Passports delays, kabaza incidents and corruption irks APM, says Mukhito

…investigating corruption

…Kabaza to get safety training

Remember Mukhito sapepesa. Well the don’t-expect-apology Peter Mukhito and his deputy Norman Chisale say they are on a mission to restore sense and integrity of Malawi passport system, end senseless kabaza incidents and corruption in Homeland Security services.

The Minister and his deputy said this at a briefing in Lilongwe, telling The Investigator these vices irk President Peter Mutharika and wants an immediate reversal of decades old trends. They charge that they are the men to do it.

First things first, to end passport delays, Mukhito announced that three heavy-duty passport printing machines destined for Mzuzu, Mangochi and Blantyre are expected to arrive in Malawi next week as government steps up efforts to resolve delays in passport issuance.

“The machines are part of a contract signed in February 2025 between the Malawi Government and Madras Security Printers of India to supply passport booklets and establish a modern passport production system. Under the agreement, government was required to pay 60 percent of the contract value in advance to enable full mobilisation and installation of the system,” said the Minister.

He added, “by the time the current administration assumed office, only 9 million United States dollars had been paid out of the required 17.9 million dollars. This funding gap disrupted implementation and significantly contributed to delays in passport production.”

Mukhito said government has engaged  with the contractor, resulting 10,000 passport booklets were delivered to Malawi in January. 

The Ministry of Homeland Security said it is actively working to secure additional booklets in order to clear the existing backlog, noting that despite foreign exchange constraints, passport issuance has been prioritised as an essential public service. 

On corruption, Mukhito said his ministry has also taken firm action in response to public concerns over corruption and malpractice in passport processing.

He said his Deputy Norman Chisales unannounced inspection at the Lilongwe Immigration Office, uncovered serious misconduct involving the illegal demand for money in exchange for passport and visa services.

“Corruption of this nature undermines border security, weakens public trust in institutions and creates opportunities for organised crime, including human trafficking syndicates, to exploit vulnerable people,” said the Minister.

The former Inspector General of Police charged: “Officers implicated in the misconduct have been arrested and will face legal action in line with established procedures. The ministry has further engaged Immigration Service leadership to strengthen supervision, improve internal controls and close gaps that enable such abuses.”

He said investigations are also underway into credible reports of possible collusion between some officers and human trafficking syndicates. He reiterated that human trafficking is a serious crime and a grave violation of human rights, exposing victims to exploitation, forced labour, sexual abuse and other inhuman and degrading treatment. Mukhito said officers found responsible will be held fully accountable.

On growing record of accidents attributed to motor bikes operators, Mukhito said his ministry is equally addressing road safety concerns involving kabaza operators. He said he has met with the Executive Committee of the Kabaza Association, alongside senior officials from the Malawi Police Service, the Directorate of Road Traffic and Safety Services and Lilongwe City Council.

“The meeting discussed the rise in road fatalities involving kabaza riders, criminal attacks on operators, the need for proper motorcycle registration and the enforcement of mandatory rider training,” narrated the Minister.

He explained that the engagement resulted in an agreement to establish a joint task team to coordinate interventions, enforce compliance and monitor implementation of agreed measures. The ministry, he said will continue enforcing traffic laws and protecting the safety of all road users.

He issued a stern warning to his charges:  “Corruption, abuse of office and collaboration with criminal networks, including human trafficking and migrant smuggling, will not be tolerated. The ministry will take decisive administrative action, support prosecutions and implement institutional reforms to rebuild integrity and public confidence.”

Malawians, tired of rhetoric will be watching keenly the roll out of the promises by the two Ministers. Mukhito’s term as Inspector General of Police saw improved general security.