High Court Judge Mike Tembo sitting in Blantyre has declared the appointment of Charles Kalumo as director general of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services unconstitutional.
The ruling follows an application for a judicial review filed by Chikhulupiliro Zidana through lawyers from Ritz Attorneys at Law.
The ruling means Kalumo, who has resisted several calls to resign, ceases to be the department’s head.
Justice Tembo said Kalumo’s appointment was in violation of the applicable law.
“Consequentially, it is ordered that Brigadier General Charles Kalumo (Retired) cease to hold the position of director general of Immigration and Citizenship Services having been appointed by the defendant in contravention of the relevant law,” reads part of the ruling.
President Lazarus Chakwera, who has also resisted calls to fire Kalumo, made the appointment in August 2022.
