Five Burundians, One Sudanese Found Guilty of Illegal Stay in Malawi
Published on July 29, 2025 at 12:00 PM by Edgar Naitha
The First Grade Magistrate Court in Mzuzu has convicted six foreign nationals, five Burundians, and one Sudanese for breaching Malawi’s immigration laws on 28 July 2025.
The convicts were arrested on 27th May 2025 at Zikomo Lodge in Mzuzu City when officers from the Regional Immigration Office North were conducting a routine check.
Upon questioning, the irregular immigrants failed to produce any travel documents. Investigations later revealed that they had entered Malawi through uncharted routes, bypassing official border posts.
Of the six, five are Burundians: Bekeyeneza Emile, 24 years old;Ndabazaniye Pierre, 22 years old; Innocent Nisengwe, 18 years old; Dieudomme Munezele, 24 years old; Igiraneza Josquin, 18 years old; and one is a 25-year-old Sudanese, Mogamed Mohamed.
All six convicts were charged with illegal entry and unlawful stay, contrary to Section 21(1) as read with Section 37(d) of the Immigration Act.
During court proceedings, Immigration Prosecutor Assistant Superintendent Morris Mambi lobbied the court to impose a stiffer sentence, citing the growing trend of foreign nationals breaching Malawi Immigration regulations.
In his ruling, the First Grade Magistrate Court ordered each of the six to pay a fine of K100,000, or in default serve six months imprisonment with hard labour.
The court further recommended that all six should be deported after they have either paid their fines or upon completion of their custodial sentences.
The convicts are currently being held at Mzuzu Prison awaiting to either pay their fines or serve their jail terms.
