The Immigration Department has implemented a series of transfers affecting both senior and junior officers across the country.

The reshuffle covers staff at various immigration offices, including airports, border posts, and the department’s headquarters.

Department spokesperson Pasqually Zulu confirmed the development to Zodiak saying that the exercise is intended to enhance service delivery, noting that officers are no longer allowed to overstay at a single duty station. 

"This is normal, nothing strange here. We do this to strengthen our operations. We do not like to see our officers stay at a station for long," he said.

However, governance commentator, Vincent Rangel questioned the timing and motives behind the transfers, suggesting they may reflect political strategies to position loyalists.

"It is not strange, as this is the strategy which politicians use. Those in power are trying to position their people, I think," Rangel said.

Analyst Dr. George Chaima echoed these concerns, noting that additional transfers could follow in response to recent political changes.

"We will see a lot of transfers of such caliber. This is what happens whenever a new government comes in. The DPP might have smelled a rat in the system," he said.

A similar exercise was recently carried out by the Malawi Police Service, which also relocated officers across various posts and state residences.