Storm Over Immigration Department, Offices Closed

The Malawi Immigration and citizenship department is currently in turmoil as officers at the department have threatened to lay down their tools if the appointing authority does not take action against the Director General (DG), Brigadier General Charles Dickens Kalumo (Retired) who has been accused of acting as if he is above the law.

According to the officers, Kalumo has been making decisions without consulting them hence creating a toxic work environment characterized by fear and intimidation. The lack of communication and disregard for the law has led to a lack of motivation and growth among the officers.

Furthermore, efforts to have immigration officers stationed in all 28 districts of the country have failed, causing delays and inefficiencies in processing applications and providing services to the public.

“Two crisis meetings aimed at resolving the impasse between the officers and the DG and the other one with the Principal Secretary have failed, with the officers insisting that disciplinary action must be taken against the Kalumo before we return to work,” said one senior officer who opted for anonymity for fear of reprisals.

The source further said Officers are tired stating that since 2022 there have been no progress at immigration, Instead the department is retrogressing.

“Since 2021 on recommendations from the Public Sector Reforms, we have been working on the decentralization of all immigration services such that we wanted each district to have offices where people could access immigration services including the passports with almost no challenges,” he added.

Despite, the officers booked an appointment to meet with the Principal Secretary for the Ministry of Homeland Security Steven Kayuni he with no apparent reason chose to delegate the Administration Principal Secretary (PS – 2) Erica Maganga who only availed herself to collect notes.

“In that meeting the officer made it a point that if the Government does not resolve the current situation at immigration more importantly firing the Director General, we will have no choice than to put tools down including closing the boarders,” he added.

Meanwhile, the situation has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the immigration department and the impact this will have on the country’s ability to manage its borders and ensure the safety and security of its citizens, since Monday this week, officers at the department have almost closed all the offices. making Lilongwe the only active service center.

Efforts to seek views of the Director General for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, ‘Retired Brigadier General Charles Dickens Kalumo’ proved futile since his mobile phone went unanswered on several occasions attempted to get hold of him.

Despite all the efforts, Kalumo has always been uncooperative with members of the press, at some point he defiantly told the Daily Times that he don’t report to the media and that no matter what, no one can fire him.

The Minister of Homeland Security, Ken Zikhale Ng’oma, has on several occasions attempted to address issues within the Immigration Department, but unfortunately, his efforts have not yet yielded the desired results.

This is only increasing frustrations , especially when the issues are significant and impacting many people, duty bearers disregarding the importance to continue being held accountable and advocating for the positive change.

Meanwhile, the appointing authority has yet to make a statement on the matter, leaving the officers at the department in a state of uncertainty and frustration with the threat of a strike looming over the department as officers demand accountability and respect for the rule of law.