Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) and Malawi Police Service (MPS) are engaged in a war of words on who should be credited for intercepting a K543.6 million (US$1 319 417.5) loot from Standard Bank Mzuzu Branch two weeks ago.
In an interview yesterday, MRA spokesperson Steve Kapoloma said “actually, it is MRA that intercepted the loot”.
But Northern Region Police spokesperson Maurice Chapola argued that the police deserve credit for opening fire at the robbers.
During a public rally in Mzuzu after the incident, President Peter Mutharika acknowledged efforts of the police in recovering K412 million (US$1 million) after intercepting the robbers.
The President also ordered the Inspector General of Police Lot Dzonzi to promote to the next rank police officers involved, a development that saw sergeant Khataza Banda promoted to sub-inspector and sub-inspector Canaan Vundo to inspector.
The robbers were intercepted at an MRA roadblock at Jenda in Mzimba and the public tax collector claim they are the ones who foiled the robbery and recovered the loot.
The battle for recognition has seen MRA also promoting its two officers, a driver and a customs officer. Customs officer Lucy Chiwaula has been promoted from grade E2 to E1 whereas driver Harry Yobu has moved from F3 to F1.
Kapoloma yesterday confirmed the promotion of the customs officer and the driver.
He said if it were not for the two officers and MRA roadblock, the robbers would have made away with the money.
However, Kapoloma refused to say much on who should be credited, saying doing so would undermine the police.
But Chapola said the robbers dumped the car and money after police opened fire.
He said without that, the robbers would have made away with the money.
