Ministry of Foreign Affairs says 248 Malawians are in several prisons in Zimbabwe following their conviction pending deportation for attempting to cross into South Africa illegally.

In an interview yesterday, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson John Kabaghe said they are, however, soliciting information on particulars of the Malawians which can further help in identifying their relations and other details.

He said: “It is true the total number of Malawians is 248. [But] the ministry is gathering further information and holding consultations in order to determine the way forward.”

Kabaghe said the ministry is optimistic that through the consultations that are being held, there will be positive on the matter as regards helping the convicted Malawians.

But he urged Malawians to refrain from using shortcuts in going abroad stressing on the importance of having proper traveling documentation.

Numerous Zimbabwe media outlets on Monday evening reported that two separate magistrate’s courts in the country convicted and subsequently sentenced the 248 Malawians to four and six months in prison, respectively, for their attempted illegal crossing into South Africa as well as their stay in Zimbabwe.

According to Zimbabwe’s The Chronicle and Bulawayo24, the Malawians were arrested by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) at different police checkpoints along the Beitbridge on August 15 2022.

Prior to their apprehension, the Malawians were being kept at one of the medium density suburbs close to the Zimbabwe and Mozambique border.

Reported The Chronicle: “The Malawians were traveling in two buses, a Boundary with the licence plate AFQ 5485 and Sarge with the licence plate JF24GLGP.”

According to both The Chronicle and Bulawayo24, the Malawians had no valid documents allowing them to either enter or stay in Zimbabwe at the time of their separate arrests.

Malawi Police Service National spokesperson Peter Kalaya yesterday promised to revert to The Nation when contacted.

Zimbabwe has for some time been a transit route for undocumented Malawians traveling to South Africa in search of greener pastures. While in the rainbow nation, a majority of Malawians take up jobs such as shop assistants, maids and garden boys, among others.

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