By Chancy Namadzunda:
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services with assistance from International Organisation for Migration (I.O.M) has embarked on the repatriation of Ethiopian nationals who were being kept in various prison facilities in Malawi.
According to Central Region Immigration Public Relations Officer, Inspector Pasqually Zulu, the move aims at decongesting the country’s prisons.
“The long awaited repatriation excise which was suppose to be done 2 months ago was delayed due to other logistical challenges which include air tickets purchase, processing of travel documents and other medical tests (Covid-19 inclusive) prior to departure.
“The development is a huge relief to the Government Malawi as it will reduce the numbers of people in our prisons whilst at the same time it will create a step towards enhancement of social economic development of the country,” he said
Zulu said the first cohort comprising a total of 112 Ethiopians will be repatriated on Wednesday and Thursday with a total of 53 people departing Wednesday leaving first and another group of 58 Ethiopians will departing Thursday August 11th through Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe
He said of all of them are all minors and were being held at Kachere Young Offenders prison in Lilongwe
Zulu further said another batch comprising of 169 Ethiopians who are being held at Karonga Transit Shelter is scheduled to be repatriated on Tuesday, August 16th, 2022.
“The excise is still on going as more Ethiopians nationals are still in custody at Maula prison pending to be repatriated back home,” he said adding that over 350 Ethiopians are being kept at various prison facilities in Malawi
Malawi is still being used as a transit route for irregular migrants on thier way to South Africa.
“Aiding and Abbeting of these irregular migrants by unpatriotic Malawians remains a challenge to the Department, as such we are warning the perpetrators of the vice once that caught, they will face the long arm of the law,” said Zulu
