Nyirenda reinstated, now acting Immigration chief

Ministry of Homeland Security has reinstated Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services commissioner (operations) Fletcher Nyirenda who was interdicted after his arrest for alleged involvement in corruption dealings.

Nyirenda, who was answering charges in a corruption case involving businessperson Abdul Karim Batatawala and others, reported for duties on Monday and is now acting director general.

His reinstatement comes after the State in March this year withdrew all the six charges levelled against him and another Immigration official Limbani Chawinga.

However, Chawinga was not reinstated as he is also answering other charges in another corruption case involving former Minister of Homeland Security Cecelia Chazama.

Immigration Department national spokesperson Wellington Chiponde yesterday said Nyirenda led a team of immigration officers that met Ministry of Homeland Security Principal Secretary Steve Kayuni on Tuesday.

Based on seniority, Nyirenda automatically becomes the department’s head following the High Court of Malawi’s nullification of Charles Kalumo as the immigration chief.

According to the Malawi Public Service Regulation, the second most senior person in any public institution takes the acting role if the head has stopped reporting for duties.

During the meeting in Lilongwe last Tuesday, Kayuni urged the Immigration Department to quickly address all the bottlenecks associated with passport service delivery.

He stressed that the department’s technocrats are better-placed to provide solutions to the challenges affecting service delivery for all Immigration services, saying they have the requisite experience and capabilities of managing migration issues.

“He [Kayuni] underscored the significance of unity among officers, commitment and dedication, discipline and professionalism, innovation, and creativity to be key catalysts of realising long term solutions of providing people-centred services to all clients,” said Chiponde.

On his part Nyirenda assured Kayuni that the department will digest and implement quick-win solutions that will enhance service delivery and decongest the Lilongwe Office.

He said: “During this meeting, the department made a presentation through the head of Research and Planning Unit, Senior Superintendent Vivian Kasambo that unpacked the general overview of the department.

“Key issues were to do with the status of the review of the Strategic Plan, the need to expedite the review of the Immigration and Citizenship Act, the need for more operational vehicles, the need for motivation of officers through promotions, and the need to have more staff houses and renovation of offices, among others,” said Chiponde about Kasambo’s presentation.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau arrested Nyirenda and Chawinga along with Batatawala and former Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services chief immigration officer Elvis Thodi in 2021.

The four were suspected to have committed corrupt practices in the procurement contracts for uniforms and other accessories at the department between 2009 and 2012.