…….Commissioner of Immigration Stanlake Kalimanjira reported to OPC amid 15 allegations…

…….SPC Zamba summons Commissioner of Immigration Stanlake Kalimanjira instead…

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Commissioner of Immigration Stanlake Kalimanjira has penned the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) leveling 15 administrative misconduct allegations against Immigration Department’s director general Charles Kalumo.

The letter, under reference number IM/02/01 dated July 7 202/3/, says he authored it “on behalf of the concerned officers”.

They are seeking the suspension of the redeployment of 16 of f icers which he announced on 30 June this year, pending an inquiry into Kalumo’s conduct.

It alleges that among others, Kalumo has unprocedurally been granting foreigners citizenship, suspending workers without following due process, using obscene language against officers, and failing to find a sustainable solution to passport issuance services.

Addressed to the Secretary to the President and Cabinet (SPC), the letter names seven officers that were allegedly suspended or dismissed irregularly.

“Officers are sent home without being given a chance to explain and defend themselves; they are sent home by word of mouth of the Director General. The word of the Director General is law.

“The Director General facilitated the interdiction of Assistant Commissioner Saddock Malinda without following the procedure, Sergeant Geoffrey Malikula was dismissed and ordered to surrender the uniform without being given a chance to defend himself.

“Senior Superintendent Oswald Mhango is home for doing his work professionally which irritated the Director General. Senior Superintendent Blackwell Lungu was suspended (but later recalled) by word of mouth.”

Kalumo is also accused of being insensitive to funeral traditions as he allegedly refuses to permit workers to attend the burial of their workmates.

“Here is a director general who demands his officers to apply for leave when traveling to attend a funeral of a departed uniformed officer. Our memories are very fresh. A couple of weeks ago, the department lost Sergeant Lawrence Austin Kwapata.

“When officers from the Central Region sought approval from the Director General to travel to Mulanje to attend the funeral of the departed officer, he responded as follows: “Apply for leave and I have to approve…. Otherwise, ameneyo wafa basi alibe ntchito”] the letter further reads.

The commissioner has since asked the OPC to suspend or redeploy redeployments of the officers until an inquiry is held, warning them to take legal action if their request is ignored.

Meanwhile, OPC spokesperson Robert Kalindiza on Saturday said he would respond on Monday when he is expected to establish if the letter was submitted.

Instead of addressing issues raised, SPC Collen Zamba summoned Commissioner Kalimanjira on Monday, July 10, 2023, for no clear agenda.

 Kalimanjira confirmed being summoned by the SPC that he would attend but does not know the agenda.

He said: “Indeed I was summoned yesterday to meet the SPC this morning but the agenda was not spelled to me. I will attend the meeting.”

Since Kalumo was hired after his retirement, the Immigration Department has been in the media for bad reasons that the old-guard Kalumo uses militant and dictatorial approach towards staff members.

Chakwera as an appointing authority has never summoned Kalumo over his office abuse but instead overpraising while suppressing workers at Immigration Department.

But Why is Chakwera treating Kalumo with gloves despite office abuses?

Why has Chakwera always remained silent on serious matters affecting the nation but busy attending functions, and events locally and abroad?