Emmerson Njanjamangezi, Group Features Editor 
THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) wants to complete its ICT systems revamp by year end, in line with its current digitisation strategy to speed up operations at ports of entry, as well as to plug the smuggling of goods into the country.
Acting Zimra commissioner general, Rameck Masaire, told the Parliamentary portfolio committee on budget, finance and economic development this week that the revenue collector was prioritising completion of its ICT system upgrade, scanners and drones project this year.
“For this year, our key priority area is our ICT systems upgrade. We have secured financial resources for the drones project to ensure that our borders are well monitored to plug smuggling. However, we are yet to receive funding for the scanners project. We will continue to engage Treasury over that because we see it as key for quick clearance at borders to avoid congestion. Dry ports are also an area of delivery that we are targeting as well as ensuring the efficiency of our transit tracking system.”
The committee is chaired by Buhera Central legislator, Mathew Nyashanu.
The acting Zimra boss also revealed that the revenue collector had received $2,5 billion from Treasury this year, against a request of $5 billion for its annual budget and while it asked for US$38 million to cover foreign currency requirements, it was allocated around US$4,7 million.
For the ICT project specifically, Zimra submitted a $1,3 billion budget to Treasury, but has only received $550 million.
“We are engaging Treasury on the funding requirements, and we are happy with our engagements. Treasury has assured us that it will provide the financial resources to see through our ICT strategy.
“We have since forwarded to them our additional US$ funding requirements for operational costs like fuel, vehicles and other consumables that require foreign currency,” he said.
Zimra also continues to enforce controls to avoid importation of restricted or prohibited goods through the electronic cargo tracking system (ECTS).
Last year, the tax agency reported that it sealed 35 076 trucks, earning the authority US$1,1 million in sealing fees while the total revenue from fines stood at US$217 000.
The system uses GPS/GPRS technology for tracking. Electronic seals send regular signals to the control room to show the location of the cargo.
The electronic seal connects to the Internet and the control room is manned 24 hours a day and relays violations to the reaction teams.
Upon sealing of a truck, the driver is required to select a dedicated geo-fenced route to the exit port, which is captured in the system. Any diversion from this route or entry into a restricted zone constitutes a geofence violation which attracts a
US$2 000 fine. Other violations include unauthorised opening of the seal, tampering with the sim cards, losing and or damaging the seal.
Currently, the ECTS that Zimra uses is from Malaysia and there is keen interest from fiscal authorities to expand the transit economy, with Zimbabwe acting as a hub in the region.
Zimra has been capacitated and has been supported through the provision of new vehicles for its operations.
It recently took delivery of 20 Landcruisers, five minibuses and five NP300 single cab trucks.
Plans are also at an advanced stage to install CCTV cameras at border posts and strategic areas.
The CCTV system will be linked to a loss control command centre at Zimra head office that will have sight of the live footage from the border posts.
For the first quarter, Zimra surpassed its revenue target by two percent, with net collections of $88 billion after deducting refunds of $2,35 billion.
Masaire said revenue collections are expected to remain positive in light of the various enhancement initiatives Zimra has initiated, especially the drive to tap into the digital economy. newsdesk@fingaz.co.zw
