07 Oct 2015

The Botswana Unified Revenue Services (BURS) appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in Gaborone on Tuesday.

BURS commissioner general, Mr Keneilwe Morris said during the period of April 1, 2014 to March 31 this year, his organisation collected tax revenues amounting to P37 519 billion against a target of P35 783 billion.

Mr Morris said the actual revenue collection exceeded target by P1 737 billion and of the three revenue streams, income tax was the most bullish as it exceeded its target by P2 046 billion.

“During the period of April 1, 2015 to August 31, 2015 we collected tax revenues amounting to P15 020 million against a target of P15 331 million,” he said. On other issues, Mr Morris said 280 employees out of a total workforce of 1 395 participated in the recent industrial action.

He said preliminary results indicated that the industrial action did not have an impact on revenue collection. Mr Morris also briefed the PAC about on-going development projects.

“The construction of BURS headquarters in CBD commenced July 5, 2014 and it was meant to be completed on August 1, 2016 but we have since proposed to extend the scope of the project to construct two additional floors on one of the buildings,” he said.

He stated that additional space would provide accommodation for 200 staff members at an extra cost of P39 million. He further said construction of residential flats at Ramatlabama and Tlokweng borders commenced in April this year and is due to be completed by April 14 next year.

Other projects included construction of electric fences at Kazungula road, Ngoma and Pont Drift border posts as well as the design of Mamuno border post sewerage system.

PAC chairperson, Mr Samson Guma asked the commissioner general to explain progress made concerning pronouncement made by the Minister of Finance and Development Planning during the budget speech regarding first time home owners being exempt from paying value added tax (VAT).

Mr Morris indicated that there had not been any progress because the implementation of the pronouncement was complex. “If one wants to build their own house and opts to buy material from different sources, how do we tackle the issue of them not paying VAT,” he quizzed.

He indicated that issue was still being looked at and how best to implement it.