Former MRA commissioner general Malata dies
Former Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) commissioner general Tom Malata died on Sunday night at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe after succumbing to high blood pressure.
In an interview yesterday, younger brother to the deceased, Ozile Malata said Tom will be laid to rest on Thursday at his home in Zomba.
He said: “He has been sick for a week. He had high blood pressure. Tomorrow [Tuesday], his remains will be taken from Goodwill Mortuary to his Area 10 residence where it is expected that on Wednesday, a funeral service will be held by 11am before his remains are taken to Zomba at 4 Miles near the roadblock for burial.
“We are waiting for his two children who are in Australia and the United Kingdom, respectively and are expected to arrive on Wednesday.”
In its condolence message through a statement made available to The Nation yesterday, MRA said the authority registered significant increase in revenue collection due to Malata’s visionary leadership and down-to-earth management style.
“During his tenure, he initiated various reforms, including Msonkho Online, e-payments and Asycuda World [automated system for customs data],” reads the MRA statement in part.
On his part, tax expert Emmanuel Kaluluma described Malata as one of the best commissioner general Malawi has had as he was always willing to engage taxpayers and responded to their grievances.
He said: “We are really saddened by his death. Being a commissioner general is tough. You have to work at getting people pay tax and sometimes, taxpayers may not understand this as enforcing compliance but rather harsh treatment. Tom managed very well. We will miss him.”
A chartered accountant and tax professional, Malata headed MRA from September 22 2015 until his replacement with the current commissioner general John Biziwick.
He had also headed Premium Tama Tobacco Limited, Taxcom Finance Associates and Kanengo Tobacco Processors
Malata is survived by a wife and two children.
