Mohloai Mpesi
REVENUE Services Lesotho (RSL) has recognised Naledi Funeral Planners (Pty) Ltd with a Tax Compliant Taxpayer Award.
The award, presented recently, recognises the funeral services company for its adherence to the country’s tax laws.
RSL is the government agency responsible for assessing and collecting public revenue.
Naledi Funeral Planners was incorporated in 2012 and operates branches in the northern, central and southern regions of Lesotho, providing funeral policies and related services to Basotho households.
The recognition comes amid a protracted boardroom dispute over the rightful chairperson of the company, a wrangle that nearly crippled its operations and is now before the High Court’s Commercial Division.
In an interview with this publication, the company’s Acting Managing Director, Tšolo Seutloali, said the award reflected the collective efforts of the company in upholding good governance and compliance.
“This accolade affirms our collective commitment, as Naledi, to excellence. It inspires renewed resolve in ourselves and an exemplary future, as we subscribe to the issue of compliance,” he said.
Mr Seutloali said the company had a responsibility to comply with the law because clients entrusted it with their money.
“It is important for businesses and organisations to abide by the law. As Naledi, our line of business says we are planners, meaning we plan ahead.
“We collect premiums so that when there is a bereavement, we can pay for funeral services, coffins and caskets, and give them cashback.
“So, people have entrusted us with their money, hence we must comply. I can’t take people’s money as insurance and then not be steadfast on the other cardinal pillars of governance and compliance,” he said.
He praised the company’s finance department for playing a key role in ensuring that Naledi met its tax obligations.
“One of the cardinal pillars, among others, is integrity because we subscribe to respect, honour and integrity. This means we have to deliver on the promise to clients, pay our internal clients, who are our employees, and empower them in line with the key performance indicators of the performance management system.
“This is why the finance department was instrumental in ensuring compliance with VAT.
“It is a very tempting issue because it seems as though money is moving out of your coffers as an organisation. It looks like you are losing money, but compliance is compliance,” he said.
Mr Seutloali said paying tax was also a way of giving back to the country.
“Another vital issue is giving back to our country, as is our obligation, hence we need to pay tax.
“I think the greatest point is that tax compliance is not merely a statutory issue. It is a testament to integrity, institutional discipline and fiduciary responsibility.”
