Ethiopians Convicted for Illegal Entry into Malawi

A Senior Resident Magistrate Court in Mzuzu has convicted 23 Ethiopians for illegally entering Malawi on November 21, 2024, violating Section 21(1) of the Immigration Act.

According to the Northern Region Immigration Public Relations Officer, Constable Francis Chitambuli the Ethiopians were arrested on November 16, 2024, in the Kaswiti area of Choma, Mzuzu.

“The court sentenced 16 of the Ethiopians to four months’ imprisonment, effective November 16, 2024. Seven minors were charged separately for the same offense and received a one-month imprisonment sentence, followed by deportation to Ethiopia,” said Chitambuli further added that the court ensured that all due processes were followed, considering Malawi’s laws and international conventions, before issuing the custodial sentence.

“The 23 Ethiopians are currently being held at Mzuzu Prison,” he added.

This conviction is not an isolated incident, as Malawi has seen a rise in illegal immigration cases.

In a similar case, 52 Ethiopians were arrested and sentenced to four months’ imprisonment for illegal entry.