"Dar es Salaam — With only a week before it takes effect, some politicians are vigorously opposing a new SIM card tax charging mobile users 1,000 shillings ($.62) monthly to offset development costs.

National Assembly Speaker Anne Makinda instructed Finance Minister William Mgimwa to ignore the SIM tax when the original finance bill was presented to parliament on June 13th.

"The skipped paragraph is of no effect," Makinda said before debate on the legislation began. "Only the words read out by the minister in this house are effective."

Nonetheless, the ministry did not remove the provision from the bill, which was approved on the same day, and forwarded to President Jakaya Kikwete who signed it into law.

The controversial tax, which is slated to start July 31st, has raised concern among citizens and politicians due to its irregular introduction and its economic impact..." Read more

Source: allAfrica