Tanzania conduit for illegal immigrants to South Africa

BY THE GUARDIAN REPORTER

Between January and November of 2012, the Immigration Department in Tanga has reportedly arrested 227 illegal immigrants from various countries.

An immigration Officer in Tanga, Sixtus Nyaki, named some of the arrestees country’s of origin, and the spectrum is huge, ranging from Europe to Asia and Africa to India. On the list is, Pakistani, Bangladesh, Denmark, Zambia, China, Uganda, DRC, Guinea, Switzerland, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Mozambique and Italy.

A larger number of these immigrants are en route to other countries but use Tanzania as a transient stop-over.

“Illegal immigrants from Ethiopia are many…” he explained“…they enter the country illegally with the aim of using Tanzania as a cross over to South Africa…” said the Immigration Officer who also explained that not all of the illegal immigrants were arrested but rather, some were sent home with but a warning.

Nyaki also revealed future plans laid out by the authority saying that his department has established a system whereby they place an immigration officer in each ward across the districts, Tanga, Handeni and Pangani.

He called upon the public to collaborate with the immigration department and offer information on illegal immigrants.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN (01/01/2013): http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/index.php?l=49642