MBABANE:Ntobeko Dlamini,the Eswatini Revenue Service(ERS) Director of Makerting and Communications says, the Ministry of Finance is better positioned to comment and give direction amid confusion in the implementation of the approved Value Added Tax(VAT) increase.
This comes after the Republic of South Africa halted the implementation of the 0.5% increase amid public resistance.
But Eswatini Parliament had already approved the increase with a similar percentage when the President Cyril Ramaphosa led Government of National Unity(GNU) announced the halting of the implementation.
“Please contact the office of the Ministry of Finance for clarity on the same.The Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) does not determine tax rates, it is the domain of the Ministry of Finance through Parliament,” said the Eswatini Revenue Service Director of Marketing and Communications.
Efforts to reach Finance Minister Neal Rijikernberg proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.
On another note, the introduction of VAT increase is highly expected to escalate the costs of basic commodities including food thus, worsening the lives of the financial struggling emaSwati.
Eswatini has about 70% of the population living below the poverty and, the youth is facing scarcity of scholarships and job opportunities.
Eswatini Revenue Service(ERS) Headquarters(pic: ERS).