Mtwara immigration officers arrest 74 undocumented migrants

Mtwara. The Regional Immigration Office, in collaboration with the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF), has apprehended 67 undocumented foreigners, believed to be Ethiopian nationals.

The migrants were caught at Msanga Mkuu in Mtwara District as they were travelling towards neighbouring Mozambique with the goal of crossing into South Africa.

Preliminary investigations showed that the migrants entered Tanzania via Mombasa, Kenya. It is alleged that in Tanzania they were being led by a Tanzanian from Pemba whose name has been withheld.

Briefing reporters, Mtwara regional Immigration officer James Mwanjotile said out of the 67 foreigners arrested only 14 held passports but had not used them to enter the country legally.

According to Mr Mwanjotile, seven more undocumented migrants were arrested in Tandahimba District, bringing the total to 74. All these appeared before the Mtwara District Court on Tuesday, October 24, and charged with entering the country illegally.

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