CDEDI gives MRA 14 days ultimatum on K16.5 billion Mapeto tax evasion case
By IOMMIE CHIWALO
The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has given the Malawi Revenue Authority 14 days to publicly explain what happened to the K16.5 billion Mapeto tax evasion case, three years after five top company executives were arrested.
In a letter dated May 4, 2026 and addressed to MRA Commissioner General through Counsel Felix Tambulasi, CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa says Malawians deserve “closure” on the high-profile case.
“Needless to put it to you Sir, that K16.5 billion is not small change,” Namiwa wrote. “The MRA must help Malawians find a closure on this matter by updating the nation on the status of this high profile case.”
On May 23, 2021, MRA officers pounced on Mapeto David Whitehead & Sons Limited in Blantyre. Four executives were arrested: Managing Director Mahomed Gaffar, Abudul Rashid Bakali, Yassen Bakali and Martin Mpata. A fifth, Faisal Gaffar Latif, handed himself over the next day.
At the time, MRA told the public the five faced multiple offences including K10.8 billion in alleged tax evasion. That figure was later revised upwards to K16.5 billion.
Since then, there has been no public update on prosecutions, settlements, or recovery of funds.
Namiwa says CDEDI is acting as “mouth-piece of the voiceless citizenry” and in its “governance watchdog role.” The letter, also copied to Director of Public Prosecutions Counsel Fostino Maele, invokes the Access To Information Act to demand public disclosure.
“We are therefore giving you 14 days to do the needful. Failure to do so will prompt CDEDI to take action on the matter,” the letter reads.
To put the figure in perspective: K16.5 billion could fund Nkhotakota District Hospital for over 5 years at current budget levels. It could buy roughly 330,000 bags of subsidized fertilizer, or pay 11,000 primary school teachers for a full year.
MRA routinely enforces tax compliance on small businesses and individuals. CDEDI’s letter now asks the authority to account for one of the biggest alleged corporate tax cases in recent years.
Dated May 4, the letter sets a deadline of May 18, 2026 for MRA to respond. MRA officials have confirmed receipt of the letter but are yet to comment on the action from the contents of the epistle.