By Suleman Chitera

Mangochi, Malawi — Member of Parliament for Mangochi Monkey Bay, Hon. Gerald Kazembe, has voiced strong opposition to a government bill proposing increased taxes on rural communities, arguing that the move would burden poor Malawians who are already struggling with the high cost of living.

Speaking in Parliament, Kazembe said raising Value Added Tax (VAT) on essential goods would push commodity prices even higher. He noted that items such as sugar, soap, and other household necessities would become unaffordable for many villagers who live on low incomes.

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Kazembe also rejected the proposed tax on mobile money transactions, including services like Airtel Money and Mpamba. He warned that taxing digital financial services would discourage people in remote areas from using mobile money, which has become a convenient and safe method of sending and receiving funds.

However, the legislator expressed support for increasing taxes on high-income earners and wealthy individuals, saying this approach would ensure fairness while protecting vulnerable groups.

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Kazembe’s stance has sparked debate among lawmakers and citizens, many of whom fear that the proposed VAT adjustments will worsen poverty levels in rural areas.

As Parliament continues to deliberate on the bill, stakeholders across the country are closely following the discussions, hoping for a tax policy that promotes equity, economic stability, and social protection for all Malawians.