Namalomba heading back to Malawi Revenue Authority

Beleaguered former Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) Commissioner for Exports, Shadrec Namalomba, is set to go back to MRA where he will be Deputy Commissioner General, Nyasa Times can reveal.

Namalomba was sacked by the MRA board for aiding controversial politician and DPP heavyweight Noel Masangwi smuggle banned round wood to China worth millions of kwachas.

With the removal of Raphael Kamoto as Commissioner General ,who has been redeployed to Malawi Energy Regulatory authority (Mera) as Chief Executive Officer, the powerful Mulhako wa Ahlomwe group is now lobbying with the powers to bring back Namalomba as Deputy Commissioner General.

An insider confided in Nyasa Times that government is now looking for a ‘good parastatal’ to post Roza Mbilizi who is the incumbent Deputy Commissioner General to pave way for Namalomba.

Namalomba is a member of Mulhako wa Ahlomwe and his sacking at the tax collecting body did not please members of the ethnic grouping who have been lobbying for Kamoto’s removal until they succeeded last week.

“They succeeded in removing Kamoto from MRA and I do not see why they will fail to bring back Namalomba as Deputy Commissioner General. Some of them have been boasting that they are ruling and they will do whatever they want because it is them that put the DPP in power and that it’s now time to enjoy the fruits of their hard work,” said the source.

Nyasa Times sources say the Chief Secretary to the Government George Mkondiwa is under pressure to find a place for Mbilizi, who is also considered loyal to the DPP because of her role she played during campaign and proximity to the First Lady.

“It is just a matter of time. Mbilizi will be redeployed to another parastatal and Namalomba will be back as Deputy Commissioner General,” confirmed the source.

Another highly placed source said although Namalomba was fired from MRA, he has been introducing himself as he is still an employee of MRA.

“One member of the diplomatic community was shocked when Namalomba gave him a business card as if he was still MRA Commissioner of Exports long after he was sacked. At this time he was in the company of Minister of Trade and industry Joseph Mwanamvekha and the whole thing looked very legit,” said a source privy to the going-ons at MRA.

There has been leadership instability at MRA as it has changed three Commissioner Generals within a space of three years.

The MRA board is said to have confirmed accountant and tax analyst Thom Malata as new Commissioner General replacing Kamoto.

Kamoto replaced John Biziwick over a year ago. Biziwick was appointed in 2012 replacing Lloyd Muhara after Joyce Banda ascended to the presidency in April 2012 following the death of former President Bingu wa Mutharika.