Govt denies forcing Lindera detainees to make own travel arrangements

The Malawi Government through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) has denied reports that it is forcing Malawians who are being kept at Lindera camp in South Africa to make their own travel arrangements.

Some Malawian citizens have been detained at Lindera camp because they don’t have required documents to stay in South Africa and they have been pleading with government to quicken travel arrangements as they are going through hardships such as staying for days without proper food.

However, reports say that over 130 Malawians hired two buses from South Africa on their own and they have arrived home. But communications officer for DoDMA, Jeremiah Mphande, said that government did not force the 130 Malawians to travel home on their own but it was their choice.

Mphande said the department in collaboration with the ministry of home affairs has discussed with the South African government on the travel arrangements.

He said: “Those people did not have required documents to stay in South Africa and they were detained and they had to be deported. They were given two options, to wait for South Africa to arrange transport or make their own arrangements.”