Malawi police shoot bus carrying illegal immigrants: Arrest 61 Ethiopians

Malawi Police in Karonga has confirmed that on Saturday they shot a Toyota Coaster registration KA 3599 carrying illegal immigrants and then arrested 61 Ethiopians on board.

Shot:Toyota Coaster registration KA 3599 carrying illegal immigrants
Shot:Toyota Coaster registration KA 3599 carrying illegal immigrants.-Photo by Tiwonge Kumwenda, Nyasa Times
Ethiopians at Karonga police station
Ethiopians at Karonga police station.-Photo by Twionge Kumwenda, Nyasa Times

Police shot the vehicle’s left rear and front tyres to force the driver to stop. The Toyota Coaster is licensed to carry 24 passengers by overloaded with 61 Ethiopians who were arrested on spot but the driver ran away.

Karonga Police Station spokesperson Enock Livason said Police are yet to identify the driver, but the vehicle is said to belong to Jeremiah Luka of Lunzu in Blantyre.

Livason explained that the minibus was coming from Songwe border heading to Karonga Boma and it was intercepted at North Rukuru Roadblock where the driver tried to beat a security check.

The Ethiopians have been charged with the offence of illegal entry and are expected to appear before court soon.

Authorities in Malawi are stepping up efforts to crack down on criminal syndicates that are aiding influx of illegal immigrants from Burundi, Rwanda, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

While Malawi shares borders with Zambia, Mozambique, police records indicate many illegal immigrants find their way into the country through uncharted routes through the hills of northern Karonga district, which borders Tanzania.

Lawyer George Kadzipatike, who has represented some of those accused of aiding illegal immigrants, says Malawi’s overly lenient anti-immigration are to blame.

“When one has been convicted of aiding and abetting the illegal immigrants, the maximum fine is MK25,000,” he said, adding that people concerned about illegal immigration should lobby parliament for stiffer penalties.

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kate
kate
9 years ago

Osatchula za anthu a kumpoto apa. Mwini wake wa Basiyi ndi wa ku BT. zopusa basi. Ife akumpoto timakhala busy ndi zinthu zoti zitha kuthandiza osati ngati izi.

Robertrose mkandawire
Robertrose mkandawire
9 years ago

Bawezgeleni kwawo banthu aba chonde! Chifukwa chavichi bali kulimbikla kwiza kuno ku malawi?
Send them back to their home,why do they like to find exile in malawi?

Taweni
Taweni
9 years ago

IN UK Airlines pay in excess of UKP22,000 for abating or transporting a passenger into that country.

Citizen

Ndiye
9 years ago

Just Deport Them. Asatilemele.

Boogle
9 years ago

awotchedwe amenewo, tikawapeza kwawo ndianthu akhanza.

gonthoka
9 years ago

akumpoto nafe tili ndi vuto lwabasi nthawi zonse timakonda kuwathandizira anthuwa chifukwa chiyani ” dyera too much. chonchi tinga limbe ndi dziko lathu. sili khala la zifwamba?

Yang banks
9 years ago

Zilikumalawi pa mpanje geto

Missy
9 years ago

Abwelele Atipatsa Ebola

PETER
9 years ago

FIND THE SOLUTION ARREST MEANS NOTHING

Kenneth duwa
9 years ago

Off coz u arrested them bt all hve eguiped lik passport/visa card.as u malawian wat’ll u do wth them if other founded wthout travel document.

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