FROM CELLS TO COOPS -ZRA Empowers Ex-Inmates Through Taxpayer Education and Poultry Ventures.
Reintegrating into society proves to be a difficult challenge for these men and women, underscoring the pressing need for comprehensive initiatives that address the root cause of recidivism.
For the ex-inmates at the Zambia Ex-Prisoners Multipurpose (ZAMEP) cooperative, a unique initiative is taking flight as the former inmates find a new sense of purpose and contribution to society through a poultry business, thanks to the Zambia Revenue Authority’s (ZRA) commitment to taxpayer education.
ZRA has taken a groundbreaking step by providing tax education and training to ex-inmates involved in entrepreneurial cooperatives. This initiative not only equips former prisoners with essential financial skills but also marks a significant stride in their journey towards successful reintegration into society.
Meet Alex Njamba, a 53-year-old ex-inmate affiliated with the ZAMEP cooperative.
Having spent 21 years on death row for aggravated robbery, Mr Njamba found reassurance and purpose through ZAMEP’s initiatives.
“I was sentenced to death, and after many trips to court, I was pardoned on January 14, 2020, after spending 21 years in prison,” he shared.
The cooperative, comprising around 60 former prisoners, decided to venture into the poultry business, thanks to sponsorship and training from ZRA.
“We keep busy with projects at ZAMEP to stay out of trouble in our communities. We came together as ex-prisoners, brainstormed ideas and decided to start a poultry business which is doing well,” Mr Njamba said.
“ZRA supported our poultry business with a donation and recently taught us about taxes. They explained why it is important to pay taxes to contribute to the government and the country’s development. People do not expect former inmates like us to run successful businesses, but ZRA gave us a second chance with the help they rendered to us,” he added.
Mr Njamba said ZRA’s tax education conducted for the ex-inmates covered vital aspects like tax turnover, Value-Added Tax (VAT), and annual tax returns.
He emphasised the importance of such knowledge, stating that running a business without paying tax is an offense.
This newfound understanding empowers ex-inmates not only to comply with tax regulations but also to contribute meaningfully to the country’s development.
“It is an offence to run a business without paying taxes. That is why ZRA taught us about taxes during training- so we know how to pay taxes and run our business properly,” Mr Njamba explained.
He mentioned that the training made him realise the country benefits when the cooperative pays taxes.
“The money from these taxes helps the government fix roads, bridges, and schools. It also aids in managing crises like the current fight against cholera,” he explained.
Mr Njamba stressed the importance of every citizen running a business paying taxes; it is a way of responsible and patriotic for the country’s development.
The impact of ZRA’s taxpayer education is evident in the lives of other individuals like Aaron Kacha, who spent 15 years in prison for aggravated robbery.
Pardoned in 2021, Mr Kacha credits the education received for breaking the cycle of recidivism, providing ex-inmates with tools for lawful and productive activities.
“As we reintegrate into our different communities, such trainings equip us with tools to engage in lawful and productive activities. This does not only benefit us as ex-inmates but also has broader societal advantages such as reduced crime rates and increased community wellbeing,” he explained.
Jeremiah Phiri, 48, after serving 10 years of his 15-year jail sentence for aggravated robbery in 2009, speaks about the cooperative’s genesis.
Inspired by conversations during incarceration, he and his fellow inmates formed ZAMEP to align with President Hakainde Hichilema’s encouragement of cooperatives and business ventures.
“I really thought about it. Once I got pardoned, I knew I needed to do something good to avoid going back to prison. I talked with my friends, and we decided to start a cooperative. President Hakainde Hichilema supports cooperatives and businesses, so that is why we joined ZAMEP to work with the government,” he said.
Mr Phiri said taxpayer education training provided insights into tax compliance, financial management, and legal requirements, shaping their responsible contribution to the economy.
“The taxpayers’ education training offered an insight into tax compliance, financial management, and legal requirement to support our poultry business. It gave us a sense of responsibility and accountability within the cooperative, ensuring that we adhere to taxation regulations and contribute positively to the economy. It promotes our reintegration into society as responsible, contributing entrepreneurs,” he explained.
Brenda Zulu, 47, incarcerated for drug trafficking for five years, sees the combination of taxpayer education and the poultry business as a pathway to rebuilding lives and contributing to the economy.
Ms Zulu emphasised that this investment in ex-inmates’ rehabilitation ultimately benefits both the cooperative and society at large.
The driving force behind these transformative initiatives is Paul Chirwa, ZAMEP coordinator and founder, who recognised the gap in post-release support for ex-inmates.
Mr Chirwa emphasised the cooperative’s dedication to keeping ex-prisoners productive and crime-free, aligning with government’s encouragement of forming cooperatives and entrepreneurship.
“All former prisoners should be kept productive. If everyone does, Zambia will not be the same. We have been trained in entrepreneurship by ZCAS, supported by the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise. We also received a poultry project from ZRA through Corrections Services,” he shared.
Mr Chirwa mentioned that government through ZRA, provided tax compliance training for the cooperative.
He noted that, “we will begin making tax returns as a cooperative starting from February. This is good for the country because we are also contributing to its development.”
ZRA, through its Corporate Social Responsibility, not only provided the cooperative with a poultry business but also conducted post-tax registration obligation training.
Oliver Nzala, ZRA Corporate Communications Manager, reveals that more than 30 members from ZAMEP and Lusaka Central Cooperative (LUCECOOP) attended the training.
With ZRA’s guidance, the cooperatives are ready to contribute to the national tax pool, showcasing the impactful influence of proactive taxpayer education.
“The members were trained on how to file a tax return, and how to make a payment. Now that the cooperative members have been trained and the cooperatives are fully registered with ZRA, it is expected that the business will start paying taxes beginning February 2024,” Mr Nzala said.
Since the donation in October 2023, the cooperative has earned K90, 000 from egg sales, demonstrating the tangible impact of the initiative.
“The cooperative has so far earned K90, 000 from egg sales with a daily production of 50 to 60 trays of eggs,” said Mr Nzala.
The project’s success, operating within the Agriculture Sector outlined in the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP), serves as inspiration for ex-inmates striving to reintegrate into society as responsible, contributing entrepreneurs.
Within a world where second chances can be scarce, ZRA’s commitment to educating and empowering ex-inmates proves that with the right support, individuals can overcome the challenges of the past, rewrite their stories, and contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities and the nation at large.
😍
ReplyDelete