The Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services has arrested a Congolese national for attempting to acquire a Malawi Passport fraudulently.

The Congolese identified as Onil Mbana Ntalu, 40, attempted to acquire a Malawi passport by presenting himself to Immigration authorities as a bonafide Malawian through the submission of a duly completed Malawi Passport Application Form at the Immigration Headquarters in Blantyre.

Upon submission of the application form, he was subjected to the interview, one of the security settings within the application of a Malawi passport. Police say it was during the interview when it was established that Ntalu was not a Malawian and he was arrested and charged with three counts:

(i) False declaration, contrary to Section 327 of the Penal Code;
(ii) Illegal stay, contrary to Section 21(1) as read with Section 37 (d) of the Immigration Act of the Laws of Malawi; and
(iii) Forgery of Malawi national identity card, contrary to Section 43 (a) of the National Registration Act.

After being taken to Blantyre Magistrate Court, he was convicted of all the offences.

Making her ruling on Monday 22nd November 2021, Senior Resident Magistrate Euphrasia Nazombe Moyo sentenced Ntalu to 6 months imprisonment or in default pay MK200,000.

On the second count, he was sentenced to 9 months imprisonment or in default pay MK250,000.

On the third count, he was sentenced to 9 months imprisonment or in default pay a fine of MK300,000.

The Court did not order immediate deportation of the convict considering that he has married a Malawian and that his family is domiciled in Malawi and has four children who will need care and support.

In total the convict paid K750,000 and the Court has ordered him to legalize his stay in Malawi 90 days from today.