Bulawayo residents have condemned Zimbabwe’s unequal tax system, saying ordinary citizens bear a crushing burden while wealthy individuals and businesses enjoy tax holidays or evade payment altogether.
Speaking at a “Draw the Red Line Against Inequality” meeting organised by ZIMCODD and Fight Inequality Alliance, residents highlighted how heavy taxation on salaries leaves workers with meagre take-home pay amid rising living costs.
“Let’s implement a law requiring rich people to pay taxes like everyone else and make their tax payments public for transparency and compliance,” suggested resident Andile Khumalo.
Morgan Munsaka accused MPs of enabling excessive taxation because they benefit from citizens’ contributions.
“Citizens are not even getting food from the relief programs because it comes with political tags. There have been many complaints and reports that when food is distributed, it is done so with politically, those who do not belong to specific political parties do not receive.
“But it is our tax money that enables the government to acquire that relief food in the first place. We need to have these issues addressed.”
Siphiwe Nkomo, another resident, said the government must reduce the amount of money it allocates to various ministries, especially where there is a possibility of alternative sources of income.
“Instead of overburdening people with taxes, there must be alternative ways to raise money. Instead of the government funding local authorities directly, the local authorities must come up with income generating projects. Here in Bulawayo, for example, council could make money from resulting its supply dams,” she said.
“Residents are struggling right now because of water, we are receiving rains but the dams are silted so they will not collect enough water. Why not desilt these dams and sell the river sand to construction companies and people who want to build. This will solve the water issue, raise capital and desilt these dams all at once.”
Fight Inequality Alliance Zimbabwe council member, Yollander Millin, explained that the purpose of the meeting was to provide a platform for people to speak out of the experiences they go through due to taxes.
“This meeting was to amplify the voices of the marginalized community, to provide them with a platform to share their lived experiences and to expose the local inequalities that they are going through. Most citizens are living in poverty and discrimination and there is unequal access to services-public and otherwise,” she said.
