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BY DRAXON MALOYA.

Malawi (News of The South) – Scores of people took to the streets in the city of Mzuzu to patronize a peaceful demonstration organized by the business community protesting against what they call unjustifiable taxation and corrupt practices taking place at the revenue collecting body.

For four hours economic activities came to a standstill since almost all the shops were closed as members were taking part in a peaceful march that started from Katoto secondary school ground to Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) offices in Mzuzu Central Business District (CBD).

Among others, the business community are also calling for the immediate removal of some MRA Road blocks on the Songwe-Karonga road and transfer of some officials at the Malawi Revenue Authority, for what they call unfair practices and corruption.

The chairperson of the Mzuzu business community, Kayiteme Kamanga said this demonstration is the first step traders have taken to ensure that there is sanity in the way how tax is collected and used by the relevant authorities, and he threatened for unspecified action if their demands are not properly addressed.

“We are worried with the way MRA is handling our taxes, there are so many reasons to justify our call for this demonstration. We have given them 14 days to make sure that all our grievances have been fully addressed or else we shall do something they will regret about,” Kamanga said.

Receiving the petition, Customs Coordinator for Mzuzu, Moses Masina assured the demonstrators that their petition shall be channeled to the relevant authority in the soonest time possible.

And responding to the petition the Head of Corporate Affairs and Spokesperson for MRA Steven Kapoloma argued that there is a need for proper civic education on the issue to do with taxation.

“Having looked at the petition properly you will find that most issues are pointing at one thing, which shows that there is a need for civic education because it seems that people are still ignorant about the law or our inspection process which is in the third week in all the three regions,

“We want to see whether people are fully complying with Electronic Fiscal Device (EFD) gadgets and customs declarations so Mzuzu cannot be spared in that exercise,” Kapoloma said.

Government made an inclusion of taxation in the school curricula for primary and secondary schools as one way of ensuring maximum tax compliance, which is essential in meeting some of the basic requirements such as drugs, water and education for the country’s growing population.

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