Minister warns NRB staff against corruption

Minister of Homeland Security Jean Sendeza has bemoaned reports of corrupt practices at National Registration Bureau (NRB) and warned officers against the malpractice.

She said this yesterday in Blantyre when she visited NRB office to appreciate some of the challenges they face.

The minister said: “Those who are not ready to work with the government should quit their jobs because it is not right for Malawian citizens to pay for a service which is supposed to be provided for free.”

Sendeza said the ministry has been received reports that some NRB officers demand bribes for their services, warning that the malpractice will not be tolerated.

“It is an open secret that some NRB officers were demanding money from the public when providing the services which was tantamount to corruption. My ministry will take stern action against anyone involved in the malpractice,” she said.

During the visit, Sendeza said she saw long queues of people outside NRB, waiting to collect their national identity (ID) cards.

The minister said this gave her an impression that NRB was not working to the expectations of the masses.

In an interview after the visit, Minister of Homeland Security Principal Secretary  responsible for NRB, Mphatso Sambo conceded that the bureau has registered some corruption cases which are being addressed.

However, he said the bureau is trying to come up with solutions to end such malpractices.

“We are working closely with the Anti-Corruption Bureau and we have talked and interfaced with all members of staff in the three regions to refrain from corruption as it tarnishes our corporate image,” said Sambo.

Recently, Consumers Association of Malawi executive director John Kapito and social commentator Humphrey Mvula expressed shock that government is still struggling to address challenges NRB is facing.

Kapito questioned government why it is taking long to invest in NRB to improve service delivery.

He said: “People are waiting for months without getting their identity cards just because of ink or either a printer is broken down. Are we sure we can fail to buy a cartridge of ink or a good printer? There is need to solve this problem.”

In May last year, NRB extended ID card registration and renewal processes to all the 460 council wards in the country to decongest its district offices which have become a breeding ground for corruption.