Festive mood heats up in Malawi borders: Immigration on alert for illegal immigrant

Scores of Malawians living abroad and other foreign nationals have started crossing borders in large numbers into Malawi for this year’ Christmas and New Year’s festivities.

For example, Immigration officials at Mwanza Border in southern Malawi say on Monday alone they cleared seven buses; two Intercape Buses , Nyamende, Cozza ,Marsmerry and also Two Monolurama buses full of passengers on board.

“In an effort to make our country safe and secure during this festive season we have engaged extra gear so that no illegal immigrant enters Malawi” says Pasqually Zulu, Immigration spokesperson at Mwanza Border.

Zulu says fellow security agencies which include police and members of National Intelligence Bureau are also involved in the operation.

“Residents around the border have also being advised on the need to avoid aiding and abetting illegal immigrants since they pose threat to our national security and social economic development,” he says.

Zulu says the immigration department is ready to apprehend deport all illegal immigrants “whilst at the same time sensitizing the community on the need to be responsible by reporting to authorities people suspected to be illegal immigrants.”

According to Zulu the department has put across stern warning to those who want quick money by aiding and abating illegal immigrants that “the long arm of the law won’t spare them.”