The Zimbabwean government has issued a crucial clarification, instructing businesses and citizens to continue paying the old, higher fees for licences, permits, and levies for now. Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi explained that despite the announcement of sweeping cuts, the new, lower rates cannot take effect until Parliament formally changes the law — and he did not provide a timeline for when this process will be
Zimbabwe Government Confirms Old Fees Still Apply Despite Cuts
The Zimbabwean government has issued a crucial clarification, instructing businesses and citizens to continue paying the old, higher fees for licences, permits, and levies for now. Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi explained that despite the announcement of sweeping cuts, the new, lower rates cannot take effect until Parliament formally changes the law — and he did not provide a timeline for when this process will be completed.
New policy, old laws
The clarification follows widespread confusion after major announcements on 10 September 2025. On that day, the government revealed sweeping reforms aimed at making it easier and cheaper to do business in Zimbabwe. These included drastic cuts to fees in the agriculture and transport sectors, from the cost of a number plate to charges for exporting meat.
Minister Ziyambi released a statement to address the numerous queries his office had received. He made it clear that the existing fees remain in effect until the necessary legal processes are complete.
Speaking to The Herald, he stated:
“All fees, levies and charges prescribed in existing laws in the form of primary and subsidiary legislation shall continue in force and effect until such a time when the statutory provisions providing for the same have been amended or repealed in accordance with set procedures.”
Minister Ziyambi explained that while the government had firmly adopted a new policy position to lower costs, this policy could not override established law. He confirmed that work is happening behind the scenes to turn the policy into legally binding instruments.
He said:
“The ministry, together with the Office of the Attorney-General, is working with all relevant ministries to ensure that the policy position adopted by Government to reduce the various fees, levies and charges is translated into legally binding legal instruments.”
Sweeping changes announced
The initial announcements promised significant financial relief. In the agricultural sector, more than twenty permits, levies, and certificates were either scrapped entirely or had their fees dramatically reduced. According to iHarare, the annual registration fee for dairy processors was decreased from US$350 (approximately ZAR 6,300) to a one-time payment of US$50 (approximately ZAR 900). The cost of an official number plate for a vehicle was slashed from approximately US$500 (ZAR 9,000) to just US$50 (ZAR 900).
Furthermore, a highly controversial US$23,000 (approx. ZAR 414,000) duty on transit fuel, payable to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), was abolished entirely. Municipal parking fees across the country were also cut by fifty percent. The review process also removed several more minor transport charges, including a US$30 electronic cargo tracking fee.
Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube framed these changes as essential for economic growth. He
explained:
“These measures will lower the cost of doing business, especially for small and medium enterprises. They will encourage investment and exports in high-potential value chains. They will also create jobs and stimulate rural development.”
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