Zimbabwe authorities have slashed parking fees, number plate costs and fuel duty in a reform targeting the transport industry. The wide-ranging measures include a drastic fifty percent reduction in all municipal parking fees and associated penalties, such as vehicle towing and clamping.
In a move that will directly benefit vehicle owners, the exorbitant cost of official number plates has been slashed from a staggering US$500 to a far more accessible US$50.
The announcement, delivered during a post-Cabinet media briefing, frames these cuts as a critical step in a broader strategy to improve the nation’s business climate. Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, stated that the Government’s focus is on creating a more efficient and less costly operational environment. He confirmed,
“The review process is aimed at reducing the cost of doing business, increasing competitiveness, and enhancing the growth of the Zimbabwean economy.”
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Zimbabwe Slashes Controversial Transit Fuel Duty, Parking Fees and Number Plate Fees Prices
In what is perhaps the most significant relief for hauliers and cargo operators, the Cabinet has taken decisive action to abolish a contentious US$23,000 duty on transit fuel. This fee, which was previously mandatory and payable to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), had been a substantial burden for cross-border transport companies. Dr Muswere confirmed the duty’s immediate removal, noting,
“Cabinet directed that the US$23 000 duty on transit fuel payable to Zimra be immediately scrapped. The relevant Statutory Instrument will be repealed accordingly.”
This move is expected to instantly lower the overheads for logistics firms, making Zimbabwean routes more competitive within the Southern African region. The government asserts that by cutting these costs, it can stimulate higher levels of trade and commercial activity.
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Government Assures More Cuts Are on the Horizon
The Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube, provided further details on the sweeping changes. He emphasised that the review of fees was comprehensive, targeting numerous areas deemed excessive and detrimental to business growth. For instance, a US$30 electronic cargo tracking fee has been eliminated entirely, and parking charges outside the Forbes Border Post have been removed.
Professor Ncube was keen to stress that this is part of an ongoing process, with the recently introduced presumptive tax on transport also now under official review. He articulated the government’s new philosophy, stating,
“We are in a cutting mode. We might collect more revenue because increasing the profitability of these enterprises , across the economy, will spur growth. We do not want people to be discouraged by the cost of doing business.”
The ultimate goal, he explained, is not merely to reduce government charges but to foster a more profitable and attractive environment for investment across the entire economy.
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The post Zimbabwe Slashes Parking Fees, Number Plate Costs And Fuel Duty appeared first on iHarare News.
