3 Chinese arrested in Malawi for tax crimes: MRA scales up fight against tax evasion

The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) is forging ahead in the fight against tax evasion as a n update on its website, www.mra.mw indicates that the body has cornered three Chinese business people for tax crimes.

This comes just shortly after President Peter Mutharika said Malawi is losing a lot of money through tax evasion, which is crippling the economy and development of the country, and assured the nation that government is putting up robust mechanisms to halt such malpractice

The tax body’s spokesperson Steven Kapoloma is quoted on the MRA website that the three have since been arrested and they are owners of ACC ATC Trading and Wun Chun Trading in Blantyre and Lilongwe on suspicion of forgery of customs documents and illegal externalization of forex.

Kapoloma said Ai Xiaossun and Ai Jianxin who are owners of ACC ATC Trading were arrested on Friday, 26th August 2016 on allegations of forging Customs documents and illegal externalisation of forex amounting to US$300,538.56.

“Similarly, Guo Jiansi who is the owner of Wun Chun Trading was arrested on Saturday 27th August 2016 on allegations of forging Customs documents and illegal externalisation of forex amounting to US$796,000.68. The arrests follow a tip from the public,” Kapoloma said.

He said the suspects are currently on bail waiting for court proceedings.

President Mutharika recently said Malawi is losing a lot of money through tax evasion and his government will put up mechanisms to halt such malpractice which he said is crippling the economy and development of the country.

Mutharika said his  government is aware of other foreign investors who evade paying taxes and externalise forex.

“I am aware that some people evade tax and they also take forex outside the country, which is very bad for our country’s development. My government will ensure that this malpractice is dealt with accordingly,” said Mutharika.

The President said Malawi has potential to do better economically if people and other investors in the country honoured their taxes.

Meanwhile, MRA’s Kapoloma is encouraging the general public to report tax evasion and similar malpractices through toll free number 847 for Airtel and TNM. And toll free number 80000847 for MTL.

He said informants can also send their tips through email address: [email protected] or fax to 0182 229.