NRB Warns of Illegal Fees for National ID Registration
For citizens of Malawi, the national ID card represents a critical token of identity and membership in the social fabric.
LILONGWE, Malawi — Cracking down on misconceptions and potential fraud, Malawi's National Registration Bureau issued a stern warning Wednesday that its ongoing national ID registration outreach is completely free of charge and anyone demanding payment will be reported to authorities, writes Winston Mwale.
In a blunt press release, Bureau Principal Secretary Mak Sambo sought to dispel lingering confusion over the massive registration campaign, now in its seventh phase across three districts.
He left no ambiguity that citizens should not pay a single kwacha for the legally mandated national identity cards.
"The Bureau would also like to remind members of the public that registration for National Identity Documents is FREE and issuance of Application Forms for the National Identity Documents is also FREE," Sambo declared.
"Anyone found selling forms or asking clients to pay for registration must be reported to the nearest Police Station."
The strongly-worded warning appeared aimed at heading off potential corruption or exploitation of the registration process by opportunists seeking to line their pockets.
It suggested bureau officials have received reports of illegal fees being demanded from unsuspecting citizens.
Sambo's sharply -orded statement also addressed other issues that have arisen as tens of thousands of Malawians have lined up at temporary village registration sites and government offices to obtain the vital national ID cards.
He clarified that under the country's laws, only Malawian citizens age 16 and older are permitted to register.
First-time applicants must provide a letter from their village head and copies of their parents' IDs.
Those claiming previous mass registration was delayed face even stiffer documentation requirements.
The bureau also touted its extensive temporary infrastructure, with registration teams fanning out to at least 25% of primary schools in every ward nationwide to reach even the most rural citizens.
Permanent district offices and selected post offices also continue to process applications.
Sambo insisted the registration process includes "stringent verification measures" to prevent foreign nationals from improperly obtaining the Malawian IDs, which are required for services like banking and voting.
While acknowledging hiccups are inevitable in such a sprawling campaign, the bureau clearly seeks to project an image of efficiency and zero tolerance for graft around this fundamental exercise in citizenship documentation.
Sambo encouraged any Malawians with other questions to contact the bureau's call center.
For citizens of Malawi, the national ID card represents a critical token of identity and membership in the social fabric.
How smoothly the mass distribution unfolds will be a key test for Malawi's governing institutions.