Central region police spokesman John Namalenga confirmed the development after security forces were consciously seen closing down shops on the Devil Street in the capitals old town and arresting several people
We have arrested about 400 people. It was an operation to flush out illegal immigrants and criminals, said the police spokesman.
He said the law enforcers arrested foreigners who were found working illegally as small-scale traders and also female sex workers for rogue and vagabond.
Foreign nationals from Nigeria, China, Tanzania, Pakistan, India, Burundi and Ethiopia have been accused by Malawians citizens of trading illegally in the countrys main cities of Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu.
Namalenga said the security forces closed down shops for most foreignors who were found operating unlawfully.
Police said most the traders were found to be contravening business licensing procedures for investing in a business by foreigners. A minimum of 50,000 dollars is required before the issuance of a trade permit to a foreigner.
According to the immigration department, being found doing business without a legal permit is met with one of two legal responses: the foreigners could have their permits cancelled or they could be deported.
Among those arrested were also traders found with fake US Dollars.
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