LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s civil rights group, Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has given Minister of Homeland Security Ken Zikhale-Ng’oma seven-day ultimatum to urgently address the printing of passports impulse.
CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa has therefore warned that if the matter is not addressed within seven days his grouping will be forced to mobilize Malawians and conduct demonstrations if responsible officers do not come out clear on the issues, insisting that Malawians are suffering.
In a letter dated February 20, 2024 addressing Immigration Department and Minister Zikhale-Ng’oma, CDEDI Executive Director Namiwa demands answers to the current impulse.
“In exercise of its watchdog role, and as a mouth-piece of the voiceless, the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) writes you Sir, with reference to the above stated subject matter.
“Right at the onset, CDEDI would like to bring to your attention a public notice by the Department of Immigration titled MAINTENANCE OF PASSPORT ISSUANCE SYSTEM dated January 28, 2024, informing the nation of an impending ‘extensive maintenance works’ leading to a shutdown of the system,” reads CDEDI letter in part.
Namiwa adds, “Today, Hon. Minister, Malawians are their own witness that they are now using emergency documents to travel outside the country.
“In view of the above, CDEDI is demanding the following from your office;Explain to the nation on the exact day when printing of passports will resume. Explain to Malawians what really happened to the system. Justify the involvement of the e-government in the ‘extensive maintenance works’ and why them? Make public all the contracts government signed with Techno Brain”.
He warned, “Failure to do the needful within seven (7) working days will leave CDEDI with no option but mobilise Malawians to hold nation-wide peaceful demonstrations”.
Both the Ministry of Homeland Security and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services are yet to comment on Namiwa’s demands.
