By REBECCA MUSHOTA –
THE Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has instituted legal proceedings against United Progressive People’s Party president Saviour Chishimba for defamation after he allegedly accused the Authority of dubiously awarding a contract to a certain company.
The ZRA is demanding K100 billion as damages against its reputation.
This is according to a statement issued by ZRA corporate communications manager Topsy Sikalinda.
It is alleged that on Friday last week, and on Tuesday, Dr Chishimba issued statements purporting that ZRA dubiously and by corrupt means awarded a contract for the design, supply, delivery, installation, supervision, configuration, testing and commissioning of an invoice management system, otherwise known as Electronic Fiscal Devices to a certain company amounting to K140 million.
“The Authority is an institution of high level of integrity and careless statements from members of the public have the potential to bring the name of the institution into contempt and disrepute, thereby affecting revenue collection,” Mr Sikalinda said.
ZRA is, therefore, seeking legal redress in the High Court on the matter as of yesterday.