LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Leader of Opposition in Parliament, George Chaponda, has strongly condemned the government over the ongoing passport crisis, accusing it of putting Malawians’ dignity and mobility at risk through questionable procurement deals.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Maravipost Post on Thursday, June 19, Chaponda blamed the current administration for fueling the crisis by awarding a crucial national contract to a company with a tainted global reputation Madras Security Printers.
“This crisis didn’t start today,” Chaponda said. “It began when the government unilaterally decided to terminate the contract with Techno Brain without providing a solid justification. Since then, the passport issuance system has collapsed, leaving countless Malawians stranded and in distress.”
The issuance of passports came to a grinding halt following a two-week suspension earlier this year, sparking widespread concern.
Chaponda criticizes the Minister of Homeland Security for downplaying the crisis, calling the assertion that “everything is under control” both misleading and insulting.
“I am deeply dismayed by the Minister’s dismissive response. The lives of Malawians are being disrupted. This is a betrayal of public trust. Malawi deserves better,” Chaponda said.
He further demanded the immediate suspension of the contract with Madras Security Printers, citing the company’s troubling track record in other countries.
“A simple Google search reveals trails of scandal and controversy involving this company. How did such a firm manage to secure a sensitive contract to print our passports?” he questioned.
Chaponda echoed concerns raised by the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI), which also criticized the unclear tendering process.
“The government must explain how this contract was awarded. There is a clear lack of transparency and due diligence,” he said.
The opposition leader has called on the government to come clean with the public about the true state of the passport issuance system and to immediately suspend the contract with Madras Security Printers.
He is also urging the launch of a transparent and open tender process to identify a new, reputable supplier one with a proven global track record and free from corruption scandals to ensure that future contracts for national documents are handled with integrity and accountability.
“This is not just about passports It’s about the trust Malawians place in their government to protect their rights and uphold the integrity of national systems. We must stop gambling with the lives of our citizens.”Chaponda concluded