The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has stepped up its efforts to stop people from bringing illegal goods into the country. As a result, shops in areas with a lot of people have started hiding basic commodities, which shows that people are getting more worried about the crackdown.
A recent poll by this newspaper found that many well-known stores no longer openly display necessary items. Instead, store owners question customers to see if they are real buyers before letting them see the goods.
Businesses are changing how they work, which puts even more pressure on stores that need to protect their stock in a volatile market where illegal selling and not paying taxes are common.
As a result of stricter rules, many businesses in Chitungwiza have had to take drastic steps, such as making their goods less visible.
The businessman said, “We have no choice but to protect our stock.” “If we don’t, we could lose everything, especially since Zimra is paying more attention to warehouses now.” Right now, it’s not about making money; it’s about staying alive and making sure our businesses stay open.
A lot of these stores get their goods from unofficial sellers, and a lot of them bring goods into the country without telling Zimra about them or paying the right taxes.
One of these stores said that he often gets things like Coca-Cola from Zambia and sellers that work in the informal sector.
“I never ask for that Zimra tax compliance certificate that shows the goods were cleared by customs,” the seller said. “We know it’s wrong, but it’s the only way we can keep up with demand.”
The store acknowledged that things were tough and asked the government to give businesses more time to follow the rules, saying that there are big holes in formalising their supply lines.
“We only plead with the government to give us some time to put order and desist from taking goods from suppliers who dodge declaring their goods,” he said.
Denford Mutashu, President of the Confederation of Zimbabwe stores (CZR), told both wholesalers and stores to follow the rules and laws of the country.
“Ignorance is not a defence,” Mutashu said with firmness. “If you bring goods into the country, especially in large quantities, you have to pay the duties that are due.”
In Zimbabwe, this is part of doing business the right way.
Mutashu also said that the crackdown gives local businesses a chance to make up for the lost sales of illegal goods. Now that it’s harder to find many foreign goods, he thinks that local companies have a chance to reach more people and give people better options.
He also told people and companies to buy locally made goods, saying, “It’s also a chance for producers of different goods that can be accessed locally.”
Mutashu also said that there needed to be a bigger and tougher crackdown.
“The current blitz should get worse and cover more areas, such as electronics, hardware, farm tools and supplies, cars and parts, medicines and medicines, and so on.” “Those who support lawlessness should be held accountable, and the law should do what it needs to do,” he added.
There have been calls for businesses to follow the rules, but the situation on the ground is still tense, with many trying to find a balance between operating in the black market and following the rules. As the government works harder to stop illegal goods and make sure people pay their taxes, the future of many stores is uncertain.
At the time of publication, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, who works as a police spokesman, could not be reached for comment. This meant that questions about enforcement and possible punishments could not be answered.
As the crackdown goes on, Zimbabwe’s retailers should be able to finally become legal, which would be good for the economy and the customers they serve. But for now, many shop owners have to walk a fine line between staying open and following the rules as they get used to the pressures of working in a market that is becoming more controlled.
