Malawi: Passport Crippled, Prisons Struggling - Mukhito Steps in During North Tour, Hails 'Unwavering Dedication' of Security Agencies

What the report says

Malawi’s Minister of Homeland Security, Peter Mukhito, used an inspection tour in the country’s Northern Region to praise police, prison and immigration staff for continuing to work under difficult conditions. According to the report from Nyasa Times, the tour covered districts including Karonga, Nkhata Bay and Mzuzu and highlighted pressures on frontline security services.

The article says Mukhito also acknowledged serious operational problems affecting public service delivery. At immigration offices, he faced concerns about delayed passport issuance and disrupted digital enrollment systems. He said the government was working to restore passport printing and clear backlogs, while also addressing complaints about possible corruption affecting applicants.

In prison facilities, Mukhito noted overcrowding, aging infrastructure and shortages of logistical support. He said the ministry would push stalled construction projects forward, improve conditions for inmates and strengthen support for prison officers. He also urged security personnel to maintain integrity and avoid corrupt practices.

The reported visit matters because it points to wider strains on Malawi’s security and administrative systems, especially where limited resources and infrastructure gaps are affecting everyday services. The article presents the government as promising budgetary and operational fixes, though it does not give a timetable for when those changes may take effect.