MRA Head of Corporate Affairs Steven Kapoloma said the incident occurred when MRA officials were moving smuggled goods from a trader’s warehouse in the area and some individuals threw stones at them.
 
“The items consisted of 300 gallons of 20 litres cooking oil and 100 bags of flour. Total duty for the goods amounted to K3, 093,075. The officers sustained minor injuries and were treated as outpatients at Lingalawe Health Centre. The Authority strongly condemns the misconduct of these misguided individuals in Nkando who assaulted the MRA officers while on duty,” Kapoloma said.
 
He stressed that MRA has the mandate to collect taxes in the country and that the Customs and Excise Act, Section 13 to 20 empowers Customs officers to work without any obstruction, therefore any action to the contrary is a crime punishable by court sentencing, fines and penalties.
 
“What Malawians should know is that everyone has the duty to this country to pay their due taxes. It is crucial at the moment for all of us to voluntarily pay tax considering that domestic revenue is the only source of finance to support Government’s operation in the absence of donor aid to the national budget,” said Kapoloma.
 
Tax collected by MRA is used by the Government to provide social services such as construction of roads, schools, hospitals, buying of drugs in hospitals, teaching and learning materials in schools and colleges. The tax also aids in the training of teachers, doctors and provision of security by training and paying police including members of the civil service.