The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested an immigration officer in Lilongwe for allegedly soliciting K300,000 from a passport applicant in exchange for fast-tracking the processing of her passport.
In a press release issued on 10 March 2026, the Bureau said the suspect, Lawrent Kagona, was arrested on 9 March 2026 following investigations into corruption allegations.
According to the ACB, the investigation began after the Bureau received a complaint on 20 January 2026 alleging that some officers at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services in Lilongwe were demanding money from passport applicants in order to speed up passport production.
The Bureau said its investigations established that Kagona allegedly solicited and received MK300,000 from a passport applicant to facilitate the fast-tracking of her passport.
According to the ACB, MK150,000 was paid in cash while the remaining MK150,000 was transferred through Airtel Money.
Authorities further indicated that the passport applied was a normal passport, which has an official processing fee of MK50,000.
The ACB said the alleged conduct is contrary to Section 24(1) of the Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits public officers from soliciting or receiving money or benefits in exchange for improperly performing their official duties.
The suspect is expected to be interviewed under caution before being taken to court, where he will face formal charges.
The arrest highlights ongoing concerns about corruption in Malawi’s public service sector, particularly in departments responsible for providing essential services to citizens.
For many Malawians, obtaining a passport is often linked to opportunities such as employment abroad, education, or international travel.
However, delays in processing can create pressure for applicants, making them vulnerable to demands for unofficial payments.
Observers say high demand for passports, limited resources, and slow processing systems can sometimes create conditions in which corrupt practices may emerge.
In recent years, the Bureau has intensified investigations into corruption cases involving public officers as part of efforts to strengthen transparency and accountability in government institutions.
For the applicant involved in this case, what should have been a routine passport application with a MK50,000 official fee allegedly escalated into a payment of MK300,000, highlighting the financial burden corruption can place on ordinary citizens.
