A court in Zomba has sentenced a 44-year-old Burundian man to six months in prison after he was found living and operating a business outside Dzaleka without authorisation.
The Second Grade Magistrate Court heard that Neza Eric had left Dzaleka and was running a grocery business in Chikanda Township in Zomba.
Second Grade Magistrate Steve Jacob Nambiri said asylum seekers are required to remain at the designated refugee camp unless they receive permission to leave.
Although Eric was a first-time offender, the court imposed a custodial sentence, saying it was intended to discourage similar offences.
The court also ordered that Eric be returned to Dzaleka after completing his six-month sentence.
Eastern Region Immigration Prosecutor Sub Inspector Levison Panje welcomed the ruling, saying it reinforced the legal requirements governing the movement of asylum seekers.
Eric is originally from the Kanyosha area of Burundi.
