ZIMBABWE Revenue Authority (Zimra) Wednesday resembled a comedy of errors after they seized CAPS United’s team bus, arguing they needed a second assessment after “suddenly discovering the bus was worth more than what they initially thought”.
It is not clear how the initial assessment failed to determine the true value of the bus.
However, observers blasted the tax collector for derelict of duty, saying it could be a window into the level of failed assessments previously obtainable at the country’s borders.
The CAPS United bus, which was welcomed with pomp and fanfare among the Makepekepe faithful, was purchased by China-based striker Nyasha Mushekwi as a donation to the club that first thrust him into the spotlight.
Mushekwi had initially pleaded for exemption of tax through a written letter to the Sports and Recreation Commission on the basis that the bus was a donation.
His plea fell on deaf ears.
“The bus has gone for a second assessment,” a source told Zim Morning Post.
“The Zimra official who assessed it, assessed it on the knowledge that it was an ordinary bus. However, it later came to light amid celebrations on social media that the bus is a luxury bus. And while duty had been deducted using a certain value, it was now also being said that the bus was worth US$120 000.”
CAPS United later travelled for a Premier Soccer League match against Ngezi Platinum Stars without the bus as it had been seized by Zimra.
Fearing a public backlash, the tax collectors requested that the matter should not spill into the media, Zim Morning Post was told.