increase household incomes. We achieved the first part with flying colours. Now we have you f00IS in government who are clueless and are going to take us backwards.
Is grade a new term by the Ballies? What is it doing in this story?
enhanced grade can take place where ZRA can set up offices that would increase domestic fax collection points.
“The biggest challenge is on managing small scale Cross border graders
The only way to bring sanity to Kasumbalesa is to decongest by expediting the Lubumbashi Kashiba border post route. With the new route most traffic coming or going South will branch off at Kapiri. Short of that you will need the entire Zambia Army to control the chaos out there.
The insanity has been going at the border for some time and every one involved has been turning a blind eye to it. This in itself is a loop hole where a lot of revenue goes into private pockets.
Corruption thrives on chaos. Most border facilities have constructed chaos wherein you are sent into a panic and succumb to fraudsters who actually are manning those facilities. Also, tell those guys who charge us fees in dollars to have change either in dollars or even in Kwacha. This nonsense of saying “Change palibe boss” when you are owed USD5.00 must come to an end. Wina asembe ninamuchaya vaupuwa vimene ivi. He wanted to pocket US$15 akuti he has no change and no Kwachas. Eventually I gave him $5 and he gave me $20 after a protracted argument. Kuli va so? Akuti what if your $5 is fake…?
Kasumbalesa; where Zambians make a loss and Congolese make a killing. Kkkkk.
English is bad in Zambia. You cannot understand what anyone is saying.
“There is inadequate infrastructure at the border to enable officers capture information small scale traders who trade in large numbers approximately 12 thousand people crossing per day into and out of the country,” Mr Simbwalange said.
Doesn’t make sense at all!!!!
Rethinking the Mining Tax will also yield to Zambia and Its mines Revenues Watching ZNBC sunday Interview I could see that the CEO Chamber of Mines and The Minister should realize that Investors in mining operations of ultra mega and mega are arbitrageurs always seeking high yields in Investments at the same time quiet risk averse They will Invest when the price is right and high and disinvest when price is in the Backwardon So its important that you also revenue when prices are at premium and never thick to restructure the taxation when the prices are what what You need to charge now the effective Marginal Taxes on royalties Income and participate in dividend sharing especially that…
#12 The Saint…..they think by mentioning certain things they will make an impression
Zero coherence in this article. Waffle!! Where do they get these journalists?
Dear disappointed Finance Minister. Stop whining. Its your job to repair what you see as being wrong