MBABANE:Neal Rijikernberg, the Minister of Finance has applauded the new partnership between the Eswatini Revenue Service(ERS) and the Eswatini Post and Telecommunications Corporation(EPTC) saying this will enhance the collection of taxes.
Speaking during the launch of the partnership in Mbabane on Friday, the Finance Minister who was represented by Housing and Urban Development Minister Apollo Maphalala said, the Government of eSwatini, through ERS, introduced the Revenue Takeover Project and this project was launched with a pilot that saw ERS collecting payments for company registration and the renewal of trading licences on behalf of the Ministry of Commerce. He said the partnership between EPTC and ERS will enable taxpayers to visit Post Offices and pay tax, company registration fees and renewal of trading licenses.
“That first step may have seemed modest, but it represented the beginning of a larger vision: to centralise and modernise the collection of Government revenue under the stewardship of ERS. Today, I am pleased to announce that we are moving decisively into the next phase of this project. Under Phase 2, the Eswatini Revenue Service will now take over the collection of all non-tax revenue on behalf of the Government. This expansion covers more than 150 revenue fees, making it easier for citizens and businesses alike to pay for the services they need through a single, efficient platform”, said the Minister.
On another note, ERS Commissioner General Brightwell Nkambule noted that, EPTC “has a wide network of Post Offices” and this will enhance the collection of revenue.
“EPTC brings to this partnership its extensive network of over 30 post offices nationwide. This is a game-changer for citizens: it will expand access, reduce travel time, cut costs, and bring services closer to communities across all regions of the country,” said the Commissioner General.
Stakeholders during the launch of the Eswatini Revenue Service(ERS) and Eswatini Post and Telecommunications Corporation(EPTC).