By Chisomo Phiri
Minister of Homeland Security Ken Zikhale Ng’oma says people suspected to have hacked the Passport Issuing System at the Department of Immigration and Citizen Services are reportedly demanding about K2 billion to surrender the system.
Ng’oma disclosed this at a media briefing on Tuesday in Lilongwe but insisted that government will not pay the ransom as they are already working on the problem.
He argued that this is not ‘unusual’ as it happens everywhere, including in banks.
“People hack bank systems. Zachitikapo maiko ena, sizachilendo izi. Tiyesetsa within three weeks kuti tichite recover system ya passport,” said Ng’oma.
The minister further asked the public to be patient while the ministry through the department is currently carrying out investigations to find out what transpired with the system hacking.
“We have engaged into serious investigations which are underway and currently we ask for patience from the public,” he said.
Zikhale also disclosed that soon, the ministry through the Immigration Department will release a report with detailed information.
On his part, Director general for Immigration, Brigadier General Charles Kalumo (retired ) said that there is need for unity and peace as the investigations are underway.
“This attack is not an individual attack, it is directed to the people of Malawi that is why we need to unite and cooperate as we look for those who were involved,” he said
Kalumo assured the public that the system will be restored within the president’s directed timeline as the 90 percent of it has been already restored.
The passport production challenges began in 2021 after the government terminated its contract with Techno Brain for alleged poor handling of the contract by the previous administration.
