BabuK
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- Jul 30, 2008
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Minister accuses them of `helping` illegal immigrants
Home Affairs Minister, Shamsi Vuai Nahodha yesterday served one-month notice to eight immigration officers helping illegal immigrants involved in terrorism, drug trafficking, piracy and related crimes secure work permits.
The minister served the officers, who he declined to name, notice to stop the acts, or face arm of the law.
"Punitive legal measures would be taken against them," the minister told a news conference in Dar es Salaam yesterday.
According to the minister, the immigration officers were colluding with illegal immigrants in processing work permits and commtting other criminal activities.
"This encourages the illegal immigrants to engage in crimes such as terrorism, drug abuse, piracy etc," noted Nahodha.
Unfolding waves of criminal acts and attacks in the East African region, pioneered by terrorist groups such as Al-Shabaab and Al-Qaeda in Kenya, signifies existence of terrorism in the East African region, he said.
"I have received a list of eight names of police officers from the Immigration Unit who are involved in the issuance of permits to illegal immigrants…their names are in my briefcase, but I am giving them one-month to reform, before I take further measures against them," he warned.
He described the issue of illegal immigrants as serious calling on all units in the Home Affairs ministry - the Police Force Unit, Immigration unit and Prison to join hands in fighting it.
"Every unit must play its part in arresting the problem of illegal immigrants…immigration department cannot do it single-handedly," he stressed.
Nahodha warned that illegal immigrants could threaten Tanzanians in many ways such as taking away their jobs, and stealing their properties.
He said the government through its state organs has taken measures to educate people on how to identify the terrorists and pirates and cooperate with international institutions fighting piracy and terrorism.
He added that there were reports that Tanzanian youths were being enticed to join terrorist groups, adding that 10 Tanzanians who allegedly were connected with the Al-Shabaab group were arrested at the border of Somalia.
"Hotels and guest houses owners and workers have been cautioned to maintain full details of their customers as part of security measures," he insisted.
Responding to questions from journalists concerning the use of firearms in Mbeya, Arusha, Tabora and Mwanza, he said use of too much force was not allowed unless it became necessary.
He said the ministry was in the process of introducing alternatives to firearms in controlling chaos, but stressed that wananchi should respect laws to avoid such eventualities.
He ordered police officers to apply professionalism when dealing with people giving out statements that might be construed as breach of peace and security.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
Home Affairs Minister, Shamsi Vuai Nahodha yesterday served one-month notice to eight immigration officers helping illegal immigrants involved in terrorism, drug trafficking, piracy and related crimes secure work permits.
The minister served the officers, who he declined to name, notice to stop the acts, or face arm of the law.
"Punitive legal measures would be taken against them," the minister told a news conference in Dar es Salaam yesterday.
According to the minister, the immigration officers were colluding with illegal immigrants in processing work permits and commtting other criminal activities.
"This encourages the illegal immigrants to engage in crimes such as terrorism, drug abuse, piracy etc," noted Nahodha.
Unfolding waves of criminal acts and attacks in the East African region, pioneered by terrorist groups such as Al-Shabaab and Al-Qaeda in Kenya, signifies existence of terrorism in the East African region, he said.
"I have received a list of eight names of police officers from the Immigration Unit who are involved in the issuance of permits to illegal immigrants…their names are in my briefcase, but I am giving them one-month to reform, before I take further measures against them," he warned.
He described the issue of illegal immigrants as serious calling on all units in the Home Affairs ministry - the Police Force Unit, Immigration unit and Prison to join hands in fighting it.
"Every unit must play its part in arresting the problem of illegal immigrants…immigration department cannot do it single-handedly," he stressed.
Nahodha warned that illegal immigrants could threaten Tanzanians in many ways such as taking away their jobs, and stealing their properties.
He said the government through its state organs has taken measures to educate people on how to identify the terrorists and pirates and cooperate with international institutions fighting piracy and terrorism.
He added that there were reports that Tanzanian youths were being enticed to join terrorist groups, adding that 10 Tanzanians who allegedly were connected with the Al-Shabaab group were arrested at the border of Somalia.
"Hotels and guest houses owners and workers have been cautioned to maintain full details of their customers as part of security measures," he insisted.
Responding to questions from journalists concerning the use of firearms in Mbeya, Arusha, Tabora and Mwanza, he said use of too much force was not allowed unless it became necessary.
He said the ministry was in the process of introducing alternatives to firearms in controlling chaos, but stressed that wananchi should respect laws to avoid such eventualities.
He ordered police officers to apply professionalism when dealing with people giving out statements that might be construed as breach of peace and security.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
