Returning Malawian migrants allege extortion after crossing into Mozambique

Malawian migrants returning from South Africa have alleged they were forced to pay cash to officials after crossing into Mozambique, and that passengers who could not pay were removed from buses. According to IOL, several migrants on the same bus gave matching accounts of the incident.

Allegations of cash demands on bus journeys

Passengers told IOL that following the bus’ entry into Mozambique, officials boarded and questioned travellers about their documentation before demanding money. According to IOL, the migrants said officials asked for at least R200.

First-hand accounts

One migrant identified as Ebrahim told IOL that after the demand for money “Those who didn’t have it were taken off the bus and kept in a room. We are not sure what happened to them,” according to the report.

“We were okay when leaving South Africa, but as soon as our bus entered Mozambique, they came in and started asking why we didn’t have proper papers and other questions. They then asked for money – at least R200. Those who didn’t have it were taken off the bus and kept in a room. We are not sure what happened to them,” said Ebrahim.

IOL reports that several other passengers on the same bus corroborated Ebrahim’s account.

Repatriation programme and protection

According to IOL, Imtiaz Sooliman of humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers said those who experienced extortion were not part of the official repatriation programme. According to IOL, Sooliman said that people who left independently had no government protection.

What migrants reported

• Demand for cash: Migrants said officials requested money after the bus entered Mozambique.
• Minimum amount mentioned: R200, according to the accounts given to IOL.
• Passengers without money: Those reportedly unable to pay were removed from the bus and held in a room.

The above claims and quotes are attributed to IOL.