The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Acting Director General (ADG) Hillary Chilomba has confirmed the arrest of eight immigration officers and two civilians at the Lilongwe office of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services over alleged corrupt practices in relation to issuance of passports.
Chilomba says, the Immigration department carried out investigations into alleged corrupt practices and established that people were paying K200 000 on top of the K50 000 passport fee to access the passport.
Chilomba
He says some of the suspects were found with huge sums of money. One of the suspects had K2.5 million which he could not account for.
According to Chilomba, one of those arrested is an inspector at the Lilongwe office.
He says investigations are still ongoing adding ACB will also do investigations in other Immigration offices.
In the meantime, individuals who have illegally paid immigration officers to expedite their passport processing are encouraged to report these incidents to the authorities.
The Director of Strategy for Malawi Congress Party Dr Ken Zikhale Ng’oma has urged all the delegates who will be voting at forthcoming Elective convention to be strategic in their choices and vote for people who are serious, hardworking and willing to move the party forward. Zikhale made the call at the launch of his bid to be the next First Vice President of the party.
Dr Ken Zikhale Ng’oma
Speaking to the delegates of the North South Region in Mzuzu on Wednesday, Dr Zikhale said delegates need to remember that there is a battle against DPP and others in next year’s elections and MCP as party need people who are capable of driving the party into an election victory.
Zikhale also said the party need leadership that will tirelessly work in supporting President Dr Lazarus Chakwera in delivering his development agenda for the country “ The party needs people like myself in the position of First Vice President so that I help our president in campaigning massively across the country.
The MCP Convention is scheduled to take place in Lilongwe in the first week of August.
Dr Ken Zikhale Ng’oma the firebrand Director of Strategy in the ruling Malawi Congress Party has been tipped to be the favourite to win the race to be MCP First Vice President. In quick primary research conducted by an independent think tank among the delegates, it has proved that Zikhale is scoring high and will likely become the new First Vice President of the party.
The research that looked at the power of contender’s brand equity looked at measuring how strong are the candidates in areas like Trust among the delegates, Servant leadership, political acumen/Strategy and experiences. In all four areas Zikhale came top with many delegates expressing that the party will be in safe hands with Dr Ken Zikhale Ng’oma at the forefront in supporting President Dr Lazarus Chakwera deliver development to the country.
Dr Ken Zikhale Ng’oma
Trust
Many delegates felt Zikhale is a politician who can be trusted. He lives up to his word and delivers what he promises. The delegates feel Dr Zikhale cares for the party and brings so much energy to the party. Many described the work that he has done to strengthen the party in Southern Region where in the past months he has held so many mega rallies. The delegates feel with Zikhale as the Vice President the [arty will be in a better position to win next year elections but also to grow stronger going forward.
Servant leadership
The delegates expressed that Dr Zikhale leadership resonates with President Dr Lazarus Chakwera Servant leadership. Zikhale has been described as a man of the people who is humble and cares for. Many described Dr Zikhale as a leader who even when a party member sends him a message or call his number, he picks up the phone and return the messages.
Strategic
Zikhale is a master of political strategy. He is arguably the best political strategist in the history of Malawi. The delegates have confidence in his political decisions as he is a visionary and knows the art of developing political relationships. The delegates feel Zikhale is the right person especially in this time where 50 +1 is needed for a party to win power.
Experience
Most delegates are agreeing to the fact that Dr Zikhale is the most experienced. He has been on top of the political game for so many years he knows the ins and outs of politics in Malawi and MCP will benefit a lot from him
The Mass Movement for the New Malawi (MAMO-FONEMA) has expressed its disappointment and anger over the silence and fear of opposition political parties in Malawi when the country has mysteriously and tragically lost the most -high Second in Command Dr. Saulosi Klaus Chilima.
MAMO-FONEMA has claimed that it is a month now when Malawians buried the Vice President and eight others, saying Malawians were expecting the MCP led Tonse Alliance government to make a statement on the way forward about the future of the Alliance.
Chris Bulakwacha….What Malawians wants is the truth on Chilima’s death…..
The organization says Malawians were also expecting the drastic steps taken to investigate the cause of plane accident in the Chikangawa forest in Mzimba district and government to inform the country about measures taken or to be taken to ensure the security of the country’s Very Important Persons (VIPs) in the government.
In a press statement dated 10th July, 2024 signed by its Chairperson-Leader Chris Bulakwacha among other signatories, MAMO-FONEMA has expressed its grave concern over the silence of the government and UTM as a party describing this as worrisome and disturbing in as far as national security is concerned.
MAMO-FONEMA says disappointingly, what is being seen is state or government crackdown on the people crying or suspicious over the death of Dr. Saulosi Chilima and eight others on board the crashed military aircraft.
The organization has asked Malawians to be “human enough” to look at death as something that do not happen just like the way Dr. Saulosi Chilima and eight others, have departed the earthly world saying as a country, it was supposed to focus in finding answers as to what exactly caused the tragic deaths of the 9 innocent souls.
“On Monday, the 10th June, 2024 under the cloud of darkness, the Vice President Dr. Saulosi Chilima and eight others, died in the darkness of fog, it took government 4 hours to send rescue team, it took President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera 13 hours to announce of the missing plane,” reads the statement in part.
MAMO-FONEMA says at 19;00 hours, the search operation got suspended because it was too dark only to announce of its resume after 23 hours saying Malawi is not a country of dunderheads neither, it is a country of stupid people.
The organization says Malawians wants one thing and this is the truth, and to avoid this from happening again, the culprits involved must face death penalty, healing of the country will start from there, Malawi don’t want killers, they need patriots.
Meanwhile, MAMO-FONEMA is circulating a PETITION in its offices in Mzuzu, Capital City, Blantyre and Diaspora so that each and every citizen who is aggrieved with the death of Dr. Saulosi Chilima and eight others, must sign and be counted as a patriotic citizen to bring into the open the bad secret in the country.
As the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) prepares for its upcoming convention, a significant development has emerged: Richard Chimwendo Banda, widely known as “Bulldozer,” is poised to assume the role of Secretary General. Banda, renowned for his influential and dynamic political presence, is expected to bring considerable change to the party’s leadership.
The MCP convention, a key event for the party’s strategic planning and leadership appointments, will officially confirm Banda’s new position. His appointment as Secretary General marks a pivotal moment for the MCP, reflecting a shift towards a more assertive and reform-focused leadership style.
Chimwendo
Banda’s reputation, earned through his impactful and often forceful political methods, aligns with his nickname “Bulldozer,” suggesting a leadership approach characterized by determination and decisive action. His forthcoming role is anticipated to play a crucial part in shaping the MCP’s policies and direction as the party continues to navigate Malawi’s complex political landscape.
