Tag Archives: Malawi passport crisis

corruption, Politics

CDEDI demands passport contract disclosure between Malawi Govt, Madrassa

MaraviPost

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s governance watchdog Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has formally written the Minister of Homeland Security, Peter Mukhito, demanding public disclosure of the passport printing contract between Malawi government and Madrassa on a breakdown of the current passport fees.

In a letter dated January 2026 and addressed to the Ministry of Homeland Security in Lilongwe, CDEDI has invoked the Access to Information (ATI) Act, arguing that Malawians deserve transparency on a deal it says continues to burden citizens seeking travel documents.

The letter, copied to the Attorney General and the Director General of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services, comes against the backdrop of the government’s recent admission that corruption is rampant within the Immigration Department.

CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa commended Minister Mukhito and his deputy, Norman Chisale, for publicly acknowledging the problem and pledging to flush out corrupt practices within the department.

The organisation said it was “refreshing” to see the minister and his deputy address the issue during a televised press briefing, noting that the move aligns with President Peter Mutharika’s declaration that there are “no sacred cows” in the fight against corruption.

However, CDEDI reminded the ministry of a letter it submitted on February 26, 2024, demanding an explanation for what it described as exorbitant passport fees, arguing that the concerns raised then remain unresolved nearly two years later.

According to CDEDI, Malawians previously reached a consensus that the former Malawi Congress Party (MCP) administration engaged in questionable contracts that allegedly fleeced citizens, a factor the group claims contributed to the party’s electoral defeat.

The organisation singled out the Madrassa passport printing deal, which it described as one of the most controversial contracts from the previous administration under former president Lazarus Chakwera.

CDEDI expressed concern that the current government has not reviewed, probed or cancelled the contract, despite suspicions that it was negotiated and signed in a manner that did not serve the best interests of Malawians.

“To put it bluntly, there are names suspected to have benefited from this contract and since nothing has changed, they continue to benefit at the expense of a Malawian passport seeker,” reads part of the letter.

The watchdog has now demanded that the Ministry of Homeland Security publicly discloses the passport printing contract and releases a detailed price build-up that led to the current cost of obtaining a Malawian passport.

CDEDI insists that, in the interest of transparency and accountability, Malawians are still paying too much for passports and deserve clear explanations from authorities.

The organisation has called for a prompt response from the ministry, saying the matter is of national importance and directly affects citizens access to essential public services.

Law and order, Malawi

Malawi launches crackdown on passport delays, corruption, kabaza crashes

Burnett Munthali

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-In a bid to restore public trust and efficiency, the Malawi Government has launched a comprehensive crackdown on passport delays, corruption within immigration offices, and the rising scourge of Kabaza motorcycle accidents.

Minister of Homeland Security, Honourable Peter Mukhito, announced the move at a press conference in Lilongwe, stating that the government is determined to bring about change.

“The clean-up has begun, and we will protect citizens,” he declared. ” and nobody is untouchable.”

According to Mukhito, the passport delays were largely due to a flawed deal with Madallas Security Printers of India, which was signed in February 2025.

The contract required a 60 percent advance payment, but only USD 9 million of the required USD 17.9 million had been released, hampering production.

However, with renewed talks with the contractor, 10,000 passport booklets arrived in early January 2026, and three industrial printing units are on their way to Mzuzu, Mangochi, and Blantyre.

Additional supplies are being arranged to clear the backlog.

The Ministry has also elevated passport services to essential status, despite foreign exchange pressures.

“Malawians have waited long enough, and the situation is changing,” Mukhito assured. “We will keep the nation informed.”

In a surprise move, Deputy Minister Honourable Norman Chisale conducted a raid on the Lilalw Immigration Office, uncovering alleged cases of staff demanding bribes for passport and visa processing.

Those implicated have been arrested and will face court.

Mukhito warned that corruption undermines national security and creates opportunities for trafficking syndicates.

“We are tightening controls and sealing gaps,” he said. “This will not be tolerated.”

The government is also probing reports of officials colluding with trafficking networks, preying on vulnerable individuals for forced labour and sexual exploitation.

Citizens are urged to report suspicious activities to the authorities.

To tackle Kabaza accidents and theft, a Joint Task Team has been formed, comprising police, road safety authorities, councils, and rider associations.

The team will enforce safety compliance and introduce new measures.

Passengers are advised to demand helmets and protective gear before travelling.

The Minister cautioned officers that corruption, misuse of office, and cooperation with criminal elements will attract severe sanctions.

“I will not defend wrongdoing,” he said, promising swift action.

Mukhito appealed for patience as reforms take hold and encouraged the public to refuse bribes and report suspicious activity.

The clean-up agenda aligns with President Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika’s call for professionalism, integrity, and zero tolerance for corruption in public institutions.

“Our people deserve efficient and transparent services,” the Minister said.

“We are restoring order.”

corruption, Malawi

MaBLEM demands Malawi Govt demands accountability on botched US$30 million passport contract

Shaffie A Mtambo

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s Civil society group Malawi Civil Society Led Black Economic Empowerment Movement (MaBLEM) has called on the government to take responsibility over a stalled US$30 million passport printing contract that has left thousands of Malawians struggling nearly a year after it was signed.

In a statement released on January 20, 2026 and signed Robert Mkwezalamba, Chairperson of MaBLEM and National Coordinator Fryson Chodzi, said the Malawi Government entered a five year contract in March 2025 with Madras Security Printers Private Limited of India.

The deal was intended to eliminate the persistent backlog of passport applications at the Department of Immigration.

The contract promised that the company would begin printing passports by the end of April 2025, with a capacity of 2,000 passports per day, enough to meet the demand of thousands of applicants nationwide.

However, almost ten months later, MaBLEM says the company has failed to deliver a single passport. Current production remains below 100 per day nationwide, leaving citizens frustrated and vulnerable to corruption and long waits.

Passport printing machines brought into Malawi over five months ago remain unused, highlighting what the organisation calls “gross inefficiency” in contract management.

Deputy Minister of Homeland Security Norman Chisale has reportedly acknowledged the persistent backlog and corruption challenges within the Department of Immigration, showing that the crisis has reached the highest levels of government oversight.

MaBLEM expressed concern that the company, which was reportedly selected from a pool of 25 bidders and presented as having proven technical and operational capacity, has failed to roll out passport printing.

“The government must act now to review or terminate this failed contract and urgently identify a capable contractor to clear the backlog,” said Robert Mkwezalamba.

The civil society organisation said the backlog has now grown to over 100,000 passport applications, creating serious consequences for citizens who rely on passports for employment, education, medical travel and business opportunities.

MaBLEM criticised the government for continuing to tolerate a non performing contractor while ordinary Malawians face delays and hardships in accessing essential services.

The organisation warned that continued delays in passport printing represent a violation of citizens’ rights and an avoidable crisis.

MaBLEM has also questioned the procurement process, calling for stricter due diligence, enforcement, and oversight to prevent similar failures in future government contracts.

The group further urged the government to prioritize efficiency, transparency and accountability in service delivery, saying citizens cannot continue to be punished for administrative failures.

The civil society organisation said it will monitor developments closely and hold authorities accountable if immediate action is not taken.

MaBLEM concluded by emphasizing that the time for excuses has passed and Malawians deserve functioning services and protection of their rights.

Malawi

Chakwera’s MCP leadership fails in Immigration, Visa, Citizenship Services, raising concerns

Burnett Munthali

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The provision of immigration, visa, and citizenship services has emerged as a critical area where the outgoing Malawi Congress Party (MCP) government struggled significantly.

Over the past five years, from 2020 to 2025, the issuance of passports and other essential travel documents was highly compromised, leaving citizens frustrated and inconvenienced.

Malawians reported long delays, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and inconsistent service delivery, particularly in processing visa applications and citizenship requests.

These systemic challenges undermined public confidence in government services and created opportunities for irregularities, favoritism, and even corruption in the issuance of official documents.

Observers note that the MCP government’s failure to prioritize efficient and transparent immigration services reflects broader governance challenges during its tenure.

Many citizens had to endure repeated visits to immigration offices, often with no clear timeline for resolution, which impacted education, business, and international travel plans.

The disruptions in citizenship documentation further complicated legal recognition for Malawians born abroad and those seeking naturalization, creating unnecessary administrative hurdles.

Experts argue that such shortcomings not only affect ordinary citizens but also harm Malawi’s international reputation and its ability to facilitate trade, tourism, and diplomatic relations.

The newly elected Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government, which officially took power on Saturday, 4th October 2025, following a landslide victory in the 16th September 2025 elections, now faces an urgent mandate to reform this sector.

Immediate attention is required to modernize systems, streamline processes, and restore public trust in immigration and citizenship services.

Concluding Analysis

The failures of the MCP government in managing immigration, visa, and citizenship services highlight the broader need for competence, accountability, and citizen-centered governance in Malawi.

Delays and inefficiencies in these critical services create social and economic bottlenecks, erode trust in government institutions, and leave citizens vulnerable to exploitation.

For the DPP, addressing these gaps is not only a matter of service delivery but also a test of political credibility and administrative capacity.

The new administration must demonstrate that it can deliver efficient, transparent, and fair services that meet the expectations of Malawians and international partners alike.

Way Forward for the DPP Government

The DPP government should consider implementing a comprehensive audit of immigration and citizenship services to identify bottlenecks and areas of corruption.

Investing in digital infrastructure, including e-passport systems, online visa applications, and tracking mechanisms, will reduce delays and improve transparency.

Staff training and capacity-building initiatives are essential to ensure employees are competent, professional, and responsive to public needs.

Clear guidelines, accountability measures, and monitoring frameworks must be established to prevent favoritism or malpractice in issuing documents.

Finally, the government should launch public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about service procedures, timelines, and grievance redress mechanisms.

Examples of Successful Reforms in Other African Countries

Several African countries have implemented digital immigration and citizenship reforms that could serve as models for Malawi.

In South Africa, the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system allows travelers to apply online, submit biometric data, and receive visa approvals within hours. This has drastically reduced processing times and minimized bureaucratic hurdles, improving both efficiency and transparency.

Senegal introduced an e-visa system for non-African travelers, requiring online applications and prepayment. This system reduces congestion at border points, curbs potential abuses, and generates significant revenue—about 60 billion CFA francs (roughly $100 million USD) annually.

Nigeria has automated its short-stay visa approval process, enabling travelers to apply online and receive approvals within 24 to 48 hours. The reform eliminates lengthy waits and reduces reliance on intermediaries, promoting transparency and efficiency.

Kenya has also modernized its immigration services through an e-passport and e-visa system, incorporating biometric data for security and efficiency. Citizens and visitors can track application status online, reducing frustration and building trust in the system.

By adopting similar digital platforms, Malawi’s incoming DPP government can streamline passport issuance, visa processing, and citizenship documentation. These reforms would enhance accountability, improve service delivery, and strengthen Malawi’s international reputation.

By taking these steps, the DPP can transform immigration and citizenship services into a model of efficiency, transparency, and citizen-centered governance, setting a strong precedent for other government departments.

Law and order, Malawi

Malawi’s Passport printed in India?

MaraviPost

…Private Data is shipped to India, Raising Security and Legal Concerns..

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The much tauted Malawi Passport which Homeland Security Ministry went to town the past is being printed in India.

According to an exclusive investigation by The Investigator Magazine reveals that the Malawian government, under President Lazarus Chakwera’s administration, is illegally transferring the private biometric data of its citizens to a foreign company in India for passport printing.

This move, which circumvents local data protection laws and marks the first time Malawi has outsourced passport production, is raising serious questions about national security, data privacy, and the transparency of government procurement processes.

The company contracted for the job is Madras Security Printers (MSP), a firm with a controversial history concerning the security of sensitive documents.

The revelation comes amidst a months-long passport crisis that has left thousands of Malawians stranded and unable to travel.

A Trail of Deception

The government’s official narrative surrounding the passport shortage has been fraught with inconsistencies.

In March of last year, President Chakwera and his administration claimed a “cyber-attack” had compromised the national passport system, halting all local production.

However, sources within the government and the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) suggest the disruption was a manufactured crisis, stemming from an internal power struggle over a lucrative printing contract.

The result has been a protracted period of national inconvenience and economic hardship for Malawians.

Most recently, Homeland Security Minister Ezekiel Ching’oma announced a “breakthrough,” presenting a batch of just 5,000 passports as proof that production had resumed. This handover, however, appears to be an attempt to manage public outrage days before elections.

The government’s claim that MSP would be printing 15,000 passports per day is directly contradicted by the limited number of passports that have been received in Malawi.

Illegal Data Transfer and Security Risks

The magazine has also uncovered that the data of Malawian citizens is being sent to India for the printing process.

This is a direct violation of Malawi’s newly enacted data protection laws, which mandate that sensitive personal data, especially that concerning national identity documents, must be processed and stored securely within the country’s borders.

The decision to entrust the personal information of millions of Malawians to a foreign entity with a questionable track record raises profound security concerns.

Biometric data—fingerprints, facial recognition, and other personal identifiers—is now in the hands of a private company operating under a different legal jurisdiction. This creates an unquantifiable risk of data misuse, theft, or sale on the black market.

The government has offered no explanation as to why a local solution was not pursued or why the national data protection laws were bypassed.

This lack of transparency suggests either a profound incompetence in handling sensitive national matters or a deliberate decision to bypass legal and security protocols.

Lack of Local Production

Our reporters visited key Immigration offices in Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mzuzu, and Mangochi. In all locations, there was no evidence of active passport printing. The only passports observed were a few samples being tested in Lilongwe, confirming that the entire production process has been moved offshore.

This raises the question of whether Malawi’s Immigration Department, and indeed the entire government, is now a mere distribution channel for a foreign company, rather than a sovereign body with the ability to manage its own national identification system.

With a crucial election less than two weeks away, the Chakwera administration’s handling of this crisis reflects many failures his administration is well known for.

The decision to send private data abroad violates national data law but also raises questions how safe is the data itself with Madras Security.

Already under President Chakwera and the MCP, the integrity of the Malawi passport has been questioned by other states including the USA.

Homeland and Security Ministry and Immigration Department are yet to dispute the claims.

Malawi, Travel & Tourism

Chakwera delivers: Hope restored on new passport as deal ends months of waiting

MaraviPost

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-A fresh partnership is turning the page on Malawi’s passport woes, with modern technology and quicker service giving citizens renewed freedom to travel.

For months, Malawians endured long queues, delays, and uncertainty as the country’s passport system collapsed under cyber-attacks and poor contracts.

Many were stranded, students missed study opportunities, and businesspeople could not travel.

Today, that story is changing. Passport services have resumed under a new supplier, Madras Security Printers, with the promise of faster, safer, and more affordable documents.

The company, based in India with 42 years of experience, has begun producing about 1,000 passports every week, with capacity to scale up to 2000 per day.

President Lazarus Chakwera government signed a five-year contract worth $29.9 million (about K52.7 billion) in January 2025—less than half the cost of the controversial Techno Brain deal signed in 2019.

Authorities say this new agreement will finally put an end to the crisis.

Malawians now stand to benefit from cheaper fees, with the price of an e-passport reduced from K90,000 to K50,000, and faster turnaround times, with processing expected in as little as ten days.

The new passports also carry advanced biometric security features that meet international aviation standards.

Beyond technology, the biggest shift is control: for the first time, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services will manage the entire system, ending years when foreign suppliers held critical data and systems hostage.

Services are also being decentralized to districts such as Salima, Mzimba, Karonga, Kasungu and Chikwawa, ensuring rural communities no longer have to travel far to apply.

For thousands still waiting, the Department has rolled out a 21-day backlog clearance plan, already distributing passports in Lilongwe. Officials are urging citizens to avoid middlemen and trust the new process.

The passport story is more than a technical fix—it is a symbol of restored trust.

After years of struggle, Malawians can now look to the future with renewed hope, confident that their travel freedoms are secure once again.

Malawi

Malawi resumes passport printing with enhanced security features

Jones Gadama

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Ministry of Homeland Security has officially resumed passport processing after transitioning to a new permanent system developed by Madras Security Printers.

This development comes after a 2024 cyberattack crippled the previous system, forcing the ministry to rely on a temporary solution that caused significant delays and stranded many Malawians abroad.

The new system boasts stronger e-passport security features, online applications and payments, decentralized printing, and instant issuance.

Passport services resumed today in Lilongwe and will be extended to other major cities next week, including Blantyre, Mzuzu, Mangochi, Salima, Mzimba, Karonga, Kasungu, and Chikwawa.

The Ministry has prioritized clearing all previously paid-for applications, which will be processed within 21 days.

According to a statement signed by Homeland Security Minister Ezekiel Ching’oma, a dedicated tech team is working round-the-clock to fast-track processing.

Additionally, Malawi’s foreign missions have been alerted to recognize the new e-passport, ensuring seamless immigration clearance for travelers abroad.

To support the smooth rollout of the new system, immigration officers are undergoing internal training on the Madras system at the Midas Training Centre in Lilongwe.

This training aims to ensure consistent service delivery across all passport issuance points.

The resumption of passport processing with enhanced security features marks a significant milestone for Malawi, providing citizens with a more efficient and secure way to obtain travel documents.

Human Rights, Malawi

Long queues return at Malawi Immigration Offices: CDEDI demands answers

MaraviPost

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Long queues have resurfaced at immigration offices across Malawi, sparking frustration among passport applicants and raising questions about what is behind the delays.

At key regional offices, particularly in Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu, people are spending long hours in some cases arriving before dawn just to secure a spot in line. Some have reported returning for several days without being served.

“It’s very frustrating,” said Mphatso Banda, a university student from Blantyre who has been trying to renew her passport for over a week.

“You come as early as 4 a.m. and still find a line stretching beyond the gate. The officers say there is a system issue or no booklets. We deserve better.”

Meanwhile, Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 penned Homeland Security Minister Ezekiel Ching’oma demanding answers on the matter.

“In exercise of our governance watchdog role, and as a mouthpiece of the voiceless, CDEDI, write you Sir, with reference to the above stated subject matter. Hon. Minister, recently, you were quoted in the local media touting the procurement of a new passport supplier, thereby raising hopes that the unwarranted passport crisis would come to an end.


“However, CDEDI would like to put it you Hon. Minister, that for the past two weeks, the Immigration Department has not been issuing passports to the
citizenry, contrary to their legal mandate”, reads CDEDI letter in part signed by its Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa.

Namiwa adds, “CDEDI would like to benefit from the Access to Information (ATI) Act, which will in turn help passport seekers, in particular, and Malawians in general, to exercise their right to know the developments that are happening at the department.


CDEDI therefore, requests Ching’oma explanation to justify the current crisis in passport issuance, tell the nation when exactly issuance of passports will resume, explain to the nation how the current supplier was identified.

“Needless to remind you sir, that you are serving in a public office that isordinarily expected to be held accountable to the general public”, Namiwa reminds Ching’oma.

In the past two years, the Department had launched an online application portal to ease congestion, but many users complain the platform is unreliable, often crashing mid-process or failing to issue confirmations.

Meanwhile, immigration authorities say they are working round the clock to clear the backlog and restore normalcy.

As the queues persist, citizens are left with no option but to endure the long wait a test of patience for those chasing travel deadlines and economic opportunities beyond the country’s borders.

corruption, Malawi, Opinion

Why ACB is sleeping on duty against Madras Security Printers, Abdul Master’s MK52bn passport fraud?

Maravi Post Author

By Falles Kamanga

Malawians are tired with unpalatable story fraud and in public services particularly in awarding international firms with contracts dubiously.

This is why there comes a point in every nation’s fight against corruption when enough is enough. That moment has arrived in Malawi.

The MK52 billion passport printing scandal involving Madras Security Printers (MSP) is not just a technical misstep—it is a full-blown national disgrace.

At the centre of it all is Abdul Master, a businessman whose name has become synonymous with questionable government deals and murky influence peddling.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has reportedly uncoveredprima facie evidence of massive bribery and entrenched corrupt practicestied to the awarding of this contract. So what’s the delay?

Malawians are sick and tired of elite criminals operating with impunity while critical national services like immigration crumble under the weight of incompetence, corruption, and foreign manipulation.

Let’s be brutally clear: MSP is a company with a rotten international track record. From Kenya to India, South Sudan to Mauritius, the pattern is the same—failed projects, fake tax stamps, contract violations, data breaches, and allegations of bribery.

And now, this same company is entrusted with printing the very documents that define our national identity? That is nothing short of madness.

And who ushered them through the door? All eyes point to Abdul Master, who stands accused of pulling strings behind the scenes and strong-arming ministries into greenlighting this disaster.

It is unacceptable that a man with such influence and suspect associations could be allowed to operate unchecked while our country’s sovereignty is effectively auctioned off.

Meanwhile, our passport system has collapsed, leaving thousands of Malawians stranded.

Security experts warn of massive data risks, and Malawi now faces international embarrassment—including warnings from global partners like the United States.

Yet those responsible continue to hide behind bureaucracy and restricted tenders.This cannot stand.

We call on the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to act swiftly and decisively, ensuring that those behind this scandal are held accountable, that corrupt contracts are cancelled, and that public trust in our immigration system is fully restored.

The longer we allow corrupt businessmen and complicit officials to poison our institutions, the more we jeopardize our development, our democracy, and our very identity as a nation.

The rot must end. Start with Abdul Master. Finish with a complete overhaul of a broken system.

This us the reason ACB must wake up from slumber to act on this fraud at immigration department.

Business, Malawi

MaBLEM insists-“Techno Brain is not fit for passport printing services”, as Malawi searches for permanent provider

MaraviPost

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s civil rights group under the banner Malawi Civil Society Black Economic Empowerment Movement (MaBLEM) insists that the embattled Techno Brain is not fit to take back services of passport printing arguing that the company took Malawians to ransom when they need their support after passport system got crashed.

MaBLEM has therefore urged President Lazarus Chakwera’s government to expedite the process of identifying new passport printing service providers with enough experience while meeting the highest standards of quality, security, and cost-effectiveness.

Addressing the news conference on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, in the capital Lilongwe, MaBLEM chairperson Robert Mkwezalamba hinted that Techno Brain proved to be an incompetent and crook company when it wanted dupe Malawians to restore the compromised system at an exorbitant cost of US$1.5 million, coupled with a demand for advance payment to an account based in Dubai.

“This proposal raises significant concerns, not only regarding the company’s role in the initial system collapse but also the ethics and
transparency surrounding their proposed solution. As a result, a different company was granted a temporary six-month contract to restore and manage the passport system.

“This temporary contract is set to expire at the end of August 2024, and the Ministry of Homeland Security, in conjunction with the Department of Immigration, has been tasked with identifying a new service provider to take over this critical function,” says Mkwezalamba.

As to why Techno Brain is not fit, MaBLEM explains, “It has come to our attention that certain parties are advocating for the
reinstatement of Technobrain Ltd as the passport service provider, because they had previously installed the system and that replacing it would incur high costs. MaBLEM finds this line of reasoning fundamentally flawed for several reasons”.

“On System Security, Technobrain system was the very one that was compromised in the cyberattack. Reinstating a system that has already been proven vulnerable poses significant risks to national security”.

On unresolved accountability MaBLEM adds, “To date, those responsible for the cyberattack have not been held accountable, leaving open questions about the integrity and security of the system. Without a thorough investigation and resolution of these issues, it would be reckless to entrust Technobrain with such a critical national function.

“On cost and affordability, Technobrain Ltd has not demonstrated a commitment to reducing the costs associated with passport issuance. In contrast, the current temporary system has managed to lower passport fees by approximately 50%. Any new provider must offer not only security and efficiency but also affordability for Malawian citizens”.

Chips in MaBLEM Coordinator Fryson Chodzi, “MaBLEM acknowledges the efforts made by the Ministry and the Department of Immigration to ensure a thorough and transparent selection process for the new passport printing service provider. The criteria established are designed to ensure that the selected company has the necessary expertise, experience, and capability to provide a secure,
efficient, and cost-effective service.

“However, MaBLEM strongly urges the Ministry to remain vigilant and to ensure that every step of the procurement process is conducted with the highest level of scrutiny and integrity. All due diligence measures must be rigorously applied to avoid any recurrence of past failures and to protect the integrity of Malawi’s national security infrastructure”.

Mkwezalamba says, “MaBLEM strongly advises the Ministry of Homeland Security and the Department of Immigration to resist any external pressures to re-award the contract to Technobrain Ltd or any other provider without a thorough and transparent evaluation process.

“The selection of a new passport printing service provider must be based solely on merit, with a focus on security, efficiency, and the best interests of the Malawian people”.

“MaBLEM remains committed to advocating for the protection of national security and the provision of essential services in a manner that is transparent, fair, and in the best interest of the public. We call upon all stakeholders involved in this process to prioritize the security, integrity, and affordability of the passport issuance system.

“We would want the Government to expedite this process while following the due process and ensure that the supplier who is selected has enough experience and passes through a due diligence process. MaBLEM will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide support to ensure that the selected service provider meets the highest standards of quality, security, and cost-effectiveness,” adds Chodzi.

last month, MaBLEM lauded E-Tech Services Limited’s capacity and expertise for restoring Malawi’s passport services Immigration Department.

The grouping has therefore applauded Chakwera’s government for its efforts in restoring passport services in both Blantyre and Mzuzu.

E-Tech Services’ six-month contract ends in August 2024 hence the Malawi government is searching permanently for a service provider.