Director General for the department Charles Kalumo has confirmed the news.

This is coming days after Kalumo told the press that the department has suspended issuance of the passports and collection of application fees in Blantyre, Mangochi, Lilongwe and Mzuzu due to low stocks of the booklets. The passports are only being issued to those that have emergencies.

Attorney General Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda says is part of meeting a mandatory obligation the company has in its cancelled contract with the Malawi government.