Malawi farmer finds mass grave with bodies of suspected Ethiopian migrants

By Moses Michael-Phiri

LILONGWE, Malawi (AA) - Police in northern Malawi uncovered a mass grave Wednesday in a forest with 25 bodies suspected to be illegal Ethiopian migrants.

“We suspect the deceased were illegal Ethiopian migrants who were in transit to South Africa,” National Police spokesperson Peter Kalaya told Anadolu Agency.

A young farmer discovered the bodies while collecting wild honey in a forest.

Officials have exhumed the bodies, which were in a state of near decomposition, and have packed them in body bags for reburial.

Kalaya said preliminary assessments show that the bodies appear to be adult males between 25 and 45 years of age.

“We found a picture and a document which we are analyzing to know where they actually came from,” said Kalaya.

Officials suspect smugglers, often fuel tanker drivers, buried the bodies when the victims died in transit.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services spokesman Pasqually Zulu said Malawi is a common transit route for those traveling illegally to look for jobs in South Africa.

Between January and September, 221 illegal migrants were intercepted, said Zulu, with 186 Ethiopians, 17 from the Congo, 17 from Bangladesh and one from Pakistan.

“This year alone, Malawi has deported 191 illegal migrants,” he said.

Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera warned in April that his administration will deal with anyone aiding and abetting illegal migrants.

Chakwera said greed and corruption is fueling the problem, which cost lives.​​​​​​​