MRA pounces on Mapeto
Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) has seized goods belonging to Mapeto David Whitehead and Sons on suspicion that the goods were smuggled, a seizure notice that The Daily Times has seen reveals.
The notice of seizure number 025435 and notice of embargo dated March 30 2021 that we have seen indicate that the goods seized included 246 bales of Java Wax fabric and 5,300 bales of mixed rolls of fabric.
The notices of seizure and embargo gave the reason for the seizure as smuggling.
“Please note that in terms of Section 149 of Customs and Excise Act, I have an embargo of the above goods. The goods may not be moved, sold, lent, hired, offered as security or in any other way dealt with until the embargo has been withdrawn in writing,” the notice, which MRA officers Eglyn Khuwi and Monica Kanjere have signed, reads.
The notice says failure to comply with the terms of the notice would render the owner of the goods liable to prosecution and forfeiture.
Yaseen Muhammad, who signed as the owner of the goods on the notice, referred The Daily Times to Mapeto General Manager Martin Mpata for a comment.
“The right person to speak is Mr Mpata our General Manager. You see, this is Sunday and we are fasting; so, you [can] speak to him,” he said.
However, Mpata did not pick his mobile phone on several attempts for comment.
MRA spokesperson Steven Kapoloma refused to comment on the issue.
