The Department of Immigration on Wednesday stopped 54 Malawians from leaving Malawi for South Africa.
Mwanza border public relations officer, Pasqually Zulu said the Malawians were caught during an operation which was conducted by police, immigration and Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA).
Zulu said the Malawians were travelling to South Africa through Mwanza border without any travelling documents.
Among the arrested Malawians, four were using passports which are not theirs.
The publicist continued to say that their investigations revealed that these people were assisted by Elias Jafali, 24, of Ntonda village, T/A Chowe in Mangochi, Shadreck Mafupa, 30, from Kambuku T/A Makhwangwala in Ntcheu, Dickson Limited, 30, from Mchenga, T/A Kuntaja in Blantyre and Mabvuto Phiri, 34 from Kachenga, T/A Mankhambira in Nkhata-Bay.
The four who aided the Malawians are expected to appear before court soon to answer charges of aiding people to use uncharted routes and improper traveling documents
“This is a sad development considering that just a month ago we lost two sons of this country and one is still in critical condition in Mozambique. The three got injured on their way to Rainbow nation with no travelling documents; they fell off the planks that were used to hide them under the truck trailer.
“We are appealing to the general public to use proper documentation and certified buses when travelling outside the country,” said Zulu.
