Mozambican authorities have detained a total of 47 Malawians trying to enter South Africa from Mozambique's borders, a spokesman for the Mozambique Migration Service in Maputo province said today..

The group reportedly entered Mozambique from the border post of Zobué, in the district of Moatize, Tete province, more than 1,500 kilometers from Maputo, where they were intercepted by authorities, said Juca Bata, quoted today by Radio Mozambique and Lusa.

"They all entered the country using emergency certificates, which is legal in Mozambique. However, they are detained at the moment because their destination country which is South Africa does not accept the entry of foreign citizens with emergency certificates," explained the spokesperson for the Mozambique Migration Service in Maputo province.

The group is being held at the 5th Machava police station, in Maputo province, and due contacts are being made with the Malawian authorities for them to be deported.

Mozambique is a transit point for thousands of migrants who annually cross borders, some to try to reach South Africa, one of the largest economies on the African continent.