Irate people torch MRA checkpoint

Angry people on Sunday razed down a Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) checkpoint at Ludzi Junction in Mchinji in protest over measures the authority is implementing to curb smuggling in the district.

An eyewitness, Evance Chikhawo, said the mob, comprising men and women, torched the blockade and tents manned by MRA officials on Sunday afternoon.

“The mob was chanting songs against the officials for mounting the checkpoint at Ludzi Junction,” he said.

Mchinji Police Station officer Charles Mpezeni said the mob was reacting to an incident which occurred on Saturday in which an MRA vehicle was involved in running battles with a minibus suspected of carrying smuggled goods.

“On Saturday, a Nissan Caravan minibus registration MH 7256 loaded with assorted goods was involved in a fatal accident at Mumba Village along the Mchinji-Lilongwe M 132 Road. It was reported that the driver was running away from MRA officers,” he said.

Mpezeni said due to speeding, the driver failed to control the vehicle and it overturned. The driver died on the spot.

He said in retaliation, a mob believed to be people involved in smuggling, attacked MRA officers at Ludzi Junction checkpoint.

Meanwhile, police quelled the situation and operations at the checkpoint returned normal.

MRA spokesperson Steve Kapoloma yesterday asked for more time to provide more details. Mchinji is one of the border districts in the country which have intensified security against human trafficking and smuggling of goods between Malawi and its neigbouring coutries