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140 Illegal Immigrants Arrested in Mzimba

Arrested illegal immigrants Arrested illegal immigrants

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services in conjunction with police in the north have arrested 140 illegal immigrants and two Malawian nationals in connection to immigration-related offenses.

Department's Spokesperson for the north, Francis Chitambuli says the arrests were made at Kafukule in Mzimba where the locals, a driver identified as Lovemore Banda, and his assistant Edward Chitsime wanted to beat the security system when trafficking the aliens from Karonga to Lilongwe.

``We have realized that cases of illegal entry are increasing in the country and this has therefore pushed us to intensify patrols in border areas,” said Chitambula.

The latest incident shows that the country's border remains porous and this should signal security agents to up their game.

Of the 140, 133 are Ethiopian nationals, 6 are from Bangladesh and one is from Pakistan. They were all being transported from Karonga to Lilongwe by Lovemore Banda and Edward Chitsime in a 10 toner van owned by Derreck Mthawira.

All the illegal immigrants are currently on remand at the Mzuzu prison and have been charged with the offense of illegal entry while the two Malawians are facing charges of aiding and abetting illegal immigrants.

The incident comes barely days after some two Malawians were also arrested in Karonga on similar offenses.

On, 21 April, this year two supporters of UTM were arrested in the border district on allegations that they were transporting three illegal immigrants to Mzuzu on a party vehicle.

Northern Region Police spokesperson, Maurice Chapola said the UTM officials, Patience Kondowe and Jane Mbale were expected to answer charges of aiding and abetting illegal immigrants.

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