Don’t blame Govt for closure of Post – PF

Tue, 06 Dec 2016 10:22:38 +0000

By Aaron Chiyanzo

THE Patriotic Front (PF) government is not to blame for the closure of the Post newspaper as some people are insinuating because companies should respect tax laws, Kasama Central PF Member of Parliament Kelvin Sampa has said. Mr Sampa wondered why some sections of society were blaming the closure of the Post newspaper by the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) on the PF government when the law was clear on what actions to take on entities evading to pay tax. He explained that the Post newspaper was already in trouble with the law with regard to their failure to honour their tax obligations even before the PF government came into power. Mr Sampa said at a media interactive forum in Lusaka that Government did not control the operations of ZRA and that the closure of the media house was its own undertaking in line with their mandate. He pointed out that all businesses were mandated to pay tax and that they all understood the repercussions of not doing so. Mr Sampa advised companies to respect tax laws and that they should not put the blame on anyone when the law caught up with them for non-compliance. “It’s really surprising that some people are blaming the closure of the Post newspaper on the PF government. They are forgeting that the case started during President Rupiah Banda’s reign. The Government does not control the operations of ZRA, they have their own mandate. Companies should respect tax laws,” he said. Meanwhile, Kabwe Central MP Tutwa Ngulube welcomed the introduction of another association for legal practitioners, adding that it would give competition to the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ). He said that LAZ would pull up its stocks if there was another association for legal practitioners and that it would always endeavour to be upright. Mr Ngulube explained that the current association had disappointed him with its continued unprecedented attacks on the ruling party. He warned that the position the association had taken would label it as being politically inclined in favour of the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND). Mr Ngulube pointed out that people would be able to compare views of both associations on matters of national interest if another association were to be formed. “It would be a good thing to have another association for legal practitioners. These would be providing guidance and so it would be better to compare their positions on important issues. It would give LAZ competition and be compelled to pull up their stockings,” he said.