‘Congolese’ on way to Malawi held in Dodoma

THE Regional Immigration Office here is holding 36 people, including 23 children suspected to be illegal immigrants from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The suspects, who hail from Uvira in DRC and Bujumbura, capital of Burundi, say they were on their way to Malawi to seek better life.

Dodoma Regional Immigration Officer Mary Mwankanye said the 36 suspects, who had no Malawi visas in their temporary travel documents, would be returned to Kigoma today where the Regional Immigration Officer will determine their fate.

The suspects, who were rounded up at 8.00 PM on Sunday, entered Tanzania through Kagunga border post in Kigoma region where immigration officers granted them permission to stay in Kigoma Region for periods ranging from 30 days to three months.

After reaching Kigoma the immigrants boarded a train clandestinely and disembarked in Dodoma. Dodoma Deputy Regional Police Commander Jaabir Mkomwa said yesterday that someone tipped the police about the presence of suspected foreigners in Dodoma.

The informer, Mr Mkomwa said, reported sighting curious people who spoke crude Kiswahili at Urafiki Bus stand on Iringa Road. Police investigation culminated in the arrest of the foreigners.

The group also comprised eight men and five women. Some of the suspects were entire families. Mr Mkomwa named the suspects as Malipo Mayasa (13), Benjamin Msasaa (13), Rambo Issa (14), Mussa Rusare (14) and Amon Msafiri (24).

Others were Kiza Basaza (22), Huruma Kabika (24), Mfano Mpendwa (25), Mashikura John (31), Amani Kazimoya (21), Mashengo Rabani (13), Kyiubwa Mashengo (23), Bismark Ndagu (22), Ms Emme Mashikura (13) and Mulambo Mashikura (11).

The rest were Soranje Mashikura (12), Ms Mariam Rusare (18), Ms Mafie Bahati (15), Ms Riziki Mweze (23), Erick Shadrack (5), Ms Misherine Shadrack (3), Ms Gloria Shadrack (1), Ms Safi Ruharura (21), Ms Buloze Mosla (2) and Ms Sifa Maombi (4).

Kadoo Mashongo (13), Ms Karim Mashongo (9), Kaluu Mashongo (4), Ms Mwamini Lukogo (20), David Ndagu (1), Prince Bisimwa (5), Ms Asia Manda (25), Ms Maisara Hussein (4), Karim Juma (5), Rama Hamisi (7) and Ms Martha Mlasi (8).

The suspects, who said they were traveling to Malawi through Mbeya, gave conflicting versions of the intention of their journey. While they told the police that they intended to visit relatives in Malawi, they told Immigration officers that they were refugees.