By Shongedzai Mugwagwa

The Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube has announced the new Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) board amid efforts by Government to increase efficiency and stamp out corruption.

The six member board appointed is chaired by a decorated businessman, Callisto Jokonya and deputised by Mrs Josephine Matambo.

Other board members announced by Minister Ncube are, the Ministry of Finance Permanent Secretary, Goerge Guvamatanga who will be playing an oversight role of the board, Mr Isaac Kwesu, Human Resources specialist Mr Memory Nguwi and Dr Morris Bekezela Mpofu.

Concerned with alleged instances of fraud, corruption, inefficiencies, tax and custom duty evasions which were reported at ZIMRA at border posts, the Government sought an International Monetary Fund (IMF) consultant Mr Peter Dostler who is upbeat in the turnaround prospects of the agency.

Questions were raised over the appointment of Guvamatanga to the board but according to the Revenue Authority Act Section 5, the appointment of the Permanent Secretary is above board.

The Revenue Authority Act, Section 5, subsection 2 read in conjunction with subsection(2a) reads, “ the Board shall consist of, (a) the Secretary of the Ministry  responsible for Finance.”

Various citizens had taken it to social media querying the Guvamatanga appointment into the ZIMRA board and Government through the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting services clarified that the appointment was lawful and above board.

The appointment was announced during an event held by ZIMRA where they announced and unveiled their new five year strategy (2019-2023) which would focus on strategic projects and revenue projection.

ZIMRA Commissioner General, Faith Mazani took the opportunity to announce to the auditorium that ZIMRA met its target of $4.3 billion for 2018 by November.