Chakwera warns on illegal immigrants

President Lazarus Chakwera has warned that his administration will deal with anyone aiding and abetting illegal immigrants entering the country.

Speaking at Chinsowolo ground in Karonga where he addressed a development rally, the President wondered why some people are running away from their countries on the pretext of war, yet some of those countries were peaceful.

He decried the tendency by some Malawians who even use government resources such as vehicles to aid and abet illegal immigrants by pocketing a few dollars.

Border districts of Karonga and Chitipa are some of the areas where illegal immigrants mostly use to enter the county.

Chkwera said: “We have people claiming they are running away from conflicts in their countries, yet there is no such, and then others where there is war but their countries are very far from Malawi. All they want is just to come and stay in Malawi.

“Greed and corruption are exacerbating this problem. Some even say because we are not getting enough salaries, then we should be aiding these illegal immigrants for money. That is inviting trouble.”

The President vowed to deal with all those involved in the malpractice, including those from Malawi Police, Malawi Defence Force and Department of Immigration, even politicians and business persons.

“If you are aiding these illegal immigrants, once we find you, we will deal with you accordingly because you are putting the whole country in danger.

“This must stop, and Paramount Chief Kyungu is my witness that I am angry. Some are even using government vehicles for this illegal activity. This has to come to an end. Let us not be greedy,” Chakwera said.

Speaking earlier Kyungu called on the President to deal with all those aiding and abetting illegal immigrants, saying, such tendency was threatening the security in his area.

“The problem is that some people, including chiefs aid the entry of these people. Let the police be empowered to arrest these people and send them back. If you find anyone from Chitipa or Karonga, arrest them,” he said.

On Wednesday, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services in conjunction with police in the North arrested 140 illegal immigrants and two Malawian nationals on immigration-related offenses.

The department said the country has 48 824 asylum seekers and refugees living in camps.