Inkosi ya Makhosi M'mbelwa V describes discovery of mass graves in Mzimba as "horrible"

Malawi: Inkosi Ya Makhosi M'mbelwa V of Mzimba district says the government should consider allowing foreigners to pass through the country to avoid what happened in the district a few days ago when over twenty bodies of people suspected of being foreigners were discovered in mass graves in Mtangatanga Forest Reserve along the Raiply-Mzimba Bypass Road.

Inkosi M'mbelwa described the incident as "horrible."

In an interview with AfricaBrief, he stated that agencies that work with the government should consider foreigners crossing borders as long as they have proper documentation.

Meanwhile, Inspector Pasqually Zulu, National Spokesperson for the Immigration Department, says it is a sad development for the lives lost, despite the possibility that the deceased were foreign nationals, but every life lost is important.

"Can't say much more because it's a case under investigation," he said.

"Once we have gathered intelligence on the status quo, we will be able to analyse whether there is any security gap or not."

According to Malawi Police Services spokesperson Sub Superintendent Peter Kalaya, the evidence gathered at the scene indicates that the victims are Ethiopian nationals.

All of the victims are males between the ages of 25 and 40.

The Malawi Police Service is currently awaiting the pathologist's postmortem report, which will reveal the exact cause of the deaths, according to Sub Superintendent Kalaya.

Meanwhile, the Malawi Police is urging the public to report any suspected illegal migrants to authorities as soon as possible.