The Chief Justice of the Malawi Judiciary Rezine Mzikamanda on Thursday last week presided over the swearing-in ceremony for nine Panelists of the Revenue Appeals Tribunal who are expected to start hearing and resolving revenue cases in the country.

Speaking on the sidelines of the function, Chairperson of the Revenue Appeals Tribunal His Honour, Joster Chisale, welcomed the appointment and swearing-in of the nine panelists as timely and said it would help clear the backlog of revenue cases that have been accumulating at the Tribunal. 

“The appointment and swearing-in of the panelists is timely because it will swiftly and effectively clear a backlog of tax-related cases that are accumulating at our office. Since the law provides for a minimum of twelve members of the Tribunal, we expect the government to appoint the remaining three members,” Chisale said.

The newly appointed panel includes Dr Perkys Ligoya, retired Justice Robert Chinangwa, Mr Leonard Chikadya, Dr Ronald Mangani, Sir James Naphambo, Mr Elia Bodole, Mr Daniel Jere, Mr Elton jangale and Mr James Kaphale.

The members of the Tribunal who serve for a renewable term of four years are appointed by the Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralisation in consultation with professional bodies. They are drawn from diverse backgrounds like law, finance, public finance, business, accounting, economics or related disciplines. 

The Revenue Appeals Tribunal was established under the Revenue Appeals Tribunal Act of 2021 but became operational on 1 April 2025.