Tsvangirayi Slams New Taxes On Kombis, Taxis And Trucks

Norton MP Richard Tsvangirayi (CCC) has criticised the new presumptive taxes introduced by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) on commuter omnibuses, taxis, driving schools and goods vehicles, arguing that the measures will directly harm the most vulnerable members of society.

According to Public Notice No. 51 of 2025, which was gazetted on 5 September, commuter omnibuses carrying between eight and fourteen passengers will now be required to pay US$50 per month, while larger buses carrying thirty-seven passengers or more will pay US$100.

Taxi operators will face a flat monthly levy of US$35, and driving schools will be charged between US$50 and US$100 per vehicle.

Haulage trucks will be subject to even higher fees, with those over ten tonnes paying US$200 and those exceeding twenty tonnes charged US$500.

ZIMRA has appointed the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) as its collection agent. Operators will not be able to renew their licences without presenting proof of payment or a valid tax clearance certificate.

Tsvangirayi said that while salaries have remained stagnant, taxes continue to increase, driving up the cost of goods and services and placing them further out of reach for ordinary Zimbabweans. He said:

“The new presumptive taxes introduced by ZIMRA are unfair and will have a direct negative impact on the most vulnerable in our society.

“Salaries have remained stagnant, yet taxes continue to rise, pushing the cost of goods and services beyond the reach of many.

“This will only deepen poverty, running contrary to the SDGs, particularly the goal of eradicating poverty, as well as the objectives of NDS1, which seeks to reduce the cost of doing business.”

Tsvangirayi urged the government to focus on encouraging companies to register and formalise their operations by offering incentives for compliance, rather than resorting to punitive measures that only deepen the economic hardships faced by ordinary citizens. He said:

“While the intention may be to encourage companies to register, formalise their operations, and increase government revenue, alternative strategies must be pursued.

“These strategies should focus on incentivising compliance rather than relying on punitive measures that exacerbate the economic hardships already faced by ordinary citizens.

“In this regard, ZIMRA must urgently revise these figures downwards to ensure fairness and protect livelihoods.”

Zimbabwe already imposes multiple layers of taxation, ranging from radio licences, VAT and PAYE to road tolls and vehicle licensing.

According to economists, the latest presumptive levy reflects a desperate attempt by the Treasury to plug revenue shortfalls by targeting the informal sector.

The presumptive tax system, first introduced in 2005, has long been resisted by commuter omnibus operators, who argue that it unfairly penalises small players while doing little to formalise the wider transport industry.

In previous years, associations representing kombi operators have clashed with the authorities over enforcement, with many operators accused of evading payments by using undesignated routes or avoiding licensing altogether.