Barely three months after Malawi Defence Force (MDF) soldiers raided Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa, another operation was conducted on Saturday at around 3am, during which over 200 people were arrested.
MDF Commander Paul Valentino Phiri confirmed the operation in a telephone interview, stating that the raid aimed to dismantle people-smuggling networks allegedly operating within the camp.
“We are doing everything possible to crack down on human trafficking and smuggling in the country. We are doing this for state security; we are keeping the detainees at Maula Prison,” Phiri said.
Secretary for Homeland Security Steve Kayuni said his office had been informed of the operation.
The Daily Times understands that five suspected leaders of the gang groups operating within the camp were arrested.
An eyewitness, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, told us that the soldiers stormed in to disrupt what is perceived as a highly profitable business that illegally transports young, undocumented men from rural Ethiopia who are promised jobs in South Africa.
“It was around 3am when the soldiers raided the camp, focusing on human trafficking incidents. The exercise lasted for over two hours.
“The raid caused widespread panic among camp residents as gunfire echoed throughout the area. Many feared for their safety during the operation,” the source said.
The eyewitness added that the officers appeared to know precisely what they were doing, as they targeted shelters belonging to what he described as well-known smuggling gangs.
The soldiers concentrated on the homes of Ethiopian refugees, most of whom are involved in the operation, the source reported.
He further said some big smuggling syndicates that evaded capture during the previous raid have now been apprehended.
On the other hand, the source claimed that the arrests are of little consequence, as some of the ring leaders from previous raids returned to the camp and have also been rearrested.
The Daily Times further understands that 13 or 14 syndicates are operating in Dzaleka, Malawi’s sole refugee camp, which houses over 50,000 people.
In July, approximately six of the suspected syndicate leaders were arrested.
Innocent Mugambi, Chief Executive Officer of Inua Advocacy, a non-governmental organisation focused on promoting the rights and welfare of refugees and asylum seekers, also confirmed the operation.
“Our preliminary findings indicate that over 200 individuals were taken into custody, including three suspected leaders of human trafficking rings, their trafficked victims, as well as several refugees and asylum seekers,” Mugambi said.
He added that among those detained was an Eritrean female asylum seeker who, due to the trauma and confusion caused by the raid, was unable to present her documentation to the authorities.
Mugambi further said the raid had severely impacted two families from the Kawale area of the camp, while two individuals shot during the operation were receiving medical treatment.
“We commend the MDF for its continued efforts to combat human trafficking, which poses a severe threat to vulnerable refugee populations. Protecting lives and maintaining security within Dzaleka Refugee Camp and across Malawi is paramount,” he said.
He noted that this latest raid demonstrated improvements over the July operation, with the MDF specifically targeting suspected traffickers’ homes and successfully arresting several key leaders.
Conversely, Mugambi expressed deep concern about what he termed the increasing militarisation of the camp.
Last month, the Department of Refugees acknowledged the presence of several firearms and trafficked individuals at the camp, which it said posed a threat to national security.
However, the department indicated that it lacked the necessary manpower to fully assess and address the situation.
“We do not know how dangerous this could be in the long run. The department lacks manpower; we have only one security officer and four guards managing the camp,” Commissioner for Refugees General Ignatius Maulana, a retired MDF commander, said.
Chairperson of the Defence and Security Committee of Parliament, Salim Bagus, described the situation as urgent and in need of immediate attention.
Bagus assured that his committee would address the security concerns with the relevant agencies.
“Security issues are complex and challenging to discuss through the media. However, we are confident that discussions will lead to solutions,” he said.
According to Malawi’s laws, including the Encampment Policy, only people verified as genuine refugees or asylum seekers are allowed to reside in refugee camps.
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