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Serious questions are emerging over the transfer of two Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) officers who reportedly took action against a truck suspected of being involved in an alcohol-smuggling operation allegedly linked to a Burundian network.
The officers, Elizabeth Kapolo, who works in the Fast department at Lilongwe Port, and another officer identified as Miss Grace, have reportedly been transferred to Chitipa Customs and Excise following an operation in which their team intercepted and impounded a truck belonging to a businesswoman identified as Shakila.
The developments have raised concerns about whether MRA officers who enforce customs regulations are adequately protected from possible interference when their work affects commercially influential individuals.
According to information obtained by Malawi Cables Online, Shakila’s truck, which was reportedly carrying alcohol, had passed through the Dedza border before it was intercepted by a FAST team led by Kapolo.
The team reportedly impounded the vehicle and took it to its offices, where the matter subsequently resulted in the payment of applicable taxes.
However, what happened after the interception has become a subject of concern.
Information reaching this publication alleges that individuals connected to the suspected alcohol-smuggling network identified Kapolo as the officer behind the interception and subsequently sought to influence her superiors to have her transferred out of Lilongwe.
The allegations further suggest that the transfers were intended to remove the officers from an operational environment where their activities could potentially disrupt the network’s alleged business operations.
Separately, this publication has received allegations concerning the handling of vehicles suspected of transporting smuggled goods at the Dedza border.
The circumstances surrounding these vehicles, how they are processed, and whether all suspected cases receive consistent enforcement attention warrant further scrutiny.
Officers tasked with protecting government revenue should be able to execute their duties without fear of intimidation, victimisation or interference.
Malawi Cables Online will continue following this matter.
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