Six Arrested in Malawi Passport Riots as Crisis Deepens
The accused, known locally as "madobadoba," allegedly pressured immigration officers to fast-track passports for clients who had paid for their services.
LILONGWE, Malawi — Chaos erupted in the heart of Malawi's capital Thursday as the nation's passport crisis boiled over, leaving shattered windows, damaged vehicles, and six alleged middlemen in handcuffs, write Winston Mwale and Pemphero Musowa.
Police arrested the suspects Thursday following violent protests at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services offices in Lilongwe, marking a dramatic escalation in the country's ongoing struggle to provide travel documents to its citizens.
Central West Police Region spokesperson Foster Benjamin identified the suspects as Alinafe Nyalugwe, 36, Memory Howani, 24, Medson Mdala, 57, Abudu Lahimani, 38, Alick Petros Phiri, 40, and Rodgers Banda, 22.
The accused, known locally as "madobadoba," allegedly pressured immigration officers to fast-track passports for clients who had paid for their services.
The unrest saw frustrated applicants hurling stones, blocking roads, and vandalizing property at the central region immigration offices.
The riots stem from months of delays in passport issuance and widespread allegations of corruption within the department.
The accused will face charges including inciting violence, malicious damage, and endangering lives of road travelers.
In response to the incident, DEPARTMENT OF IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP SERVICES National Public Relations Officer Wellington Chiponde issued a press release strongly condemning the "deplorable acts of certain individuals masquerading as passport applicants."
Chiponde announced an investigation to apprehend all perpetrators, describing the incident as "a criminal act punishable by law."
The department outlined measures to address the passport demand surge, including:
Resuming passport services in Blantyre
Developing plans to restart services in Mzuzu and Mangochi
Implementing systematic approaches to clear the application backlog
However, opposition leaders argue these steps are insufficient. George Chaponda, Leader of Opposition and vice president of the Democratic Progressive Party, blamed President Lazarus Chakwera's administration for the crisis.
"The current passport crisis is a man-made disaster, caused by the incompetence and negligence of the current leadership," Chaponda said.
He criticized the lack of accountability, noting that no officials have been held responsible despite ongoing issues.
The passport crisis has plagued Malawi since 2021 when the attorney general's office terminated a contract with Technobrain, the previous service provider, citing irregularities. Challenges include:
Shortages of passport books
Cyberattacks on the system
Labour disputes
Growing application backlog
Allegations of systemic corruption
The situation has left many Malawians unable to travel internationally, affecting business, education, and personal plans.
Reports of bribery to expedite applications have further eroded public trust.
While the government maintains it is working to resolve the issues, critics argue that progress has been too slow and lacks transparency.
The recent arrests and riots underscore the growing frustration among citizens and the potential for further unrest if significant improvements are not made quickly.
As investigations continue, both the government and opposition agree on the need for a swift resolution to the passport crisis.
However, with conflicting views on the root causes and necessary solutions, finding a path forward remains a significant challenge for Malawi's leadership.