By Jones Gadama
In a shocking turn of events, seven Malawians accused of using fake letters to obtain service passports have been released from custody after top government and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) officials intervened.
The suspects, who were arrested by the Department of Immigration in Lilongwe on Thursday, allegedly used fake letters from the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Agriculture to support their passport applications.
The suspects, identified as Mr. Madalitso Kapangazina, Mrs. Maria Chimana, Ms. Sarah Nanthoka, Mr. Stain Ethics Mabere, Chinsisi Richard Phiri, Thandi Aresandra Phiri, and Zaithwa Boston Kamanga, claimed to be directors in the respective ministries. They intended to travel to the United States for work.
After spending a night in police custody, the suspects were slated to appear in court.
However, immigration officials received calls from influential government and MCP officials, leading to their release.
Sources suggest that a party loyalist may have masterminded the scandal.
This incident raises concerns about corruption and undue influence in Malawi’s immigration system.
The Department of Immigration has faced operational issues and allegations of corruption in recent months.
In 2023, the country was placed on a US watchlist over issuance of diplomatic passports to shady individuals, including a Nigerian businessman convicted of fraud.
The development has sparked questions about the integrity of Malawi’s passport system and the role of influential individuals in undermining the law.
