An immigration officer in Mzuzu is on court bail in a case where he is accused of involvement in corrupt activities.

Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Spokesperson Egrita Ndala has confirmed that the bureau received a complaint, that some immigration officers in Mzuzu had solicited money from a convicted foreign national.

The convicted foreign national, Ernest Balti, was arrested for attempting to obtain a Malawian passport illegally and was convicted on 1 November 2021.

Following his conviction, the foreign national was ordered to pay a fine of K1, 225 000 and subsequent deportation to South Africa.

Taking advantage of the foreigner’s predicament, Assistant Superintendent Paul Lada allegedly solicited and received one million kwacha from Balti in the pretext that he would facilitate his deportation process to South Africa.

After receiving a complaint concerning the matter; the ACB, in conjunction with Mzuzu Police officers, arrested Lada who is expected to reappear in court on 26 November.