ZIMBABWE needs to come up with policies that allow the taxing of the rich to address inequalities among different social classes to counter the excessive concentration of power and wealth in the hands of the elite, a social activist has said.
Speaking at a Fight Inequality Alliance (FIA) meeting in Gweru recently, FIA Gweru chapter member Gracia Mashingaidze said the current taxation system was uniform for all people regardless of different levels of wealth among individuals.
“There is a need to push so that the super-rich are taxed in terms of their property, to have lifestyle audits so that at least we have policies that make people pay taxes according to the amount of wealth they have,” she said.
“You cannot be taxing everyone equally, the rich should pay a fair amount of tax so that we fund public services.”
Mashingaidze, who is also a social and economic justice activist, said taxing the rich would help to push for pro-poor policies like advancing access to free and affordable education, healthcare and in particular free
maternity.
She said most people, who were facing economic hardships, were being heavily taxed.
“We are saying as much as you are taxing us at times it becomes regressive taxation. You are taxed value added tax, pay as you earn, 2% levy and in fact every move you make
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you are taxed,” Mashingaidze said.
FIA Gweru chapter member David Chikore said people needed to unite and push for the taxation of the rich.
“Unfortunately, in our policymaking you find that generally those involved are the rich and so it’s like you are sending a mosquito to find cure for malaria,” Chikore said.
“We are putting at the forefront people who are already amassing wealth for themselves and we expect them to serve the interests of the poor.”
He said there was a need for massive voter education so that people are not gullible and continue voting for the same people who perpetuate inequality.
