ZRA refutes communicating operational matters via social media

Sat, 26 Nov 2016 14:11:10 +0000

A TAX clearance certificate to the public service vehicle operators aimed at facilitating renewal of Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) operating licenses will soon be issued by the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA).

According to ZRA corporate communications unit, following extensive consultations, the Authority would issue tax Clearance Certificates to public service vehicle operators in order to facilitate renewal of RTSA operating licences.

“As a condition for the issuance of the Tax Clearance Certificate, it has been agreed that Public Service Vehicle Operators will settle outstanding tax arrears for the period before November, 2015 and the period after June, 2016 at old tax rates,” said the unit.

ZRA had since reminded taxpayers to make all presumptive tax payments at the Authority’s offices across the country on or before 31st March, 2017.

Meanwhile, ZRA had reported the case to the Police in which unscrupulous people had on social media been purporting that the Authority was auctioning some seized vehicles at the Lusaka Port Office along Dedani Kimathi Road.

ZRA explained that unscrupulous people had created a fake Facebook account in the name of ZRA Commissioner General, Kingsley Chanda and Kabwata Member of Parliament, Given Lubinda, indicating that the Authority is selling seized vehicles.

“The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) would like to advise the general public to disregard the message currently circulating on social media purporting that the Authority is auctioning some seized vehicles at the Lusaka Port Office along Dedani Kimathi Road.

“Investigations have also revealed that the same group has been promising people with employment at ZRA and other government organisations, using the name of Mr Lubinda,” said the unit.

The Authority said a person using the name of Chishimba Henry had been asking people to deposit money in his Zanaco Account number 5419019100187.

ZRA emphasised that while it had an official Facebook account called Zambia Revenue Authority, for engaging with taxpayers, it did not communicate operational matters using social media.

The Authority said it engaged the services of an external auctioneer and an advert was placed in the mainstream media in an event that there was an external auction taking place.

“ZRA would also like to warn the general public that any information on the Authority posted on social media using the name of Mr. Kingsley Chanda should be treated as not true. The public is further warned that Chishimba Henry is not an employee of ZRA as purported in the circulating message,” said the ZRA.