The Malawi Consul General and the Provincial Director of Prison Services in Mozambique’s Tete Province have reached an agreement that allows Malawians to visit their incarcerated relatives in the province’s prisons.
This development, which has received approval from the Mozambican Attorney General’s provincial office, is seen as a significant breakthrough. The initiative was initiated by the Malawi Ambassador to Mozambique, Wezi Moyo, who instructed the Consul General, Happy Jonathan Sakah, to engage with the Mozambican authorities regarding the situation of Malawians in prisons in Tete Province.
As a result of this engagement, it has been determined that there are currently 83 Malawians serving sentences in the province’s four prisons, predominantly in Tete, Changala, and Moatize prisons.
This newfound opportunity for Malawians to visit their incarcerated relatives is attributed to the cordial relationship between President Dr Lazarus Chakwera and his Mozambican counterpart, Felipe Nyusi. In addition to this agreement, plans are underway to allow Malawian inmates serving minor sentences or nearing the completion of their jail terms to return home, as well as facilitate the repatriation of illegal immigrants in accordance with international law. This development marks a significant step forward in promoting the well-being and rights of Malawians in Mozambique’s prison system.
During Sakah’s interactions with Mozambican authorities, he mentioned encountering a Malawian prisoner named Gift Chivundula, a 47-year-old truck driver from Kasungu, who is currently serving a 10-year sentence for human trafficking. The news of an impending visit from his relatives brought immense joy to Chivundula.
This development is expected to bring solace to many other Malawians incarcerated for similar offences, as stated by Sakah. When questioned about the possibility of Mozambicans visiting their imprisoned relatives in Malawi, Mozambican Consul General Andre Matusse confirmed that there should be no hindrance as long as the visitors possess the required travel documents.
Matusse further mentioned that he had recently visited Mozambican prisoners in various Malawian correctional facilities, although he was unable to provide specific figures due to his absence from the office. It is worth noting that the current count of Malawian prisoners in Tete Province stands at 83.
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