By Burnett Munthali
The Malawian government has come under intense scrutiny following its decision to award a $29.9 million (K52 billion) passport printing contract to Madras Security Printers Private Limited, an Indian company with a notorious history of corruption, fraud allegations, and failed government contracts across multiple countries.
This decision has sparked widespread concern among Malawians, who are questioning the integrity of the procurement process and the potential national security risks that come with entrusting such a sensitive task to a company with a tainted reputation.
Despite growing criticism, Homeland Security Minister Ezekiel Ching’oma has defended the contract, arguing that the deal is cost-effective.
However, his justification does not address serious concerns regarding procurement irregularities, lack of transparency, and the possible dangers associated with working with a company that has been blacklisted and implicated in scandals worldwide.
Investigations into the background of Madras Security Printers (MSP) reveal a troubling history of misconduct, casting doubt on its ability to manage Malawi’s passport printing system securely and efficiently.
In Kenya, the company was involved in a counterfeit tax stamp scandal that led to the circulation of fake goods, including toxic fertilizer and sugar, which resulted in public health crises and deaths.
Despite legal action taken against the company’s executives in Kenya, Malawi has chosen to ignore these warnings and move forward with the deal.
In South Sudan, MSP was accused of siphoning millions of dollars from a failed tax stamp project, leaving the government with a dysfunctional system after payments had already been made.
In India, the company was blacklisted after violating protocols in a national ID card project, amid allegations of illegally selling citizens’ private data.
Similar scandals have emerged in Liberia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Mauritius, where the company’s projects have collapsed due to contract breaches, bribery allegations, and serious data security failures.
Despite this disturbing track record, the Malawian government has entrusted Madras Security Printers with the production of one of the country’s most critical documents—passports.
Minister Ching’oma has stated that the contract was awarded through a restricted tender process, with 25 companies initially considered and six making the final shortlist, including four Malawian and two foreign firms.
However, the secrecy surrounding the procurement process has raised concerns, as key oversight institutions either deny involvement or remain silent on the matter.
The Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA) has refused to confirm whether it approved the contract, further fueling suspicions of procedural violations.
When questioned about the deal, PPDA spokesperson Kate Kujaliwa avoided providing direct answers, stating that not all procurements are submitted to the authority.
This vague response has done little to reassure the public that the contract was awarded through a fair and transparent process.
Even more alarming is the revelation that Attorney General Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda was completely unaware of the contract.
When asked about the deal, he admitted, “I am blank, and the contract is yet to be submitted to my office. I didn’t know about Madras. I am hearing it now from you.”
This admission raises serious questions about whether due diligence was conducted before committing taxpayer funds to this controversial company.
The decision to award this contract to Madras Security Printers comes at a time when Malawi has already suffered from a series of failed passport deals under the current administration.
In 2021, the government canceled a $60.8 million contract with TechnoBrain due to alleged irregularities under the previous administration.
However, after failing to find a reliable alternative, the government was forced to re-engage TechnoBrain in 2023, only to later switch to E-Tech Systems, which also failed within months.
In February 2024, Malawi’s passport system mysteriously crashed, with President Lazarus Chakwera claiming that “digital mercenaries” had hacked the system and were demanding ransom.
While some officials blamed TechnoBrain for the disruption, no evidence was ever presented to support this claim.
Now, with the decision to hand over the passport printing contract to Madras Security Printers, Malawi risks repeating the same mistakes—this time with a company that has an even worse reputation.
Security experts warn that this deal poses a significant threat to national security, as Madras Security Printers has a history of data breaches and mishandling of sensitive information.
If Malawians’ biometric and personal data fall into the wrong hands, the country could face increased cyber threats, identity theft, and potential travel restrictions imposed by other nations.
There are also fears that the credibility of Malawian passports could be compromised, leading to heightened scrutiny of Malawian travelers at international borders.
The most concerning aspect of this deal is the complete lack of accountability and transparency in the decision-making process.
With key institutions such as the PPDA, the Attorney General’s office, and the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) failing to confirm proper oversight, there is no guarantee that this contract was awarded in the best interest of Malawians.
This raises critical questions that must be addressed immediately:
Why was Madras Security Printers selected despite its history of corruption and failed contracts?
Why were key oversight bodies, such as the PPDA and the Attorney General’s office, kept in the dark about the contract?
Who stands to benefit from this deal, and what financial interests are at play?
Unless the government halts this contract and conducts a thorough and transparent review of the procurement process, Malawi risks another passport crisis that could cost the country billions, endanger national security, and further erode public trust in government institutions.
The stakes could not be higher.
Malawi must learn from past mistakes and ensure that critical national projects, such as passport printing, are awarded to companies with a proven track record of efficiency, security, and transparency.
Failure to act now will not only undermine the credibility of Malawi’s passport system but also expose millions of Malawians to potential fraud, identity theft, and international travel restrictions.
The government must listen to the concerns of its citizens and take immediate action to rectify this situation before it is too late.
