The Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has expressed support for the introduction of tax stamps by the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA), asserting that the measure is crucial for enhancing the government’s ability to fund essential services.

In a statement, HRDC chairperson Gift Trapence emphasized that the tax stamps are key in fighting tax evasion and fraud.

Trapence accused those opposing the tax stamps of being mercenaries for business tycoons who are allegedly involved in smuggling goods.

Bon Kalindo, leader of the pressure group Malawi First, responded to HRDC’s support by expressing disappointment.

Kalindo accused HRDC of siding with the current government and abandoning its role in serving concerned Malawians.

He announced that Malawi First’s planned nationwide anti-government demonstrations will proceed as scheduled on August 8, 2024.

Kalindo’s group aims to protest against what they see as a triple threat: the tax stamps, failures in voter registration, and political arrests.

The upcoming demonstrations are intended to pressure the government to address these issues and respond to the group’s concerns.