Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) has released a statement addressing beer smuggling as the malpractice has been rampant in the borders. This comes after seizing smuggled beer products and sugar, and releasing a statement in February, warning smugglers of intensified border patrols and inspections.

In the new statement, MRA Commissioner Tom Malata stressed that smuggling and sale of opaque beer distorts market prices and creates unfair competition in the market. “..this is because smuggled beer is sold at low price and as a result, the local beer industry will collpase, leading to many people losing their jobs” says the statement.

Chibuku Products Limited has bemoaned the presence of smuggled beer on the market, because the smuggled products are of foreign Chibuku products leading to customers trusting the brand already.

In the statement in February, MRA revealed that to keep citizens from consuming such unhealthy products, MRA is urging the general public to dial toll free numbers; 847 for Airtel, TNM and Access subscribers and 80000847 for MTL subscribers.