Malawi in citizen outreach

Herald Reporter
THE Malawian Embassy in Zimbabwe will conduct a consular outreach programme countrywide for their citizens to regularise their stay in the country.

The programme aims to assist Malawians in Zimbabwe to apply for new passports, emergency travel documents, replace old passports and will see the introduction of a new e-passport.

This follows last year’s visit by Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera and encouraged Malawians to be law-abiding citizens.

Several Malawians have been residents in Zimbabwe for several years, having arrived in the country as migrant workers before independence.

In an interview yesterday, Malawian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mrs Annie Yauka Kumwenda said the embassy would hold a consular outreach programme next week to enable Malawians to acquire identity documents.

Ambassador Kumwenda said most people of Malawian origin are based in mining areas.

“We are hoping to have outreach programmes in areas where Malawians are mainly centred in areas such as Harare, Bulawayo, Matabeleland North, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West.

“I can confirm that the Embassy of the Republic of Malawi will conduct a consular outreach programme for Malawians in Bulawayo and Matabeleland North province from April 26 to 28, 2021.

“In Bulawayo the programme will be conducted at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Malawi pavilion,” Mrs Kumwenda said.

In Matabeleland North and other areas, she said they are yet to identify the place for the programme.

“Our teams are on the ground to identify the venues. I am yet to receive a report of the proposed venue as soon as we identify the place we will notify our people”.

Zimbabwe and Malawi have a rich history dating back to 1963. The two SADC countries share cultural and geographical ties.

Malawi and Zimbabwe are expected to enhance private sector business exchanges and cooperation between small and medium enterprises.

In October last year, Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera visited the country where he announced that Malawians were now free to have dual citizenship.