By Burnett Munthali, Maravi Post

On Tuesday, October 22, 2024, the highlight turned in the direction of the Minister of Homeland Security, Hon. Dr. Ken Zikhale Ng’oma, amid mounting considerations over the continued Malawi passport scandal. With stories surfacing of seventeen stranded Malawians on the Beitbridge border as a consequence of allegedly “unreadable” passports, questions have arisen in regards to the authorities’s capability to deal with these essential points.

Despite the urgency of the scenario, Minister Ng’oma has chosen to stay silent,

Despite the urgency of the scenario, Minister Ng’oma has chosen to stay silent, neither responding to a questionnaire despatched through WhatsApp on 22 October 2024 nor returning calls up to now for an interview. This lack of engagement has raised eyebrows amongst residents and political analysts alike, who’re anticipating readability on the federal government’s response to the disaster.

Stranded residents: A rising concern

The plight of the seventeen Malawians caught at Beitbridge is simply the tip of the iceberg. Recent stories point out that quite a few residents are dealing with journey disruptions due to malfunctioning e-passports, that are rendering them unreadable at borders. With the vacation season approaching, these points pose a big risk to journey plans, leaving many questioning in regards to the authorities’s preparedness to deal with such challenges.

E-Passport malfunctions: An ongoing nightmare

Since the introduction of e-passports, quite a few complaints have surfaced concerning their performance. Travelers have reported that these supposedly superior paperwork typically fail to be acknowledged by immigration programs. This technical failure raises severe questions: Why has this situation endured? What steps are being taken to rectify it?

The silence from Minister Ng’oma solely intensifies public frustration, as many search assurance that their passports will operate as meant. Citizens need to know why a system designed to streamline journey has as an alternative change into a supply of frustration.

Procurement delays: A troubling sample

The present passport disaster is compounded by procurement delays as authorities scramble to discover a new provider. Speculation is rife that there’s an inclination in the direction of Semlex, an organization with a controversial fame in a number of African nations. Why is there a delay in figuring out a dependable provider? And what transparency measures are in place to make sure the procurement course of serves the pursuits of the Malawian individuals?

With the federal government’s sluggish response time and potential conflicts of curiosity involving high-ranking officers, belief within the procurement course of is waning.

E-Tech’s underperformance: Time for change?

The present contractor, E-Tech, has confronted backlash for the passport malfunctions and delays which have plagued vacationers. Is the federal government contemplating terminating this contract? What options are being explored to make sure that Malawians obtain dependable passport providers? As frustrations proceed to mount, the absence of a transparent motion plan solely serves to intensify tensions among the many affected residents.

Restoring belief in a troubled system

With Malawians being denied entry into key locations like South Africa, the affect of those passport points can’t be understated. Immediate measures have to be taken to forestall additional disruptions and to reassure vacationers that the federal government is actively working to resolve these issues.

As Minister Ng’oma stays mute, many surprise how the federal government plans to revive public belief in a system that has been referred to as into query. Citizens deserve transparency and solutions concerning the bidding course of, the businesses concerned, and the measures being applied to make sure accountability.

Conclusion: An pressing name for communication

The silence from Minister Zikhale Ng’oma within the face of such urgent points is regarding. The lives of many Malawians dangle within the stability as they grapple with the fallout from this passport scandal. With the clock ticking and the vacation season approaching, the necessity for decisive motion and clear communication from the Minister of Homeland Security has by no means been extra essential. The query stays: when will the Minister break his silence and deal with the urgent considerations of his constituents?

As we await his response, the destiny of stranded Malawians stays unsure, a stark reminder of the significance of accountability in authorities.

The put up Silence of the Minister: Zikhale Ng’oma and the Malawi Passport Scandal appeared first on The Maravi Post.

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