The Malawi Revenue Authority has warned traders and the general public that the authority will not relent in giving out stiff punishments in accordance with the law, to those found in the wrong of evading tax.
The warning follows the interception by MRA officials at Songwe border in Karonga district of goods that were being smuggled into the country.
In an interview with MIJ Online, Steve Kapoloma head of corporate affairs at MRA said some of the goods which are worth in excess of 30 million kwacha in taxes were hidden inside a track carrying plantains while others were intercepted while being smuggled into the country by a boat.
According to Kapoloma, owners of the confiscated goods which are now at its warehouse at Songwe Border will have to pay over 90 million kwacha in penalties for the goods to be cleared.
Kapoloma said the penalty which is according to dictates of the country’s tax laws is designed to amplify the notion that there is no profit in smuggling goods and tax evasion thereby deterring others from partaking in the act.
Some of the goods confiscated are motor bikes, energy drinks and a vehicle used to smuggle the goods.