Refugees' containers in legal limbo
It has been revealed that many of the owners of these confiscated containers lack valid documentation for their businesses and their stay in the country.
Lilongwe, Malawi— During the second day of the force-opening operation at M'gona in Lilongwe, where the police and immigration officers have been inspecting containers claimed by refugees and asylum seekers, a concerning issue has emerged, writes Esther Banda.
It has been revealed that many of the owners of these confiscated containers lack valid documentation for their businesses and their stay in the country.
Superintendent Alexander Maseko, the Acting Regional Immigration Officer for the Central Region, highlighted the primary objective of the operation, which is to ascertain the immigration statuses of the container owners.
To achieve this, immigration authorities employ a checklist to verify the passports they are using, permits allowing them to conduct business in the country, and their refugee status.
Maseko expressed his surprise at the findings, citing an example of a female container owner from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
This individual failed to produce a camp exit document from the Dzaleka Refugee Camp Manager, which is a legal requirement in the country.
Additionally, she lacked a business residence permit that would authorize her to operate a business within Malawi.
"In our findings, we established that she does not possess a passport or a national ID from her home country to confirm her identity as a citizen of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)," Maseko explained.
Peter Kalaya, the National Public Relations Officer for the Malawi Police Services, affirmed that law enforcement agencies are committed to addressing these legal issues comprehensively.
He emphasized that each issue would be handled by the respective authorities, ensuring that due process is followed.
"We are dedicated to fulfilling our responsibilities as law enforcement agencies. Matters within the purview of the police will be addressed by the police, those under the immigration department will be handled by immigration, and the same principle applies to the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA)," Kalaya stated.
As the investigation continues, the situation highlights the importance of proper documentation for businesses and individuals in Malawi, with authorities determined to ensure that all legal requirements are met.