Authorities have dismissed accusations that there is laxity towards how illegal immigrants are handled in the country. 

This concern follows influx of illegal immigrants who are mostly using Malawi as a conduit to other countries.

But speaking to YFM Online, Director of Research and Planning Unit at Malawi Police Service (MPS) Happy Mkandawire said much as the trend is continuing, the law enforcement agency is on top of its job in managing the situation.

He said: “Police in conjunction with members of the public we are doing quite a lot, we have adopted this concept of community policing where we get members of the public engaged into the activity of policing.

“So we are in control of this situation, yes there are reports of illegal immigrants but quite often we are able to intercept and arrest the culprits, so we are managing and in control of the situation.”

Concurring with Mkandawire, Senior Legal Advisor in the office of Commissioner for Refugees and the Refugee Status Determination Supervisor Ivy Chihana said in dealing with the trend, people need to differentiate between foreigners and refugees.

“Let’s try to differentiate a foreigner and a refugee, for foreigner maybe they get visas through the Department of Immigration as long as they have fulfilled what they required.

“When they come here, they are processed, and maybe just because there is peace in Malawi that’s why they also come to Malawi and that one particular aspect of being taken to a third country of asylum, maybe that’s one of the issues,” Chihana said.