Immigration Department satisfied with indoor photographic services

The Department of Immigration has expressed satisfaction over its indoor photographic services saying since its inception, no case has been reported of passport applicants being duped by unscrupulous people.

The department introduced the new system in November last year to minimize theft cases and also ensure that only eligible Malawians acquire the passports.

In an interview with the Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Thursday, the Department of Immigration National Public Relations Officer Joseph Chauwa confirmed the development saying the change has helped in ensuring that the department efficiently and effectively executes its endeviours.

“Previously, we used to have cases of theft where some fake photographers could pretend to be an immigration officer and steal money from passport applicants. At times, these middlemen could even aid foreigners to acquire Malawian passports and they could even coach passport applicants with wrong information especially when filling passport application forms,” he said.

A visit by MANA to Immigration Headquarters offices in Blantyre established that some photographers still conduct their businesses near the department office in a clandestine manner.

However, Chauwa indicated that strict measures are still being instituted to ensure that no photographic business is taking place within or near their jurisdiction.