Sam Shivute – Windhoek Observer

12 Sep

Collaboration set to strengthen investment framework and tax compliance

ObserverNational NewsNamRA, Nangula Uaandja, NIPDB, Sam Shivute

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) and the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in an effort to improve Namibia’s investment climate and tax compliance. This collaboration is set to enhance the efficiency of income tax and VAT registration processes while streamlining the investment process for foreign investors. The MoU signed on Wednesday, reflects both institutions’ commitment to strengthening tax compliance and promoting foreign investment, with a clear focus on fostering economic growth in Namibia. NamRA Commissioner Sam Shivute stressed the importance of facilitating a conducive environment for investors. “We want…

21 Jul

NamRa declares war on tax evasion

ObserverObserver MoneyNamRa declares war on tax evasion, Sam Shivute

Martin Endjala Following numerous failed interventions to sensitise the public to pay their taxes, it has come to the attention of the Namibia Revenue Agency that a number of companies and individuals have been declaring null or zero tax returns, as a result, the agency has declared war to root out tax evasion in the country. The agency’s Commissioner, Sam Shivute revealed yesterday in an exclusive interview during his courtesy visit to President Hage Geingob at state house that they have developed a Tax Law Enforcement Strategy and established a Centralised Investigation Enforcement Unit. The enforcement intervention activities he said…

NamRa tax fraud increases to N$36 million<br>…10 criminal cases registered

02 Jul

NamRa tax fraud increases to N$36 million
…10 criminal cases registered

ObserverNational News90-day investigation, N$36 million, Revenue Agency (NamRA), Sam Shivute

Obrein Simasiku About N$36 million has been discovered through a high level 90-day investigation to have been defrauded from the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) through provisional tax refunds, a double increase from the N$15 million announced earlier in March, before the agency moved to effect a moratorium on refunds in an effort to crack down on fraudsters. The moratorium has however been lifted as of today, according to NamRa's commissioner Sam Shivute, who said the agency is now working towards cracking down on those involved and recoup the misappropriated millions. The investigations began in March when it was discovered that…

24 Mar

No refund claims until June ..as NamRA detects tax refund scam worth N$15m

ObserverUncategorisedNamibia Revenue Agency (NamRA), No refund claims until June ..as NamRA detects tax refund scam worth N$15m, Sam Shivute

Tujoromajo Kasuto The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) has uncovered a tax refund scam involving N$15 million paid out to 122 taxpayers. The agency has initiated what could be its first major fraud investigation and has announced that significant progress and discoveries have been made. It announced that no refund claims will be processed for provisional taxpayers until 30 June 2022. The moratorium will however not affect tax refund claims of other tax types such as individual taxpayers and value added tax claims. NamRA commissioner, Sam Shivute says that they have already opened criminal cases against identified suspects, while the administrative…

04 May

Board members mass exodus on the horizon …as new cabinet directive takes effect

ObserverObserver MoneyBoard members mass exodus on the horizon, Gisbertus Mukulu, Heinrich Mihe Gaomab II, Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) Commissioner, Sam Shivute, State Owned Enterprises (SOEs)

Andrew Kathindi, Tujoromajo Kasuto State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) could see a mass exodus in the following months and years, with a new Cabinet directive baring Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of SOEs serving on the board of other SOEs. The development was confirmed by Public Enterprises Minister, Leon Jooste. The new directive is the reason why Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) Commissioner, Sam Shivute, will not be considered for reappointment as board Chairperson of the National Housing Enterprise (NHE). Shivute had previously admitted failure during his tenure at the NHE, which is currently faced with a leadership crisis pitting senior management against…

14 Apr

I have failed – Sam Shivute . . . as employees demand NHE CEO exit

ObserverObserver MoneyNamRA Commissioner, National Housing Enterprise (NHE), Sam Shivute

Kandjemuni Kamuiiri and Rose-Mary Haufiku National Housing Enterprise (NHE) Board Chairperson, Sam Shivute, has admitted failure in providing low cost housing. The admittance by the recently appointed NamRA Commissioner comes as the NHE is in crisis over the Board’s decision to renew Chief Executive Officer(CEO), Gisbertus Mukulu’s term for another five years amid allegations of incompetence. The former Okahao Town council CEO was appointed in 2016 without Cabinet’s approval, amidst assertion that former Omusati Governor, former Local Government minister, and current Swapo Secretary General, Sophia Shaningwa, had a hand in the appointment. “Yes, we did not build the 1250 houses…

13 Apr

NHE board calls for crisis meeting

ObserverObserver MoneyGisbertus Mukulu, National Housing Enterprise (NHE), Sam Shivute

Maria Hamutenya and Andrew Kathindi The National Housing Enterprise (NHE) Board has scheduled a crisis meeting with the organisation’s managers following the surfacing of a damning letter where they accused Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Gisbertus Mukulu, of incompetence. In the letter, company management stated that the employment contract of the CEO must not be renewed when it ends on 30 June, pointing out that since the appointment of Makulu as CEO, the NHE failed to achieve two critical objectives of its strategic plan, growing the loan book and building 1250 houses annually. According to the approved NHE strategic plan 2017-2022…

29 Sep

A tax policeman is not the solution

ObserverNational NewsCommissioner for the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA), Sam Shivute

Sam Shivute is the new Commissioner for the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA). The agency has no empowering legislation and is not yet operational. Hiring a tax enforcer at a time of extreme financial distress in the Namibian economy is ill-advised. Namibia is in serious financial trouble. Business and government must work hand-in-hand to save the economy. The government must not use a tax policeman to bash businesses on the head and then demand private sector participation in economic recovery. And yet, Shivute when stating his commitment to building a credible and trusted tax collections institution said that the tax and…

25 Sep

Sam Shivute vows zero tolerance for tax avoiders …as NamRA Act is still to be enacted

ObserverObserver MoneyNamibia Revenue Agency (NamRA), Sam Shivute

Andrew Kathindi Newly appointed Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) Commissioner, Sam Shivute has vowed zero tolerance for tax avoiders. He said he would not be intimidated in his pursuit of tax collection. This comes six years after it was alleged that Shivute’s tenure as the Commissioner for Inland Revenue in the Finance ministry came to an end when he pursued certain non-tax-compliant business people. It is alleged that he received personal threats as a result. “In NamRA, integrity and good ethics will be non-negotiable and there will be zero tolerance to corruption. We will endeavour to have the right staff, with…

18 Sep

Shivute officially appointed NamRa boss

ObserverObserver MoneyNamibia Revenue Agency (NamRA), president Hage Geingob, Sam Shivute

Staff Writer Sam Shivute has officially been appointed as the inaugural Commissioner of the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) with effect from the 28th of September after cabinet chaired by President Hage Geingob approved his appointment. The development has resulted in Shivute resigning from the Bank of Namibia, where has held various positions since he joined in 2003 and with a farewell event was held in his honor on Wednesday. As head of NamRa, Shivute reports directly to Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi and the NamRA board of directors. Shuvute and Shiimi are former collogues at the central bank where the Finance…