Passport applicants reveal bribery network at Capital Hill

By Michael Martin//MALAWI

A wave of corruption allegations has rocked immigration department after dozens of passport applicants came forward with claims of bribery, fraud and abuse of office involving senior and junior officials.

At least 50 individuals on Tuesday presented detailed testimonies to Deputy Minister of Homeland Security, Norman Chisale, alleging they were forced to make illicit payments to have their passports processed ahead of others.

The complainants gathered at Capital Hill in Lilongwe today, where they described a system they say has operated for years, preying on desperate citizens seeking travel documents for work, education and medical purposes.

According to the victims, immigration officers allegedly demanded cash payments in exchange for bypassing official procedures, promising faster passport issuance that never materialized for many.

The revelations followed an unannounced visit by Chisale to the Immigration Department offices in Lilongwe earlier this week, where he reportedly ordered an internal review of passport processing operations.

Several complainants told the Deputy Minister that after paying bribes, their passport applications stalled, leaving them financially strained and unable to pursue overseas opportunities.

Chisale assured the victims that government would not shield any officer implicated in corruption and promised that individuals who can provide credible proof of payment would be refunded.

He further instructed the complainants to return to his office on Thursday, where their passports currently held under government custody will be released as investigations continue.

Sources within the department indicate that the passports were withheld to prevent further manipulation of evidence as authorities trace the alleged bribery trail.

Senior Immigration official Fletcher Nyirenda publicly acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations, describing them as an embarrassment to the institution and a betrayal of public trust.

Nyirenda said the department will implement stricter oversight mechanisms, including staff rotations and digital tracking systems, to close loopholes that enable corruption.

He also warned officers involved in malpractice that disciplinary and legal consequences would follow once investigations are concluded.

The official urged Malawians to avoid shortcuts and to report any officer who solicits bribes while providing government services.

However, some victims argued that systemic delays in passport processing created conditions that made corruption almost unavoidable.

One of the complainants, Roselyn Moyo, told authorities that she paid more than K500,000 to immigration officers, hoping to secure her passport within weeks.

Moyo said despite repeated follow ups and assurances, she waited for months without results, losing job opportunities abroad in the process.

She praised Chisale’s intervention, saying it was the first time a senior government official had listened to their grievances and acted decisively.

The group submitted written statements, transaction records, and contact details of officers they allege received the illegal payments.

Civil society groups have since called for an independent probe, warning that internal investigations alone may not be sufficient to dismantle entrenched corruption networks.

Governance analysts say the scandal highlights broader challenges facing public service delivery and stress that meaningful reform will require sustained political will.

As investigations unfold, Malawians will be watching closely to see whether this case marks a turning point in the fight against corruption or becomes another unresolved chapter in public sector misconduct.