Homeland Security Deputy Minister Norman Chisale has warned that the government will not tolerate any form of corruption at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services.
Chisale made the remarks following an impromptu visit to the Immigration Regional Offices in Lilongwe, where he alleged that one Immigration officer was demanding K300,000 from a passport applicant to expedite the processing of his document.
Chisale said his office had been receiving reports pertaining to Immigration officers who solicit extra money from passport applicants.
He alleged that the ministry was investigating 20-plus Immigration officers who were suspected of engaging in corrupt practices.
Addressing passport applicants who gathered outside the offices, Chisale urged those who have paid extra money and have supporting evidence to report to the ministry’s headquarters at Capital Hill, assuring them that appropriate assistance would be provided.
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“We will root out this corruption. We want Malawians to be getting their passports without any challenges,” Chisale said.
Currently, a 36-page ordinary passport costs K50,000 while a 48-page passport costs K130,000. An express 36- page ordinary passport costs K120,000 while a 48-page express ordinary passport is priced at K180,000.
One of the applicants said applicants who refuse to pay extra money are often given various excuses when they follow up on the status of their passports.
Banda added that, in some cases, applicants are told their files are missing and are instructed to restart the entire application process.
