Unity Village closed… Zimra’s nationwide blitz on smuggled goods hits Bulawayo’s biggest flea market

THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has closed Unity Village Flea Market in Bulawayo as part of a nationwide blitz targeting smuggled goods and counterfeit products.

The flea market houses dozens of traders and is one of the busiest in the city centre, offering different products ranging from clothes and footwear, cell phones and accessories as well as kitchenware, among other products.

This comes as Zimra has intensified its crackdown across the country, targeting smuggling syndicates and tax evaders.
When Zimpapers Business Hub visited the facility yesterday, the flea market was closed and traders were seen milling around the complex.

In an interview, Unity Village head of security Mr Gilter Manasidze, said clothing, kitchenware, phones and phone accessories traders had their shops closed.

He, however, said the facility also houses those who do phone repairs and other services, and he stressed that Zimra has said these are not being targeted.

“They are targeting those who are not paying duty, especially those who deal with clothing, cell phones and accessories, but those who do phone repairs are exempt,” said Mr Manasidze.

He said the traders were asked to compile all the stocks and submit to Zimra to determine tax due.
Affected traders said this was a blow to their livelihoods as they now have to wait for Zimra officials to clear them.

“I don’t know what to do, I will just wait to hear from Zimra officials. I am hoping for an immediate resolution to this unexpected shutdown,” said one trader, who declined to be named.

Others expressed concern about losing customers and struggling to provide for their families during the shutdown period. They said they do not know when they will be allowed to resume business.

Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association (BVTA) executive director, Mr Michael Ndiweni, said the closure of the premises meant that traders would not be able to conduct business until they complied with regulatory requirements, which would, in turn, affect their incomes.

“My advice is that the task force should work with various SME associations to find better ways of implementing the operation so that people understand exactly what is going on,” said Mr Ndiweni.

He added that the task force must engage associations or market owners and work out a mechanism that balances enforcement with protecting the livelihoods of traders.

Mr Ndiweni said they had asked the authorities to be lenient with traders and give them time to produce required documents while doing business.

“On our part, we are trying to be proactive, educating people on this operation and how they can comply with the laws on bringing goods into the country.

“We are urging them to be cautious and reduce reliance on runners as they are often responsible for bringing goods through undesignated ports,” he said.

Mr Ndiweni said in order to reduce clothing imports, which have a high risk of Zimra penalties, his association was supporting local production of clothes.

“We have a project that we are running to support them with sewing machines to produce their own clothes instead of importing,” he said.

The Government is intensifying efforts to combat illegal imports, a critical component of a broader strategy to protect and support local industry, promote job creation and grow the economy.

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce is spearheading the operation, working with Zimra, the police, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and the Consumer Protection Commission.

The World Bank recently identified Zimbabwe’s growing informal sector as a significant challenge to economic growth, noting its impact on productivity, policy effectiveness, and long-term development while also limiting Government’s ability to mobilise domestic resources.

Experts say smuggled goods significantly harm the local manufacturing sector, employment and public health while also eroding revenue needed for national development.

Meanwhile, the retail outlets adjacent to the Central Police Station, were among many that were closed recently under the same operation.-chroncile