Court to the rescue again: Allows Times to switch on TV, Radio and Malawi News to publish

1. Just pay tax nothing else,it’s a duty of every Malawian to do so

2. If you live in a glass house do not throw stones! Times Group, it is not witch hunting you are experiencing, but you are too vocal. Definitely, the Govt machinery must be on your neck. If you are wise enough to confront govt. make sure that you have put your house in in order. If it is indeed true that you have long overdue taxes, don’t call this witch hunting. Simply put, pay your taxes and make the noise you are making. Otherwise, you will soon be pinned down never to resurrect! Remember what happened to Lucious Banda on the issue of trying to impeach Bingu when he had skeletons in his closet! Render unto Caesar what belongs Caesar!

3. The exercise to punish times group due to failure to pay tax has significant bearing ,and more lesson’s to all Malawians, ,,,,,,but only if the government does not favour or control which organization shud pay tax or not. all Malawians are suppose to pay tax regardless of political affiliations. If some organisations are forced to pay tax while others are spaired just because of closeness to ruling regime, then that s not the true principal of tax, that’s corruption , whether MBC, Senior government official juniors ,multinational companies , private company like times all shud face same treatment if government is serious,

4. Take it from me, If you embaras Gov in one way or the other, the next thing you are going to receive is MRA

5. Tax, Tax, Tax. Why now? And this tax money is misused anyway!

6. Countrymen,

   1. I few months ago someone passed a very old article (written around 1898 -1900) to me that chronicled the eventful arrival of large numbers of the Lomwe people (from Mozambique) into the districts of Phalombe, Chiradzulo, Mulanje and Thyolo which is, historically, a Mang’anja territory. The Mang’anja were first invaded by the Yao people (among whom were slave traders) in the early 1800s and they claimed some sections of the territory through war. You have Mkanda (Mkando?), Chikumbu, Juma, Matipwiri, etc in Mulanje – these are Yao chiefs who welcomed their Mozambiquan cousins (Llomwes) who were running away from the hostile Makua people and the harsh Portuguese rule in that country. What made the most interest read is the detailed description that the article gave about the Lomwe people and their trek to this country, which was a British protectorate, between 1898 and 1904. It described how they looked, how they dressed, how they decorated themselves and how they settled among the Mang’anja and the Yao and their conversion mainly to the Catholic faith through the Chisitu Mission in Mulanje. It also described how they went to work and settle in tea estates owned by white tea growers and Blantyre Mission workers. There was no land for them and the white farmers settled them in strips of unfertile land. This probably explains why we have serious land problems in these districts today.

   Guess who wrote this article? The Nyasaland Times – the predecessor of the current Times Group – the organization that government attempted to close down at Ginnery Corner in Blantrye, the printers of Daily Times, Malawi News and Sunday Times; the owners of Times Radio and Times TV! “Wow!” I thought to myself, “So, Times Group is order than the arrival of the Llomwe in Malawi!” It is at this point that I remembered that on the front of each Daily Times issues is emblazoned the caption “Established in 1895”.

   2. What is the significance of this historical account? Here it is: Times Group/Blantyre Newspapers Ltd is the oldest and biggest media conglomerate that cannot just be wished away or mishandled by the powers that be. It has been part and parcel of Malawi’s long and winding history and its cultural fabric. From the earliest time of our nationhood, Nyasaland Times, that later became Daily Times, has chronicled the cultural, political and economic events that have shaped what Malawi has become today. Like the account above, it is Nyasaland Times that chronicled how the people we currently know as the Llomwe came into Malawi and how the land challenges that they currently face began. This is vital information since it informs our history and gives a background to some decisions and policies that the current crop of politicians are making on behalf of all the 17 million Malawians. Those who have followed the events surrounding the Chilembwe Rising will remember that it was Nyasaland Times that gave John Chilembwe (himself of the Mang’anja and Yao parenthood) the platform from which to air complaints about the abuses that Africans working on the White Farms (the majority of whom were Llomwes), were facing at the hands of foreigners. For example, in 1914, or thereabouts, Chilembwe wrote a letter of protest against the recruitment of Nyasa boys to fight in the fight against the Germans during the 1st World War. Nyasaland Times published this letter. On several occasions Chilembwe used Nyasaland Times to express his dissatisfaction with the working conditions on the white farms until the Rising took place and Chilembwe died pre-maturely.

   3. After serving Malawians well during the pre-independence period, Nyasaland Times continued to serve us during the one-party dispensation. The Daily Times and Malawi News were the only news outlets supported by a few church publications which stayed away from politics. And when the multi-party dispensation was in the air close to 30 newspapers came on the scene among them: The Nation, the Chronicles, The Democrat, UDF news, etc. The fear at that time was that Blantyre News Papers would close shop because, apart from a cut-throat competition that arose, successive multi-party governments worked hard to make the work environment of this conglomerate difficult. Intimidation was usually used to silence it on critical issues that government felt would best be kept under wraps. I still remember when, at some point, MDF soldiers were sent to Times Group offices to bit up some key personnel. I also remember the Joyce Banda administration threatening the conglomerate with closure over tax arrears. But, to everybody’s surprise, this conglomerate has weathered the harsh environement. Current events are, therefore, not surprising to those of us who have followed the history of this organization.

   4. However, as a citizen of a country, I feel alarmed that such a big organization has not been remitting tax to MRA. This, to say the least, is very surprising development because, I always believe that TAX IS HOLY GROUND. It is through taxes that government is able to provide services to its people. It is through tax that government is able to create an enabling environment where conglomerates like Times Ground are able to operate effectively and make profits that they dream of. It is, therefore, wrong for Management of Times to blame government for closing their operations down in difficult times like these. Government needs money with which to support the people of this country the majority of whom live below $1 a day. Hospitals, schools, government offices, etc run on tax-payer money. Government cannot serve Times Group well if it does not have money and this money comes from no other sources than citizen’s taxes. As a corporate citizen Times Group has the duty of collecting tax from its employees and services and remit them to MRA. Failure to do this is a form of Cashgate that cannot not be ignored. Management is to blame for this.

   5. But, it would be unfair for me to blame everything on Times Group Management because the truth is that business in Malawi is failing. Only corrupt banks are able to post huge profits and the rest are crumbling. Since Malawi went into multi-party dispensation over 50 companies have either closed down or sold off to foreigners who have eventually closed them down and shared the money with local fat cats and left the country. The few that are still operating are doing so at half mast despite the population growth averaging 3.5%. Many Malawians have lost jobs or (like those at Times Group) are at the verge of losing jobs due to the effects of wrong government policy and theft of government funds by civil servants conniving with politicians. The few that are still operating are obviously posting losses and therefore not able to pay tax. We also know that some companies are surviving because of their connection to individuals or families that are connected to government. Some of us are eagerly waiting to know how some companies will survive any change of government in the near future. There are some government departments and parastatals that we hear are technically broke and we are not sure whether they are able to pay tax to MRA.

   6. I personally have always died to know whether organizations, like MBC, are remitting tax to MRA after learning that the whole government of Malawi is currently failing to pay civil servants in time and to remit pension dues to the Pension Fund Managers since the Pension Act came into force in June 2010. We are reading in the papers that even Malawi Defense Force retirees have not been paid their dues for a long time. Are government departments really remitting tax to MRA? Search me. Now, if they are not, what will MRA do to such agencies? Seal them? Really? But, suppose they don’t do that, what picture will they paint to the rest of us watching from the sidelines?

   7. I am personally happy that the Access to Information Bill has moved from Parliament and is now at the President’s desk. The question is: will the President sign this bill into law so that we become able to find out who else is complying or not complying with the tax collectors? Will the President pend pen to paper for us to know whether all private companies and trusts are really paying tax: Mulli Brothers, BEAM, FDH, MBC, National Bank, etc? We also want to know whether certain high profile individuals are remitting tax to MRA. Otherwise, the way things stand today and the way government is behaving regarding Times Groups leaves much to be desired and are just hoping that the Access to Information Bill will help us to answer these questions on our own. Is Times Group the only company defaulting the remittance of taxes in this economy? And why is this organization punished two weeks after an attempt to gag it was lift by the courts and Hon. Chaponda is being pushed out of his ministerial post after publishing a maize scam expose that came from across the borders? Are news houses safe under this government? I rest my case.

   Kent Y.G. Mphepo – Blantyre (0888435629 for constructive discussion only)

   1. The best comment I have eveer read on Nyasa times. This comment should have its own space on nyasatimes page and not just be as a comment. A lot of people need to read it. So the Lhomwes like winiko claim that their land was grabbed from them when they actually found it gone when they arrived?? Teach them this history especially tge Mang’anja and Yaos who have been hoodwinked to believe that they are lomwe. Peter Mutharika clearly said when elevating TA ngongoliwa that he is the only Lomwe chief.. so the rest of you who do you think you are just making noise..

   2. What a literature review is in the comment!!!! Good work and an educative peace that needs a special consideration in the newspaper. Whether the nation. Fairly times or any paper should print this if we are to have an informed public. I have learnt alot from this and i hope Vincent wandale will use it .

7. kkkkkkkkkkkkkk

8. So we are now crapping hands and encouraging tax evasion? What kind of crap is this? Some of us are deducted PAYE every month and have never sought an injunction. Whats so special with BNL? Pay up the taxes as required of you.

9. If Government and government organisations start tramping on the hard won freedom of expression and our right to freedom then this action by MRA should be strongly condemned. Where was MRA all this time to act at this time when a few Mafia are being investigated. Mr. Malata refuse to be used by any government no matter which one because once you start compromising your own professionalism the start of the end begins. We should refuse this kind of action. Even if Times Group reneged on its tax paying obligations the action by MRA coming as it does not augur well. Governments come and go and if one chooses to be used as Malata and MRA is being used then the end begins. Do not say “I did not warn you”.

10. If this is politics then the country is in mess

11. Everybody has the responsibility to pay tax. Witch hunting or not, we employees pay tax. Issues of tax in the developed world are serious. Messi, Wesley snipes Steve seagal mascherano and many other rich and famous people have been in court went to jail bcoz of this. Stop stupid politics. Donor money is part of tax money of the donor countries. How can Malawi run when some people or organisations are not remitting taxes?

12. Koma, BNL, please pay your taxes. Be a model corporate citizen. Let us love our country.

13. but pay the tax ,this is another cash gate ,mukupanga ndalama zambili koma osalipila nsonkho wy

14. Kkkk2019 kulintchito

15. The voice clip which surfaced months ago in which the Information minister, Patricia Kaliati was sparring with Kondwani Nankhumwa about who is getting more allowances, I remember Kaliati saying she went to MRA to asking them to spare MBC from paying taxes. Obviously that suggests that MBC is not paying taxes but I don’t see MRA shutting it down, here is the fairness in that?

16. Which is the first thing to tackle ? The 10 billion and the 650m . kkkkkkk

17. Munthalika revenue authority

18. Times please ngatidi muli ndi misonkho yofuna kuti MRA ilandire please pelekani. ineyo ndi makonda kwambiri times tv . Chonde chonde .chifukwa ngati simutero a DPP WA apezelapo mwayi omakuzuzani ,ndikutha kuona anthu amenewa aku tseka malo anu pogwiritsa ntchito kufooka kwanu. kusalipila msonkhoko ndiye kufookako.

19. let us demonstrate in the streets to show our anger.

20. Welcome back, we r following you HOT CURRENT WOYEEEEEE!

21. BRIAN BANDA NDI KASAKULA KULALATA KONSE KUJA KANU MUMATHAWA MSONKHO KOMA YA MWAYALUKA

22. Asiyana pati a DPP ndi Mcp ngati a MCP akulephera kulipira nsokho Ku private media panopa what more if atalowa m’boma, anthu adula misonkho kwa ogwira ntchito awo koma osalipira kuboma inu ndikumawayimbira m’ mania pali nzeru

23. I don’t blame BNL. The big problem in Malawi is that taxes we pay are just abused by the ruling elite. They don’t translate to tangible public services like funding hospitals, public transport, education infrastructure, electricity etc hence many institutions are not motivated to pay. They pay just out of obligation. Until Malawians learn active citizenship by demanding the best from our leaders, tax dodging will continue.

    1. man 100% plus true….. the blame should go to mra . why now ? bnl has been there for couple of years. what made MRA realising at this juncture. I smell politics at stage some one is much bitter after maizegate trying to silence the only giant media who is standing firmly for the malawians updating them with clear ethically information without biasness. I solidly behind you brothers and sisters at times group never backward forward forever….

24. so it means bnl is immune to taxes right? I see why this website is dying. it used to have more than 200 comments, now 15. ask yourself. everyone must pay tax.a street vendor,a teacher, a minibus driver pays tax,now its TIMES you say witch hunt .EDUCATED SAVAGES

25. ZA KAYISARA ZIPITE KWA KAYISARA ……….MRA ikugwira ntchito yake mosatira mphamvu zomwe inapatsidwa ndi boma la malawi, aliyense ayenera kupereka msonkho popanda kuyang’anira nkhope, inu a times ndinu mbava perekani za kayisara.

26. Times group ingoyambista chipani, inali chete pomwe pp imkatibera ma tax athu. Akudziwa a chipani cha times group kuti timalandila 300.000 mmalo mwa 5,000000 funding pa department per month, pay tax apa osathamangira ku court.u are also one of the institutions amene mukupangitsa kusowa kwa mankhwala muzipatala by nt paying tax, shame on U.

27. Munya muona mra nonse icldng mtchonayo,DR Laz zanu phee palibe wopikisanana nanu mu 2019 ndi boma.ufumu uwu(dpp) wayesedwa zachisoni dzanja lalemba

28. Wina alira walira kale more fire TIMES group

29. why always DPP on shameful issues

30. Koma misonkhoyo ilipiridwa?

    1. THAT’S PEANUTS .

    2. Funso lofunika nde limeneli. Whats so special about these folks that enafe we should be paying PAYE and iwowo azithawa misonkho?

31. Thanks TIMES GROUP for awell done job, to unveil VIP thungs whom they claimed are not corrupt whats that now, MW readers why are still stealing our taxes

    1. Lets crap hands for them for tax evasion, that’s the most sensible thing to do SMH

32. Long live our independent judiciary,all the best Times media,kudos to the judge.This mafia government lead by the puppet Muthalika need to be reminded that MRA is not part of their dpp cadets.Komabe abale if Times has this outstanding amount of tax to pay then i think this the right time to do it

33. good nyasa oyee

34. But bnl has been dodging taxes for a long time! Those who call others to account must be accountable themselves. Ife ma salary kutidula every month but msonkho osalipira. Let’s not condone such behavior by bnl. By not paying taxes they are refusing us hospitals, roads etc. Amachitila dala a bnl kenako zikaonokera aziti political witch-hunt. Nanga zomfunsa kuti why us pamene amwenye ambirimbiri are not paying, nayenso chaponda atha kufunsa kuti why me and not Mphwiyo or mbava zambirimbiri m’bomamu

    1. Wrong timing though for MRA. Why should they come up now? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk Malawi at 53.

35. Bwana President Mutharika: Chaponda akupondetsani, Dausi akudaukisanipo pa Malawi, Kalekeni akulekani panjira, Tembenu akutembenukireni masanasana, Goodall nde anapanga kale good by sHimmer, akakhala Jappie nde wapanga kale yape kuti ziii, Chisale akukunamizaniyo nde wakusalani kale, Katsayilra nde watsalira kale, Mphepo nde ndi iyo idasiya kale kuputa poti yakalamba, Kalirani ndi uyo akuti mubalira nokha. Bwana chonde changamukani mmaso….NJOKA saweta. Nkholokolo ndi kansomba konyozeka koma very powerful, ngumbi zimakoma koma pogwira pamakhala kulumidwa. Ndangodutsamo sindinathyole mnkhwani.

36. Good news.

37. Let everybody or oganization pay tax as required and MRA will not touch you. Do not deliberately hide tax money while opposing government so that when they get you, you say they have been sent by DPP.

    Its high time Malawians knew about tax obligation. The question could have been, does everyone reliable pay tax or does MRA follow everyone without sparing others? Not claiming they have been sent by DPP and yet you owe them taxes which you collected from clients. PAY NOW AND STOP ACCUSING DPP for the closure action and let’s see how MRA will close your business. Za chamba eti!!!

    1. Bulutu wanenatu zoona ngakhale uli bulutu & this everyone should include Mutharika, VP, ministers, MPs, amwenye onse ndi ena akupanga business m’Malawi muno, osaiwala Abdul Majid of HDT. It is not fair kumadula msonkho anthu ogulitsa tomato, zipatso, matemba masamba, ndi zina mumsika, antchito onse ndi olandira K40,000 omwe pomwe Mutharika ndi nduna zake akulandira ma million, kugula katundu kunja koma osalipira msonkho. Lamulo liikidwe kuti president, VP, cabinet yonse, ndima MP azilipira msonkho. Muona Malawi atukuka. Kusowa mzimu kwawoko saakwanitsidwanso, koma kumabanso timisonkho tathuto. Ndagwira ntchito m’boma zaka 34 koma malipiro anga so pathetic as saafika K200,000. Akachotsanso msonkho ndi khadzu! kusowa pogwira. Yet ndili ndi degree pomwe acha Dausi a JC, Chaponda mbava opanda qualification, kuba mommo ndiye ndalama phwiii! N’kumaikiridwanso kumbuyo ndi this headless chicken president. It is very painful Paunikidwe bwino pamenepa! Ayambe kulipira msonkho nawonso basi aone mmene zimawawira!

38. The clock is indeed ticking to mean time for corrupt. ………to leave gvn kkklll Koma dziko ili ukamasewera nalo mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm2019 out in Jesus name

39. Savages these dpp thugs and their Mra cohorts. Shame Peter behaving like a savage, as if he has never lived abroad or gone to school at all. Show your are well travelled and guide Malawi in the right direction.

    Why such behaviour? The bulk stops with you, Peter.

40. If MRA is not treading carefully they will be chaos in this country, we have been quite for sometime but now we will demand them to give back our money. We are very angry that they are being used by president to silence private media on the pretext that they allow president and his relative Ministers to continue mogaging our tax payers money. Enough is enough we will call it a spade a spade we will indeed close MRA until they get our money from this government of hook and crooks. MRA is thera because of us now they are turning to be bosses we can reduce them to nothing. Times group can not escape tax, this is a lie from the seed of snake in the state house. Can all government leave the group to operate without paying tax is this true Malawians. I though Times group is contributing a lot to the national budget through taxes they pay. MBC does not pay tax instead of shutdown MBC you are fighting the peoples media outlet. Should we get another injunction that MBC should close because it for DPP. leave times alone we are watching MRA movements against Times group with intersest and they will regret our reactions as Malawians. This government has failed you want money from Times group while Ministers are shielded of corruption and president is misusing and manipulating our tax payers money. DPP is buying cars now where is the money coming from. The battle has just begun and we will conquer with Jesus Christ. GOD will one day remove this pharaoh from Malawi and the land shall be healed in Jesus Christ name.

41. Bravo! Democracy at work. Wina alira!

42. Koma Agalu amenewa akusausa ziko kwambili

43. DPP mwalemba mmadzi & dis cheap politics

44. Devilish People’s Party

    1. Dictators are cowards

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