Sun, 05 Mar 2017 09:52:27 +0000
By KALOBWE BWALYA
THIRTEEN forfeited motor vehicles and one motor bike have been handed over to the Ministry of Health and the Immigration Department by the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA).
ZRA Commissioner General Kinsley Chanda said the vehicles were imported into the country by various taxpayers but ended up being seized and subsequently forfeited for failure to pay the assessed duties and taxes within the allowed statutory period.
Mr Chanda noted that some of the said vehicles were deliberately not cleared by the owners in anticipation that they would buy back the vehicles at lower prices when auctioned.
“There is more motivation to participate in the auction sales that are conducted by the Authority than to pay normal taxes and finalise the normal customs clearance.
“Sadly, some vehicles fail to sell during auctions and end up in
taking up space in the customs yard,” said Mr Chanda.
Mr Chanda said that to mitigate the above situation, the Authority was allowed under section 204 of the Customs and Excise Act to dispose of forfeited goods, in this case motor vehicles by donating to strategic institutions within the republic of Zambia.
He, however, said the Authority was cognizant of the important role played both the Immigration Department and the Ministry of Health in delivering services to our citizens.
He said in appreciation of the good collaboration and the cordial working relationship with the Ministry of Health and the Immigration Department, it was decided that the two institutions be considered for donations of the forfeited motor vehicles.
Mr Chanda said eight motor vehicles would be taken to various hospitals under the Ministry of Health; and three motor vehicles and one motor bike to the Immigration Department.
And Immigration Department director general Moya Milimo has thanked ZRA for the gesture, saying it would go a long way in addressing the transport challenges that the department was facing.
Mr Milimo said the donation was timely as the department had not in its 2017 budget planned for the procurement of vehicles.
