Cables have uncovered a parallel immigration network producing fake visas, work permits and residence permits for foreign nationals entering or staying in Malawi, in collaboration with some immigration officers and foreign nationals of Asian origin.
The network is well connected from the airport to immigration offices and among individuals involved in enforcing immigration rules and combating illegal entry.
At the centre of the network is Shafik Bemati aka Sadiq, an Indian national who works at a popular restaurant, Crazy foods at Chichiri shopping mall in Blantyre and is well known within sections of the Asian community as an immigration intermediary.
Apart from fake visas , work and residency permits , he makes fake academic and professional papers for all Asians who want to apply for work permit at immigration.
Shafik Bemati was banned 4 months ago from immigration premises but every day around 3 -4 pm he still visits immigration especially citizenship and permit sections where he is entertained by greedy officers who are part of this parallel network .
When some foreign nationals want to enter Malawi or extend their stay without going through the normal immigration procedures, they turn to Shafik Bemati aka Sadiq.
According to information gathered by Cables, Shafik Bemati aka Sadiq works with other immigration officials to facilitate fake visas.
On the day a person is expected to enter Malawi, a team of immigration officials in this network knows in advance who is arriving and ensures that the officers handling immigration at the airport are members of the network, thereby preventing the documents from being flagged by officers outside the network.
The foreign nationals are then provided with accommodation for a certain period before being informed that they need to renew or regularise their stay.
This is where Sadiq becomes handy, charging MK2 million for each permit.
Some of these foreign nationals are then offered employment in Indian and other Asian-owned businesses while relying on the questionable or fraudulent immigration documents.
When an operation is scheduled to remove or identify people without valid work or residence permits, some immigration officials alert Sadiq in advance.
Sadiq provides information about places that should not be visited and individuals connected to the network who should be avoided during the operation.
According to our investigations , this comes at a cost, with another MK2 million being demanded per person, with some of the money ending up in the hands of corrupt officials.
Cables have also established that, over the past few months, the number of foreign nationals arriving in Malawi from countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh , Kuwait and India has increased significantly.
There have also been an increase about various serious crimes involving foreign Asian nationals including murder , human trafficking , money laundering and kidnappings.
Meanwhile, some foreign nationals whose immigration status is genuine have experienced difficulties when renewing their permits.
Their documents sometimes go missing or applicants are told that their permits are not yet ready.
However, when some applicants turn to Sadiq, their documents are reportedly located within few hours .
Cables have spoken to more than 10 foreign nationals who claim to have been affected by or have knowledge of the activities surrounding Sadiq and the network.
Officials are reportedly aware of the concerns, but sources confirm that little action has been taken because some individuals within the system may be benefiting from the arrangement.
Looking for a fake visa, work permit or residence permit and have MK2 million?
Sadiq is the man to turn to.
That is how far the network has gone and how seriously Malawi’s immigration system needs to be scrutinised.
Cables is continuing to investigate and is seeking responses from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship and the individuals implicated in the investigations .
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