The National Registration Bureau (NRB) has recently carried out a significant shake-up by transferring 48 officers across various councils. This mass transfer comes in the wake of growing concerns over the ongoing mop-up registration exercise, with reports of irregularities including allegations that some officers have been demanding bribes from registrants. Additionally, there have been complaints about shortages of registration forms at several centers just a day or two after they open.

Governance and political commentator Victor Chipofya has weighed in on the situation, emphasizing that, given the sensitive nature of the NRB’s work, the bureau must be transparent about the reasons behind such large-scale staff changes. Chipofya argues that if these transfers are indeed a response to inefficiencies or misconduct, then the NRB should be commended for taking action.

In contrast, NRB Principal Secretary Mphatso Sambo has dismissed the idea that the transfers are related to the alleged problems. According to Sambo, these staff changes are a routine procedure and do not address the alleged inefficiencies or corruption within the bureau.

As the public debates the implications of these transfers, the focus remains on whether these actions will effectively address the issues reported during the registration exercise.