Malawi deports over 200 foreigners
Malawi’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services has arrested more than 1,000 foreign nationals, deported 223 others and rejected 1,752 visa applications as authorities intensify efforts to combat immigration-related offences.
The crackdown has also uncovered suspected attempts by foreign nationals to fraudulently acquire Malawian passports, with 45 people arrested in connection with the alleged offences.
In a related development, two foreign nationals have been convicted in Blantyre for attempting to obtain Malawian passports fraudulently.
The two, identified as Yasin Chenda Moses, a Zambian national, and Bornlose Onasimbo Ntinkha, a Tanzanian national, are awaiting deportation to their respective countries.
Immigration authorities have also launched investigations into a passport application submitted in the name of Alice Banda in Lilongwe, amid questions surrounding information provided during the national identity registration process.
According to Immigration spokesperson Pasqually Zulu, the application underwent document verification on November 5, 2026, but was rejected during an interview the following day. It was subsequently rejected again during the audit process.
Zulu said the applicant was never issued a Malawian passport because the application did not successfully complete the required processing procedures.
The department is continuing investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the application and determine whether anyone attempted to influence its processing.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to protecting the integrity of Malawi’s travel documents and enforcing immigration laws, warning that passport fraud and the abuse of immigration procedures will not be tolerated.
