Tag Archives: MRA

Opinion

Mbilizi Political Persecution; Chakwera’s New Low

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Malawi Revenue Authority deputy Commissioner General Roza Mbilizi

The arresting of MRA Deputy Commissioner General Roza Mbilizi last Friday July 10th on trumped up charges of clearing imported bags of cement under President Mutharika’s TPIN, is another new and embarrassing low that MCP government has landed on.

President Chakwera’s mission to implicate innocent officers at the tax-collection body in order to pave for illegal appointment of a new deputy that is expected to start clearing goods and items by big companies that have been sponsoring MCP’s campaign in order to cover for their billions accumulated loans.

According to information in the public domain, President Chakwera already named a provisional replacement for Mbilizi in the name of Henry Ngutwa, who is currently Lawyer for MRA responsible for Revenue.

Lazarus Chakwera has also appointed John Bizwick, a son to John Tembo; and Agnes Katsonga, a relation to Mark Katsonga a Tonse financier, as Deputy Commissioner for Administration.

 All this chain of questionable earmarked appointments is a foundation of a syndicate that Dr. Chakwera is laying down in order to successfully repay, through MRA, funds that Tonse Alliance owes to her financiers and at the same time allow Dr Lazarus Chakwera to import items of his liking, according to the provision of the law.

corruption, Politics

Chilima exposes Mutharika’s corruption deeds; Imported 400,000 bags of cement without paying tax

Maravi Post Reporter

Chilima speaking in Ntcheu

NTCHEU-(MaraviPost)-Tonse Alliance runningmate and UTM leader Dr. Saulos Chilima on Saturday, June 13, 2020 exposed President Peter Mutharika’s corruption tendencies that his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) do not deserve second chance into Malawi’s affairs that the nation should have new leadership come June 23, 2020.

Chilima who is also Malawi’s Vice President disclosed that Mutharika is not the leader to be trusted again following a number of corruption tendencies he has been involved into.

The UTM leader told Ganya Tonse Alliance rally that about 400,000 bags of cement under Mutharika name were imported into the country without paying any tax to Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA).

The Tonse Alliance runningmate showed the gathering MRA papers proving his claims are correct.

Chilima challenged Mutharika to dispute the claims if he is indeed a corrupt free leader.

He therefore assured the nation of exposing evil deeds Mutharika and DPP leadership have been tormenting the nation.

“Stop threatening us a head of elections particularly you, the professor (Peter Mutharika). Your hands are not clean with corruption. You imported 400,000 bags of cement under your name without giving any tax to MRA,” charged Chilima.

VP Chilima therefore urged people in his home district Ntcheu to come out in large numbers and vote for Dr Lazarous Chakwera of Malawi Congress Party (MCP), saying the opposition Tonse alliance is united and determined to redeem the country from “thieves and liars”.

Part of the crowds for Tonse Alliance Ganya rally, in Ntcheu

Chilima said this on Saturday at a rally he held at Ganya in Ntcheu.

He said Tonse Alliance was formed as a response to the wishes of the people and to attain 50+1 percent as ordered by the Courts.

“I and Dr Chakwera and other alliance partners are united. If you vote for Dr Chakwera you have voted for me and UTM,” Chilima assured the people of Ntcheu.

Chilima said while he is capable to be President he allowed Chakwera to lead so that in unity they remove DPP.

He then took time to remind people of Ntcheu about UTM promises that will be incorporated into Tonse Alliance manifesto.

Chilima assured people of Ntcheu of cheap fertilizer at MK4,495 per 50 kg bag and three meals a day.

He also reiterated implementation MK75 billion loan scheme to women and the youth, one million jobs for the youth.

Chilima said the stampede that happened early this week in Mzuzu and other parts of the country when ministry of health were conducting walk in interviews for Health Surveillance Assistance is clear evidence that most youths lack jobs in the country.

He also said the Tonse government will establish mega farms in Ntcheu and factories to add value to crops produced in the district.

UTM Regional Governor Alhaj Sande thanked Chilima for crisscrossing the whole eastern region campaigning for Chakwera and Tonse alliance.

Sande urged supporters in Eastern region to get ready to vote in large numbers.

Ntcheu North East lawmaker Arthur Chipungu who defected to UTM said access to water is a serious problem in the area.

The MP said most people in his area still drink unsafe water.

He fruther said there are many youths in his area who are jobless and are looking foward to benefit from the one million jobs.

Malawi is expected to hold fresh presidential election on June 23, 2020 following February 3, 2020 Constitutional Court (ConCourt) nullification of May 21, 2020 polls over numerous irregularities.

Under the banner Tonse (but particularly Malawi Congress Party-MCP), Lazarus Chakwera along side Saulos Chilima will face Peter Mutharika with Atupele Muluzi of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in the polls.

Business

‘Msonkho Online to shrink inconveniences’-assures MRA

Maravi Post Reporter
Head of Corporate Affairs for MRA Steven Kapoloma

By Chikondi Manjawira

MANGOCHI-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) has declared that the soon to be piloted Msonkho Online System will help reduce inconveniences to tax payers whenever they would want to register, file and pay Taxes.

Head of Corporate Affairs for MRA Steven Kapoloma affirmed this during the Association of Business Journalists'(ABJ) Annual General Meeting (AGM) where MRA trained Business Journalists on New Tax Measures in Mangochi.

Addressing ABJ members, Kapoloma said from the 16th of January next year, MRA will start the pilot for the Msonkho Onliine with the Blantyre and Mzuzu offices where Tax Payers would be able to pay Tax online on top of being able to register and file for  VAT returns online.

“Msonkho Online is a system that will transform our way of dealing with Tax Payers. It s a game changer because Tax Payers will no longer have the burden of walking/driving to our offices to submit the returns. From the 1st of February, 2020 Tax Payers will be able to transact with MRA electronically 24/7 through Msonkho Online.

“Bogus MRA officers who demand something from Tax Payers to fast-track the production of Tax and other MRA Tax Certificates will no longer exist. Tax Payers  will be able to apply and check all the processing stages and know when the Tax Certificates are out for collection through Msonkho Online, clarified Kapoloma”.  

Commenting on ABJ and MRA’s correlation, Kapoloma said that there has been a remarkable positive relationship that has witnessed the movement from antagonism to a place where the transactions between the two are cordial and fruitful.

Association of Business Journalists'(ABJ) members

Outgoing National Coordinator for ABJ, Aubrey Mchulu expressed his appreciation to MRA for its continued support in making sure Business Journalists are equipped with the needed knowledge on Tax issues to easily communicate and disseminate Tax information to the general public.

“We are grateful to all our partners for their support. It shows the vote of confidence they have in the Association. There are other partners who have used the same Association to launch their brands and products because they trust what ABJ does. The Association has over the years built the capacity of Business and Economic reporting, explained Mchulu”.

On the second day of annual meeting, ABJ elected new leadership. Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) Director of News and Current Affairs, Vincent Khonyongwa and his deputy Enelles Nyale from National Publications Limited (NPL) went unopposed.

The position of Secretary General went to a freelance Journalist Gregory Gondwe. He is deputized by Chikondi Manjawira from Maravipost online publication. Again, both went unopposed.

Capital Radio’s Journalist Wezzie Chamanza emerged a winner on Treasurer General position against Steve Chilundu of NPL. ABJ elected four Executive members namely; Semeon Shumba from MBC, Charles Sitima of Radio Maria, Capital Radio’s Timothy Kateta and Timothy Kachedwa.

The following were elected in Advisory Council; Professional Ethics Advisor, Ayam Maeresa, Policy Advisor, Thomas Chafunya, Technical Advisor, Frank Phiri, Projects Coordinator, Chikondi Chiyembekeza and Membership Auditor, Steve Chilundu.

In his acceptance speech, Khonyongwa promised to take ABJ to greater heights in capacity building as well as revive the element of public debates and provision of certificates to Business Journalists that have gone through trainings.

The outgoing National Coordinator, Aubrey Mchulu wished the newly elected executive team success as he encouraged members to maintain professionalism and avoid partisan.

Agriculture, Development

sugar smugglers apprehended in Mwanza

Maravi Post Reporter

Malawi Sugar
Malawi sugar producer, Illovo Sugar Malawi Limited on Tuesday, disclosed that it has raised the price of the essential commodity sugar, by 9 percent

In a statement made available to the Maravi Post on Wednesday, the MRA observed that besides depriving government of revenue for public expenditure, smuggling distorts market prices, thereby exposing traders to unfair competition which might lead to the collapse of local industries.

MRA head of corporate affairs Steven Kapoloma said in the statement that smuggling is a serious offence under the Customs and Excise Act, and goods imported without licence are liable to forfeiture.

“The smuggled sugar and the conveyances have been seized and the smugglers and the owners of the conveyances will be dealt with in accordance with the Customs and Excise law.

“MRA continues to step up its law enforcement efforts by actively detecting contraband and combating smuggling,” he said.

In Malawi, importation of sugar requires an import licence issued by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism.

Local sugar manufacturers have been complaining about the influx of imported sugar on the market, a development they say was a threat to consumers and their profitability.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism Francis Kasaila earlier said government will engage the private sector on how best to deal with illegal sugar imports, which affected local sugar producers and potential to kill jobs.

“Bringing in more imports means we are reducing the chances of fellow Malawians to be employed. We need to protect our industries by giving them a better business environment. The moment we are prioritising imports, we are killing our own economy,” he said.

Sugar is one of the country’s foreign exchange earners and Illovo Sugar (Malawi) Limited, which has a 97 percent market share, employs about 9 500 people and about 2 300 smallholder farmers supply the commodity to the company.

Top News

Chilima movement leader, Ngalande slapped by MRA

Maravi Post Reporter

Public-tax collectors, the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) have impounded three vehicles from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) director of the youth Lewis Ngalande for non payment of import duty but Ngalande has described it political.

The MRA team accompanied by heavily armed police stormed Ngalande’s residence in Chigumula and towed away a mercedenz benz, a five tonner truck and a Toyota fortuner.

But Ngalande described the whole move as political meant to silence him following his decision to abandon President Peter Mutharika and champion the candidacy of vice-president Saulos Chilima.

“I bought these vehicles long time ago, I even used them during the Mutharika campaign in 2014, so why now? The DPP is just using the MRA to victimise us,” he said.

Ngalande said there many DPP officials driving uncleared vehicles yet they are not targetted.

But MRA officials said the impounding of the vehicles was not political.

Ngalande insisted that some have chosen to drive vehicles without registred number plates or number plates bearing the name of President Peter Mutharika.

Directorate of Road Traffic and Safety Services (DRTSS) said such acts are against the Road Traffic Act but there has been inaction.

Malawi flagship newspaper, the Daily Times voiced concern on the development recently in its editorial comment, saying vehicle number plates are a must all over the world and they need to be properly registered and not be personalised for political gains as in the case of DPP operatives who drive around in cars with number plates such as ‘Adadi 1’, ‘APM 2019’ or ‘APM BOMA’.

“One thing we are very sure of is that such vehicles do not belong to Mutharika.
They belong to personalities who wish to take advantage of the President to break the law.

“It is obvious that such vehicles cannot be stopped by our traffic police for routine checks for obvious reasons. In the case of vehicles without number plates, they cannot be identified in the case of a crime or a road accident,” the paper observed.

Malawi should not entertain lawlessness, the paper pointed out, adding “impunity is a disease that is killing us. It must not be allowed to continue living in our midst.”

Sports

Zambia emerge champions in 2018 Inter-Revenue Games

Malawi News Agency (MANA)

Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) lived up to their word in the 2018 Inter-Revenue Games played over the Easter weekend in Mangochi-Malawi where they emerged winners after beating four teams from Malawi, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Botswana.

The Malawi neighbours had warned during the launch of the games last Friday that they had not come as tourists, but that they would scoop everything as they repeatedly said in chorus, Paipa pano – zonse titenga (There will be havoc here – we will scoop all trophies).

Inter-Revenue Games are an annual event where revenue authorities from the five countries gather and battle it out in various sporting disciplines to determine the champion among them.

Malawi hosted this year’s competition in the lakeshore district of Mangochi where the five tax collecting bodies competed in eleven indoor and outdoor games including football, netball, beach soccer and beach volleyball, tag of war, athletics, chess, table tennis, pool and darts.

Zambia grabbed four gold medals in relay race, pool, chess and netball to become the overall winner, leaving the defending champions, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) and the rest rallying behind.

“When we came here, we came with a mission and that was to get everything – that’s why we said: Zonse tizatenga and we are very happy that we have managed to scoop four gold medals and a few silver and bronze medals compared to the rest of the teams,” said Zambian team leader, Moses Shuko, ZRA Commissioner for Domestic Tax.

Shuko said there had been a great improvement in his team’s performance as compared to 2017 when they hosted the games in Zambia and has since tipped MRA to give their officers enough time to prepare for the next games.

Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) got three gold trophies in beach soccer, beach volley ball and basketball while the defending champions, ZIMRA got gold trophies in darts, tag of war and volleyball.

Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) got three gold medals in athletics, table tennis and football and Lesotho team got a few silver and bronze medals in some of the games and no single gold medal.

Speaking in an interview on Monday after presentation of the awards at Sun ‘n’ Sand, MRA Deputy Commissioner and Chairperson for the 2018 Inter-Revenue Games organizing committee, Roza Mbilizi, hailed the participating teams, saying the essence of the games went beyond just competing.

“The games offer the revenue authorities from the participating countries a platform to interact informally at all levels and ranks to share technical expertise on how best to improve revenue administration in the region,” said Mbilizi.

On MRA team’s failure to make it to the top, Mbilizi said much of their time had been spent on preparations and logistics for the visiting teams but promised to do better in the 2019 games in Botswana.

But ZRA has also shot warnings that come 2019 the team will scoop all the gold medals again.

The 2018 Inter-Revenue Games brought together over 600 participants from the five participating Southern African countries and the games were played at Sun ‘n’ Sand Hotel, Mangochi Stadium and St. John’s University of Daughters of Mary Immaculate (DMI).

Law and order, Malawi, Politics, Top News

MRA to Christians and Muslims: Yambani kumupatsa zake Kayisale

Admin

The Malawi Revenue Authority on Thursday morning told religious organizations in the country to start paying tax saying the tax-free honeymoon is over.

MRA public relations specialist, Hilda Mkandawire said this in the meeting in Lilongwe that the national tax collector organized with over one hundred religious leaders in the central region.

According to Mkandawire, this is because number of religious organizations in the country are running and developing profit-making businesses such as private schools and lodges, which are taxable.

She disclosed that her organization has already started sensitizing religious leaders in the eastern region in Zomba, and it will hold the same in the northern region in Mzuzu on Friday and then in southern region in Blantyre on Tuesday.

“Our constitution demand tax from any organizations or individuals that are running profitable business. We know and understand that many of you (religious organizations) have been running profitable business without paying taxes because of ignorant especially on tax obligations. However, after this meeting you will start paying taxes and we shall expect you to abide to that” she said.

However, Mkandawire said only religious organization that is embark on other businesses such as hiring halls, opening schools or hospitals (not hospitals that are under the Christian Health Association) will be paying taxes.

“We don’t collect taxes on church offerings,” she disclosed.

In his remarks, Pastor Mathews of Enlightened Christian Gathering in Lilongwe, commended MRA said the meeting has opened religious leaders’ eyes especially on the tax obligations.

Politics

Kamplepo Kalua back to his senses, to reveal abductors: Some northerners are involved

Maravi Post correspondent

Kamlepo Kalua: I will reveal the abductors

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—Malawians will this week know the identities of the people who abducted Rumphi East Member of Parliament (MP) Kamlepo Kalua as the lawmaker has promised to reveal whatever happened in connection to his abduction at a rally he is expected to hold in his constituency.

Kamlepo Kalua whose family claimed he had been missing, had been found at Njamba roundabout on Sunday 7th May 2017, loosely tied with blue ropes.

“I will reveal the names. Some Northerners are involved .How do they feel to be enjoying on blood money,” said Kalua who initially confessed that could remember what happened

Kalua, who is also People’s Party (PP) third vice-president and vice-chairperson of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), has since condemned Malawi Police for quickly concluding investigations and making statements in political tone that he faked his kidnap.

Kalua, however, maintained that he was abducted while inspecting his construction project in Chileka and that his abductors staged his release in a matter to discredit him.

He said the plot was to him and police conclude that it was suicide like the case of university student Robert Chasowa.

Meanwhile, Kalua has taken to court for abuse of office two Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) officers and a police officer who impounded his two vehicles late last month.

The defendants are Maganizo Chinkoko, MRA senior tax investigation officer and lead investigator during the raid, Edwin Magalasi, assistant commissioner for police and regional criminal investigations officer (Southern Region) and Winstone Honde, an officer at MRA.

Malawi

Desperate times: 120 MRA and Malawi police officers invade Kamlepo’s house over tax invasion 

Maravi Post correspondent

Continue reading Desperate times: 120 MRA and Malawi police officers invade Kamlepo’s house over tax invasion  →

Malawi

MRA contradicts with Admarc boss Foster Mulumbe

Maravi Post correspondent

Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) Commissioner General, Thom Malata, has said 4, 210 metric tonnes of maize are recorded in MRA’s system to have been imported into the country from Zambia by the Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc).

Joseph Chidanti Malunga and Thom Malata

Malata appeared before the joint parliamentary committee of Agriculture and Public Accounts at Parliament building in Lilongwe where he tendered his testimony in relation to the procurement of maize from Zambia by Admarc.

His disclosure that 4, 210 metric tonnes of the staple grain are recorded in MRA’s system contradicts an earlier testimony by Admarc Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Foster Mulumbe, who said before the same committee that Admarc had imported 4, 512 metric tonnes from Zambia.

Currently, it is not known where the difference of 302 tonnes came from and the joint committee has vowed to pursue the matter further by inquiring from other stakeholders that are said to have played a role in the procurement process.

Said Malata in his testimony: “4, 210 is what the system is showing as having passed through our Mwanza Border. That is the cumulative total of the tonnage from the 150 tracks that ferried the maize into the country. That is what our data is showing.”

Asked what he made of the discrepancy that is there between his testimony and that of Mulumbe, Malata said there could have been other sources of the grain which MRA did not record.

“We are using the information that we have in our system because that is what is available to us,” said Malata.

For at least two times, he denied having any other knowledge of the tonnage that Admarc brought into the country apart from 4, 210 tonnes.

Malata also courted controversy when he told the joint committee that MRA had pre-cleared the whole 100, 000 tonnes which Admarc had declared it would be importing.

Member of Parliament (MP) for Blantyre City West, Tarcisio Gowelo, just like other members of the committee, said the lawmakers were also worried that MRA might have been duped in the process since there were some documents from the supplier which did not seem authentic.

“There are some documents that are not stamped or signed. We are trying to find out whether MRA was not duped in the process,” said Gowelo.

However, Malata maintained that he believed MRA had taken all the necessary measures it is required to take to ensure tax processes are followed.

In an interview after the meeting, Chairperson of the joint committee, Joseph Chidanti Malunga, said the discrepancies are worrying.

“The Admarc CEO was here yesterday and he told us something that is different from what we have been told today. There are several discrepancies which we will be probing as we continue meeting different other stakeholders,” said Malunga.