Malawi government says none of the 130 arrested illegal immigrants late last month suspected to have gang-raped eight women in South Africa is a Malawian national.

According to South African authorities, the suspects are thought to be miners working in disused mines without permit in the city of Krugersdorp, near west of Johannesburg.

But spokesperson in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs John Kabaghe told YFM online that Malawi’s High Commission in Pretoria has not received any communication confirming that Malawians are among  the arrested illegal immigrants.

Said Kabaghe: “We have been informed by our High Commission in Pretoria that so far it appears that no Malawians were involved in this racket that you have asked about, this is good news and we hope it stays this way.”

The development sparked riot protests as thousands of angry residents in the city went on rampage and attacked a group of suspected illegal miners with various weapons after the rape was reported.

Kabaghe however appealed to Malawians in diaspora to always comply with laws of the foreign land.

“Let me take this opportunity to once again encourage Malawians in the diaspora to ensure that they abide by the laws of the countries of their residence.

It is disappointing for government to be receiving bad reports about its nationals abroad,” Kabaghe said.

The spokesperson has since advised Malawians who are contemplating of travelling abroad to always use regular migration paths not irregular ones because if they use irregular paths of migration they could end up becoming victims of trafficking in persons.