Chilima signs off Njamba in spectacular fashion: Promises tax incentives
Vice President and UTM Party presidential candidate Saulos Chilima on Sunday signed off his campaign at the political mecca Njamba Freedom Park in Blantyre in a spectacular fashion when he announced removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) on water, electricity and airtime when he wins the presidency next week Tuesday May 21.
An energized Chilima, 46, read his record crowd so well and hit the sweet message at the right time and right moment.
Considering his audience was urban based, Chilima told them good news they have been expecting other contestants to assure them.
“When we take over government next week, we will remove VAT (16.5%) on water, electricity and airtime to make these basic necessities available,” announced Chilima attracting a loud applause from the huge escatic crowd that attended the rally.
“We also want those who pay tax to have something to smile about. We will have tax free week where you can import your goods into the country without paying any duty.
“We could have these tax free weeks maybe two times a year but you should be registered with Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) and have tax certificate to enjoy these benefits,” said Chilima.
The Vice President also announced that his government will lower duty on luxury vehicles especially the 4X4 which he argued most do not pay duty and the government loses out on revenue.
“We also want to assure our friends who sell vehicles in our towns and cities that we will construct proper car showrooms with proper facilities. It has happened in other countries and this will happen here in Malawi,” said Chilima.
He also promised to build ‘proper housing apartments’ in some townships in the country’s three cities so that people should own decent accommodation.
However, Chilima warned public officers engaged in corruption that they will answer for their deeds starting from next week.
“Malawi Housing Corporation (MHC) which is just across here is in a project to construct hostels and in your contract you are buying a bag of cement at an equivalent of US$100 per bag (approximately K75,000). This is stealing and we have all this information, we will see each other next week, you will have to explain this,” said Chilima.
A normal market price for a bag of cement costs less than K7000.
Chilima also thanked Malawians for believing in UTM Party ideas, 10 months after its establishment.
“We want to thank you for believing in us and for allowing us to form the next government. We are sure we have delivered our message and Malawians have responded positively.
“So I am inviting you to my inauguration at Bingu Stadium next week, you are all welcome. Any by the way, we will hit the ground running because I am announcing the new cabinet next week,” said a confident Chilima to the ulululating crowd.
The Vice-President broke ranks with the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) on June 6 2018 and declared he will challenge President Peter Mutharika in the presidential race in the May 21 2019 Tripartite Elections.
Chilima—whom President Peter Mutharika picked as running mate in January 2014 where he served as Airtel Malawi managing director—had a visibly rosy relationship with the establishment until his declaration and the President subsequently stripped him of his Cabinet portfolio of Minister Responsible for Disaster Management Affairs and in-charge of National Public Events.
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political masterbation at its best
SKC is another BIG crook
Malawi can progress with such kind of readers
UTM cannot win this election mark my words. UTM cannot beat MCP or DPP even at their weakest. It’s days when you will face reality. Don’t be cheated. This election will be won by MCP. Tell me which parliamentary seats throughout the the country UTM is certain to win? If you would get 10 seats you would be very lucky, otherwise you end up less than 10 seats.
We are not voting for parties but for a leader.So if he has capabilities people will find him alternative
SKC you have my vote.
All I can do is wish SKC success. In fact I would have voted for him were it not for the”excess baggage” he is carrying in terms of former DPP diehards such as Masangwi, Makondi, Ngalande and the likes. Will he be able to ‘kill the rat on the clay pot’?.Further. many people have contributed in cash and kind. Won’t they demand a ‘pound of flesh’ ?
Go and vote for him for a change. SKC does not believe in appeasement policy. Mark my words.
Undoubtedly the most attractive candidate on this years ballot, passionate, inspiring and full of new ideas. Whether Malawians are ready for such a change candidate or they prefer the dull same old promises by Reverend Chakwera and Joyce Banda or they are satisfied with the leadership of 85 year old adadi and Chimulirenji remains to be seen.
One thing is for sure, we deserve the candidate that we vote for.
Apa ndiye zivuta kukoperatu. A good government does not milk its people but improves income of the people.
CHILIMA CANNOT WIN… THIS IS JUST ANOTHER MALEMIA…
i am curious on the MHC scam so cement mwati at 75,000 OMG and all the people here stoning cant see that part just critics malawi malawi
There’s no such a project that MHC has given to a South African company
This just total lies and nonsense
Let prove it after the 21st May if he’ll still be in Malawi
Not everyone at the rally will vote for you bro……mark my words. Do not be cheated by the multitudes……….voting age is 18, check how many there registered to vote this year………….some are for DPP and others are for MCP
UKUMVA PAIN YA CHILIMAQUAKE .
And chimene chikukuwawa ndichani? Nde amene amapita kumisonkhano ya dpp or mcp azavotela dpp or mcp??? Anthu amapita kumisonkhano kuti akanve nfundo. Anthu awa azavotela UTM chifukwa UTM ndiyanfundo. One may think that is common sense!!! koma nzelu kusiyana
i can see most of you who have commented on this article are MCP diehard supporters and you have really hated Chilima throughout. Politics of hate do not help anyone. Can you torn down a bit, you fools.
Mwa dzina lako, ndiwedi Bwampini! MCP yakulakwira chani apa?
Rember it took APM two month to appoint his cabinet. In the end there were just the same guys his brother was using before! This is is symptomatic for what ever this administration did in the last five years! Glueless, to little , to slow and no significant change! We need a omnipresent Magufulityp in the driving chair and not somebody , who gives room of speculations concerning his whereabouts now and than!
SKC woyeeee
It’s easier for government officials to steal money than reduce taxes.
-Government can’t reduce taxes
-Can’t employ people
But can give muli brothers billions, can buy I bag of cement at 100 dollars, can buy I uniform at 800,000. U clap hands for thieves and come here to slay messengers.
Tax freee week is very possible and it is coming. It is better to share the booty like this unlike what these other guys have been stealing ie keeping tax to themselves and sharing like sweets
Chilima thinks like a Student’s Union President…
But he was CEO for Airtel .
Time up mbava outtttttttttttt
Saulosi awina basi ndithu. Enawa pokwana 11:30 madzulo a 21 May azakhala atayamba kuphwisa. Tsiku lotsatilaro azakhala akutsekula m’mimba. Tikamadzafika pa 23 May ………………
This man is a genius. He has my vote.
Foolish policies by Chilima with his cheap politicking . Full of lies . You are still a VP of the country which you have served for five years but failed to deliver. Please attend the inauguaration ceremony of APM at Kamuza Stadium
Only professional idiots reason like you. Chilima is real and he is winning this election. Uphulika uwona
Be assured that u have my vote
Onthondo,ngakhale mutachekenela bwanji UTM palibe chomwe ingaphulepo pa 21 Mayipa.Anthu akwa Bumphula,Kasonjola,Lelebzya ndi Tulonkhondo sawelenga ndi kuona izi.Anthuwa amafuna kukathyola dance osati kukavera msonkhano wakowo.
Tax free….. really? This is like making Malawi a tax free country whilst u don’t produce.
Koma mwana ameneyu, ine ndilibe naye mawu. Wrong footing a NTCHONA and others ndithu. Real leader in waiting.
Hallo
game yakula iyi
NAY!
Chilima can’t be 46 inu. He went to college in 1990 and didn’t look young. Chilima is 48 to 49. He had multiple girlfriends then and drinking heavily.
Anyway mabodza ngati a Muluzi akulu awa. Promising us this and that.
Atambwali amenewa. A ghost worker odya zaulele. No MPs in the south, no MPs in the centre and kaya mwina kumpoto apo ndi apo. Yense amene dzina layama with K akuluza wa utm. Kabwila, Kaliati, Kalindo, Karonga, etc.
Wina amwa umuna wa ben Phiri ndi Kasaira. SKC 1 bomaa!!!
Tax free week is a bonus for being a good tax payer for the whole year, this will encourage informal traders to register with MRA to be formal. If all businesses are paying little taxes to MRA, our tax base will grow and collect alot of money . Don’t worry about one week tax holiday it’s an encouragement for people to be formal business persons. U can’t import k20billion worth of goods when ur capital is k2million. In this case a K2m worth vandor can hv a relief once in a year of which he will pay the duty for the next 11 months . At the end of the day government will still make alot of money. That’s beautiful my presido. SKC on the move
In reality though, govt will loss out on tax, because big corps and businesses will shift their purchase timing. also its a bad idea for a country like ours with trade deficit. Tax holidays do not boost the economy for least developing country. We import high valued goods , needing more forex, we export goods of less value collecting less forex. 1) Tax holiday week will probably leading to forex shortage. 2) Some retailers will raise prices during this week, so consumer savings is not realised. 3) They will cost the consumers, businesses and govt without providing offsetting benefits.
Our Own Malemia…
this is what we want as a country………………….
Mo Faya Chilima! Anthu okuba who are also visionless have ruined our beaultiful country. We are redeeming our country next week. We should not be cheating anthu kuti akukamba Chilima nzosatheka. Magufuli in Tanzania overhauled one of the most corrupt inefficient systems and pano zikuyenda with better systems in place. Look at Air Tanzania, The Port Authority etc. Chilima’s determination and ambition are vital for our future! Osati zomangopanga claim to have developed the country beyond recognition simply because your pockets are now full of stolen money.
Kodi A DPP Chilima munamutenga kuti ??? You have quality choices . Thank you DPP for introducing SKC to Malawians, he is taking over now
It’s like I am dreaming. I never knew we could ever have a President like this one. With so much potential. He has enought potential to develop a bigger country. Malawi akumuchepera kwambiri. YOU HAVE MY VOTE CHILIMA. VIVA CHILIMA
Honestly, DR SAULOS KLAUS CHILIMA will make the BEST LEADER Malawi will ever have had. He deserves to be the PRESIDENT of Malawi.
UTM BOMA!!! DR SAULOS KLAUS CHILIMA PA 21 MAY BOMA!!!
mwanayu waufuna u president promising over the moon, yu cant win chilima believe or not Chakwera is taking the throne yu will second to Chakwera
One needs to have submitted tax returns and pay taxes for three consecutive years in order to qualify for a tax clearance certificate. How many of the local business persons have tax certificates? This initiative will only benefit companies and not poor citizenary.
Did he ask for professional advice before making such promise? This is all politics.
Actually my friend this will encourage people to file for tax retains hence creating more transparency and reducing tax avoidance levels. It might be a political gimmick because it has been said at a political rally but it is a welcome development, I’ve heard Tanzanians are doing it and its effective.
Nyakwawa A.
Seems simukuzisata za tax clearance cert. This document can be obtained annually osati za 3 consecutive years zanuzo. The company I work for has been into business for ten years and we have ten tax clearance certificates. You don’t even know what tax clearance certificate is all about.
Mwachepa nazo madala.You are full of promises and lies befitting business captain not a leader of a country shame on you.
Pedegu… You should be ashamed of yourself for thinking we don’t need a business minded president. What is wrong with some people in this country??……..maybe you just hate SKC, but not having a business minded president???? That’s backward thinking my friend.
If Malawi wanted a Magufuli type of leader then you have found one. This guys means business. The facial expression, the confidence and determination tell it all. This nonsense you see in this country will completely varnish when this guy is voted into – just like TZ.
I disagree with your views for several reasons you will see yourself when he happen to be lucky, which i believe he is not
U have issues.
Please grow up and talk real issues. We need more than facial expressions and more political rhetoric to change the status quo in this country. We need actionable policies beyond seeking votes. No country has developed without making sacrifices. This is an empty promise
Ok, do you have a person to vote for in mind??? Are they also talking? How do you believe them?? I think some people are against real change. UTM is the only real change. But offcause it take some guts to realise that!
You are telling people what they want to hear and not what they should hear. Malawians have to make sacrifices to develop their country
So are you saying being the 4th poorest country in the world doesn’t show the sacrifice we have already been through.
Amene akukena zotie anthu asanve ndani???
wise words @chimanga
A poor country like Malawi having a tax free week? Then after that you go begging to EU, USA etc? Shame on you. Your policies are rubbish
you don’t know business, just wait.
You idiot Cadet, ive lived in western we get tax return at the end of every financial year and people have money then and happy! So you mean you won’t want a tax free seven day? 7 mon tue wes thurs friday sat sun. not much but ok for a poor Nation better than having Dpp steal all our money!
koma point you mwaimva?? akutitu kwa amene ali ndi ma TAX CERTS
it is possible. Don’t be negative
You are just exposing your total ignorance here. If you don’t understand the economics behind this idea it is better to either ask for clarification or shut-up. In his message he not only declared a tax free week but he proceeded to announce that only those registered with MRA. There my friend is the real deal. There are lots of people bringing goods to Malawi without properly declaring them. This will help MRA expand its revenue collection in a number of ways and these include but not limited to:
1. expansion of the tax base as more people will want to register with MRA to benefit from the tax free week
2. The tax revenue authority will have an up-to-date and expanded register of businesses plying their trade between Malawi and other countries
3. the free tax week will reveal the type of goods and quantities that business order to Malawi and thereby giving MRA a good picture of those business entities.
4. Although duty may not be paid during the tax free week but the volumes that will be brought into the country will benefit the tax revenue authority through other means such as VAT etc. MRA will know exactly what it can collect from businesses involved in importation of goods
4. Tax defaulters will easily be monitored and many more benefits
So please if you are ignorant it is better to keep quite than showing umbuli here.
Mondokwa… So how do you explain a poor country like Malawi with all this corruption everywhere? Where do they go beg?
We were able to fund our national budget so I do not see any reason for begging. If you can check he has said only those who are registered will enjoy the one week Tax free benefit which mean more people will register and the government will have more revenue. Malawi needs people who thinks outside the box. I salute SKC.
Ndalama zomwe a DPP amaba pa weeek ndizingati. How much is stolen by DPP members in a week.?
15 years of Dpp rule and we are still begging, what difference does it make to have a tax free week? at least it will benefit malawians than Mbava za adadi. UTM bomaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!
Amwene tayamikirankoni mfundo zabwino inu………which economic policy is better between demolishing Kamuzi Stadium and building a National convention centre and removing VAT on water, electricity and air time or a tax free week?, whats more beneficial to Malawians between a conventional centre and VAT free water, electricity and airtime?……….Anthu tamakhalankoni objective nthawi zina pilizi nthuni.
Chimanga
Seems you don’t understand these things. Every country has tax incentives. Why is it that ur Dphiphi government has Industrial Rebate Scheme whereby all companies that have Rebate Certificate import raw materials on duty free? They pay only VAT which is also claimed by the end of the month. I understand there there are more than 100 companies under this scheme; yet Malawi goes for begging to EU, UN, USA etc. Do you know how customs duty the country could be collecting from these companies by the end of the year? Umbuli siwabwino ndithu.
VIVA SKC!!!! VIVA UTM
viva skc
SKC stop promising the moon Malawi can’t afford these luxuries. Pano mwati zii za speed train .
Ask Malema of EEF amadzadzitsa ma Stadium but come elections he came a distant third .
We want a leader who is visionary this not a beauty contest or a contest to show fashion statement, if we wanted Mr Malawi or Ms Malawi then we would have been talking about the beauty of the aspirants.
DZUKA MALAWI DZUKA.
@Chimanga
These are what we call in Taxation as “Tax Holidays”. Tax Holidays should NOT be subjective and benefit a few in a country. SKC is transparent everyone who is registered and has tax clearance certificate should benefit. President of Tanzania, His Excellency Magufuri is doing it in his country and see the development in that country now. For your information, Malawi was collecting more taxes than Tanzania in 1989. And now the difference is vey wide!!!!!!!