President Michael Sata has appointed Berlin Msiska as Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) Commissioner General.
President Sata made the appointment in accordance with the provisions of Section 19 [1] of the Zambia Revenue Authority Act, Cap 321 of the Laws of Zambia.
And Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda has expressed happiness with the appointment of Mr. Msiska as Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) Commissioner General.
In statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today, by Ministry of Finance Public Relations Officer Chileshe Kandeta, Mr. Chikwanda said he was confident that Mr. Msiska would work well at ZRA as he was qualified and competent in issues of revenue collection.
“Our new Commissioner General has impeccable credentials. It is for this reason that I have a deep sense of confidence in his professionalism and competence,” he said.
He added that “I have looked at the records and I am fully satisfied that he is a hardworking and patriotic Zambian as manifested by his record of service during his initial tenure as the first indigenous Commissioner General of the Zambia Revenue Authority,” said Mr. Chikwanda.
Mr. Chikwanda, pointed out that ZRA was the nerve centre of resource mobilisation in the country and on which financing of development programmes depended on.
He said this was why there was need to support ZRA without any undue influence by people working at the treasury, adding that they should not tolerate smugglers and tax evaders.
He also pledged to support ZRA should they need re-enforcement in streamlining areas of Value Added Tax refund administration, Customs and Mines Audit Operations among others.
“In this regard, you will fully be supported to execute your mandate without fear, favour or undue influence by all of us at the treasury. Do not tolerate smugglers and tax evaders. Streamline areas like VAT refund administration, Customs and Mines Audit Operations and let us know the areas in which you might need re-enforcement”, Mr. Chikwanda said.
The Minister has since urged Mr. Msiska to maintain high levels of integrity and seal the loopholes across all tax administration operational areas in order to collect resources thereby uplifting the welfare of Zambians and eradicate poverty through efficient.
Mr. Msiska is currently the International Monetary Fund (IMF) resident Advisor at the Mauritius based Africa Regional Technical Assistance Centre [ARTAC] representing thirteen African Countries.
The countries include Angola, Botswana, Comoros Islands, Lesotho, Mauritius, Madagascar. Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
He has also served as ZRA Commissioner General as well as Permanent Secretary for Financial Management and Administration at the Ministry of Finance and National Planning.
[ZANIS]
tribalism at work. watch out who is next?
Msiska is Tumbuka!
Msiska is from eastern province you douche
Hope that appointment wont be revoked before midnight.Congratulations sir, but i think you are better off being were you are right now.
a clear cut policy on how to broaden the tax base is what we need.
This is the abuse of the blog am talking about,why is peter banda talking about tribalism when the issue at hand is the re-appointemnt of Mr Msiska? #3.That has always been my line of thinking as well.I have seen it and I know that they are so many people going and making millions without paying Tax.We cannot put the all burden of financing GRZ projects on 600 people in formal employment.it’s totally wrong and not fair.we need to broaden the tax base.
Good start for PF 90days still waiting.
Good work PF, we dont need inexperienced people at ZRA. Kindly broaden the tax base. lets watch and learn.
#1 so petty, grow up!! Is that mold am seeing on top ZRA building? Yes we can.(do better, I mean)
Was this chap not fired by Levy Mwanawasa for corruption. So much about talk of fighting corruption
Berlin Msiska is Tumbuka!
Some bloggers want to infuse mind set of tribalism in every thing. The man is powerfull and patriotic to come back to Zambia from such a high possition. Bravo PF.
Berlin Msiska is a thief. Everybody knows including Michael Sata. May be Sata should actually dissolve parliament so that people can vote again after seeing what sort of a President he is. I really wish him well because some of his policies are innovative and great for Zambia, but he shouldn’t push too far. He was voted into power by less than 50% of the voters, he shouldn’t forget that. It’s very easy for him to get himself into troub it with the population. He should not abuse the authority given to him. What is wrong with politicians? Why can somebody do a flat good job without being cocky!!! Is it because of poverty and illiteracy??? This is becoming boring now… Berlin is a corrupt thief and everybody knows that.
Berlin Msiska is a thief. Everybody knows including Michael Sata. May be Sata should actually dissolve parliament so that people can vote again after seeing what sort of a President he is. I really wish him well because some of his policies are innovative and great for Zambia, but he shouldn’t push too far. He was voted into power by less than 50% of the voters, he shouldn’t forget that. It’s very easy for him to get himself into troub it with the population. He should not abuse the authority given to him. What is wrong with politicians? Why can somebody do a flat good job without being reckless and over-confident!!! Is it because of poverty and illiteracy??? This is becoming boring now… Berlin is a corrupt thief and everybody knows that.
Njenje, what did Berlin steal? Any details please?
#12 KAPs – with a little bit of research for the period 2002-2008, you will get everything you need to know. You could even just go to Times of Zambia or Daily Mail for tha period, the truth is everywhere. By the way, although I’m not a PF supporter, I try to separate Sata from his PF…in the sense that Sata has a longer and I suspect better reputation than PF. My opinion is purely constructive criticism because I saw that man in his good days and how effective he can be. But now, appointing Berlin is a blunder…the same way he appointed 10 MPs and had to reverse his decision; dissolved the position of Treasury Secretary and reversed the decision; got MPs worked up with his erratic decisions and threatened them with dissolution. And appoints Berlin, a guy infact previously fired!!
How is he a thief? Please give us details. Dont just shoot from the hip bro.
If we really want this country called Zambia to progress, and by that I mean everyone given a chance to succeed, the president should not be the country’s chief human resource officer. You discourage professionalism and encourage fawning and groveling by firing everyone every time there is a new president and replacing them with your relatives and buddies. The president of a country should instead focus on creating jobs for many suffering Zambians. His priority should to upgrade the living standards by providing an environment that creates quality jobs for every Zambian.
no 1 exactly why Zambia will never develop with chaps like you in leadership or any sort of position in the Zambian society. you have perverted tribal reasoning. tell me which Zambian was given a job to go and represent his or her tribe in executing the duties. Have you ever critically thought what people mean why the advocate for ideas likt e tribal balancing? my understanding is that Zambians who are able and qualified will be bypassed or disadvantaged for positions for incompetent people in the name d on my of tribe. personally i would feel insulted as professional if i was given job based on my tribe as a qualification.
So after all is said and done the cobra has little venom. How do you bring back someone who plundered the Institution so badly that they could not even afford to buy tissue yet he was able to globe trot and send his kids into foreign lands for their nursery education as operations suffered?
Ba IMF, that chap belongs to the dustbin of history, pompous and no forward looking strategy, full of himself and defiling young gals at Holiday Inn, awe mwe vintu vina vidabwisa, chindi chanu
Njenje, since the truth is everywhere, can you cite just one incident that Berlin did and was convicted for? Never heard of the guy myself but just trying be objective regarding his appointment. If he was a thief, the IMF surely shouldn’t have employed him in Mauritius or is it that the IMF does not do any research?
Deep Throat – agreed, surely there should something like a professionally led “Public Service Commission” whose job will be to hire (on merit) and fire (corrupt/non-performing) civil servants and NOT by the president please, even if the constitution gives leeway – and if it does it must be changed ASAP!
The President has a very limited data base, hence reason why he has to go into the bins to retrieve anybody he still remembers.
Njenje, I thought so too Berlin Msika was the first local ZRA commissioner and because of corruption he was fired by Levy Mwanawasa. I just can’t remember the charges, but he was part of that chiluba ring as far as I can remember. Definitely he was fired
President Fires the Tax Boss. Times of Zambia | January 03, 2007
PRESIDENT Mwanawasa has with immediate effect terminated the contract of Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) Commissioner General, Berlin Msiska.The termination of employment is in accordance with Section 19 (3) of the Zambia Revenue Authority Act Cap 321 of the Laws of Zambia.
Goodbye Mr. Nhekairo, we worked well with you.
Welcome back Mr. Musisika. Congrats.
@ 11,12,Njenje,
We dont want accusations without facts here, can you please give evidence. We want to know and debate professionally. Do you know that even Levy could have removed Msiska because he had someone he thought was better. That position is political remember. please refresh our minds on what offence Msiska committed.I am not disputing your point but just asking for facts
Ooooh my God,this building is dirty. with all the money ZRA handle they cant renovate or put up a better structure? Shame.
#24 PEPECHO SUFFERING – with Berlin Msiska, he was fired for a combination of incompetence and corruption. He was a big story when Levy fired him, everybody knew that he was mentioned in the Chiluba saga. He was known not only to have assisted Chiluba steal, but also took advantage of that and stole himself as well. The evidence is everywhere, even the Post ran a story on him. You seem to be blogging from outside so I understand you may not have the details which are common knowledge to everybody – depending on how often you travel to Zambia.
#24 again – my suspicion as to why Sata has appointed him again is that they know each other personally – Sata was a big gun in MMD govt when Berlin was heading ZRA during Chiluba era. I suspect he also might have assisted the PF behind the scenes during its years in opposition. He has probably warned him not to repeat the terrible behaviour, but it is one thing you don’t do to appoint a tainted individual to run such an institution. Clearly the appointment of Berlin is not based on merit. ZRA performed at its lowest during his time. It is Criticles Mwansa who came and turned around ZRA for what it is today. People used to wonder at how ZRA would even be going to govt looking for money when it was in charge of tax revenue. Criticles Mwansa came in and within just a year, things changed.
Guys! Guys ! take it easy! just watch the political chess board and learn please!
What is wrong with this generation X ! The old folks do not have confidence in us that is plain and simple that is why they bringing back the old folks..
Njenje do not tell lies. Criticles Mwansa is useless and selfish.
no comment
#28. I agree with you 101%. It is high time the young generation created a level of confidence to be trusted. A few youth have been a disappointment to say the least. Sadly even scholars at UNZA with PhDs, that belong to this generation can not b trusted.I have watched with keen interest how these appointment are made, you will believe me more than 60% are old folks, worse more now will ba backed by elevating the retirement age. The likes of BOB a commerce, yet we have top brains the young in the country.A big lesson we need to refrain to mix professionalism with politics. See how Criticles Mwansa career has been spolied,???.The so called appointed, its just a matter of time, lets build our carees as professionals, recognition will come forth no one is borne with experience
#29 KOKO – I agree with you. Criticles Mwansa at personal level may be useless to you and selfish. But at professional level he turned around ZRA to what it is today. You can’t compare Criticles Mwansa to Berline Msiska – it is an insult. If you work at ZRA, I would be interested to know your rank because you don’t even understand the field you work in.
Anybody calling himself “Berlin” to me is suspiscious. Can you imagine running down the airport concourse at a big European city shouting loudly after him to get his attention: “Hey!Berlin! Berlin! You forgot your pasport!…” Everybody will start thinking you have gone nuts!
It is a pity some of the bloggers post malicious statements on a person they do not know anything about . Berlin is one the best and most objective CEO Zambia has ever had. He is non-partisan unlike Chriticles and very effective. Sata has made the best decision in bringing back Berlin to help wipe out the corruption which has become so endemic at ZRA. Congrats Mr Msiska.