The Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services in the Northern region in collaboration with Malawi Police Service Officers have arrested 133 Ethiopians,6 Bangladesh, 1 pakistan for entering into the country illegally. Additionally, the joint effort have also arrested two Malawians who were helping the suspected illegal immigrants to enter into the country illegally in the early hours of today 22 April ,2022.
The security officers were on patrol of tracking illegal immigrants and intercepted the vehicle suspected carrying illegal immigrants using unchartered route with the suspected immigrants on board around kafukule area in Mzimba.
Henceforth, the suspects were found hiding inside a van of a 10 tonner lorry, yellow in colour bearing registration number DA 7650 belonging to Mr Derreck Mthawira,Private Bag 320, Lilongwe.
The lorry was coming from Karonga district and heading to Lilongwe with all suspected illegal immigrants on board.
The driver of the lorry upon noticing that security officers are following him, he decided not to stop but he was later arrested.
During the arrest, it was discovered that all the 140 suspected illegal immigrants nationals do not have passports and did not present themselves to immigration officers to legalise their entry.
Additionally, the driver of the vehicle Lovemore Banda,42 years old from Malindima village in the area of Traditional Authority Sitolo in Machinga and his assistant Edward Chitsime 45 years old from Tumbi village in the area of Traditional Authority Kayembe in Dowa were also arrested for helping the foreigners to enter in the country illegally.
The 10 tonner lorry which was used to ferry the suspected illegal immigrants has been impounded.
Meanwhile, all the suspects are currently under police custody awaiting to answer charges of illegal entry contrary to section 21 subsection 1 of the Malawi Immigration Act while the 2 Malawians will answer the offence of aiding and abetting illegal immigrants to enter the country contrary to 36 of immigration Act.
Compiled by : Sergeant Francis Chitambuli (Malawi Immigration ,Public Relations Officer for Northern Region)
Compiled on : 22 April,2022
*0884080357/ 0991024345, *Francischitambuli@gmail.com*