12 Aug 2020

Legislators have supported the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (Amendment) Bill that Minister of Finance and Economic Development Minister, Dr Thapelo Matsheka, tabled for second reading on August 10.

The bill seeks to amend the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) Act to align it with current corporate service trends as well as improve the administration and enforcement of revenue laws to optimise tax revenue through efficient and effective tax collection.

MP for Gaborone North, Mr Mpho Balopi, said the bill came at a time when most countries were inundated by cases of tax invasion.

In this regard, he said, the envisaged law would assist in dealing with matters pertaining to tax avoidance.

Mr Balopi called for embracing of fourth industrial revolution to ensure that the software in place was integrated with tax collection to close gaps.

He said he supported the skills mix of personnel within the proposed board members with experience in the fields of human resources, business, information technology or law.

Tonota MP, Mr Pono Moatlhodi, supported the bill, but questioned the rationale behind appointment of board members since it seemed they were appointed along party lines.

He also said increase of board membership to 10 was good for sound decision making.

MP for Kanye South, Dr Lemogang Kwape, also supported the bill stating that tax collection was the country’s mainstay after diamonds, hence any gaps to do with tax collections should be closed.

He also said he was in support of gender balance required in the composition of board and that it was high time BURS property was protected as per the envisaged law.

Mahalapye West MP, Mr David Tshere, called for transparency in tax matters since revenue collected from tax contributed to the country development.

MP for Boteti East, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe also gave thumbs up to the bill, stating that it was progressive in a period where tax matters should be administered.

He also said the increase in number of board members was important for maintaining quorums in meetings and that stipulation of terms for board tenure was important for consistency.

Ghanzi South MP, Mr Motsamai Motsamai, said consideration for board members should be extended to retired civil servants.

He also said appointment of board members along party lines was a worrisome trend, adding that people should be appointed on merit.

Tlokweng MP, Mr Thulagano Segokgo, said the ICT incorporation into the bill was an important aspect in collection of tax.

He was of the view that ICT would deal with challenges dealing with digital economy to taxation since some goods still sneaked into the country unlawfully.

And Jwaneng-Mabutsane MP, Mr Mephato Reatile, said he was disturbed by recycling of board members within most parastatals because some ended being ineffective.

He said the BURS bill could be salvation to the already ailing economy that was resource dependent, adding that tax should be collected indiscriminately and not only during election period as that was a ransom.

Okavango MP, Mr Kenny Kapinga,  raised concerns regarding immunity of BURS from individuals who might find themselves in legal matters with the organisation.

In this regard, he said it would be ideal to only protect confidential information and not make the entity immune.

He also said it was not good to consider chairperson of board only from public sector, adding that he wondered if the public servants were the only ones who could protect public interest.

Francistown South MP, Wynter Mmolotsi supported the bill, but noted that tax collection was imperative for income generation.

He suggested that appointment of board members should be based on merit and that the board should be given liberty to vote its chairperson because they know each other’s strengths.

Gaborone Bonnington North MP, Ms Annah Mokgethi, said she appreciated the envisaged law because it was gender neutral in the appointment of board members.

Serowe South MP, Mr Leepetswe Lesedi also supported the bill, but noted that collection of tax should be consistent and not self-targeting to some individuals.

The debate  on continues. BOPA