British national arrested in Malawi for employing illegal immigrants

The Malawi Immigration Department has arrested a British national for employing illegal immigrants as expatriates in his garments' company.

Raman Maharara from Leicester runs the Crossbow Garments in Malawi's commercial capital, Blantyre.

"We have arrested Mr. Haharara for employing expatriates without applying for temporary employment permits for them," said Immigration Department spokesperson Pudensiana Makalamba.

According to Mrs. Makalamba, Maharara - a British of Asian descent - employed expatriates from Sri Lanka, Bangaladesh and the Phillipines.

He was quickly taken to court where he was charged with the offence of aiding and abetting illegal immigration.

He was fined 30, 000 Malawi Kwacha (about £100) or a year in jail in default.

He paid the fine.

Makalamba said the four illegally employed 'expatriates' would be deported to their various countries this weekend while Mr. Maharara's business permit will be reviewed.

The 'expatriates' were rounded up during a special operation by police, the Immigration Department and the Consumer Association of Malawi.

Meanwhile, the four 'expatriates' have threatened to sue Maharara for lying to them he would process their work permits and for making them work without pay for nine months, according to a senior member of the Asian community who did not want to be named.

Most Asians in Malawi hold British passports because the regime of the late dictator Hastings Kamuzu Banda did not encourage Asian and white settlers to obtain Malawian citizenship.

The British Asians control most of Malawi's retail trade.