MRA, police nab 7 foreigntraders over tax evasion
The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) has taken a hardline stance on the use of its Electronic Fiscal Devices (EFDs) tax collection machines, arresting several businesspersons both foreign and local, in an operation mounted over the weekend.
Both police and the revenue authority confirmed the development yesterday, saying several businesspersons, among them Asians and Nigerians, have been nabbed for allegedly failing to comply with the use of the EFDs.
Lilongwe Police spokesperson Kingsley Dandaula and MRA spokesperson Steven Kapoloma confirmed the development in separate interviews.
“It’s a joint operation and I can confirm that we are keeping custody several businesspersons, including a few Nigerians. MRA is doing all the investigations and handing over the suspects to us,” said Dandaula.
Kapoloma said so far over seven suspects have been arrested in Lilongwe and Blantyre, but said the figure may rise as the operation continues.
“We launched an investigation through our officers to ensure compliance. Several of the shop owners, some who are involved in electronic, car parts industries, were just issuing manual receipts to customers to avoid EFD detections or they would change prices while using the EFDs to neglect their tax obligations,” said Kapoloma.
He said the operation is expected to continue indefinitely.
The use of EFDs has not been short of controversy for some traders who have protested their introduction.
Following a few businessperson’s unsuccessful court challenge over the same last year, MRA has gone full-throttle to implement the project, but resistance and resentment continues from some sectors of the business community.
