In an interview with this paper yesterday, an Advisor for Kariakoo Business Community, Johnson Minja, said the protests may continue but clarified that the decision to open or close their shops is a personal one.
“We met with TRA officials but they only accepted to open six shops that they had closed,” he said referring to closure of shops deemed not to comply with the mandatory order to use the EFDs.
“They were closed because the owners had no EFDs and they were charged a fine of 3m/- but they are not going to pay the fine,” Minja said noting that TRA has decided to forego the fines on account that the traders install the devices.
On other demands from the traders including reduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) from the current 18 per cent and other complaints related to the EFDs, he said TRA asked the traders to form a committee that will formally present these arguments.
“We have been asked to form a committee to keep on discussing the matter with TRA and we have already formed it and might be starting discussions soon,” he said.
TRA Director of Education and Taxpayer Services, Richard Kayombo confirmed to The Guardian in a telephone interview yesterday that they did meet with the traders and that they did in fact forgive the imposed fines.
“We met the trader’s representatives on Tuesday evening…we have accepted to open the shops that we closed for failure to buy and use EFDs but on condition that once the owners open they will buy the EFDs and install them as per the law,” he explained.
“If they do so, we have agreed to forgive them the fines,” he said confirmed.
However, Kayombo denied that they ordered the traders to form a committee to hold discussions with TRA on the subject matter.
“We have only asked them to put their complaints in writing but not to form a committee,” he said.
“If the complaints are with TRA’s administration, we shall solve them but for those above us, we shall direct them to the ministry,” noted Kayombo.
The traders started the protests on Monday when over 90 per cent of shops in Kariokoo, the busiest business centre in the city were closed.
On Tuesday, Dar es Salaam Special Zone Commander, Suleiman Kova told a news conference that police started tightening security in shops that were open and using the devices against possible mob action by the other traders.
“Some businesspersons reported to the police that they are being threatened not to open their shops,” the Commander said.
“We discussed the matter and resolved that Kariakoo market area should be patrolled so as to guarantee security of property and the businesspersons who want to continue doing business,” Kova detailed.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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