200 more Malawians nabbed in Tanzania

Barely two weeks after arresting 250 Malawians for illegal stay and working without permits, the government of Tanzania has again arrested more than 200 Malawians for the same reasons.

Already, the Immigration Office at Songwe border has registered 350 Malawians returning from Tanzania since Dodoma started arresting and detaining them for various counts related to travel and work documents.

According to Songwe Immigration spokesperson Yusuf Shaibu, one of the returnees Davie Nyasulu, who hails from Malungo Village in Nkhata Bay, alleged that there are increased cases of violence against Malawians in Tanzania.

“Nyasulu said most Malawians are subjected to torture in Tanzania for unknown reasons. Of course, he admitted that they were staying in Tanzania illegally. Nyasulu further said that the recent arrests have fuelled vandalism in that country. He said there are many cases where Tanzanian civilians are impersonating police officers raping Malawian ladies and vandalising their properties in the process.

“As Immigration Department, we cannot comment on any torture Malawians are facing in Tanzania, but we advise all Malawians intending to travel outside the country to make sure they have valid travel documents and enough cash,” he said.

Last week, Karonga and Songwe Immigration offices, in conjunction with Karonga Police Station, arrested some Tanzania, and Congolese nationals for illegal entry into Malawi.

In an interview after the first arrests, Minister of Foreign Affairs Francis Kasaila said the foreign mission in Tanzania had started processes aimed at repatriating those trapped in that country.

In January and April this year, Dodoma also arrested and deported at least 24 Malawians from Nkhata Bay for illegally staying in that country. n