Malawi Bureau of Standards under fire over Puka Matches certification: Jussab risks arrest
The Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) is being investigated after Leopard Matches Limited accused the standardization institution of corruption in the awarding of certification for Paka Matches which are being imported from Kenya.
Leopard Matches also accuse the importers of forging import licenses and there are reports that the importers, Muhammed Assin Hassam of Bazooka Trading and Jussab Nurmahomed of Jussab Nurmahomed Wholesalers and some officials from the MBS risk arrest after both the Fiscal Police and the Anti-Corruption Bureau instituted investigations.
Following revelations that MBS has fraudulently awarded certification to Jussab Nurmahomed Wholesalers and Bazooka Trading to import Paka Matches, Leopard Matches sought and were granted a court order to stop the importation as well as to seize the goods that have been imported.
Following the court order, Leopard Match, in the company of over 30 armed Policemen on Monday stormed Limbe and raided about 10 shops where they confiscated boxes of Paka Matches.
A similar exercise was conducted in Lilongwe on Tuesday.
The seizure follows an injunction granted to Leopard Matches by the High Court prohibiting Bazooka Wholesalers and Jussab Nurmahomed Wholesalers from importing and distributing the product on the market.
Leopard Match also raided MBS head office in Blantyre where they seized all documents relating to the certification of Paka Matches.
In their affidavit to the court, Leopard Matches claims MBS contravened their own MBS Act in granting permission to the two entities to import Paka Matches.
Leopard Match claims MBS granted the two wholesalers import approvals without testing mandatory parameters under Mandatory Standards MS:251:2002 and MS:252:2002 namely, crushing strength and damp proofness in contravention and ultra vires the MBS Act, regulations and standards which is illegal, null and void, irrational and unreasonable.
The company is also challenging the decision by MBS to given an import annual waiver to the importers of Paka Matches without them qualifying for a mandatory maximum four imports in line with the law and based on illegal imports each done without mandatory testing.
In an interview, Leopard Match Limited lawyer Khuleza Phokoso told NyasaTimes that Paka Matches is a product that should not be on the market because it did not pass the standardization tests.
“Apart from putting an injunction stopping the distribution and selling, the court has also ordered that there shouldn’t be any selling on retail level as well as any importation. So, as we speak, even Malawi Revenue Authority has been ordered not to allow any imports of Paka Matches into the country,” he said.
He added that following the court order, the product is as good as banned and should not be sold anywhere in the country.
According to Phokoso, the case is between Leopard Matches and MBS and also against the two importers.
Paka Matches are produced by a Kenyan company called Lion Match.
Phokoso claimed that the two importers have so far imported 2,000 metric tonnes of the product
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The CEO of MBS was primarily put there for such purposes. It is a shame and a disgrace that people well learned can sink so low to fatten their bellies. No wonder they relieved the acting CEO knowing his integrity and bring in a brood of a viper, Cursed people.
DPP has eroded all ethics in regulation because the cadets that have been imposed as CEOs on critical organisations such as MBS, MACRA, MCM, NMCM, PMPB, MERA and Peticides Control operate to enrich themselves and channel money to DPP as opposed to protecting Malawians. All these organisations need a complete overhaul. Malawians are now being slowly slaughter d by their own government that does not care! Take the example of Pharmacy Board where we have a very tired and frail looking old man who is imposed on the organisation through nepotism to control the quality of medicines in Malawi. Let… Read more »
Viva rafik OG ISSA
Jussab risks arrests!!!!, what about the MBS cartel of officers who bedded with him
As regards to the retailers who bought from him not knowing that the matches were illegal. Who is going to reimburse their investment. Of course MBS has to reimburse, because they are the ones who faciltated the imports. MATCHGATE Ki Ki Ki. All stocks seized from shops will be re-sold by MBS staff and without EFD receipt and will just hold on to a few cartons for court evidence
TIPPEX TIPPEX TIPPEX !
kkkkk malawi wa lelo noone checks on this- expiry dates a double kapena ofufutikaaaa
Let Leopard Match embrace the competition which is there on an international market. Issues to do with corruption are very sensitive, and before reporting such, do research and find the truth. In fact no individual could be allowed to “raid” into a government office and “seize documents”
This is strange actually that the plaintiff get given the right to ‘raid’ offices or shops. They have complained the rest should be up to the court to enforce through whatever legal mechanisms exist. Strange times indeed.
Leopard Matches officials should not play saint. Most companies in Malawi survive by siding with government officials. Much as we do not condone the act by Paka Matches, we doubt whether Leopard Matches officials’ hands are clean. They have been enjoying absolute business monopoly. In addition, why should Paka dump their stuff in Malawi? Where are the Kenyans to get their stuff? We need companies that can manufacture right inside Malawi to create job opportunities for Malawians. They create job opportunities to Kenyans during manufacturing and only dump their stuff to Malawians. We need productive economics and not consumptive economics.
Congrats Mr. Barret Wish I could also raid MBS offices and expose all the rot that is going on in every section, be it admin, testing, finance, procurement , etc. When they want IQMS fees they want payment at the border either in cash or bank certified cheque. One has no option but to drive to the border and pay the same so as to avoid paying huge charges for delaying the container at the border. Can they not collect it through the clearing agent or through MRA at the destination instead of holding up the trucks. One has to… Read more »
There is a real problem with this brand of Matches. I have used both brands and the difference is clear, Paka matches can cause accidents as its head of fire flies off.
Amwenye atamawamangadi nkumawapangaso deport. Ambiri amabwera kuno mma container and get their documents done mu dziko mommuno. I hate amwenye amationongera dzikoli. Merciless mone launderers azibwerera mmakwawo😡