BY ISHMAEL CHIMWAZA
Reports have emerged revealing a chaotic state of affairs within Malawi's immigration system, with uncertainties surrounding the number of passport holders and foreigners issued visas. Shockingly, all data of passport holders has been lost, and the system used by the Immigration Department for passport issuance has been irreparably destroyed.
The Malawi News reports that efforts to restore the system are currently underway, with a new process for passport renewal being implemented due to the data crisis. Previously, Minister of Homeland Security Ken Zikhale had claimed that 90 percent of the system had been recovered, a statement that now appears to contradict the reality on the ground.
The system has been dysfunctional since January this year, with the government attributing the issue to a hack by cybercriminals who demand payment in bitcoins from the Immigration Department. However, the Centre for Development and Economic Initiatives (CDEDI) alleges that the system crashed after an attempt to print passports post the system's license expiration.
In the midst of these challenges, the Malawi government has enlisted E-Tech to assist in restoring the passport issuance system to resume printing. President Lazarus Chakwera has directed collaboration with the ICT Association of Malawi, warning of consequences for officials who fail to deliver results.
The President of Malawi
Notably, Techno Brain, the company previously involved in the system's installation and management, has expressed willingness to aid but at a cost of $1.6 million. Despite submitting suggestions to the government for the way forward, they are yet to receive a response following the termination of their contract in 2022.
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