MRA releases Masangwi truck : Complies with High Court ruling
The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) has released a truck, trailer and cargo it confiscated on Friday on strong suspicions that its owners wanted to evade tax.
Owner of the cargo Thomas Njilika, who runs Thompex Hardware and Liquor business in Blantyre, obtained an injunction at the weekend from the High Court judge Justice Anaclet Chipeta stopping the revenue collector from impounding the cargo.
It is reported that MRA officials got a tip off from a whistleblower that Njilika with assistance from DPP regional governor for the South Noel Masangwi wanted to import goods into the country using illegal means.
However, Njilika denied any wrongdoing and argued before Justice Chipeta that he already paid duty amounting to K12 million on September 14.
Meanwhile, according to Njilika’s attorney Chancy Gondwe, the cargo is at Njilika’s clearing agent Elvis Freight which is owned by Masangwi.
“Yes, I can confirm that MRA has today complied with the court order and as am speaking the truck, trailer and cargo are all at Elvis Freight premises in Maselema.
“We did not open the container as ordered by the judge because it was getting dark but we will do that any day this week in the presence of MRA officials,” said Gondwe.
Commenting on the development MRA’s Head of Customs (Technical) Lexon Kachala confirmed about the development.
However, he refused to divulge more information on the issue.
