By Patience Longwe

Lilongwe April 26, Mana: Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) Director of Civil and Political Rights, Peter Chisi has assured small scale business operators that it would ensure that there was fair business competition between Malawians and other foreigners.

He said this would ensure equal rights in terms of business operations.

Chisi made the remarks Thursday at MHRC offices in Lilongwe during the meeting with Small-Scale Business Operators Association and Concerned Citizens on allegations that some refugees have returned from Dzaleka and are operating their businesses in some areas of the country which was hindering Malawians business as they are selling their goods at lower prices as compared to Malawians.

" Following the meeting we had, we have agreed that the concerned citizens should wait for the meeting between various stakeholders including the Minister of Homeland Security so that he can give government position regarding the concerns they have raised against refugees who have returned to urban areas," he said.

District Commissioner (DC) for Lilongwe, Lawford Palani expressed his gratitude to the MHRC for organizing the meeting saying this has helped the Council to know its roles and responsibilities in dealing with issues concerning foreigners in the country.

"I can confirm that I got notification from concerned citizen and small business operative within Lilongwe and they give me notifications that they are coming to demonstrate and they give me fourteen days to make sure that all the refugees are shifted to Dzaleka," he said.

Chairperson for the Concerned Citizen, Chidziwitso Simbi said as citizens they are very concerned because as a country, it was not developing in terms of business because their business are being carried away by refugees.