Malawian migrant worker dies in Israel

Death has been confirmed of a Malawian migrant worker identified as Moses Mtafya in Israel on Tuesday morning after an elevator in a building he was working in pinned him.

The holder of a diploma in irrigation technology from under Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources was part of the internship programme 2021 cohort, but decided to stay in Israel for piece works after his internship ended.

Mtafya’s death comes at a time when there is debate over the recent youth labour export deal to Israel amid that country being at war with Hamas.

The late Mtafya’s uncle, Manasse Mulungu in an interview yesterday said the incident happened around 3am on Tuesday, as their relative was at work.

He said the family was disturbed by circumstances that led to their relations death.

Said Mulungu: “I can confirm Moses’ death. I have been in touch with people in Israel, and all we are told is that he was pinned by an elevator around 3.am on Tuesday.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson John Kabaghe said they were investigating the reports of Mtafya death as the government did not have enough details.

Mtafya, whose initial stay in Israel was under the Kinneret internship programme, was born on February 26 1997.  He comes from Ndongole Village in Traditional Authority Mwenemisuku in Chitipa District.