SA arrests, deports Malawian ex-diplomat
South Africa on Wednesday arrested and deported a Malawian diplomat, embroiled in a court battle with the Malawi Government over her perks.
Malawi Police Service (MPS) confirmed in an interview on Wednesday flying out two of its officers to help the South African authorities bring home the diplomat, identified as Emmie Nkangama.
But Attorney General (AG) Anthony Kamanga, in a separate interview, said Nkangama was recalled nearly two years ago, but she insisted on staying in South Africa to press the Malawi Government pay her allowances.
On the other hand, Nkangama’s lawyer, Kalekeni Kaphale, said on Wednesday government was in breach of an injunction which stopped it from evicting his client from South Africa, describing the move as cruel.
Kaphale said the injunction he obtained for her client stopping the Malawi Government from evicting her from South Africa, where she was first secretary at the Malawi Embassy, was still valid up to some time in August.
But Kamanga said Nkangama was recalled and “obviously” the authorities in South Africa were informed she was no longer a diplomat and Malawi had nothing to do with Immigration issues in South Africa.
The AG denied he made any assurances to Nkangama’s lawyer.
Family sources in Malawi in touch with Nkangama said their kin was sent to the Embassy during the Bakili Muluzi administration but recalled nearly two years ago by the Bingu wa Mutharika administration.
