By The Forum

Two more Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) officers have been arrested, bringing to three the number of suspects linked to the alleged tax evasion involving campaign materials for the opposition Alliance for Democracy (Aford).

The arrests of Edgar Katunga and Charles Phiri follow that of Rhoda Ndovie on August 26, 2025, after a search at the Lilongwe premises of Aford leader Enock Chihana, where the goods were reportedly offloaded.

In a statement on August 30, MRA alleged the two officers facilitated fraudulent importation that enabled Ndovie’s role in falsifying the value and quantity of the goods, leading to tax evasion estimated at over MK300 million.

The tax agency said documents were also altered to disguise the real importers: Aford and its 2025 election ally, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). The shipment entered Malawi from South Africa through Dedza Border Station.

Chihana has dismissed the allegations as a political witch-hunt by the ruling Malawi Congress Party. Speaking at a joint DPP-Aford rally in Mtandire, Lilongwe he declared he was unshaken.

“I am prepared to sleep in a police cell, even today,” Chihana said. “I will not even enter my house after the raid because I don’t know what was planted there.”

Chihana also maintains a residence in the northern city of Mzuzu.