Malawi’s anti-graft body has arrested a former senior Immigration official over alleged abuse of office as the country struggles to rebuild international confidence in its immigration system.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested former Head of Permits at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services, Alexander Maseko, in a case that has renewed scrutiny of the country’s management of work permits and foreign nationals.
Maseko was arrested on Thursday and is accused of misconduct linked to the processing of employment permits during his tenure as Head of Permits, a position that placed him at the centre of one of Malawi’s most critical immigration functions.
Investigators say the case raises fresh questions about internal controls within the Immigration Department at a time when Malawi is facing growing pressure to strengthen oversight of its border and permit systems.
The arrest comes at a time when Malawi’s immigration system remains under intense public scrutiny. Recent years have seen controversy over passport administration, concerns about document security and investigations involving fraudulent diplomatic passports. The issues have raised questions about governance, accountability and the management of one of the country’s most sensitive public institutions.
The arrest comes against a backdrop of heightened international concern over immigration governance, including controversies surrounding fraudulent diplomatic passports and broader questions about document integrity that have damaged the country’s reputation abroad.
According to the ACB, Maseko allegedly issued a Temporary Employment Permit to a foreign national in January 2023 without ensuring payment of the mandatory US$2,000 issuance fee.
“Maseko is suspected of issuing a Temporary Employment Permit to a foreign national in January 2023 without ensuring payment of the mandatory USD 2,000 issuance fee. At the time, he was serving as Head of Permits and was responsible for processing employment permits,” reads a statement by the ACB.
Authorities have since charged him with neglect of official duty, “contrary to Section 121 of the Penal Code”.
The anti-graft body says the alleged conduct resulted in government losing revenue that should have been collected before the permit was issued.
Maseko appeared before the Chief Resident Magistrate’s Court on Friday where he was granted bail on condition that he pays a K500,000 cash bond, provides two sureties bonded at K1 million each, and reports to the ACB every fortnight.
In a statement, the ACB said it remains committed to holding public officers accountable and safeguarding public trust in the administration of public resources and services.
Investigations into the matter are continuing.
