Over 100 illegal immigrants arrested in Malawi

At least 156 foreign nationals living illegally in the country have been arrested.

RUSTENBURG, May 4 (ANA) – At least 156 foreign nationals living illegally in the country have been arrested, Malawi police said on Tuesday.

“The 156 illegal immigrants have been arrested in both rural and urban areas across the country where most of them were doing businesses. The operation, which is continuing, aims at weeding out foreigners staying illegally in the country.

“It has to be noted that the operation is not targeting refugees as they have a court injunction,” said spokesperson Senior Superintendent Peter Kalaya.

News website Malawi24 reported that many refugees, especially Burundians, leave the camps and conduct business in townships and trading centres.

According to the publication, the Ministry of Homeland Security issued a letter on April 1, telling all refugees and asylum seekers who were conducting business in communities outside Dzaleka to return to the camp within 14 days.

With just a few hours left, refugee Abduh Nahimana obtained a court injunction restraining the Malawian government from enforcing the relocation.

The purpose of the injunction was to pave the way for a judicial review of the government’s decision, Malawi24 reported.

According to Nyasa Times, the group of refugees and asylum seekers who obtained the injunction and those protesting against the relocation were wealthy refugees operating lucrative businesses in cities and peri-urban centres.

However, the news website reported on Tuesday that Minister of Homeland Security Richard Chimwendo Banda reaffirmed his ministry’s decision despite the injunction, stating that, by law, refugees must be housed at a camp.

– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher