Karonga-Chitipa residents petition Malawi govt over relocation of refugees at Katili from Dzaleka
Residents of Karonga and Chitipa have on Friday evening petitioned government over the relocation of Dzaleka refugees camp to Katili area in the district as government is fighting underground move to win the battle.
According to the petition signed by the Karonga-Chitipa heritage group chairperson Afraid Mwambira and its secretary Wantwa Mwahimba, residents of the two districts are against the development.
“The people of Katili deserve equal security as of their fellows in Lilongwe because they are also the citizens of Malawi,” reads part of the document.
“No Malawian should be taken as a second class citizen. The way you are handling this issue is totally discrimination to the people of Katili as well as Karonga-Chitipa as whole,” added the document.
After presenting the petition to the office of the district commissioner, GVH Kyeyama of Katili and Paramount chief Kyungu the influential youth activist Steven Simsokwe told the media that this mark the beginning of the war with government on the matter.
“If this government think that they can cross us then it is a lie. We are ready to lose our lives to protect the citizens of Karonga and Chitipa,” warned Simsokwe.
He added:” The people of Katili also pays taxe as any other citizen of the country, therefore they should not receive development from government because of accepting refugees camp.”
The group has also rubbished government decision of taking some residents to visit Uganda refugees camp as agreed before.
Group Village Headman Kyeyama and the representative for Karonga DC Scotch Kondowe confirmed to have received the petition.
However, Nyasa Times can reveal that government t is using some district business tycoons to buy the mind of the residents with tenders.
Government is planning to relocate the refugees camp to Katili because it is jeopardize security in Lilongwe.
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Don’t take Karonga people for granted! Ife enimalo takana, amakakamizana. Ngati malo ndi aboma, kapena president, why consulting the chiefs and community ngati siofunikira? Tread carefully!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dzaleka has been in operation since I was a toddler and sounds funny that Government can cite security concerns as reason for relocation of refugees to Katili. There is something wrong with our government machinery because in the natural Dzaleka and its precinct has built significant competencies around sustaining refugees and its associated challenges. Therefore it would be much easier to naturalize refugees in Dowa than in Karonga. These refugees have lived in Dowa for more than 20 years and speak chewa fluently making it easier for integration. I personally commend People of Karonga and Chitipa for taking this bold… Read more »
IF REALOCATION TO KA-CHIT HINGES ON MAINTAINING PEACE IN HUB CITY LL MEANS GOVT FAILS TO DISCHARGE IT CORE DUTIES.
Ndagha fiyo wina Chitipa and Karonga. I think, it is our duty to protect the future of our children. Recently from Dzaleka camp they have found one guy, the most criminal on wanted list who changed his name to a Malawian and having a Malawian passport and the government wants such criminals to be at Katili. Katili cannot develop because of refugees, it is an insult to the people to say development will come to Katili because of accommodating criminals. The government must repatriate these people right from Dzaleka. Deploy as many security personnel as you can till the day… Read more »
If we, karonga people, say “NO” and you force on us, do you thing ma refugees wo tizakhala nawo bwino? Think ngati kusukulu mudapitako. Mwamuna ankafunsira nkazi chibwenzi nde nkazi nkukana should the man force her kuti zivute zitani ulola, banja likhalopo? or makolo (chiefs) atalola, muganiza nkaziyo akakhalako kubanjako? Think deeply. Don’t be fooled. A police ogadila ma refugees wo achokera ku Thyolo? Don’t force us.
This is madness. We don’t wNta refugees in our area. We will not accept that. If you by take them back to their country. We are ready to loose our lives should the government implement that. We say no to thses people because they don’t look me peace . they fled their country after inciting violence in their country. Most zsmbiczns come and go. Why are these Burundians not going back to their country. These are very rough people. NOOOO.
This is madness. We don’t want these efugees in our area. We will not accept that. Why no take them back to their country. We are ready to loose our lives should the government implement that. We say no to these people because they don’t love peace . they fled after inciting violence in their country. Mozambiquans come and go. Why are these Burundians not going back to their country. These are very rough people. NOOOO.