SHIKANDA KAWANGA, Kazungula
THE Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) last year collected K665 million in taxes at Kazungula border, exceeding the annual parliamentary target of K564 million.
Station manager Victor Kasoma said ZRA collected a surplus of K90 million.
Mr Kasoma attributed the increase in the revenue to the tight security measures and border controls put in place to curb smuggling.
He said ZRA collects over K46 million monthly at Kazungula border.
“The increase in revenue collection at Kazungula border post is mainly attributed to the number of countries it connects to. That is why the border post is busy.
“It must be noted that Kazungula border post connects Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Even our security situation is tight,”   Mr Kasoma said.
He was speaking during a familiarisation tour by Southern Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu last Thursday.
Mr Kasoma said Kazungula border facilitates exit and entry of transit and export goods into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana, which attract duty and other taxes.
He said the business volumes in terms of the number of trucks entering or exiting the border has continued to increase every year.
“We clear over 300 people and 70 trucks per day. The border post is very busy and our offices are small,” Mr Kasoma said.
He said Kazungula border is becoming as busy as the Nakonde, Chirundu and Kasumbalesa borders.
He is hopeful that ZRA at Kazungula border will again exceed its revenue collection targets this year.