By Wendy Mkandawire
The National Advocacy Platform (NAP) has urged the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services to operate transparently to improve the issuance of passports to Malawians.
Speaking in an interview, NAP Chairperson Benedicto Kondowe said it is disappointing that foreign nationals are able to obtain visa documents while Malawian citizens struggle to access visas and passports.
According to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services, it has denied 1,752 visa applications, apprehended over 1,000 foreign nationals and deported 223 others as part of efforts to strengthen immigration management and safeguard national security.
The department says among those apprehended are 45 foreign nationals suspected of attempting to fraudulently obtain Malawian passports.
Commenting on the matter, Kondowe said the department should continue providing updates on its operations and ensure transparency to guarantee the safety of people in the country.
In a related development, two foreign nationals, Yasin Chenda Moses from Zambia and Bornlose Onasimbo Ntinkha from Tanzania, were found guilty by a Blantyre court last week for attempting to fraudulently obtain Malawian passports. They are expected to be deported to their respective countries.
Meanwhile, the department is working with the National Registration Bureau to investigate nationality-related complaints, including a case involving an individual who applied for a Malawian passport, Alice Banda.
