By Sukuoluhle Ndlovu
The Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) has pushed for government to include informal businesses in their policies.
ZIMCODD recently engaged Chiredzi residents in relation to Post Covid -19 Economic Aspirations where it called on government to consider establishing a Five Year Development Strategy 2021-2025.
The residents of Chiredzi need an inclusive and driven by people centred policies which will address the social and economic injustices faced by citizens.
“Informal traders in Chiredzi constitute a larger population of resident. International Labour Organization (ILO) IN 2020 states that approximately 80% of the Zimbabwean population is in the government policies, tenders and grants that will feed into government’s 2030 vision of attaining a middle class economy status.
Women constitute 52.32% of the population. It is therefore, logical that women shoulder a larger proportion of the tax burden as they do not make up the majority of informal traders but that of the entire population. Capacitating women will enable them to sustain their families, account for the unpaid care work and effectively contribute to national development,” ZIMCODD said.
There is also need to make sure all residents benefit from the resources at their disposal.
“Although the 2013 constitution set legal provisions for devolution, the government has not yet completed devolution. The residents of Chiredzi want to benefit from resources in their community but everything has been centralised. The centralisation of power delays execution of development project by bureaucracy, red tape and corruption.”
Residents also noted that there should be a difference when taxing the rich and the poor.
“Not everyone earns the same or has the same opportunities, so when taxing, the rich and the poor must not be taxed the same. The rich must be taxed more than the tax the poor pay as taxing them the same will end up making those who are poor more poor while the rich face no challenges. The government must draw a line there and taxing should be done according to ones pocket,” said one resident.
Another resident said corruption is taking a toll on Chiredzi and there is need for transparency and accountability.
“Grand corruption has ravaged public service delivery and interrupts progressive debt management. We recommend that the strengthing of watchdog institutions will deter corruption across the public sector.”
ZIMCODD is working towards strengthening citizen advocacy through amplifying voices of residents.
