Immigration officers in Malawi’s Northern Region have been urged to strictly uphold a zero-tolerance stance on corruption and misconduct, as leadership pushes for trustworthy, people-centered, and secure immigration services.
Director General of Immigration and Citizenship Services, Counsel Dennis Chipao, delivered the message during an official familiarisation visit to the Northern Regional Office, where he assessed operations and engaged officers on professionalism and accountability in service delivery.
Chipao commended Northern Region immigration officers for maintaining a firm stand against corruption and said integrity must remain the backbone of their daily work. He warned that immigration operations are security sensitive and any unethical conduct puts both public trust and national safety at risk.
He stressed that corruption in any form will not be tolerated and called on officers to demonstrate discipline, ethical conduct, and professionalism at all times. The Director General added that needed reforms and behavioural change must happen now, saying failure to meet standards will attract consequences.
Chipao reminded officers of the department’s four guiding pillars, Discipline, Integrity, Professionalism, and Unity of Purpose, saying teamwork and clean service are essential to achieving institutional goals and protecting Malawians.
Northern Region Regional Immigration Officer Mr Limbani Chawinga, DCI, welcomed the Director General and assured him of the region’s full support and cooperation. He highlighted operational gaps affecting enforcement work, including the need for additional vehicles to respond effectively to rising illegal migration cases.
Chawinga also outlined ongoing and planned service improvements, including decentralisation of passport and travel document issuance to Karonga and Mzimba, renovation of the Mzimba Office, construction of a Rumphi Office, and operationalisation of a marine boat to strengthen border and water patrols.
He noted that the region continues to face challenges such as illegal migration cartels, system network disruptions, and the growing influence of dobadoba operators.
The visit ended with an interactive session and renewed commitment from both management and Northern Region immigration officers to strengthen transparency, accountability, and effective service delivery.
