MRA recovers K500m robbed at Mzuzu Standard Bank
The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) officer at Jenda around midnight of Wednesday 3 September, 2014 intercepted a vehicle containing bags of money about K500 million (about $1.3m) after a shootout with the Mzuzu Standard bank robbers.
MRA’s Deputy Director Corporate Affairs, Steven Kapoloma, said the vehicle, Ipsum registration number DZ 4039 silver in colour and another vehicle were coming towards Jenda Road block from Mzuzu city.
“But before reaching the roadblock, the vehicles diverted into unchartered route towards the bush. MRA officers at the road block pursued the two vehicles until one vehicle was intercepted having been abandoned by thieves,” explained Kapoloma
Having searched into the vehicle, it was discovered that one vehicle contained a huge amount of money in Malawian currency, he said.
The money has been handed over to the Malawi police service for investigations.
The police have since identified the abandoned vehicle to have been officially registered CP1732.
“Besides revenue collection,” Kapoloma said of MRA “ the authority has a key role in counteracting tax fraud and other forms of fiscal evasion.”
MRA Flexible Anti-Smuggling Team (Fast) supervisor for the North, Gardener Kunje, said seven bags of money have been returned to the bank while the other car had sped off to Zambia.
Northern Region Police spokesperson Maurice Chapola said police are detaining a guard who was at the bank during the time of robbery as investigations continue.
Standard Bank management said in a statement: “Once police have concluded their investigations, we will be able to provide more details on the incident. Meanwhile, we plead for understanding on the part of our customers for the inconvenience the delayed resumption of business may cause.”