CHAPTER 23:11
REVENUE AUTHORITY ACT
Acts 17/1999, 27/2001, 12/2002, 2/2005, 3/2009 (s. 42), 10/2009), 5/2010 (ss. 14-18), 8/2011 (s. 16),
4/2012 (ss. 10-11), 1/2014 (ss. 26-27).
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
PART I
PRELIMINARY
Section
1. Short title and date of commencement.
2. Interpretation.
PART II
ZIMBABWE REVENUE AUTHORITY
3. Establishment of Zimbabwe Revenue Authority.
4. Functions and powers of Authority.
5. Board of Authority.
6. Qualifications for and terms and conditions of office of members of Revenue Board and procedure and powers
of Board.
7. Terms of office and conditions of service of members.
8. Vacation of office by appointed members.
9. Suspension of members
10. Dismissal of Board.
11. Filling of vacancies on Board.
12. Chairman and vice-chairman of Board.
13. Meetings and procedure of Board.
14. Committees of Board.
15. Remuneration and allowances of members of Board and committees.
16. Members of Board and committees to disclose certain connections and interests.
17. Minutes of proceedings of Board and committees.
18. Validity of decisions and acts of Board and committees.
19. Appointment and functions of Commissioner-General.
20. Commissioners and other staff of Authority.
21. Departments of Authority and functions thereof.
21A. Control of officers and delegation of functions under this Act and Scheduled Acts.
22. Execution of contracts and instruments by Authority.
23. Reports of Authority.
24. Minister may require statistics and information.
25. Minister may give Board directions on matters of policy.
PART III
FINANCIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO AUTHORITY
26. Annual budgets of Authority.
27. Retention of revenue by Authority.
28. Funds of Authority.
29. Investment of moneys not immediately required by Authority.
30. Financial year of Authority.
31. Accounts of Authority.
32. Audit of Authority’s accounts.
33. Internal Auditor.
PART IIIA
EXPEDITED PROCEDURE FOR RECOVERY OF OUTSTANDING TAXES
33A. Interpretation in Part IIIA.
33B. Commissioner-General may delegate powers under this Part.
33C. When expedited procedure competent, jurisdiction of magistrates courts and period within which expedited
procedure allowed.
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33D. Issuance, contents and service of provisional attachment order.
33E. Powers of Commissioner-General in relation to provisional attachment order.
33F. Where third parties claim property subject to provisional attachment order.
33G. Confirmation of provisional attachment order.
33H. Sale in execution of attached property.
33I. Exemption from liability for Commissioner-General and delegated officers.
PART IV
GENERAL
34. Investigation into affairs of Authority.
34A. Preservation of secrecy.
34B. Reward for information.
34C. Tax clearance certificates.
34D. Advance tax rulings.
34E. Offence by officers of Authority.
35. Regulations.
PART V
AMENDMENTS, TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS AND SAVINGS
36. Amendment of Acts.
37. Transfer of certain assets, obligations, etc., of State to Authority.
38. Savings.
39. Construction of certain references.
SCHEDULES
First Schedule : Specified Acts.
Second Schedule : Powers of Authority.
Third Schedule : Amendment of Acts.
Fourth Schedule : Advance Tax Rulings.
Fifth Schedule Provisions Applicable to Revenue Board.
AN ACT to establish the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority for the collection of certain revenues of the
State and to provide for the Authority’s functions, powers and management; to provide for the funds of
the Authority; to amend the Betting and Totalizator Control Act [Chapter 10:02], the Capital Gains
Tax Act [Chapter 23:01], the Customs and Excise Act [Chapter 23:02], the Fiscal Appeal Court Act
[Chapter 23:05], the Income Tax Act [Chapter 23:06], the Income Tax (Transitional Period Provisions)
Act [Chapter 23:07], the Stamp Duties Act [Chapter 23:09] and the Tax Reserve Certificates Act
[Chapter 23:10]; and to provide for matters connected with or incidental to the foregoing.
[Date of commencement: 19th January 2001.]
PART I
PRELIMINARY
1 Short title and date of commencement
(1) This Act may be cited as the Revenue Authority Act [Chapter 23:11].
(2) This Act shall come into operation on a date to be fixed by the President by statutory instrument.
2 Interpretation
In this Act—
“appointed member” means a member of the Board appointed in terms of paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of
section five;
“Authority” means the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority established by section three;
“Board” means the Revenue Board established by section five;
“Commissioner-General” means the Commissioner-General of the Authority appointed in terms of section
nineteen;
“committee” means a committee of the Board established in terms of section fourteen;
“department” means a department of the Authority established in terms of subsection (1) of section twentyone;
“financial year” means the financial year of the Authority referred to in section thirty;
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“member”, means a member of the Board, including the chairman;
“Minister” means the Minister of Finance or any other Minister to whom the President may, from time to
time, assign the administration of this Act;
“revenues” means taxes, duties, fees, levies, charges, penalties, fines or any other moneys levied, imposed,
collected or received in terms of any of the Acts specified in the First Schedule.
PART II
ZIMBABWE REVENUE AUTHORITY
3 Establishment of Zimbabwe Revenue Authority
There is hereby established an authority, to be known as the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, which shall be a
body corporate capable of suing and being sued in its own name and, subject to this Act, of performing all acts
that bodies corporate may by law perform.
4 Functions and powers of Authority
(1) The functions of the Authority shall be—
(a) to act as an agent of the State in assessing, collecting and enforcing the payment of all revenues; and
(b) to advise the Minister on matters relating to the raising and collection of revenues; and
(c) to perform any other function that may be conferred or imposed on the Authority in terms of this Act or
any other enactment.
(2) For the better exercise of its functions, the Authority shall have the power, subject to this Act, to do or
cause to be done, either by itself or through its agents, all or any of the things specified in the Second Schedule,
either absolutely or conditionally and either solely or jointly with others.
5 Board of Authority
(1) The operations of the Authority shall, subject to this Act, be controlled and managed by a board to be
known as the Revenue Board.
(2) The Board shall consist of—
(a) the Secretary of the Ministry responsible for finance; and
(b) the Commissioner-General; and
(c) not more than eight other members appointed, subject to subsection (3), by the Minister after consultation
with the President and in accordance with such directions as the President may give him or her.
(3) Members referred to in subsection (2)(c) shall be appointed for their knowledge of and experience in
finance, commerce, economics, taxation, human resource management or law.
[Section substituted by Act 4 of 2012]
6 Qualifications for and terms and conditions of office of members of Revenue Board and procedure
and powers of Board
The Fifth Schedule applies to the qualifications, terms and conditions of office and vacation of office of
members, and to the procedure to be followed by the Board at its meetings.
[Section substituted by Act 5 of 2010]
7 -18 ….
[Sections 7 to 18 repealed by Act 5 of 2010]
19 Appointment and functions of Commissioner-General
(1) Subject to this section, the Board shall appoint, on such terms and conditions as the Board may fix, a person
to be the Commissioner-General of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority.
(2) Without the authority of the Minister, no person shall be appointed as Commissioner-General and no person
shall be qualified to hold office as Commissioner-General if he is not a citizen of Zimbabwe or ordinarily
resident in Zimbabwe.
(3) The appointment of the Commissioner-General shall terminate if he would be required in terms of paragraph
1(l) or (2) of the Fifth Schedule to vacate his office had that section applied to him:
Provided that his appointment shall not terminate on the ground that he has ceased to be a citizen of Zimbabwe
or ordinarily resident in Zimbabwe, if the Minister has granted authority under subsection (2).
[Subsection amended by Act 5 of 2010]
(4) The Commissioner-General shall be responsible, subject to the Board’s control, for
(a) supervising and managing the Authority’s staff, activities, funds and property; and
(b) performing such other functions as the Board may assign to him or as may be conferred or imposed on
him by or under this Act or any other enactment.
(5) An assignment of functions by the Board in terms of subsection (4)—
(a) may be made generally or specially and subject to such conditions, restrictions, reservations and exceptions
as the Board may determine;
(b) may be revoked by the Board at any time;
(c) shall not preclude the Board itself from exercising the functions.
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20 Commissioners and other staff of Authority
The Board shall appoint, on such terms and conditions as it may fix, such Commissioners and other officers
and members of staff as the Board considers to be necessary for the proper exercise of the Authority’s functions.
21 Departments of Authority and functions thereof
(1) The Authority shall have such departments or divisions as the Board may establish from time to time.
(2) For each department or division the Board shall
(a) assign such officers as may be necessary to carry out the department’s or division’s functions; and
(b) appoint a Commissioner, who shall be responsible, subject to the direction and control of the Commissioner-
General, for managing the department’s or division’s officers and ensuring the proper exercise of
the department’s or division’s functions.
(2) The Minister, with the approval of the Board, may by statutory instrument declare that a department or
division specified in the instrument shall be responsible for assessing, collecting and enforcing the payment of all
or any revenues in terms of any of the Acts specified in the First Schedule.
(3) Where the Minister has published a statutory instrument in terms of subsection (2)
(a) the Authority’s officers assigned to the department or division concerned shall be responsible, subject to
the direction and control of their Commissioner, for assessing, collecting and enforcing the payment of
the revenues to which the instrument relates; and
(b) the Commissioner in charge of the department or division concerned may exercise, subject to the direction
and control of the Commissioner-General, all the functions conferred upon a commissioner by or in
terms of the Act concerned:
Provided that the Commissioner-General may exercise any such function to the extent that the
Minister, by statutory instrument, has authorised him to exercise the function concerned.
(4) Where any of the Acts specified in the First Schedule has been assigned to a Minister other than the Minister
responsible for the administration of this Act, any statutory instrument in terms of subsection (3) shall be
made with the approval of that other Minister in addition to the approval of the Board.
[Section as amended by Act 27 of 2001.]
21A Control of officers and delegation of functions under this Act and Scheduled Acts
(1) The Commissioner-General shall, subject to this Act, have the charge of the all departments and divisions
of the Authority and of all officers employed in them in carrying out the provisions of this Act and any of the Acts
specified in the First Schedule (“the Scheduled Acts”;)
(2) The Commissioner-General may—
(a) delegate to any officer referred to in subsection (1); or
(b) with the approval of the Board given beforehand or (if the urgency of the circumstances giving rise to
the delegation so require) as soon after the delegation as practicable, delegate to any person in the employment
of the State or another statutory body;
any function which by this Act or any Scheduled Act is conferred or imposed upon him or her, other than such
power of delegation.
[Subsection substituted by Act 8 of 2011]
(3) An officer or other person to whom a power has been delegated in terms of subsection (2) shall exercise
the power subject to the directions of the Commissioner-General.
[Subsection amended by Act 8 of 2011]
(4) A delegation of power to which subsection (2) relates—
(a) may be revoked or modified by the Commissioner-General at any time; and
(b) shall not preclude the exercise or the performance by the Commissioner-General of the function delegated.
(5) Anything done by an officer or other person in the exercise of a function delegated to the officer or person
by the Commissioner-General in terms of subsection (2)—
(a) may, subject to this Act or the Scheduled Act concerned, be set aside or revised by the officer or the
Commissioner General; and
(b) shall, until set aside, be deemed to have been done by the Commissioner-General.
[Section inserted by Act 5 of 2010 and amended by Act 8 of 2011]
22 ….
[Section repealed by Act 5 of 2010]
23 Reports of Authority
(1) As soon as possible after the end of each financial year, the Board shall submit to the Minister a report on
the Authority’s operations, undertakings and activities during that year.
(2) In addition to the annual report referred to in subsection (1), the Board—
(a) shall submit to the Minister such other reports as the Minister may require; and
(b) may submit to the Minister such other reports as the Board considers desirable;
in regard to the Authority’s operations, undertakings and activities.
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(3) The Minister—
(a) shall lay the annual report referred to in subsection (1) before Parliament at the same time as he lays the
Authority’s statement of accounts before Parliament in terms of section thirty-one; and
(b) may lay before Parliament a report submitted to him in terms of subsection (2)
(4) The Board shall give the Minister all information relating to the operations, undertakings and activities of
the Authority that the Minister may at any time require.
24 Minister may require statistics and information
The Minister may from time to time direct the Board to furnish him with such information and statistics as the
Minister may require in regard to revenues and additionally, or alternatively, the activities, funds and property of
the Authority, and the Board shall forthwith comply with any such direction.
25 Minister may give Board directions on matters of policy
(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Minister may give the Board such directions of a general character relating
to the policy which the Authority is to observe in the exercise of its functions, as the Minister considers to be requisite
in the national interest.
(2) Before giving the Board a direction in terms of subsection (1), the Minister shall inform the Board, in
writing, of the proposed direction and the Board shall, within thirty days or such further period as the Minister
may allow, submit to the Minister, in writing, its views on the proposal and the possible effects which the proposal
may have on the finances, commercial interests and other resources and functioning of the Authority.
(3) After receipt of the views of the Board submitted in terms of subsection (2), the Minister may confirm, alter
or withdraw any proposed direction to the Board and, where the Minister has confirmed a direction, whether
altered or not, the Board shall forthwith comply with the direction.
(4) When any direction has been received by the Board in terms of this section, the Board shall set out in the
Authority’s annual report the direction received by it, the views expressed by it in terms of subsection (2), and the
final direction given to it in terms of subsection (3).
PART III
FINANCIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO AUTHORITY
26 Annual budgets of Authority
(1) On or before such date before the beginning of every financial year as the Minister may direct, the Board
shall prepare and submit to the Minister for his approval a budget showing the expenditure which the Board proposes
that the Authority will incur in respect of that financial year.
(2) During any financial year the Board may submit to the Minister for his approval a supplementary budget
relating to expenditure which
(a) was not, for good reason, provided for in the annual budget; or
(b) was inadequately provided for in the annual budget due to unforeseen circumstances.
(3) A supplementary budget approved by the Minister shall be deemed to form part of the annual budget of
the Authority for the financial year to which it relates.
(4) The Board shall furnish the Minister with such additional information in regard to any budget submitted
under subsection (1) or (2) as the Minister may require.
(5) In approving any budget under this section the Minister may impose such terms and conditions as he considers
to be necessary or desirable.
(6) With the approval of the Minister, the Board may vary a budget approved under this section:
Provided that no variation may be made which has the effect of increasing the total amount of expenditure
provided for in the budget.
(7) The Minister may withdraw, vary or modify his approval of any budget under this section or any of the
terms and conditions of such approval.
27 Retention of revenue by Authority
At the beginning of each financial year, the Minister shall cause the Authority to retain sufficient moneys
from the revenue collected to meet the expenditure which the Authority proposes to incur during that financial
year, as shown in the budget or supplementary budget approved by the Minister in terms of section twenty-six for
that financial year.
28 Funds of Authority
(1) The funds of the Authority shall consist of—
(a) any moneys that may be payable to the Authority from moneys appropriated for the purpose by Act of
Parliament; and
(b) any loans, donations and grants made to the Authority by any person or authority or by any government
of any country; and
(c) any other moneys that may accrue to the Authority, whether in the course of its operations or otherwise.
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(2) Subject to section twenty-seven and paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section thirty-four B, revenues collected
by the Authority in terms of any enactment shall be paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund and shall not
form part of the Authority’s funds.
[Subsection substituted by Act 27 of 2002]
29 Investment of moneys not immediately required by Authority
Moneys not immediately required by the Authority may be invested in such manner as the Board, in consultation
with the Minister, may approve.
30 Financial year of Authority
The financial year of the Authority shall be the period of twelve months ending on the 31st December in each
year.
31 Accounts of Authority
(1) The Board shall ensure that proper accounts and other records relating to such accounts are kept in respect
of all the Authority’s activities, funds and property, including such particular accounts and records as the
Minister may direct.
(2) As soon as possible after the end of each financial year, the Board shall prepare and submit to the Minister
a statement of accounts in respect of that financial year or in respect of such other period as the Minister may
direct.
(3) The Minister shall lay the statement of accounts submitted to him by the Board in terms of subsection (2)
before Parliament.
32 Audit of Authority’s accounts
(1) The accounts of the Authority shall be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor-General, who for the purpose
shall have all the functions conferred on him by sections 8 and 9 of the Audit and Exchequer Act [Chapter
22:03] as though the assets of the Authority were public moneys and the members of the Board and employees
and agents of the Authority were officers as defined in that Act.
(2) Any member of the Board or employee or agent of the Authority who—
(a) fails or refuses to provide the Comptroller and Auditor-General with any explanation or information
required by him for the purpose of an audit in terms of subsection (1); or
(b) hinders or obstructs the Comptroller and Auditor-General in the conduct of an audit in terms of subsection
(1);
shall be shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars or to imprisonment
for a period not exceeding three months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
(3) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the Comptroller and Auditor-General may appoint a suitably qualified
person to audit the accounts of the Authority and, if he does so
(a) subsections (1) and (2) shall apply in respect of the person so appointed as if he were the Comptroller
and Auditor-General; and
(b) any expenses incurred by the person so appointed in carrying out his audit shall be met from the funds of
the Authority.
33 Internal auditor
Section 19 of the Audit and Exchequer Act [Chapter 22:03] shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the appointment
of an internal auditor to the Authority in all respects as if the Authority were a department of the Ministry for
which the Minister is responsible.
PART IIIA
EXPEDITED PROCEDURE FOR RECOVERY OF OUTSTANDING TAXES
[Part inserted by Act 3 of 2009]
33A Interpretation in Part IIIA
In this Part—
“immovable property” includes Zimbabwean and foreign currency;
“provisional attachment order” means a provisional attachment order issued in terms of section 33D;
“specified Act” means any one of the Acts referred to in section 33C(1)(a), (b), (c) or (d).
33B Commissioner-General may delegate powers under this Part
(1) Subject to this Act, the Commissioner-General may delegate to an officer of the Authority any of the
functions conferred or imposed upon him or her by this Part.
(2) The Commissioner-General shall furnish each officer referred to in subsection (1) with a certificate
signed by or on behalf of the Commissioner-General stating that he or she has been delegated to exercise all or
any of the functions conferred or imposed upon the Commissioner-General by this Part.
(3) An officer referred to in subsection (1) shall, on demand by any person affected by the exercise of the officer’s
powers pursuant to this Part, exhibit the certificate issued to him or her in terms of subsection (2).
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33C When expedited procedure competent, jurisdiction of magistrates courts and period
within which expedited procedure allowed
(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in—
(a) the Capital Gains Tax Act [Chapter 23:01]; or
(b) the Income Tax Act [Chapter 23.06]; or
(c) the Stamp Duties Act [Chapter 23:09]; or
(d) the Value Added Tax Act [Chapter 23:12] (No. 12 of 2002); or
(e) the Customs and Excise Act [Chapter 23:02];
[Paragraph inserted by Act 1 of 2014]
the Commissioner-General may recover any outstanding tax or duty, including any interest and penalty thereon,
payable and outstanding in terms of those Acts, in accordance with this Part.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in any law relating to magistrates courts, any amount whatsoever
due and payable under this Part shall be recoverable by action in the court of the magistrate having jurisdiction in
respect of the person by whom such amount is payable under this Part.
(3) No action shall be taken in terms of this Part where more than six years have elapsed since the tax or duty
referred to in subsection (1) became payable.
33D Issuance, contents and service of provisional attachment order
(1) In every case in which—
(a) any taxpayer fails to pay any tax or duty for which he or she is liable under any specified Act within the
time allowed under the specified Act; or
(b) any taxpayer fails to furnish any return or information in connection with his or her liability for tax or
duty under any specified Act within the time allowed under the specified Act; or
(c) the Commissioner-General is not satisfied with the return or information furnished by any taxpayer under
any specified Act; or
(d) the Commissioner-General, notwithstanding that a taxpayer may not have been called upon to furnish
any return or information under any specified Act, has reason to believe that such taxpayer is about to
leave Zimbabwe;
the Commissioner-General may make an assessment of the extent of the taxpayer’s liability for the tax or duty in
question, either in whole or in part, together with any penalty and interest thereon calculated in accordance with
the specified Act concerned, and thereupon shall serve upon the taxpayer a provisional attachment order authorising
the attachment of any movable property of the taxpayer in satisfaction of the tax or duty so estimated.
(2) A provisional attachment order shall specify—
(a) the name of the taxpayer liable for payment of the tax or duty and the amount of the tax or duty, together
with any penalty and interest thereon, assessed under subsection (1); and
(b) the circumstances, by reference to subsection (1 )(a), (b), (c) or (d), that led to the order being made; and
(c) the location of the movable property subject to attachment; and
(d) the magistrates court at which, and the date or any one of two or more specified dates on which, the
Commissioner-General intends to confirm the order in accordance with section 33G, being a date or
dates not earlier than ten days or later than twenty-one days from the date of service of the provisional
attachment order.
(3) A provisional attachment order may be served on a taxpayer in any of the following way 5—
(a) by delivering it to him or her personally or to his or her duly authorised agent;
(b) by delivering it to a responsible person at the taxpayer’s residence or place of business or employment;
(c) by sending it by registered post;
(d) in the case where the taxpayer to be served is a body corporate, by delivering it to—
(i) a responsible person at the body corporate’s registered office or place of business; or
(ii) a director or the secretary of the body corporate;
(e) in the case where the taxpayer to be served is a partnership, by delivering it to—
(i) a responsible person at the partnership’s office or place of business; or
(ii) any of the partners;
(f) in the case where the taxpayer to be served is a syndicate, club, society, or other unincorporated association,
by delivering it to—
(i) a responsible person at the association’s local office or place of business; or
(ii) the association’s chairperson, secretary or similar officer;
(g) in the case where service in accordance with any of the foregoing ways is not possible for any reason, by
publication by or on behalf of the Commissioner-General of a notice in the Gazette or in one or more issues
of a newspaper circulating in the area in which the taxpayer concerned last resided or conducted his
or her business, notifying the taxpayer of the terms of the provisional attachment order;
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and service of the order in accordance with this subsection shall constitute due notice to the taxpayer of the Commissioner-
General’s intention to confirm the provisional attachment order on the date or one of the dates specified
therein.
33E Powers of Commissioner-General in relation to provisional attachment order
(1) For the purposes of serving and executing a provisional attachment order the Commissioner-General
may— (a) at any time on or after service of the order, without previous notice, but after having informed the person
in charge or control of the house or premises of the purpose of his or her visit, and after exhibiting on
demand proof of his or her identity (or the certificate referred to in section 33B(2) in the case of a delegated
officer), enter any house or premises described in the order; and
(b) require a police officer to be present while the order is being executed.
(2) The movable property subject to attachment under this section, other than perishable goods, may, pending
the confirmation of the provisional attachment order in terms of section 33G, be kept for a period not exceeding
twenty-one days either at the premises where the property is located or at any other place that the Commissioner-
General may consider appropriate, at the cost of the taxpayer liable.
(3) In addition, the Commissioner-General, may do any or all of the following upon entering the house or
premises referred to in subsection
(1)—
(a) make such examination and inquiry as he or she considers appropriate;
(b) question any person who is employed in or at the house or premises;
(c) require any person who is employed in or at the house or premises to produce any book, account, notice,
record, list or other document;
(d) require from any person an explanation of any entry made in any book, account, notice, record, list or
other document found upon any person or at the house or premises referred to in paragraph (c);
(e) examine and make copies of any book, account, notice, record, list or other document;
(f) take possession of any book, account, notice, record, list or other document:
Provided that such book, account, notice, record, list or other document shall be retained only so long as may
be necessary for the purpose of any examination or investigation required for the purposes of this Part.
(4) Sections 178 (“Obstruction of public official”) and 180 (“Deliberately supplying false information to public
authority”) of the Criminal Law Code applies to the obstruction of or the giving of false information to the
Commissioner-General in the exercise of his or her powers under this section.
(5) A provisional attachment order may be discharged at any time before it is confirmed in terms of section
33G, if the taxpayer makes payment to the Commissioner-General of the amount of the tax or duty, together with
any penalty and interest thereon, assessed in accordance with section 33D(1), in which event—
(a) the taxpayer shall not be liable to pay the costs of executing the provisional attachment order; and
(b) the Commissioner-General may agree terms for the payment of the amount of the tax or duty due by
instalments, without prejudice to the Commissioner-General’s right to recommence proceedings under
this Part if the taxpayer fails to abide by those terms.
33F Where third parties claim property subject to provisional attachment order
(1) If any claim is made to or in respect of any movable property attached pursuant to section 33E by any
person (“the claimant”) other than the taxpayer against whom such order is issued, the Commissioner- General
shall, if he or she has reason to believe that the property in question was disposed of to the claimant with the intention
of securing that property against attachment in terms of this Part, serve on the claimant a copy of the provisional
attachment order relating to the taxpayer, and this Part shall apply to the claimant as if the claimant is
joined in the proceedings against the taxpayer under this Part.
(2) For the avoidance of doubt it is declared that section 70 of the Magistrates Court Act [Chapter 7:10] does
not apply to a claim referred to in subsection (1).
33G Confirmation of provisional attachment order
(1) No later than twenty-one days after the service of a provisional attachment order, the order shall be confirmed
as a final attachment order by application in chambers made by or on behalf of the Commissioner General
to a magistrate referred to in section 33C(2).
(2) For the avoidance of doubt it is declared that a magistrate may—
(a) confirm a provisional attachment order; and
(b) where a person other than the taxpayer lays claim to the attached property in terms of Section 33F, adjudicate
upon the claim;
in the absence of the taxpayer or claimant concerned if the taxpayer or claimant has been duly served or notified
in terms of section 33D(3) or 33F(1), as the case may be.
(3) There shall be submitted together with the application referred to in subsection(l)—
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(a) a copy of the provisional attachment order relating to the taxpayer who is the subject of the application;
and
(b) where a person other then the taxpayer lays claim to the attached property in terms of section 33F, written
particulars identifying that person and disclosing sufficient facts concerning the claim to enable the
magistrate to adjudicate upon the claim; and
(c) an affidavit by or on behalf of the Commissioner-General that the taxpayer who is the subject of the application,
and where applicable, any claimant referred to in paragraph (b) has been served or notified in
accordance with section 33D(3) or 33F(1), as the case may be; and
(d) written proof of any costs incurred by the Commissioner- General in serving and executing the provisional
attachment order and storing or safeguarding the attached property.
(4) In an application under this section for a final attachment order, the onus shall be on the taxpayer concerned
to prove any of the following—
(a) that he or she is not liable for the tax or duty,
(b) that the assessment of the amount of the tax or duty, together with any interest thereon, is incorrect;
(c) that the Commissioner-General’s bill for the costs incurred by him or her the in serving and executing
the provisional attachment order under subsection (3)(d) is incorrect.
(5) Upon considering an application under this section for a final attachment order, and the representations, if
any, made by the taxpayer concerned or any claimant referred to in subsection (3)(b), the magistrate—
(a) may—
(i) confirm the provisional attachment order as a final attachment order and make any award of
costs in favour of the Commissioner-General; or
(ii) to the extent that the taxpayer concerned has discharged the onus referred to in subsection (4)—
A. confirm the provisional attachment order subject to any conditions or alterations directed
by the magistrate; or
B. decline to confirm the provisional attachment order as a final attachment order;
(b) shall, where a person other then the taxpayer lays claim to the attached property in terms of section 33F,
adjudicate upon the claim and make such order between the parties in respect thereof and of the costs of
the proceedings as to the magistrate seems just and lawful.
(6) A decision by a magistrate not to confirm a provisional attachment order or to confirm it subject to conditions
or alterations shall not prevent the Commissioner-General from making a fresh application in terms of this
subsection within twenty-one days on the basis of new evidence obtained since the original application, or to correct
any mistake in the original application.
(7) Where the Commissioner-General notifies the magistrate of his or her intention to make a fresh application
in terms of subsection (6), the magistrate shall not order the release of any property subject to the provisional
attachment order until the determination of the fresh application.
(8) A fresh application in terms of subsection (6) shall simply state the new evidence obtained since the
original application or specify the correction made to the original application and shall be—
(a) served on the taxpayer concerned and (if necessary) any claimant referred to in subsection (3)(b) in any
of the ways specified in terms of section 33D(3); and
(b) submitted to the same magistrates court as that in which the original application was made on a date or
any one of two or more dates specified in the fresh application;
and subsections (1) to (5) shall apply to such fresh application with such changes as may be necessary.
33H Sale in execution of attached property
(1) Not earlier than three days or more than fourteen days after the confirmation of a provisional attachment
order in terms of section 33G, the Commissioner-General shall, subject to this section, cause the attached property
to be sold by public auction:
Provided that the Commissioner-General shall give the taxpayer concerned not less than forty-eight hours
written notice (served in any of the ways specified in terms of section 33D(3)) of the date and place of the auction,
within which period the final attachment order may be discharged if the taxpayer makes payment to the Commissioner-
General of the amount of the tax or duty, together with any penalty and interest thereon, that is due, in
which event the Commissioner-General may—
(i) in his or her sole discretion, waive the whole or any part of the costs awarded in his or her favour
by the final attachment order; and
(ii) agree terms for the payment of the amount of the tax or duty due by instalments, without prejudice
to the Commissioner-General’s right to recommence proceedings under this Part if the taxpayer
fails to abide by those terms.
(2) The offer for sale by public auction shall be subject to a reserve sufficient to cover the tax or duty, together
with any interest thereon, and the expenses incurred in connection with the sale:
Provided that—
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(i) the Commissioner-General may by direction accept such bid below the reserve as he or she deems adequate;
(ii) if the property is not sold at such sale it may, by direction of the Commissioner-General, be sold out of
hand or appropriated to the State without compensation.
(3) The proceeds of any sale in terms of this section shall be applied in payment of—
(a) the expenses incurred in connection with the sale; and
(b) the tax or duty due, together with any penalty and interest thereon; and
(c) the costs awarded in favour of the Commissioner-General by the final attachment order;
in that order.
(4) Any balance remaining after the proceeds of any sale have been applied in terms of subsection (3) shall,
be paid to the taxpayer.
33I Exemption from liability for Commissioner-General and delegated officers
No liability shall attach to the Commissioner-General or to any officer referred to in section 33B for any loss
or damage sustained by any person as a result of the bona fide exercise or performance of any function which by
or in terms of this Part is conferred or imposed upon the Commissioner-General:
Provided that this section shall not be construed so as to prevent any taxpayer or claimant referred to in section
33F from recovering compensation for any loss or damage sustained by him or her which was caused by
gross negligence.
[Part IIIA sections 33A – 33I inserted by Act 3 of 2009]
PART IV
GENERAL
34 Investigation into affairs of Authority
(1) The Minister may at any time cause an investigation to be made into the affairs of the Authority by one or
more persons appointed by him in writing.
(2) Any person appointed in terms of subsection (1) shall have the same powers as are conferred upon a
commissioner by the Commissions of Inquiry Act [Chapter 10:07], other than the power to order a person to be
detained in custody, and sections 9 to 13 and 15 to 18 of that Act shall apply, mutatis mutandis, in relation to an
investigation made in terms of subsection (1) and to any person summoned to give or giving evidence at that investigation.
34A Preservation of secrecy
(1) Any person who
(a) is employed in carrying out the provisions of this Act; or
(b) is authorised to receive payment of any revenues in terms of any of the Acts specified in the First
Schedule; or
(c) examines records under the control or in the custody of the Commissioner-General in terms of the laws
relating to the collection and safe custody of public moneys and the audit of public accounts;
shall, subject to subsections (2) and (3), keep secret, and aid in keeping secret, all information coming to their
knowledge in the exercise of their functions.
(2) No person referred to in subsection (1) shall, except in the exercise of his functions under this Act or
unless he is required to do so by order of a competent court 
(a) communicate information coming to his knowledge in the exercise of his functions to any person who is
not 
(i) the taxpayer or other person to whom the information relates or by whom the information was
furnished; or
(ii) the lawful representative of the taxpayer or other person to whom the information was furnished;
or
(iii) a person to whom the provisions of the laws referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection
(1) require the information to be communicated;
or
(b) allow any person who is not person referred to in subparagraph (i), (ii) or (iii) of paragraph (a) to have
access to any record under the control or in the custody of the Commissioner-General which contains information
referred to in that subparagraph.
(3) The Commissioner-General shall, if he is required or authorised, as the case the case may be, to do so by
the Minister or the Board
(a) inform the Minister or the Board of the total amount of taxable income which according to the records
under the control or in the custody of the Commissioner-General accrued during such periods to such
classes of persons from such sources as the Minister or the Board may specify;
(b) disclose such information for such statistical purposes as he considers to be desirable;
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(c) disclose such information as is required and to the extent that is necessary in order to give effect to any
obligation of Zimbabwe in terms of any international convention, treaty or agreement.
(4) The Commissioner-General may—
(a) in the exercise of his functions under the Income Tax Act [Chapter 23:06], use any information coming
to his knowledge in the exercise of his functions under the Capital Gains Tax Act [Chapter 23:01];
(b) in the exercise of his functions under the Capital Gains Tax Act [Chapter 23:01], use any information
coming to his knowledge in the exercise of his functions under the Income Tax Act [Chapter 23:06].
(5) All persons referred to in subsection (1) shall, before commencing to exercise the functions conferred or
imposed upon them by the laws referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of that subsection, take and subscribe before
a magistrate, justice of the peace or commissioner of oaths the prescribed oath of secrecy.
(6) Every person who, in contravention of this section or the true intent of the oath of secrecy taken by him
and without lawful excuse, reveals to any person whomsoever any matter or thing which has come to his knowledge
in the course of his official duties, or suffers or permits any person to have access to any records in the possession
or custody of the Commissioner, shall be guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment for a period not
exceeding two years.
(7) Any person who acts in the execution of his office before he has taken the oath prescribed in terms of this
section shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars.
[Section inserted by Act 27 of 2001]
34B Reward for information
(1) In this section 
“near relative” means—
(a) a lineal ascendant of an individual, including a step-father or step-mother; or
(b) a child or a lineal descendant of an individual other than a child; or
(c) a brother, half-brother, step-brother, sister, half-sister, step-sister, uncle, aunt, nephew or niece of
an individual; or
(d) the adopter or adopters of an individual; or
(e) the spouse of a relative of an individual referred to in paragraphs (a) to (d).
(2) The Commissioner-General may, with the approval of the Minister, award to any person, not being an
employee of the Authority or a near relative of an employee of the Authority, a monetary reward for information
provided or any measure taken which results in detection of smuggling or any other offence against any of the
Acts specified in the First Schedule, and the recovery of revenue which would otherwise have been lost.
(3) Any amount to be awarded in terms of subsection (1)
(a) shall be at the rate of ten per centum of the revenue or fine recovered; and
(b) may be deducted from the revenue recovered and paid to the person referred to in subsection (2).
[Section inserted by Act 27 of 2001]
34C Tax clearance certificates
(1) At the request of a person liable to pay any tax under the Income Tax Act [Chapter 23:06] or any of the
Acts specified in the First Schedule (“the Scheduled Acts”) the Commissioner-General shall, if such person is entitled
to such a certificate in terms of any of those Acts, issue to him or her a certificate (called a “tax clearance
certificate”) signed by or on behalf of the Commissioner-General to any effect as follows, namely that the person—
(a) has furnished a return under section 37 of the Income Tax Act [Chapter 23:06] for the last year of assessment
for which such a return is due; or
(b) has made arrangements satisfactory to the Commissioner-General for the furnishing of a return referred
to in paragraph (a) or
(c) has paid the appropriate presumptive tax in terms of the Twenty-Sixth Schedule to the Income Tax Act
[Chapter 23:06] on the last date or occasion on which such tax was due before the certificate is presented
for any purpose under that Act, or has made arrangements satisfactory to the Commissioner-
General for the payment of such tax; or
(d) in the case of new or proposed company or private business corporation, has appointed a public officer
of the company or private business corporation in accordance with section 61 of the Income Tax Act
[Chapter 23:06]; or
(e) has furnished any return required to be furnished under any of the Scheduled Acts on the last date or
occasion on which such return was due before the certificate is presented for any purpose under those
Acts, or has made arrangements satisfactory to the Commissioner-General for the furnishing of such a
return; or
(f) has paid the appropriate tax in terms of any of the Scheduled Acts on the last date or occasion on which
such tax was due before the certificate is presented for any purpose under those Acts, or has made arrangements
satisfactory to the Commissioner-General for the payment of such tax.
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(2) The Commissioner-General may make the issuance of any tax clearance certificate in terms of subsection
(1) conditional on the payment of any tax arrears that may be due from the person who requests that certificate,
notwithstanding that such person has furnished any return required to be furnished under section 37 of the Income
Tax Act [Chapter 23:06] or under any of the Scheduled Acts for the period in respect of which the certificate is
requested.
(3) No fee shall be charged for the issuance of a tax clearance certificate except the prescribed fee for a duplicate
tax clearance certificate or the replacement of a lost or destroyed tax clearance certificate.
[Section inserted by Act 2 of 2005]
34D Advance tax rulings.
The Commissioner-General may, in accordance with the Fourth Schedule, make an advance tax ruling on any
provision of any of the Acts specified in the First Schedule, whether on his or her own initiative or any application
by any person interested in a transaction that is or may be liable to tax.
[Section inserted by Act 3 of 2009]
34E Offence by officers of Authority
Any officer of the Authority who, being a person appointed for the due administration of, or in connection
with the assessment and collection of any revenues levied under, this Act or any of the Acts specified in the First
Schedule—
(a) demands from any person an amount in excess of the authorised assessment of the revenue in question;
or
(b) withholds for his or her own use or otherwise any portion of the amount of revenue collected; or
(c) renders a false return whether verbally or in writing of the amounts of revenue collected or received by
him or her; or
(d) defrauds any person, embezzles any money or otherwise uses his or her position so as to deal wrongfully
either with the Authority, the Commissioner or any other individual; or
(e) not being authorised under this Act or any of the Acts specified in the First Schedule to do so, collects or
attempts to collect tax under any such Act; or
(f) delays without justifiable cause to discharge his or her duties to assess or collect any revenues owed by
any member of the public, or to discharge any service he or she is required to render to any member of
the public under this Act or any of the Acts specified in the First Schedule;
commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding level ten or to imprisonment not exceeding
two years, or both.
[Section inserted by Act 10 of 2009]
34F Powers of Commissioner-General and officers of the Authority
(1) The powers conferred by this section on Commissioner-General and on officers of the Authority shall be
in addition to, and not derogate from, any specific power conferred on the Commissioner-General and on officers
of the Authority by any of the Acts specified in the First Schedule (hereinafter referred to as the “Scheduled
Acts”) or the Finance Act.
(2) For the purpose of obtaining full information in respect of any person’s liability to tax under a Scheduled
Act or the Finance Act or any matter relating to the collection of such tax, the Commissioner-General may require
any person to produce for examination by the Commissioner-General, or by any officer of the Authority appointed
by him or her for that purpose, at such time and place and as may be appointed by the Commissioner-General for
that purpose, any deeds, plans, instruments, books, records, accounts, trade lists, stock lists or documents which
the Commissioner-General may consider necessary for the purposes of the Scheduled Act in question or the
Finance Act.
(3) Any deeds, plans, instruments, books, records, accounts, trade lists, stock lists or documents which in
terms of subsection (2) are produced to the Commissioner-General, or to any officer of the Authority appointed by
him or her, may be retained by the Commissioner or such officer for as long as they may be reasonably required
for any assessment or for any criminal or other proceedings under the Scheduled Act in question or the Finance
Act.
(4) Any person who, in terms of subsection (2), produces any deed, plan, instrument, book, record, account,
trade list, stock list or document which is not a ledger, cash-book, journal, paid cheque, bank statement, deposit
slip, stock sheet, invoice or other book of account required by any Scheduled Act or the Finance Act to be kept
and retained by a person, may be allowed by the Commissioner-General any reasonable expenses necessarily incurred
in producing it or obtaining and producing a copy of it.
(5) The Commissioner-General may, by reasonable notice in writing, require any person liable to tax under a
Scheduled Act or the Finance Act, whether on his or her own behalf or as the representative of any person, or any
person whom the Commissioner-General may consider able to furnish information, to attend at a time and place to
be named by the Commissioner-General for the purpose of being examined on oath or otherwise, at the discretion
of the Commissioner-General, respecting the liability to tax or any matter relating to the collection of tax of any
such person, or any transactions or any matters affecting the same, or any of them or any part thereof. Any person
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so attending max’ be allowed by the Commissioner-General any reasonable expenses necessarily incurred by such
person in so attending.
(6) Where any statement has been made by any person as a result of his or her being examined on oath under
subsection (5), such statement shall be recorded in writing and shall be read over to or by the person making it,
who, after making such corrections therein as he or she may think necessary, may sign it.
(7) Any person required to attend in terms of subsection (5) shall be entitled to be accompanied by a legal
practitioner, accountant or other adviser, and any person making a statement in terms of subsections (5) and (6)
shall be furnished with a copy thereof.
(8) If any officer of the Authority engaged in carrying out the provisions of a Scheduled Act or the Finance
Act who has, in relation to the affairs of a particular person, been authorised thereto by the Commissioner-General
in writing or by electronic, satisfies a magistrate by statement made on oath that there are reasonable grounds for
suspecting that such person has committed an offence under the Scheduled Act in question or the Finance Act, the
magistrate may by warrant authorize such officer and any other officers designated by the Commissioner-General
to exercise the following powers—
(a) without previous notice, at any reasonable time during the day enter any premises whatsoever and on
such premises search for any moneys, valuables, deeds, plans, instruments, books, records, accounts,
trade lists, stock lists or documents;
(b) in carrying out any such search, open or cause to he removed and opened any article in which he or she
suspects any moneys, valuables, deeds, plans, instruments, books, records, accounts, trade lists, stock
lists or documents to be contained;
(c) seize any such deeds, plans, instruments, books, records, accounts, trade lists, stock lists or documents
as in his or her opinion may afford evidence which may be material to assessing the liability of any person
for any tax;
(d) retain any such deeds, plans, instruments, books, records, accounts, trade lists, stock lists or documents
for as long as they may be reasonably required for any assessment or for any criminal or other proceedings
under a Scheduled Act or the Finance Act.
(9) Any officer of the Authority engaged in carrying out the provisions of this section may, if he or she has
reasonable grounds for believing that it is necessary to do so for the enforcement of any tax payable under a Scheduled
Act or the Finance Act—
(a) at any reasonable time during the day enter any business premises;
(b) require any person to produce for its inspection any—
(i) book, record, statement, account, trade list, stock list or other document; or
(ii) file, schedule, working paper or calculation relating to the determination of a taxpayer’s income,
expenses or liability for tax;
(c) require any person to prepare and additionally, or alternatively, to produce for inspection a print-out or
other reproduction of any information stored in a computer or other information retrieval system;
(d) take possession of any document or other thing referred to in paragraph b) or (c) for so long as may be
necessary for the purpose of any examination, investigation, trial or inquiry;
(e) require any person reasonably suspected of having committed an offence under a Scheduled Act or the
Finance Act or any person who may be able to supply information in connection with a suspected offence
to give his or her name and address.
(10) In addition, officers of the Authority authorised in writing by the Commissioner-General are hereby authorised,
at any time, to enter upon any mining location in Zimbabwe, including premises (other than dwelling
houses) or working places situated thereon for the purpose of—
(a) inspecting such location, premises or working places and examining prospecting or mining operations or
the treatment of minerals being performed or carried out thereon;
(b) taking soil samples or specimens of rocks, ores, concentrates, tailing, or minerals situated upon that area,
premises or working places for the purpose of examination or assay;
(c) examining and making copies of or taking extracts from books, accounts, vouchers, documents, maps,
drilling logs or records of any kind;
(d) examining security systems at mining locations;
(e) generally, securing that any royal ties or taxes payable under any of the Scheduled Acts or the Finance
Act in relation to the minerals mined at the mining location in question are paid and collected.
(11) Any officer of the Authority authorized in accordance with—
(a) subsection (8), when exercising any power under that subsection, shall on demand produce the warrant
issued to him or her thereunder; or
(b) subsection (9), when exercising any power under that subsection, shall on demand produce proof that he
or she is an officer of the Authority; or
(c) subsection (10), when exercising any power under that subsection, shall on demand produce proof that
he or she has been authorised in writing by the Commissioner-General to exercise such powers.
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(12) Any person in whose deeds, plans, instruments, books, records, accounts, trade lists, stock lists or documents
have been retained in terms of subsection (3) or which have been seized or taken in terms of subsection
(8), (9) or (10) shall be entitled to examine and make extracts from them during office hours or such further hours
as the Commissioner- General may in his or her discretion allow and under such supervision as the Commissioner
may determine.
(13) The Commissioner-General is hereby empowered to administer oaths to persons examined in terms of
this section. Any person who, after having been duly sworn, wilfully makes a false statement to the Commissioner-
General on any matter relevant to the inquiry, knowing such statement to be false or not knowing or believing it
to be true, shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level seven or to imprisonment for a period
not exceeding two years or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
(14) Any person who—
(a) falsely holds himself or herself out to be an officer of the Authority carrying out the provisions of this
section or of a Scheduled Act or the Finance Act; or
(b) hinders, obstructs or assaults an officer of the Authority in the exercise of his or her functions in terms
of this section or a Scheduled Act or the Finance Act; or
(c) wilfully fails to comply with any lawful demand made by an officer of the Authority in the exercise of
his or her functions in terms this section or a Scheduled Act or the Finance Act;
shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level seven or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding
six months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
(15) In this section—
“mining location” means a mining location that is registered or required to be registered in terms of the
Mines and Minerals Act [Chapter 21:05];
“tax” includes any royalty payable in respect of precious metals, precious stones or other minerals in terms of
the Finance Act.
[Section inserted by Act 4 of 2012]
35 Regulations
(1) The Minister, after consultation with the Board, may make regulations providing for all matters which in
terms of this Act are required or permitted to be prescribed or which, in his opinion, are necessary or convenient
to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.
(2) Regulations made under subsection (1) may prescribe—
(a) for any contraventions thereof criminal penalties not exceeding a fine of level fourteen or imprisonment
for a period of five years or both such fine and such imprisonment;
(b) civil penalties leviable by the Authority of not more than thirty United States dollars for each day during
which any person liable to make a return of tax required to be made under the Income Tax Act [Chapter
23:06], the Capital Gains Tax [Chapter 23:01] or the Value Added Tax Act [Chapter 23:12] fails to
make such a return, or submits such return after the due date, which penalty shall not continue to be levied
beyond the one hundred and eighty-first day calculated from the first day on which such return is
due:
Provided that the Authority shall have power to waive the payment or refund the whole or part of
any penalty prescribed under this paragraph if it is satisfied that the contravention was not wilful, or not
due to the want of reasonable care.
(3) A civil penalty prescribed under subsection (2)(b) shall constitute a del)t due to the Authority by the person
against whom it is levied, and shall, at any time after it becomes due, be recoverable in a court of competent
jurisdiction by proceedings in the name of the Authority.
(4) For the avoidance of doubt it is declared that payment by any person of any penalty referred to in subsection
(2)(b) shall not relieve such person of any criminal liability incurred through his or her failure to make a return
of tax in terms of the Income Tax Act [Chapter 23:06] or the Value Added Tax Act [Chapter 23:12], nor
shall the fact of any criminal liability having been imposed upon him or her relieve him or her from any obligation
to pay any penalty referred to in subsection (2)(b).
[Subsections 2 - 4 inserted by Act 5 of 2010]
PART V
AMENDMENTS, TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS AND SAVINGS
36 Amendment of Acts
The Act specified in each Part of the Third Schedule is amended to the extent set out in that Part.
37 Transfer of certain assets, obligations, etc., of State to Authority
(1) In this section
“fixed date” means the date fixed in terms of subsection (2) of section one as the date on which this Act
comes into operation;
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“transfer date”, in relation to any property, right, liability or obligation which is transferred to the Authority
in terms of this section, means the date with effect from which it is so transferred.
(2) The assets and rights of the State which
(a) before the fixed date, were used or otherwise connected with the functions of the Department of Taxes
and the Department of Customs and Excise; and
(b) are specified by the Minister;
together with any liabilities or obligations attaching to them, shall be transferred to the Authority with effect from
such date as the Minister may specify.
(3) On the relevant transfer date, every asset and right of the State which the Minister has directed shall be
transferred to the Authority, together with any liability or obligation attaching to it, shall vest in the Authority.
(4) All bonds, hypothecations, deeds, contracts, instruments, documents and working arrangements which subsisted
immediately before the relevant transfer date in relation to any asset, right, liability or obligation transferred to
the Authority under this section and to which the State was a party shall, on and after that date, be as fully effective
and enforceable against or in favour of the Authority as if, instead of the State, theAuthority had been named therein.
(5) It shall not be necessary for the Registrar of Deeds to make any endorsement on title deeds or other documents
or in his registers in respect of any immovable property, right or obligation which passes to the Authority under
this section, but the Registrar of Deeds, when so requested in writing by the Authority in relation to any particular
such property, right or obligation, shall cause the name of the Authority to be substituted, free of charge, for that of the
State on the appropriate title deed or other document or in the appropriate register.
(6) Any cause of action or proceeding which existed or was pending by or against the State immediately before
the relevant transfer date in respect of any asset, right, liability or obligation which passes to the Authority under this
section, may be enforced or continued, as the case may be, by or against the Authority in the same way that it might
have been enforced or continued, as the case may be, by or against the State had this Act not been passed.
(7) Subsection (6) shall not apply to any cause of action or proceedings existing or pending immediately before
the relevant transfer date between the State and a person employed by the State.
(8) Subject to the Public Service Act [Chapter 16:04] and with the consent of the employees concerned, the
Authority shall engage such of the persons who on the fixed date were employed in the State’s Department of
Taxes and Department of Customs and Excise as the Public Service Commission, after consultation with the
Board and the Minister, may direct.
(9) Persons engaged in terms of subsection (8)
(a) shall be engaged on such terms and conditions as may be fixed by the Board with the agreement of the
persons concerned;
(b) without derogation from paragraph (a), may be permitted to continue contributing towards a pension in
terms of the Public Service (Pensions) Regulations, 1992 (Statutory Instrument 124 of 1992), or any
other enactment, subject to such terms and conditions as the Public Service Commission may fix with
the approval of the Minister and the Board.
(10) Terms and conditions fixed in terms of subsection (9) may provide for
(a) payments by the Board to the Consolidated Revenue Fund to compensate the State, wholly or partially,
for pensions and other paid or payable to or in respect of persons engaged in terms of subsection (8); and
(b) the application, non-application or modification of the provisions of the Public Service (Pensions) Regulations,
1992 (Statutory Instrument 124 of 1992), in regard to persons engaged in terms of subsection
(8).
(11) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, a person who
(a) as a member of the Public Service, was afforded an opportunity of engagement by the Authority in
terms of subsection (8) and declined to avail himself of the opportunity; and
(b) subsequently left the Public Service and as a consequence became entitled to pension benefits in respect
of the abolition of his post;
shall not be engaged in any capacity by the Authority for a period of ten years from the date on which he left the
Public Service, unless the Minister and the Public Service Commission consent to his engagement.
38 Savings
Where, before the fixed date
(a) the Commissioner of Taxes; or
(b) the Director of Customs and Excise; or
(c) an officer, proper officer or revenue officer;
made any assessment or decision, or issued any notice or directive, or did any other thing whatsoever in terms of
an Act specified in the First Schedule, and that assessment, decision, notice, directive or other thing had or was
capable of acquiring effect immediately before the fixed date, it shall be deemed to have been made, issued or
done, as the case may be, by the appropriate Commissioner or officer in terms of the Act concerned as amended
by this Act, and shall continue to have effect or to be capable of acquiring effect, as the case may be, accordingly.
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39 Construction of certain references
Any reference in any enactment, other than a provision of an Act amended by the Third Schedule, or in any
document to
(a) the Director or Controller of Customs and Excise, shall be construed as a reference to the Commissioner
in charge of the department which is declared in terms of subsection (2) of section twenty-one to be responsible
for assessing, collecting and enforcing the payment of duties under the Customs and Excise
Act [Chapter 23:02];
(b) the Department of Customs and Excise, shall be construed as a reference to the department referred to in
paragraph (a);
(c) the Commissioner of Taxes
(i) in relation to value added tax, shall be construed as a reference to the Commissioner in charge of
the department which is declared in terms of subsection (3) of section twenty-one to be responsible
for assessing, collecting and enforcing the payment of the value-added tax leviable under
the Value Added Tax Act [Chapter 23:12];;
(ii) in relation to any other tax or impost, shall be construed as a reference to the Commissioner in
charge of the department which is declared shall be construed as a reference to the Commissioner
in charge of the department which is declared in terms of subsection (2) of section twentyone
to be responsible for assessing, collecting and enforcing the payment of the taxes leviable
under the Income Tax Act [Chapter 23:06];
(d) the Department of Taxes, shall be construed as a reference to the department referred to in paragraph (c).
[Section as amended by Act 12 of 2002]
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FIRST SCHEDULE (Sections 2, 21, 34A, 34B and 38)
SPECIFIED ACTS
1. Betting and Totalizator Control Act [Chapter 10:02]
2. Capital Gains Tax Act [Chapter 23:01]
3. Customs and Excise Act [Chapter 23:02]
4. Income Tax Act [Chapter 23:06]
5. Income Tax (Transitional Period Provisions) Act [Chapter 23:07]
6. Stamp Duties Act [Chapter 23:09]
7. Tax Reserve Certificates Act [Chapter 23:10]
8. Value Added Tax Act, 2002
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SECOND SCHEDULE (Section 4)
POWERS OF AUTHORITY
1. To acquire premises necessary or convenient for the exercise of its functions and for that purpose to buy,
take on lease or in exchange, hire or otherwise acquire immovable property and interest therein and rights thereof
and concessions, grants, powers and privileges in respect thereof.
2. To buy, take in exchange, hire or otherwise acquire movable property necessary or convenient for the exercise
of its functions.
3. To maintain, alter or improve property acquired by it.
4. To mortgage any assets or part of any assets and, with the approval of the Minister, to sell, exchange,
lease, dispose of, turn to account or otherwise deal with any assets or part of any assets which are not required for
the exercise of its functions for such consideration as it may determine.
5. To open bank accounts in the name of the Authority and to draw, make, accept, endorse, discount, execute
and issue for the purposes of its functions promissory notes, bills of exchange, securities and other negotiable or
transferable instruments.
6. To insure against losses, damages, risks and liabilities which it may incur.
7. To make contracts and enter into suretyships or give guarantees in connection with the exercise of its functions
and to modify or rescind such contracts or rescind such suretyships or guarantees.
8. With the approval of the Minister, to establish and administer such funds and reserves not specifically provided
for in this Act as the Board considers appropriate or necessary for the proper exercise of the Authority’s
functions.
9. To pay such remuneration and allowances and grant such leave of absence and to make such gifts, bonuses
and the like to its employees as it considers fit.
10. To provide pecuniary benefits for its employees on their retirement, resignation, discharge or other termination
of service or in the event of their sickness or injury and for their dependants, and for that purpose to effect
policies of insurance, establish pension or provident funds or make such other provision as may be necessary to
secure for its employees and their dependants any or all of the pecuniary benefits to which the provisions of this
paragraph relate.
11. To purchase, take on lease or in exchange or otherwise acquire land or dwelling-houses for use or occupation
by its employees.
12. To construct dwellings, outbuildings or improvements for use or occupation by its employees on land
purchased, taken on lease or in exchange or otherwise acquired by it.
13. To sell or lease dwelling-houses and land for residential purposes to its employees.
14 To provide or guarantee loans made to its employees for the purchase of dwelling-houses or land for residential
purposes, the construction of dwelling-houses and the improvement of dwelling-houses or land which are
the property of its employees, subject to any conditions that may be imposed by the Board from time to time.
15 To provide security in respect of loans by the deposit of securities, in which the Authority may invest such
money as the Board may consider necessary for the purpose.
16. To provide loans to any employee of the Authority for the purpose of purchasing vehicles or other property,
subject to any conditions that may be imposed by the Board from time to time.
17. To do anything for the purpose of improving the skill, knowledge or usefulness of its employees, and in
that connection to provide or assist other persons in providing facilities for training, education and research, including
the awarding of scholarships for such training.
18. To provide such service as the Authority, with the approval of the Board, considers could properly be
provided by the Authority and to charge for services such fees as the Board may from time to time determine.
19. To engage in any activity, either alone or in conjunction with other organisations or international agencies,
to promote better understanding of revenue issues.
20. To provide technical advice or assistance, including training facilities, to revenue authorities of other
countries.
21. To accept, with the approval of the Board, any donations, gifts, or assistance from any organisation or
person.
22. On behalf of the State, to institute and maintain proceedings in any court or tribunal for the recovery of
any revenues, and to take such other steps as may be necessary to recover revenues.
23. To do anything which by this Act is required or permitted to be done by the Authority.
24. Generally to do all such things as are calculated to facilitate or are incidental or conducive to the performance
of the function of the Authority in terms of this Act or any other enactment.
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THIRD SCHEDULE
(AMENDMENTS TO VARIOUS ACTS)
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FOURTH SCHEDULE (Section 34D)
ADVANCE TAX RULINGS
[Schedule inserted by Act 3 of 2009]
1. Interpretation
In this Schedule—
“advance tax ruling” means a written statement in the form of a binding
general ruling, binding private ruling and binding class ruling issued by the Commissioner-General regarding
the interpretation or application of the relevant Act;
“applicant” means a person who applies for a binding private ruling or a binding class ruling;
“binding class ruling” means an advance tax ruling issued in response to an application by an applicant regarding
the application or interpretation of the relevant Act as it affects a specific class of persons;
“binding general ruling” means an advance tax ruling issued in accordance with the requirements of the relevant
Act;
“binding private ruling” means an advance tax ruling issued in response to an application by an applicant regarding
the application or interpretation of the relevant Act in respect of a proposed transaction as it affects
the applicant alone;
“class member” means a member of the class to which a binding class ruling applies, such as a shareholder in
a company or an employee participant in a share investment scheme;
“entity” means a person, other than a natural person, which may apply for a binding class ruling on behalf of
its shareholders or members in respect of a proposed transaction to which it is a party, and includes a
company, private business corporation, cooperative society or trade association:
Provided that an entity does not include a professional firm acting or purporting to act on behalf of
a client;
“non-binding private opinion” means a written statement issued by the Commissioner-General in response to
an inquiry by a person in order to provide the person with informal guidance in respect of the tax treatment
of a particular set of facts and circumstances or transaction, but which does not have any binding
effect;
“relevant Act”, in relation to an advance tax ruling, means any one of the Acts specified in the First Schedule
in respect of which the ruling is made or sought;
“tax” means any tax, duty, fee, levy, charge, penalty, fine or any other money levied, imposed, collected or
received in terms of any of the Acts specified in the First Schedule;
“transaction” means any transaction, deal, business, arrangement, operation or scheme, and includes a series
of transactions.
2. Application for advance tax ruling
(1) Subject to the minimum requirements set forth in subparagraph (2), an application for an advance tax ruling
must be made in such manner and in such form as the Commissioner-General may prescribe, and be accompanied
by the fee charged in terms of paragraph 18 of the Second Schedule, if any.
(2) An application must state the following minimum information—
(a) the applicant’s name, postal address and telephone number; and
(b) the name, postal address and telephone number of the applicant’s representative, if any; and
(c) a complete description of the proposed transaction in respect of which the ruling is sought; and
(d) a complete description of the impact the proposed transaction may have upon the tax liability of the applicant
or, where relevant, any connected person in relation to the applicant, including any and all relevant
information regarding the financial or tax implications of the proposed transaction; and
(e) a complete description of any transactions entered into by the applicant prior to submitting the application
or that may be taken after the completion of the proposed transaction which may have a bearing on
the tax consequences of the proposed transaction or may be considered to be part of a series of transactions
involving the proposed transaction; and
(f) the proposed ruling being sought; and
(g) a citation of the relevant statutory provisions or issues; and
(h) the reasons why the applicant believes that the proposed ruling should be made; and
(i) a statement of the applicant’s interpretation of the relevant statutory provisions or issues, as well as an
analysis of any relevant authorities either considered by the applicant or of which the applicant is aware,
whether those authorities support or are contrary to the proposed ruling being sought; and
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(j) a statement to the best of the applicant’s knowledge that the same or substantially the same or substantially
similar issue upon which a ruling is sought is no the subject of an audit, examination, investigation,
ruling, application, objection and appeal, or other proceeding currently before the Commissioner-
General or the courts involving the applicant or a connected person in relation to the applicant; and
(k) a draft version of the binding private ruling or binding class ruling to be issued; and
(l) a description of the information that the applicant believes should be deleted from the final ruling before
the publication of the ruling in order to protect the applicant’s confidentiality; and
(m) the applicant’s consent to the publication of the ruling by the Commissioner-General.
(3) In addition to the minimum information required by subparagraph (2), an application for a binding class
ruling must also state the following minimum information—
(a) a description of the class members concerned; and
(b) the impact the proposed transaction may have upon the liability of the class members or, where relevant,
any connected person in relation to the applicant or any class member.
(4) The Commissioner-General may request additional information from an applicant at any time.
3. Cases where applications for advance tax ruling must be rejected
(1) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the Commissioner-General shall not accept an application for
an advance tax ruling in any of the following circumstances—
(a) where the application requests or requires the rendering of an opinion, conclusion or determination regarding
or in respect of any of the following—
(i) the market value of an asset; or
(ii) the application or interpretation of the laws of a foreign country; or
(iii) the pricing of goods or services supplied by or rendered to a connected person in relation to the
applicant (or to a class member in the case of an application for a binding class ruling); or
(iv) the constitutionality of any of the Acts specified in the First Schedule or any other tax law; or
(v) a proposed transaction that is hypothetical or not seriously contemplated;
(b) where the application relates to the duty of an employer to determine whether a person is a casual, parttime
or full-time employee, or an independent contractor;
(c) where the application is submitted for academic purposes; or
(d) where the application presents, contains, or raises—
(i) a frivolous or vexatious issue; or
(ii) alternative courses of action by the applicant (or requests or requires the rendering of an opinion,
conclusion or determination regarding such alternative courses of action); or
(iii) an issue that is the same as or substantially similar to an issue that is—
A. the subject of an audit, examination, investigation or other proceeding by the Commissioner-
General involving the applicant (or, in the case of a binding class ruling, in relation
to the applicant or any class member); or
B. the subject of any draft legislation; or
C. pending before the courts.
(2) In addition to the rejections set forth in subparagraph (1), the Commissioner-General may reject any application
regarding or in respect of the following—
(a) the application or interpretation of any general or specific anti- avoidance provision; or
(b) an issue—
(i) that is inherently or distinctly factual in nature; or
(ii) in respect of which material facts cannot be established at the time of application; or
(iii) the resolution of which would depend upon assumptions to be made regarding a future event or
other matters which cannot be reasonably determined at the time of the application; or
(iv) which would more appropriately be dealt with by the competent authorities of the parties to an
agreement for the avoidance of double taxation; or
(v) which is the same as or substantially similar to an issue upon which the applicant has already
received a ruling; or
(vi) in which the tax treatment of the applicant is dependent upon the tax treatment of another party
to the proposed transaction and that other party has not applied for a ruling; or
(vii) in respect of a transaction that is part of another transaction which has a bearing on that issue and
the details of that other transaction have not been disclosed;
or
(c) a matter the resolution of which would be unduly time-consuming or resource-consuming or resource
intensive.
(3) In addition to the rejections set forth in subparagraphs (1) and (2), the Commissioner-General may publish
lists of issues in respect of which applications for advance tax rulings will not be accepted.
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(4) If the Commissioner-General requests additional information in respect of or in connection with an application
and the applicant fails or refuses to provide that information, the Commissioner- General may reject that
application without any refund or rebate of any applicable fees.
4. Binding effect of advance tax rulings
(1) The Commissioner-General must interpret or apply the relevant Act in favour of the applicant or otherwise
in accordance with the advance tax ruling given.
(2) An advance tax ruling does not have any binding effect upon the Commissioner-General in relation to future
cases.
(3) A binding general ruling may be cited by the Commissioner-General or any person in any proceedings
before the Commissioner-General or the courts.
(4) A binding private ruling may not be cited in any proceeding before the Commissioner-General or the
courts other than a proceeding involving the applicant for that ruling.
(5) A binding class ruling may not be cited in any proceeding before the Commissioner-General or the courts
by any person other than a proceeding involving the applicant for that ruling or an affected class member identified
in the ruling.
(6) A publication or other written statement issued by the Commissioner- General does not have any binding
effect unless it is an advance tax ruling.
5. Non-binding private opinions and other written statements
(1) The Commissioner-General may issue a nonbinding private opinion to a person regarding the tax treatment
of a particular set of facts and circumstances or a particular transaction.
(2) A nonbinding private opinion may not be cited in any proceeding before the Commissioner-General or
the courts other than a proceeding involving the person to whom the nonbinding private opinion was issued.
(3) Any written statement issued by the Commissioner-General interpreting or applying the Income Tax Act
[Chapter 23:06] prior to the 1st January, 2007, or any other relevant Act prior to the 1st January, 2009, is to be
treated as and have the effect of a nonbinding private opinion, unless the Commissioner-General prescribes otherwise
in writing.
6. Conditions for applicability of advance tax rulings
(1) An advance tax ruling applies to a person only if all of the following conditions have been satisfied—
(a) the provision or provisions of the relevant Act at issue are the subject of the advance tax ruling; and
(b) the set of facts and circumstances of the transaction presented by the person are the same as the particular
set of facts and circumstances governed by the advance tax ruling; and
(c) the set of facts and circumstances of the transaction fall entirely within the effective period of the advance
tax ruling; and
(d) any assumptions made or conditions imposed by the Commissioner- General in connection with the validity
of the advance tax ruling have been satisfied or carried out.
(2) In addition to the requirements set forth in subparagraph (1)—
(a) in the case of a binding private ruling, the ruling applies to a person only if that person is the applicant
identified in the ruling; and
(b) in the case of a binding class ruling, the ruling applies to a person only if that person is either the applicant
identified in the ruling or a class member identified in the ruling.
7. Rulings rendered void due to fraud, misrepresentation, etc.
(1) A binding private ruling or a binding class ruling is nullified under any of the following circumstances—
(a) the facts stated in the application regarding the proposed transaction are materially different from the
transaction actually carried out; or
(b) there is a misrepresentation or wilful nondisclosure of a material fact; or
(c) any condition or assumption stipulated by the Commissioner-General as a condition of the issue or binding
effect of the ruling is not satisfied or carried out.
(2) For purposes of this paragraph, a fact is considered material if it would have resulted in a different ruling
had the Commissioner-General been aware of it when the original ruling was made.
8. Impact of subsequent changes in tax law
(1) An advance tax ruling ceases to be effective upon the occurrence of any of the following circumstances—
(a) if the provision of the relevant Act that was the subject of the advance tax ruling is repealed or amended,
the advance tax ruling will cease to be effective from the date such repeal or amendment is effective;
(b) if a court overturns or modifies an interpretation of the relevant Act on which the advance tax ruling is
based, the advance tax ruling will cease to be effective from the date of the court’s judgment unless—
(i) the decision is under appeal; or
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(ii) the decision is fact-specific and the general interpretation upon which the advance tax ruling was
based is unaffected; or
(iii) the reference to the interpretation upon which the advance tax ruling was based was obiter dicta.
(2) An advance tax ruling ceases to be effective immediately upon the occurrence of the circumstances described
in subparagraph (1), whether or not the Commissioner-General publishes a notice of withdrawal or modification.
9. Withdrawal or modifications
(1) Subject to this paragraph, the Commissioner-General may withdraw or modify an advance tax ruling at
any time.
(2) Notification of the withdrawal or modification of an advance tax ruling must be communicated in such a
manner as the Commissioner-General considers will notify the persons affected by it and must include the following
information—
(a) the title or number of the advance tax ruling being withdrawn or modified; and
(b) in the case of a modification, a summary of the changes made; and
(c) the effective date (which may be a retrospective date) of the withdrawal or modification.
(3) If the advance tax ruling is either a binding private ruling or a binding class ruling, the Commissioner-
General must first provide the applicant with notice of the proposed withdrawal or modification and a reasonable
opportunity to state any proposition of law or fact relevant to the decision to withdraw or modify the ruling.
10. Binding general rulings
(1) The Commissioner-General may, at any time, make binding general rulings.
(2) A binding general ruling may be effective for either—
(a) a particular year of assessment or other definite period; or
(b) an indefinite period.
(3) A binding general ruling must state—
(a) that it is a binding general ruling made under this paragraph; and
(b) the provisions of the relevant Act which are the subject of the binding general ruling; and
(c) either—
(i) the year of assessment or other definite period for which it applies; or
(ii) in the case of a binding general ruling for an indefinite period, that it is for an indefinite period
and the date or year of assessment from or beginning with which it applies.
(4) Subject to subparagraph (3), binding general rulings may be issued in such form and in such manner as
the Commissioner-General may prescribe, including but not limited to interpretation notes and practice notes.
(5) A publication or other written statement shall not be considered as a binding general ruling unless it contains
the information prescribed by subparagraph (3).
11. Binding private rulings
(1) The Commissioner-General may issue binding private rulings regarding the application or interpretation
of any of the provisions of the relevant Act to a proposed transaction upon application by a person in accordance
with paragraph 2.
(2) The Commissioner-General may make a binding private ruling subject to such conditions and assumptions
as may be prescribed in the ruling.
(3) The Commissioner-General must provide an applicant with a reasonable opportunity to consult if, based
upon the application and any additional information received, it appears that the content of the binding private
ruling to be made would differ materially from the proposed ruling sought by the applicant.
(4) The Commissioner-General must issue the final binding private ruling to the applicant at the address
shown in the application unless the applicant provides other instructions, in writing, before the ruling is issued.
(5) A binding general ruling must contain—
(a) a statement identifying it as a binding private ruling made under this paragraph; and
(b) the name, tax number and postal address of the applicant; and
(c) a citation of the relevant statutory provisions or issues; and
(d) a description of the proposed transaction; and
(e) the specific ruling made; and
(f) any assumptions made or conditions imposed by the Commissioner- General in connection with the validity
of the ruling; and
(g) the period for which the ruling is valid.
(6) Subject to subparagraph (5), a binding private ruling may be issued in such manner and in such form as
the Commissioner-General may prescribe.
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12. Binding class rulings
(1) The Commissioner-General may issue binding class rulings regarding the application or interpretation of
a provision of the relevant Act relating to a proposed transaction upon application by a person in accordance with
paragraph 2.
(2) The Commissioner-General may make a binding class ruling subject to such conditions and assumptions
as may be prescribed in the ruling.
(3) The Commissioner-General must provide an applicant with a reasonable opportunity to consult if, based
upon the application and any additional information received, it appears that the content of the binding class ruling
to be made would differ materially from the proposed ruling sought by the applicant.
(4) The Commissioner-General must issue the final binding class ruling to the applicant at the address shown
in the application unless the applicant provides other instructions, in writing, before the ruling is issued;
(5) A binding general ruling must contain—
(a) a statement identifying it as a binding class ruling made under this paragraph; and
(b) the name, tax number and postal address of the applicant; and
(c) a list or a description of the affected class members; and
(d) a citation of the relevant statutory provisions or issues; and
(e) a description of the proposed transaction; and
(f) the specific ruling made; and
(g) any assumptions made or conditions imposed by the Commissioner- General in connection with the validity
of the ruling; and
(h) the period for which the ruling is valid.
(6) Subject to subparagraph (5), a binding class ruling may be issued in such manner and in such form as the
Commissioner-General may prescribe.
(7) Prior to final publication, the Commissioner must provide the applicant with a draft copy of the edited
ruling for review and comment.
(8) It is the sole and exclusive responsibility of the applicant to communicate with the affected class members
regarding the application for the binding class ruling, the issuance, withdrawal or modification of such ruling,
or any other information or matters pertaining to such ruling.
13. Procedures and guidelines
The Commissioner-General may issue procedures and guidelines, in the form of binding general rulings, for
the implementation and operation of the advance tax ruling system established by this Schedule.
[Schedule inserted by Act 3 of 2009]
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FIFTH SCHEDULE (Section 6)
PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO REVENUE BOARD
[Schedule inserted by Act 5 of 2010]
1. Disqualifications for appointment as member
(1) Subject to this Schedule, a person shall not be qualified for appointment as a member if—
(a) he or she is not a citizen of Zimbabwe or ordinarily resident in Zimbabwe; or
(b) he or she has, in terms of a law in force in any country—
(i) been adjudged or otherwise declared insolvent or bankrupt and has not been rehabilitated therefrom;
or
(ii) made an assignment or composition with his or her creditors which has not been rescinded or set
aside;
or
(c) he or she has been convicted in Zimbabwe or in any other country—
(i) of any offence involving dishonesty; or
(ii) of any other offence, in the period of five years before his or her appointment, for which a term
of imprisonment without the option of a fine has been imposed, whether or not any portion of
that sentence has been suspended.
(2) A person shall not be qualified for appointment as a member, nor shall he or she hold office as an appointed
member, if—
(a) he or she is a member of two or more other statutory bodies; or
(b) he or she is a member of Parliament.
(3) For the purposes of subparagraph (2)(a)—
(a) a person who is appointed to a council, board or other authority which is a statutory body or which is
responsible for the administration of the affairs of a statutory body shall be regarded as a member of that
statutory body;
(b) “statutory body” means—
(i) any commission established by the Constitution; or
(ii) any body corporate established directly by or under an Act for special purposes specified in that
Act, the membership of which consists wholly or mainly of persons appointed by the President,
a Vice-President, a Minister or any other statutory body or by a Commission established by the
Constitution.
2. Terms of office and conditions of service of members
(1) An appointed member shall hold office for such period, not exceeding three years, as the Minister may fix
at the time of his or her appointment.
(2) On the expiry of the period for which an appointed member has been appointed, he or she shall continue
to hold office until he has been re-appointed or his or her successor has been appointed:
Provided that an appointed member shall not continue to hold office in terms of this subsection for more than
six months.
(3) The Secretary of the Ministry responsible for finance and the Commissioner-General shall be members for
so long as they hold office as Secretary or Commissioner-General, as the case may be.
(4) A person who ceases to be a member shall be eligible for re-appointment.
(5) Members shall hold office on such terms and conditions as the Minister may fix.
3. Vacation of office by appointed members
(1) An appointed member shall vacate his or her office and his or her office shall become vacant—
(a) one month after the date he or she gives notice in writing to the Minister of his or her intention to resign
his or her office or after the expiry of such other period of notice as he or she and the Minister may
agree; or
(b) on the date he or she begins to serve a sentence of imprisonment, whether or not any portion has been
suspended, imposed without the option of a fine—
(i) in Zimbabwe, in respect of an offence; or
(ii) outside Zimbabwe, in respect of conduct which, if committed in Zimbabwe, would have constituted
an offence;
(c) if he or she becomes disqualified in terms of paragraph 1(1) or (2) to hold office as a member; or
(d) if he or she is required in terms of subparagraph (2) or (3) to vacate his or her office as a member.
(2) The Minister may require an appointed member to vacate his or her office if—
(a) the member has been guilty of conduct which renders him or her unsuitable to continue to hold office as
a member; or
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(b) the member has failed to comply with any condition of his or her office fixed in terms of paragraph 2; or
(c) the member has ceased to possess any qualification by reason of which he or she was appointed; or
(d) the member is mentally or physically incapable of efficiently performing his or her duties as a member;
or
(e) the member contravenes paragraph 11; or
(f) the member or his or her spouse engages in any occupation, service or employment, or holds any asset,
which in the Minister’s opinion is inconsistent with his or her duties as a member.
(3) The Minister, on the recommendation of the Board, may require an appointed member to vacate his or her
office if the Minister is satisfied that the member has been absent without the consent of the chairperson of the
Board from three consecutive meetings of the Board, of which he or she has been given at least seven days’ notice,
and that there was no just cause for the member’s absence.
4. Suspension of members
The Minister—
(a) may suspend from office a member against whom criminal proceedings are instituted for an offence involving
dishonesty; and
(b) shall suspend from office a member who has been sentenced by a court to imprisonment without the
option of a fine, whether or not any portion has been suspended, pending determination of the question
whether the member is to vacate his or her office;
and, whilst that member is so suspended, he or she shall not carry out any duties or be entitled to any remuneration
or allowances as a member.
5. Dismissal of Board
(1) Subject to subparagraph (2), if the Minister considers that—
(a) the Board has contravened this Act or any other law and has failed to rectify the contravention within a
reasonable time after being required to do so by the Minister; or
(b) the Board has failed to comply with a direction in terms of section 25; or
(c) whether through disagreements amongst its members or otherwise, the Board is unable to carry out any
of its functions in terms of this Act;
and that it is in the national interest to do so, the Minister may, by written notice to the chairperson and Commissioner-
General, dismiss all the appointed members, and their offices shall become vacant as soon as the Commissioner-
General receives the notice.
(2) Before dismissing all the appointed members, the Minister shall consult the President and act in accordance
with any directions the President may give him or her.
6. Filling of vacancies on Board
(1) Subject to this Schedule, within three months after an appointed member’s death or vacation of office in
terms of paragraph 3, the Minister shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy.
(2) Within one month after dismissing all the appointed members in terms of paragraph 5, the Minister shall,
subject to this Schedule, appoint persons to fill the vacancies.
7. Chairperson and vice-chairperson of Board
(1) The Minister shall designate one of the appointed members to be chairperson of the Board.
(2) At its first meeting, the Board shall elect an appointed member, other than the chairperson, to be vicechairperson
of the Board.
(3) The chairperson and vice-chairperson of the Board may at any time, by written notice to—
(a) the Minister, in the case of the chairperson;
(b) the Commissioner, in the case of the vice-chairperson;
resign their offices as such.
(4) Within three months after being notified of a vacancy in the office of—
(a) chairperson of the Board, the Minister shall appoint another member to fill the vacancy;
(b) vice-chairperson of the Board, the Board shall elect another member to fill the vacancy.
(5) The vice-chairperson shall perform the functions of the chairperson whenever the chairperson is unable to
perform them or the office of chairperson is vacant.
8. Meetings and procedure of Board
(1) The Board shall hold its first meeting on a date and place fixed by the Minister, and thereafter shall meet
for the dispatch of business and adjourn, close and otherwise regulate its meetings and procedure as it thinks fit:
Provided that the Board shall meet at least four times in each financial year.
(2) The chairperson of the Board—
(a) may convene a special meeting of the Board at any time; and
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(b) shall convene a special meeting of the Board on the written request of the Minister or not fewer than two
members, which meeting shall be convened for a date not sooner than seven days and not later than
thirty days after the chairperson’s receipt of the request.
(3) Written notice of a special meeting convened in terms of subparagraph (2) shall be sent to each member
not later than forty-eight hours before the meeting and shall specify the business for which the meeting has been
convened.
(4) No business shall be discussed at a special meeting convened in terms of subparagraph (2) other than—
(a) such business as may be determined by the chairperson of the Board, where he or she convened the
meeting in terms of subparagraph (2)(a); or
(b) the business specified in the request for the meeting, where the chairperson of the Board convened the
meeting in terms of subparagraph (2)(b).
(5) The chairperson of the Board or, in his or her absence, the vice- chairperson shall preside at all meetings
of the Board:
Provided that, if the chairperson and vice-chairperson are both absent from any meeting of the Board, the
members present may elect one of their number to preside at that meeting as chairperson.
(6) Six members shall form a quorum at any meeting of the Board.
[Subparagraph amended by Act 1 of 2014]
(7) Subject to subparagraph (12), anything authorised or required to be done by the Board may be decided by
a majority vote at any meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present.
(8) With the Board’s approval, the chairperson of the Board may invite any person to attend a meeting of the
Board or of a committee, where the chairperson considers that the person has special knowledge or experience in
any matter to be considered by the Board or the committee, as the case may be, at that meeting.
(9) A person invited to attend a meeting of the Board or of a committee may take part in the proceedings of
the Board or the committee as if he or she were a member thereof, but shall not have a vote on any question before
the Board or committee, as the case may be.
(10) Subject to subparagraph (11) and to paragraph 11, at all meetings of the Board each member present
shall have one vote on any question before the Board and, in the event of an equality of votes, the person presiding
at the meeting shall have a casting vote in addition to a deliberative vote.
(11) The Commissioner-General shall not take part in the discussion of, and shall not vote on, any question
before the Board which involves his or her tenure of office or conditions of service.
(12) Any proposal circulated among all members and agreed to in writing by a majority of them shall have the
same effect as a resolution passed by a duly constituted meeting of the Board and shall be incorporated into the
minutes of the next succeeding meeting of the Board:
Provided that, if a member requires that such a proposal be placed before a meeting of the Board, this subparagraph
shall not apply to the proposal.
9. Committees of Board
(1) For the better exercise of its functions, the Board may establish one or more committees in which the
Board may vest such of its functions as it considers appropriate:
Provided that the vesting of any function in a committee shall not divest the Board of that function, and the
Board may amend or rescind any decision of the committee in the exercise of that function.
(2) On the establishment of a committee in terms of subparagraph (1), the Board—
(a) shall appoint at least one member of the Board as a member of the committee, and that member or one
of those members, as the case may be, shall be chairperson of the committee; and
(b) may appoint as members of the committee, on such terms and conditions as the Board may fix, persons
who are not members of the Board.
(3) Meetings of a committee may be convened at any time and at any place by the chairperson of the Board or
the chairperson of the committee.
(4) Subject to subparagraph (3) and to paragraphs 11 and 12, the procedure to be followed at any meeting of a
committee and the quorum at any such meeting shall be as fixed by the Board.
10. Remuneration and allowances of members of Board and committees
Members of the Board and of committees shall be paid—
(a) such remuneration, if any; and
(b) such allowances to meet reasonable expenses incurred by them in connection with the business of the
Board or the committee concerned, as the case may be;
as the Board may fix with the approval of the Minister.
11. Members of Board and committees to disclose certain connections and interests
(1) In this section—
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“relative”, in relation to a member of the Board or a committee, means the member’s spouse, child, parent,
brother or sister.
(2) Subject to subparagraph (4)—
(a) if a member of the Board or of a committee—
(i) knowingly acquires or holds a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in any matter that is under
consideration by the Board or committee; or
(ii) owns any property or has a right in property or a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in a company
or association of persons which results in the member’s private interests coming or appearing
to come into conflict with his or her functions as a member; or
(iii) knows or has reason to believe that a relative of his or her—
A. has acquired or holds a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in any matter that is under
consideration by the Board or the committee; or
B. owns any property or has a right in property or a direct or indirect pecuniary interest
in a company or association of persons which results in the member’s private interests
coming or appearing to come into conflict with his or her functions as a member;
or
(b) if for any reason the private interests of a member of the Board or a committee come into conflict with
his or her functions as a member;
the member shall forthwith disclose the fact to the Board or the committee, as the case may be.
(3) A member referred to in subparagraph (2) shall take no part in the consideration or discussion of, or vote
on, any question before the Board or the committee, as the case may be, which relates to any property, right or
interest referred to in that subparagraph.
(4) Nothing in this section shall be taken to prevent members of the Board or of a committee of the Board
from taking part in the consideration of, or voting on, any matter that affects members generally in their capacity
as persons liable to pay revenue.
(5) Any person who contravenes subparagraph (2) or (3) shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not
exceeding level six or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
12. Minutes of proceedings of Board and committees
(1) The Board shall cause minutes of all proceedings of and decisions taken at every meeting of the Board and
of every committee to be entered in books kept for the purpose.
(2) Any minutes which purport to be signed by the person presiding at the meeting to which the minutes relate
or by the person presiding at the next following meeting of the Board or the committee concerned, as the case may
be, shall be accepted for all purposes as prima facie evidence of the proceedings and decisions taken at the meeting
concerned.
13. Validity of decisions and acts of Board and committees
No decision or act of the Board or a committee or act that is authorised by the Board or a committee shall be
invalid solely because there was a vacancy in the membership of the Board or the committee or because a disqualified
person purported to act as a member of the Board or the committee, as the case may be, at the time the
decision was taken or the act was done or authorized.
14. Execution of contracts and instruments by Authority
An agreement, contract or instrument approved by the Board may be entered into or executed on the Authority’s
behalf by any person generally or specially authorised by the Board for that purpose

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