MILLICENT HUNGWE
MASVINGO-The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority in partnership with the United National Development Program held a 2 day training workshop aimed at equipping journalists with skills to adequately report on tax and customs laws processes.
The training included a tour to the Beitbridge Border post where journalists had an opportunity to learn first hand how the customs and clearing process are done under the newly refurbished border post.
A group of journalists drawn from various media houses in the Southern region took part in the training.
It was also meant to enlighten members of the Fourth Estate on the importance of paying tax by the registered operators as well as to know its functions while equipping journalists with reporting skills critical in fulfilling its mandate in educating and informing the public
The media facilitates the public to access information and acts as drivers of change.
The UNDP National Coordinator Tax4SDGs Melusi Tshuma said, “The primary emphasis of this campaign is to carry out tax education for editors and deputy editors to improve the quality of Media coverage around tax and customs issues,” he said.
ZIMRA training officer Nengeze Munatswi took journalists through 5 sessions in explaining Value Added Tax (VAT) and clearly illustrating on the channels how VAT is charged from the Manufacturer up to the final consumer.
He went on to praise the media for being tax compliant thereby promoting the principles of voluntary compliance.
ZIMRA Commissioner for Customs and Excise, Batsirai Chadzingwa said that they identified the importance of creating good relations with the media as journalists play a crucial role in raising awareness hence coming up with the training workshop.
