Anti-Corruption Bureau sets eyes on Immigration Department

By Cathy Maulidi:

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has said it is monitoring the situation at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services, eight months after bureau officials seized 28 mobile phones and cash from officers following complaints of alleged corruption.

ACB Principal Public Relations Officer Egrita Ndala told The Daily Times that the bureau is still holding on to the mobile phones it confiscated.

She added that mobile phones that were not connected to alleged corruption would be returned.

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“The investigation has been completed, but we are monitoring ongoing issues at the department. Our standard practice after completing an investigation is to return items not connected to the case,” Ndala said.

In July last year, ACB officials confiscated mobile phones from officers who were suspected of facilitating corrupt practices.

The ACB’s intervention followed widespread complaints from passport applicants, who claimed that they were facing significant challenges in accessing passport services.

During a visit to the department in July last year, ACB acting Director General Hillary Chilomba told journalists that the probe would continue.

“We are continuing our investigations. We have new evidence that will lead to further arrests. More arrests are coming,” he said at the time.

However, Ndala revealed in the interview that no additional arrests had been made.

“The bureau has not made any further arrests since those conducted last year,” Ndala said.

Last July, the bureau arrested four officers— whom it identified as Madalitso Nanthulu, Wilson Tepeka, Kondwani Banda and Pearson Msiwa—and two non-staff members, namely Agnes Master and Pauline Kampala, who were suspected of acting as agents.

Ndala confirmed that some suspects were taken to court and had entered pleas.

“Some suspects are in court and entered pleas last week. The case is ongoing,” she said.

Meanwhile, some immigration officers have expressed disappointment with the ACB’s handling of the investigation.

“It has been over eight months since they took the mobile phones and cash and I don’t believe this is a professional way of conducting investigations,” said one officer.

Commenting on the development, Nicholas Mwisama, a good governance expert with Transparency Initiative, said the ACB had taken “too long” to address the matter.

“It has been eight months and for the bureau to simply say they are monitoring the situation is unfortunate. We should start questioning the relevance of the ACB as an anti-corruption institution. Since its inception, we have seen little progress in addressing corruption and people continue to struggle to access services,” Mwisama said.

The government has just appointed Macloud Anamchuma Kalindang’oma as acting Director General (DG) of Immigration and Citizenship Services.

He has replaced Fletcher Nyirenda, who was appointed acting DG in June last year.

In a letter dated March 17 2025, signed by Secretary to the President and Cabinet (SPC) Colleen Zamba, the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) says the appointment will remain in force until the position is filled substantively.

“It has pleased the government to appoint you as Director General of Immigration and Citizenship Services (Grade C) in the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services under the Ministry of Homeland Security, with effect from the date you report for duties,” reads the letter addressed to Kalindang’oma.

According to the letter, Kalindang’oma is entitled to the full difference between his current salary and the minimum salary attached to Grade C, in line with Malawi Public Service Regulations.

It added that “All other benefits applicable to your substantive grade will continue to apply,”

It further stated that his acting appointment would cease once the government completes the process of appointing a substantive DG, in accordance with provisions of the Immigration Act (Cap. 15:03).

The appointment has been communicated to the Secretary for Human Resource Management and Development, the Secretary for Homeland Security, the Auditor General and the Accountant General, among other key government offices.

Kalindang’oma has assumed the role at a time the department is grappling with challenges such as passport issuance delays, human trafficking concerns, corruption allegations and issues involving immigration officers’ handling of passports and border control.

Last week, Homeland Security Minister Ezekiel Ching’oma emphasised the need for Kalindang’oma’s commitment and dedication to drive the department’s transformation.

“Malawians urgently need to put passport issues behind them. We have to gather ground, and we are moving forward on service delivery to the satisfaction of Malawians,” Ching’oma said.

This appointment also comes at a time Malawi has been urged by the United States government to address issues related to passports and immigration.