48 illegal immigrants arrested

Malawi’s Immigration officers have arrested 48 illegal immigrants in the Northern Region.

Confirming the development to Malawi24, Mzuzu Immigration Deputy Public Relations Officer Francis Chitambuli said the 48 who are Ethiopian nationals have been arrested for illegal entry into the country contrary to section 21(1) of the Malawi Immigration Act.

He added that the Immigration Department received a tip from well-wishers about immigrants hiding in the mountain around Msawaji area in Rumphi district.

“We received information from well-wishers that some suspicious people are hiding in the mountain around Msawaji area in Rumphi district hence officers were deployed,” he said.

When the officers went to the mountain, they arrested 12 Ethiopians who were hiding in the mountains around the area.

On Saturday they arrested 23 more after conducting various random patrols around Ekwendeni and on Sunday the officers conducted patrols in the afternoon hours at Ekayiweni Area in Mzimba district where they arrested 13 other Ethiopians.

However, Chitambuli urged the general public to alert immigration officials about suspicious people within their localities.

“We commend the well-wishers for being patriotic let me take this opportunity to urge Malawians to be more patriotic by reporting to immigration officials about suspicious people within their localities so that Malawi will be safe and secure Malawi,” said Chitambuli.

Currently, the illegal immigrants are being kept In Mzuzu prison waiting for legal proceedings.

The arrest of the 48 illegal immigrants comes barely a month after the immigration department embarked on a sensitization campaign around northern region districts to urge the public to become patriotic by reporting to immigration offices about suspicious people within their localities and to educate the public about the dangers of aiding and abetting foreign nationals to enter Malawi illegally.