Immigration is always such a big deal here, but we are learning a few things, and a few things are changing—at least in the city. Lusaka has a very open office with no partitions. They have large posters explaining their values; with this, there is supposed to be a more open and respectful system. That is exactly what we found one month ago. Bribing still occurs, but the supervisor, who sits in plain view of all, can see easily if anything like that is transpiring.
Our papers were processed quite quickly last month in Lusaka. The hold-up with our process is that this is the first time there have been 'agents' of ZMF-C requesting a visa. So, Immigration needs to investigate whether ZMF-C in Zambia is a legitimate organization. This is where the smoothness breaks down. Anne Sampa is trying hard to expedite the process—but already there has been a delay due to the Immigration office needing time to find a letter that needs to be sent to Kalomo, so the Kalomo office can investigate the activities of ZMF-C. Why would they need time to find the letter?! Who knows? TIA!
We felt it would be better to go to Lusaka to have our passports stamped rather than Kalomo, because they are very much thinking we are 'secret agents' in Kalomo and not just 'agents'! Kalomo is a suspicious group!
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