By Kuda Pembere
Zimbabwean nurses have criticized the newly introduced tax clearance requirement for renewing nurses’ practicing certificates, calling it unnecessary and cumbersome. The Zimbabwe Nurses Association warns that the policy could negatively affect patient care across the country.
The controversy stems from a recent announcement by the Nurses Council of Zimbabwe (NCZ) mandating that nurses obtain a tax clearance certificate from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) before renewing their practicing certificates.
Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZNA) President Enock Dongo, in an interview with HealthTimes, argued that the requirement unfairly burdens nurses, most of whom are already tax-compliant.
This issue will add unnecessary pressure and workload for nurses,” Dongo said. “They must download forms, complete them, and submit them to ZIMRA for clearance, even though the majority of government-employed nurses already have their taxes deducted through the Paymaster system.”
Dongo highlighted the impracticality of the new rule, particularly for nurses in rural areas. With over 15,000 nurses registered under the NCZ, he warned of significant delays in certificate renewals. In rural clinics, where a single nurse often manages an entire facility, leaving the station unattended to comply with the requirement could directly impact patient outcomes.
“This process is demotivating, especially for nurses in rural areas with limited internet access,” Dongo explained. “Delays in renewing certificates could leave some nurses working without valid documentation, risking rejection by employers. The tax clearance requirement is an unnecessary administrative hurdle that could be streamlined through the Paymaster or Health Service Commission.”
He also expressed concern that the NCZ could lose revenue from certificate renewals, as nurses, particularly retirees or those no longer practicing, may opt out of the cumbersome process.
“The NCZ charges $50 for renewals, but many nurses may not comply, resulting in lost revenue,” Dongo said.
Dongo suggested that ZIMRA could obtain tax information directly from the NCZ, especially for nurses running private practices. He revealed that the ZNA is engaging with ZIMRA, the NCZ, and the Health Service Commission to reconsider the policy. If negotiations fail, the association may explore legal action.
The Zimbabwe Municipalities Nurses and Allied Workers Union (ZIMNAWU) has echoed these concerns. ZIMNAWU President Simbarashe Tafirenyika criticized the policy as an additional burden on already underpaid nurses. He argued that ZIMRA should focus on the NCZ, which charges $50 for certificate renewals—a recent increase from $30—rather than targeting individual nurses.
“ZIMRA should stop harassing nurses and instead work with the NCZ, which has a register of all practicing nurses,” Tafirenyika said. “This bureaucracy is exposing the country to corruption, as nurses may be forced to pay bribes to obtain clearance certificates.”
Tafirenyika also criticized Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube, accusing the policy of exacerbating corruption. “This move makes it seem like the Ministry of Finance is being run like a tuckshop, with arbitrary decisions made overnight,” he said.
