Police in Salima District have arrested 37 Ethiopian nationals, including Samaka Rajeev, for allegedly entering Malawi through unchartered routes.
According to Salima Police spokesperson Sub Inspector Rabecca Ndiwate, the suspects were arrested in the early hours of Monday, May 18, 2026, after officers mounted an ad hoc roadblock at Kanyenyeva along the Salima-Lilongwe Road.
Ndiwate said police intercepted four vehicles, two Honda Freeds, a VW, and a Vanguard, bearing registration numbers DA 12311, MHG 7458, CK 9773, and BZ 3409 respectively which were allegedly transporting the immigrants.
The suspects reportedly failed to produce valid travel documents upon request.
Police arrested the immigrants together with one of the drivers, identified as Chimwemwe George, and seized the four vehicles.
The other three drivers reportedly fled the scene after the interception, abandoning their vehicles.
Meanwhile, the immigrants have been handed over to the Immigration Department for further investigations, while the arrested driver is expected to appear in court soon on charges related to human trafficking.
