The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority engaged members of the media fraternity by hosting editors from different media houses on 30 March 2022 in Harare to equip them with knowledge of tax and customs strategic issues and their impact in the economic and social development matrix of the nation.

Speaking at the engagement workshop, ZIMRA Acting Commissioner General, Ms Regina Chinamasa expressed satisfaction with the media coverage that the Authority gets in the media particularly on issues to do with corruption, smuggling, operations at the ports of entry, road side blitz among other issues.

“We are happy that as our media partners, you have lived up to the journalism principles and observed the sacrosanct philosophies of reportage which are the truthful, objective and fair coverage of stories supported by facts.

However, we believe the media should also consider going deeper in other critical areas that require in-depth analysis and interpretation such as revenue leakages, transfer prices, base erosion and the importance of compliance by individuals and corporates given the broad impact of such moves to the revenue mobilisation agenda,” said Mrs Chinamasa.

She also urged the journalists to do everything necessary when reporting on critical issues to do with ZIMRA to better educate the public from an informed position.

The editors were drawn from the Zimpapers, AMH, AB Communication, Financial Gazette, New Ziana media houses as well as Xinhua News Agency and online newspapers.

ZIMRA undertook this opportunity to share with the media, the ZIMRA Strategy from 2021 to 2025, a key roadmap that gives an indicator of how ZIMRA programs and projects pan out against the National Development Strategy 1 targets and the strides the Authority is making in the digitalisation and transformation of processes to enhance the ease of doing business.

The editors sought clarity on several strategic projects and ZIMRA’s services which were addressed by the executives.

The media engagement is part of ZIMRA 4Ps strategy with one of the Ps being building strategic Partnerships with stakeholders in raising awareness to the public on ZIMRA operations and the media being one of the stakeholders.

Victoria Ruzvidzo, Editor of Sunday Mail

Terrence Mapurisana from ZBC Classic 263 radio