Police in Mchinji last night arrested 28 Ethiopians who attempted to exit the country through unchartered routes.

The foreign nationals were detained by community members from Nkhungulu village, in the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Mlonyeni in the district after they were found hiding in a maize field before handing them over to police.

Mchinji Police Officer-In-Charge, Rhoda Manjolo confirmed the development saying the 28 were coming from Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa on their way to South Africa in search of opportunities.

Manjolo said police have information that the people were 31 in total but three, apparently the escorts, have bolted.

In October last year, police in the border district also arrested 62 immigrants from different nationalities and courts sent them to prison to serve a six months jail term each.