Inkosi M’mbelwa calls for MRA and Immigration posts at Mqocha: Malawi -Zambia border
Paramount Chief M’mbelwa V of Mzimba on Saturday called on government to establish Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) and Immigration and police offices at Mqocha -Zambia border post in the district.
Speaking in Mpherembe Saturday at a public rally addressed by President Peter Mutharika said a lot of merchandize is imported and exported through the boarders without government collecting any levy due to the absence of law enforcing agencies such as MRA and immigration.
“A lot of business people both from Malawi and neigbouring countries take advantage of our porous borders to import and export goods without paying any duty to the government,” said M’mbelwa, adding that the tendency affects the country’s economic base.
M’mbelwa further told the President that lack of a vibrant immigration border post at Mqocha in the district is an advantage for foreigners to enter the country illegally.
“These illegal immigrants pose a serious security threat to our country as well as depriving the nation of its revenue through the lost immigration fees,” he said.
The paramount chief also expressed concern over the recent re-demarcation of borders between Malawi and Zambia, saying the exercise has made some areas being shifted to Zambia which the locals there are not comfortable with.
“I have an example in Traditional Authority Chindi where a certain school has just been declared to be in Zambia, but it belonged Malawi. This has led to an unnecessary anxiety. We ask government to discuss the matter with their Zambian counterparts so that the issue is sorted out,” said M’mbelwa.
Speaking Sunday at Edingeni Trading Centre in Mzimba where he addressed thousands of people after paying homage to late Paramount Chief M’mbelwa 1V who died in 2013, President Mutharika said he would ensure that the boundary problems between the two countries are sorted out.
“I have heard the challenges which you are facing due to improperly aligned boundary between Malawi and Zambia, I will do something about that,” said Mutharika.
Mutharika said he would be going to Zambia Tuesday and would take advantage of his going there to discuss the issue with his Zambian counterpart, Edgar Lungu.
“It is not in order to have some parts of the country in Zambia and vice-versa,” he said.
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I always thought, being a border post, Mqocha had both MRA and Immigration facilities. How wrong I was! The Paramount Chief’s request is very reasonable.
there is already MRA presence at Mquocha. AIRTEL installed a connection for MRA over 10 months ago. Check your facts Plz