Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Serah Makondesa Chilora
Published on 2024-03-13 07:49:41
President Lazarus Chakwera recently gave the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services in Malawi a 21-day ultimatum to resume the issuance of passports in the country. The deadline was quickly approaching when the department announced on Tuesday that they had successfully restored the e-passport issuance system.
During a parliamentary session on February 21, 2024, Chakwera revealed that the system had been hacked by digital “mercenaries.” He demanded a long-term solution to the problem within three weeks. The statement released by the department’s director general, Charles Kalumo, confirmed that the restoration of the system was complete, allowing the resumption of passport issuance services.
The government also announced a 44.4% reduction in the e-passport fee for local Malawians. The fee for ordinary passports was reduced from K90,000 to K50,000, with a processing time of 10 days when the system is fully operational. The department expressed gratitude to the Malawian public for their patience during the system restoration process, acknowledging the efforts of local experts who worked tirelessly to meet the President’s deadline.
Consumer Association of Malawi Executive Director, John Kapito, cautiously responded to the news, stating that it is too early to celebrate. He emphasized the importance of the department implementing their promises and expressed hope that the system would be able to clear the existing backlog of passport applications. Human Rights Defenders Coalition Chairperson, Gift Trapence, echoed this sentiment, urging the department to prioritize clearing the backlog to assist Malawians in obtaining their passports promptly.
The hacking of the passport system was first reported by The Daily Times, highlighting ongoing network issues faced by the department for the past two months. Civil society organizations even threatened to protest in Blantyre and Lilongwe over the issue, but local councils advised against it.
In conclusion, the restoration of the e-passport issuance system in Malawi brings relief to many citizens looking to obtain or renew their passports. The government’s efforts to reduce fees and address the backlog of applications are steps in the right direction. However, continued monitoring and oversight will be crucial to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the system in the long term. Malawians are cautiously optimistic about the system’s restoration and hopeful that it will alleviate the challenges faced in obtaining passports.
Read the original article on The Times
