Immigrants’ influx angers legislators
By Audrey Kapalamula:
The influx of illegal immigrants in Malawi has angered many members of Parliament (MPs) who have demanded that the government should act swiftly on the matter.
Rumphi East MP, Kamlepo Kalua, told the august House that the immigrants pose a threat to the country’s security as well as economic development.
Among other things, he said Malawi has many Indians, Chinese and Nigerians with some of them at the centre of a drug curtail.
“Some of these [people] are using our young girls and young men in businesses. We have seen some of them being electrocuted in other countries. I want a serious commitment from the government on this matter because it compromises the country’s security. Malawi is becoming more like a country of criminals from other countries. They come here not because they want to invest but to do their dirty businesses,” he said.
Thyolo Thava MP, Mary Navitcha, said most immigrants deny Malawians opportunities as they engage in retail business.
Machinga East legislator, Esther Jolobala, also complained of high levels of labour exploitation by immigrants who have established their businesses in the country.
Minister of Homeland Security, Nicholas Dausi, conceded that the country faces the challenge of illegal immigrants.
“Indeed, of late there has been an influx of Chinese and Indian nationals most of who came here legally. It has, however, come to our knowledge that some of them overstay and engage in businesses that should have been ordinarily taken up by Malawians. Some of these are also ex-combatants and pose a threat to the country’s security,” he said.
Dausi, however, said the government has put in place measures such as enhancing security personnel capacity and improving border post operations.
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