MCP embroiled in duty evasion scam over imported t-shirts, caps
A container—with t-shirts, caps and golf shirts— that some Malawi Congress Party (MCP) die-hards protested for its release at Malawi Revenue Authority’s (MRA) Kanengo warehouse in the capital Lilongwe has reportedly been “seized” after a plot by the former main opposition “to evade duty” was foiled, Nyasa Times understands.
On Friday, spirited MCP supporters took to the gates of MRA demanding the release of the container a development which forced the revenue collecting body to call for police support to disperse them.
During the fracas, police deployed teargas resulting in running battles which injured many including a woman, Kate Hussein, who is presently battling for her life at Kamuzu Central Hospital.
According to an impeccable source privy to Nyasa Times, MCP imported the t-shirts, caps and golf shirts through the party’s sympathizer, Sam Mwale, and the container was referred for physical examination at Kanengo on Thursday, May 1.
“MCP did not declare all the caps and under declared quantities which is like smuggling. They also undervalued all the goods that they declared and misclassified some to evade duty.
“MRA seized the goods in order to do paper work for the serious offense committed by MCP and a seizure notice was immediately issued,” said our source.
But Nyasa Times understands that Mwale—in whose name the goods were imported—refused to receive the seizure notice and, instead, called five MCP youths who refused to leave the office until the goods were released as MRA officers were detained until after 8:30pm.
“The police was called in and they left on understanding that they bring a restoration letter explaining why they committed the offense because without this letter the goods would remain under seizure and thereafter detained and auctioned,” said our source.
But, according to our source, instead of bringing the letter MCP decided to bring a crowd of supporters to protest at MRA offices to force them to release the goods.
“They were not allowed to come on MRA premises and instead resorted to singing insult songs outside our gate. The police had to be called in again to restore peace because this is an industrial site and other importers were being delayed. And, because they were stubborn, teargas had to be used again,” explained our source.
The source added that the MCP has finally lodged in the restoration letter having noticed that MRA officers “could not succumb to their savagery threats but stick to the law.”
Said our source: “A case file has been opened, extra duty determined plus fine. This has to go to the headquarters for approval and final determination of the case. The fine for such an offense is 10 times the duty plus 3 years imprisonment with hard labour and the Commissioner General uses his discretion using evidence, intention and behavior of the taxpayer.”
When contacted for comment, MCP spokesperson Reverend Maurice Munthali, referred this reporter to the party’s secretary general, Eisenhower Mkaka, saying he was away in the village.
“I am in the constituency…but I have heard of the issue. Can you reach out to the secretary general [Mkaka] who might have substance to say on the matter please,” said Munthali.
Mkaka said Saturday that the party will seek court relief on the matter.
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Nthawi ndiyo yawathera a DPP akuona ngati ife sitikudziwa kuti MRA yomweyo idalora ma container a DPP ambirimbiri alowe muno osalipira tax…? Nde DPP idzalipiratu after 21 May ili kotsutsa and ma boss aku MRA you should know kuti you will answer why you allowed the sso many DPP materials pass without paying taxes… tiulkuonatu dont think we in 1993…ita 2019 uno our eyes are open
MRA need clean up operation ….it is full of CROOKS …..Most if them freinds of NTABA ….are involved in dangerous criminal activities
ife a UTM tili pheee ndi mpeni wathu mmanja tiphe tambala pa 21 pano….chiwaya chathu mmanja tikazinge chimanga pa 21 pano basi
With or without that container released MCP is winning…… I can’t wait to see my President Dr. Chakwera being sworn in as State President…with UTM as main opposition party followed by DPP.
MCP should not pay duty this is for political campaign. DPP Party bwanji zawo sazigwira. Your time is running very slowly but surely. DPP is getting out from government this year. Yes
A Yufi ligi us Malawi Congress Party ayamvapo kuvuta nanga akaeina chisankho nyakula ibwelela vote wisely chenjerani mayo MCP
That’s mispresentation of facts. MCP paid MK2.5 Million duty. But MRA received instructions from above not to release the container.
How can a big party like MCP fail to pay duty?
Even I could have paid it. What is MK2.5 Million?
MCP paid this amount using false declaration. That’s why the system triggered a physical examination of the goods at kanengo. If you don’t know the clearance system just shut up!! It’s self
Assessment!!!
You should shut up yourself and your family @Mra
The same way they were failing to pay City rates and water bills amounting to Millions Duty ikhoza kuvutanso
So they opted for mob justice instead of just bringing the letter to the MRA offices? Ukambelembele you sure
Yeah with Dpp impunity what do u expect! Even Sudan, Algeria, Egypt upraising would work! folks Fucken tired now
As per this report it appears the seizure letter was addressed to the importer of the goods Mr Sam Mwale and not MCP? Sincerely, to me my understanding is that from commencement of import of the said goods till to-date the goods belong to Mr Mwale. And they shall belong to MCP till handover immediately the importation procedures will be over. Based on the above I am surprised that MRA has rushed into bringing the name of MCP into the equation? Is it because the goods are in MCP party colours or the change of goods ownership has already been facilitated by MRA?
Secondly, is MRA serious in saying they will auction the goods if duty won’t be paid? Sincerely who else in Malawi can pay for the MCP party colours than the importer or MCP itself? Lastly, are the other political parties getting the same treatment from MRA during these on-going campaign procurements? MRA we’re alert and watching everything……………………………………….!
U seem not to understand the story if the goods were for Mr mwale why mcp supporters were demonstrating at MRA offices?
“Central” has issues with understanding the English language.
Azingolemba Chichewa basi; ndi JC yacheyo.
It’s MCP itself that got its thugs and supporters into the issue of Sam Mwale not Mra!! Including their whole SG!!! Sad…..
Yes other parties are paying including DPP. UTM, UDF pays!!
We will auction as per law for sure!!
It is rather MCP that rashed to embroiled itself into teh equation. What bringing supporter to harrass MRA staff? Vomerezani anthu ononga inu. You will further destroy Malawi with impunity. I pray you shld never see the presidency again!
Fake news aimed at derailing MCP campaign bt its not going to work. The work of the cadets and sell-outs,,,, Ife tivoterabe MCP and tikuwonani pa 21 May.
This is the real story take it or leave it!! You can vote for who ever you want akawina atipeza. We remain professional!! I hope your party will not stop it’s supporters from paying tax ndiye mudzaliratu
DPP HAS NOT EVER PAID DUTY FOR IT’S CAMPAIGN GOODS. EVERYTHING IS IMPORTED IN THE NAME OF THE PRESIDENT AND APM IS ENTITLED FOR DUTY-FREE GOODS. ASK MRA TO PRODUCE RECEIPTS AS EVIDENCE IF AT ALL DPP PAYS.
Liar!! They pay my friend! You got it all wrong!! APM does not use his privileges on party materials. Unfortunately the law does not allow us to publicize taxpayer information
If they auction the goods, we, DPP will buy them all using Tax Payers’ money and burn them all.
How will it be since dpp will be in opposition before the end of May. MCP BOMA! May 2019
DPP strategy! Who told you MCP didn’t want to pay? That’s not true… it’s all a false and unfounded. It’s MRA officials who wanted bribes and MCP refused to gratify anyone. We are taking over leadership to change the we do business in Malawi.
Not true!! The importer refuses the seizure notice and asked if he could just pay the duty with no procedure for the offense!! We can’t do that!’ We stick to the law Bwana. Change it for the better and not tax evasion!! Mutipeza!!
ACHITSILU INU ….Which duty evasion……. Too much politics at MRA 22 May pano zinthu zikusokonekelani
Come you will see!! This is pure smuggling and duty evasion!
Even if you keep them …..Chakwera is winning the elections
Kudalira za kunja zotsatira zake n’zimenezi.
ma cadet a dpp iyi sinkani yanu musayankilepo chilichose apa agalu mukufuna dpp muzingodya misonko yatu
The truth will always come to light after dpp government is dead and cremated. MRA is infiltrated by dpp cadets like Rosa Adu Chikapa Fachi. She has always been a dirty and dangerous woman. After the elections we will know if dpp paid duty for Navaras, bicycles, cloths and napkins for Adad. Every dog has its day. Bakili imported 116 Nissan vehicles and where are they today. It will be measure for measure. We will know more about the K145 million anaba the 80 year old father of zero.
Inde Mwapeza nkhani …You don’t want to State that they were charged 2.89 million Duty kenako ….Ayi Muwonjezere 500,000….Kenaka Orders from Above Don’t release the Container….Its not the First Time this Kind of Thing has Happened. Nthawi ya a Tembo the Container was Released after the Elections….
Yes orders have to be given if officers report of evasion and obstruction/harassment!! You wanted the boss to tell them kuti asiyeni atrmge katundu azipita?
Matama a youth league, akuwona ngat awina, zikanganani ndi Chilima pa u leader of opposition, khalidwe lonyansa likukanika kukuchokani
With NTABA THE EXPERT IN KILLING OF ALBINOS DPP is finished forget about Winning
Dikila madzi apite ndiye uziti tadala…………………………………………………………………………! Good citizen ngati sukudziwa pali pano madzi adzaza a mavoti a MCP adzaza kwambiri mu Bua, Dwangwa, Lilongwe, Linthipe, Songwe, Rukuru, Ruo etc ndipo posachedwapa timva kuti dpp yasamukaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!! My only advice is that its time to re-correct the green carddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd chifukwa ulendo wayandikilaaaaaaaaaaaaa……. ngati mukukaika mungosunga khosi mudzaona sabata ikubwelayi
They can just auction them
And my source also said that. And my source told me that. My source said that. My source privy to the matter said that. BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD.
The whole government in waiting evading tax? Is Malawi cursed?
Anthu awa adzaba, adzazilemerenso okha ngati a DiPhiPhi. Malawi mavuto tili nawo
Use your brain man. So you believe this poorly written propaganda.? Wait Operation Chotsa Mbava is Coming on 21 May .