Fadzayi Mahere Slams Zimbabwe’s New Digital Services Tax
Advocate Fadzayi Mahere has strongly criticised Zimbabwe’s newly introduced 15 percent Digital Services Withholding Tax. She described it as excessive and harmful to ordinary citizens already struggling with rising living costs.
New Tax Takes Effect on Offshore Digital Platforms
The tax, which came into effect this week, applies to payments made by Zimbabwean users to foreign-based digital platforms such as streaming services, online subscriptions and other offshore digital service providers.
Under the revised tax framework, the levy is automatically deducted at the point of payment by banks, mobile money operators and other regulated financial intermediaries.
The measure is part of Government efforts to tap into revenue from the fast-growing digital economy.
‘Everything Is Going Up’ — Mahere Warns
Taking to her X (formerly Twitter) account, Fadzayi Mahere criticised the move, arguing that the digital services tax would further strain consumers already facing higher prices across the economy.
She warned that the new levy comes on top of the recently increased Value Added Tax (VAT) rate of 15.5 percent, which she said would push up the cost of virtually all goods and services.
Mahere listed school fees, gym subscriptions, groceries and fuel among expenses expected to rise, adding that the cumulative tax burden would hit households hard.
“The digital services tax is extortionist and problematic. But let’s not forget that every single thing – goods and services- shall be going up this year because of the increase in tax rate of VAT to 15,5%. Your school fees, gym subs, groceries, fuel – everything is going up.”
Call for Leadership Change
In her remarks, Mahere accused the Government of overtaxing citizens while failing to deliver meaningful services in return, describing the situation as unsustainable.
She concluded her statement with a call for new leadership, saying Zimbabwe needs a different approach to governance and economic management.
I’ve never seen a Govt that taxes so much and delivers so little. It’s a mess. We need new leaders
,” she added.
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The post ‘Extortionist’: Fadzayi Mahere Slams Zimbabwe’s New 15% Digital Services Tax appeared first on iHarare News.
