ACB digging deeper on 250 missing Malawian passports: Fresh criminal probe
Anti Corruptuon Bureau (ACB) says it is digging deeper to exposed circumstances of a syndicate that led to a loss of 250 blank Malawian passport books last December, one of which was found in the hands of a Nigerian.
The can of worms about the missing blank passports was opened when outspoken People’s Party (PP) Member of Parliament for Mzimba West, Harry Mkandawire, brought the matter to Parliament, requesting the Minister of Home Affairs, Grace Chiumia, to explain the whereabouts of the consignment.
Mkandawire said the consignment received by the immigration department from Technobrain, the supplier of passport books, had one box containing 250 passports missing and that a stores officer declined to sign for it in fear of being held accountable for the loss.
The legislator revealed that one of the missing passports landed in the hands of a Nigerian traveling to London via Johannesburg, South Africa, where he was arrested and detained at an airport.
As evidence, Mkandawire circulated a copy of details of the passport of the Nigerian, who according to the passport, is Vincent Banda from Mangochi, a district in southern Malawi. The Nigerian was arrested and detained at OR Tambo Airport in South Africa while traveling to London via Johannesburg. He was later reportedly released on bail and cannot be traced.
Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security sent a team of investigators, which included police officers from the fiscal department and immigration officers, in South Africa to investigate the matter.
But the graft busting body has said it has also launched its investigations because it is a matter of public interest.
“The passport books area property of the Malawi government and illegal issuance of such documents has far-reaching consequences not just to the Immigration De[artment, but to the nation as a whole,” said ACB spokesperson Egrita Ndala.
Unconfirmed reports state that chief immigration officer Masauko Medi signed for the consignment even though one box was missing as earlier, the stores officer refused to sign for the same consignment, a move that has since raised suspicion of a crime.
Peoples Party ( PP) legislator Ralph Jooma from Mangochi Monkey Bay called for Medi to be investigated as he signed for the consignment with missing passport books.
He described the racket as a passport-gate under the watch of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), saying the government has done nothing even though it was aware of the matter.
“This matter borders on the security of Malawi and other neighbouring countries as both are prone to terrorist attacks if deals go sour,” said Jooma.
Meanwhile, there were reports that someone from a high office in the system was selling the passports at over K10 million each to foreigners, mainly Asians.
The Malawian passport is highly preferred as Malawians are viewed by many outsiders as trustworthy and unable to commit fraud or terrorist attacks.
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I was shocked To see a nigerian and Ghananian having Malawians passport in Europe. I did not tell him I was a Malawian he reviewed he bought several from Immigration cheif. He added its so easy in Malawi. One can find a personer who know top officials in immigration then they come and discuss price. This was not the first time I came To African foreigners using Malawi passport. I even saw 5 blank with a friend from Ghana. Its a Malawian who arranged. Criminals are having Malawians passport abroad. Malawians are saying We are peaceful country while Malawi is… Read more »
Nganiza Muthulika, What you have written above is exactly the disease with Malawians. You witnessed foreigners with Malawian passports. Your friend from Ghana had 5 imagine 5 blank Malawi Passports! and you did nothing. Nothing at all. You wonder why, you wonder why search yourself. What did you do to notify the authorities????