Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has moved to clear confusion over statutory charges, insisting that all fees and levies remain in force until Parliament formally amends or repeals the governing laws.
In a statement, the minister said his office had been inundated with inquiries following government’s recent pronouncements on reducing charges across various sectors.
“All fees, levies and charges prescribed in existing laws in the form of primary and subsidiary legislation shall continue in force and effect until such a time when the statutory provisions providing for the same have been amended or repealed in accordance with set procedures,” said Minister Ziyambi.
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He stressed that while government had adopted a policy position to lower costs, it could only take effect once translated into law through the proper legislative process.
According to The Herald, Minister Ziyambi revealed that his ministry, working with the Office of the Attorney-General, is already collaborating with relevant ministries to ensure the policy stance on reducing fees is codified into binding statutes.
The minister added that the reforms form part of Zimbabwe’s broader development thrust, anchored on Vision 2030.
“We have a positive obligation, as aptly enunciated in Section 114 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, to ensure that statutes are drafted to eliminate any gaps in the law.
“It is in the public interest that we must draft and enact laws that enhance the investment climate and facilitate the ease of doing business in Zimbabwe,” he said.
The clarification comes in the wake of recent reviews of charges in sectors such as transport and agriculture.
