At least 590 illegal immigrants were arrested in different occasions in Tanga Region from January to December last year.
Tanga Regional Commissioner (RC), Ms Chiku Gallawa
Tanga Regional Commissioner Ms. Chiku Gallawa told ‘Daily News’ that the culprits were charged with various offences including entering the country illegally, working without permits and forging travel and work permit documents.
She said that the suspects hailed from different countries including Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda, DRC, Kenya, India, China, Egypt, South Africa, Zambia and Italy.
Others were from Swirzerland, Norway, Pakstan, Denmark, Bangladesh, Peru, Portugal, Germany, Turkey and Srilanka.
She, however, said that Ethiopia and Somali nationals outnumbered immigrants from other countries. Speaking about the legal measures that had been taken Ms Gallawa said that some of them were taken to court and others were forced to go back to their countries of origin.
Giving more clarification Ms. Galawa said those who were dragged to court were either penalized or sentenced depending on the nature of the counts and so far, four cases are still in hearing process in court.
The regional boss had called upon Tanga residents to be involved fully in security matters by giving quick information when they found illegal immigrants in their localities because the question of safety and security was a responsibility of every citizen.
Tanzania is a green pasture even for criminals who shunt in firearms and embark on committing mayhem. They kill, maim or just grab at gun point property belonging to indigenous locals. Hundreds of various makes of firearms have so far been seized from aliens.
The most astounding aliens, however, are long range movers who stream into Tanzania riding in cargo trucks. The latest arrival of such crop of immigrants arrived in Morogoro, from Ethiopia, recently riding in a truck that was also loaded with gunny bags full of lime.
Immigration officers appear to have failed to control illegal immigrants, some of whom come to pursue economic prosperity.
Some immigrants are smugglers of counterfeit goods and opportunists who are keen on improving livelihoods. Most of these aliens normally avoid going through the rigmarole of immigration procedures to avoid either arrests or travel costs and mandatory fees.
In some cases the aliens collude with locals including corrupt immigration officials and police.
Source Tanzania Daily News
