Immigration chief condemns officers’ beating

Chief immigration officer Hudson Mankhwala has condemned the behaviour by some “unpatriotic” Malawians who harass and physically manhandle immigration officers while they are in the course of duty.

Mankhwala said this in an interview following the beating of four immigration officers by residents near Chitimba Roadblock in Rumphi who were protesting the arrest of 42 Ethiopian nationals last Wednesday.

He said it is very dangerous for people to interfere with immigration duties at this time when the country is taking various precaution measures to protect its citizenry from the deadly Ebola virus that is terrorising West African countries such as Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

“Most of the illegal immigrants are coming in the country using unchartered routes with the help of some unpatriotic citizens who are even harbouring them once they are in the country.

“This poses as a big risk on people of Malawi to the Ebola virus as the immigrants are escaping screening for the virus which takes place at various border posts in the country,” said Mankhwala.

He, therefore, asked Malawians to provide information concerning illegal immigrants and people who are aiding the immigrants to evade immigration posts.

“Malawians involved in the aiding of the immigrants to enter the country will be charged accordingly if they are caught,” warned Mankhwala.