by Wongani Chipeta
The Malawian President, Dr Lazarus Chakwera has taken the chance of his visit to the Republic of South Africa to request the host government to consider Malawi in three main areas. The president is leading a delegation of ministers who are meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa and various members of his Cabinet in Pretoria, South Africa.
Making his requests, Avant publications has gathered that the president has requested the South African government introduce special permits to Malawian citizens that are working locally in South Africa. On this, Chakwera has been upfront about the humanitarian agreements that he would like to see the two countries sign.
“I want to ask that you allow the special permits to be issued to Malawian migrants employed in the informal sector just as is the case for Zimbabwean and Lesotho migrants. In the same vein, I would like to ask that Malawians be able to apply for new permits and renew expired ones while in South Africa”.
On the same, Chakwera further requested the South African government to simplify visa extension procedures.
On the Malawians arrested in the Rainbow Nation waiting for deportation, President Chakwera has expressed concern about many days it takes to deport Malawians from the Lindela Repatriation Centre. The Malawian president asked if the period of detention of detainees at Lindela camp can be reduced from the 120 days they are in detention.
Lastly, the President requested his counterpart the issue to do with the possibility of easing the issuance of medical visas to Malawian diplomatic passport holders. The current arrangement requires the Malawian with diplomatic passport to obtain an ordinary visa before acquiring a medical visa.
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