Informal traders reject ministry registration

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THE Zimbabwe Chamber of Informal Economy Association (ZCIEA) says it is opposed to the registration of members by the Small and Medium Enterprises and Corporate Development ministry that wants to increase the sector’s contribution to the gross domestic product.

THE Zimbabwe Chamber of Informal Economy Association (ZCIEA) says it is opposed to the registration of members by the Small and Medium Enterprises and Corporate Development ministry that wants to increase the sector’s contribution to the gross domestic product.

BATANAI MUTASA OWN CORRESPONDENT

ZCIEA Matabeleland chapter president Edward Manning told Southern Eye Business yesterday that the intended gains of registration were not justified because informal traders were already subject to tax.

“We are not embracing this programme because the minister (Sithembiso Nyoni) seems to have decided to clandestinely get funds from us since she refuses to understand or accept that we are paying tax,” Manning said.

“It is unfortunate that last year (2014) we called her for a conference where the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority made presentations explaining how we contribute to the tax collections, but she neither showed up nor sent a representative.”

He said the resolution to resist was a national agreement by all ZCIEA affiliate members.

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Reports yesterday said the Bulawayo Chamber of Small-to Medium Enterprises indicated that 320 informal traders had registered since the start of the process.

However, Manning ridiculed the figures saying they were clear evidence that there was resistance.

“Ninety percent of the population is not formally employed, which amounts to about seven million people in the informal sector, so a very low proportion has registered,” he said.

He criticised Nyoni for failing to lobby for a review of laws hindering informal trader operations, but was ready to tap into the meagre income they made.

“She has been overseeing a ministry which is on record for lack of transparency, for example, 30% of Sedco (Small Enterprises Development Corporation) funds went missing and are still unaccounted for and now they bring in yet another shoddy project to siphon funds from people.”

To register, one has to pay an initial fee of $2 and monthly subscriptions of $1. “Fortunately, people have read between the lines.

Imagine how much money they could get from informal traders and we will not facilitate the whole process until it becomes transparent.  In any case there is no money such that people are walking to and from work as they cannot afford transport,” Manning added.