Man arrested for impersonation
The department of immigration on Tuesday arrested a man for impersonating an immigration officer.
National Spokesperson for the Immigration Department Joseph Chauwa said the man Patrick Sambakudwe duped a woman who was processing a passport at the Blantyre Immigration Office.
According to Chauwa, the suspect cheated the woman that he would process her passport in less than five hours if she pays him K500 000 ($677).
“The woman agreed to the deal and asked Sambakudwe to give her time to source the money but instead reported him to an immigration officer and he was arrested immediately,” explained Chauwa.
Chauwa commended the woman for reporting the fraudster saying the department is depending on such people in its battle against corruption.
“We are working with the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) to fight corruption in as far as the processing of passports is concerned and we are encouraging the general public to support this effort by reporting to our officers, ACB or police any suspected dealings,” Chauwa said.
He said the department is finding it hard to get rid of middlemen hanging around their offices who parade as passport applicants.
“These people hold application forms in their hands and stand on the queue where they coax applicants,” he said adding that the public should be alert.
Sambakudwe comes from Chimpikizo Village in the area of Traditional Authority Msamala in Balaka.
He will answer charges of force pretence.
