Phalombe Border Communities ready to fight Smuggling

The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) conducted public rallies in communities along the border in Phalombe district urging the masses to support MRA in ending smuggling.  

Villagers in the areas of Group Village Heads Pangani, Nambazo, Mandawala, Nankhuni, Muwa and Village Heads Mphwesa and Chaima  agreed that some unscrupulous traders use their areas as routes to smuggle goods into the country.

Speaking during the rallies, Thokozani Chiwaya, Team Leader Taxpayer Education told the gatherings that giving any kind of assistance to a smuggler is an offence. She reiterated that instead of assisting such people, they should report to MRA, Police, Chiefs or members of the Community Police Forum operating in their communities.

“The people who use your areas as routes for smuggling goods into our country do not want your areas to develop. They are simply running away from paying tax which the Government uses for national development,” Chiwaya said.

She added that if people suspect any conduct of fraud, tax evasion or smuggling, they should send tips through the Tip Offs Anonymous Service by dialling a toll free number 847 for Airtel and TNM subscribers.

“If the tip has resulted in MRA recovering revenue which would have been lost, a reward ranging from MK5, 000 to MK500, 000 cash will be given to the informant,” she added.

Speaking on behalf of the attendees at one of the rallies, Village Headman Mandawala acknowledged the need to engage the people of his area if the Authority wants to win the fight against smuggling.

Chief Mandawala addressing his subjects

“Indeed, business people pass through our areas but because we do not know that by doing that they are avoiding paying tax, we don’t take any action.

“It is indeed possible that unsuspecting members of the border community have been helping smugglers. Now that we know what we are supposed to be doing rest assured that individuals suspected of smuggling goods will be reported,” Chief Mandawala said.

Throughout the rallies, people pledged their support to curb smuggling by reporting to responsible people when they see such misconducts happening in their areas.

The public rallies followed reports that there is rampant smuggling in the border communities in Phalombe. The MRA team comprised of Leticia Kanyanda from Muloza Customs & Excise, Thokozani Chiwaya and Napo Simkonda from Corporate Affairs.     

BY NAPO SIMKONDA