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- Oct 6, 2011
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The chairman of CHADEMA in Mbogwe District has been deported to Rwanda.
Mr Omari Athanas was an illegal immigrant and was deported along with three other people, according to acting District Commissioner Amani Mwenegoha.
The opposition politician was earlier accused of inciting CHADEMA supporters to violence during local government elections in the district's Lugunga ‘A' area.
Mr Mwegoha said Mr Athanas was arrested with five other people after violence broke out during the December 14 elections.
"After his arrest, a background check was done and it was established that he had lived in this area for over a decade as an illegal immigrant. He was then deported to Rwanda," he said.
He added that a voter register was stolen during the violence blamed on CHADEMA supporters, prompting the postponement of the elections in the affected area.
"The chaos appeared to have been planned in advance and was well coordinated. We later learnt of the involvement of foreigners who had lived in this area for many years," Mr Mwenegoha said, adding that Mr Athanas' three associates were also Rwandan.
He said Mr Athanas was arrested during a recent crackdown on illegal immigrants and admitted being a Rwandan national and pleaded guilty before the Bukombe District Court of living in the country illegally.
"He was fined and ordered to obtain the necessary papers allowing him to live and work in Tanzania. He didn't do so and instead vied for the post of CHADEMA district chairman."
Others deported to Rwanda were Mr Issa Athuman, Mr Machibya Sumbuka and Mr Salum Ntinginya. Mr Machibya was a candidate in the local government elections.
Mr Mwenegoha warned the four against returning to Tanzania, saying they risked spending the rest of their lives behind bars.
Source:The Citizen
Mr Omari Athanas was an illegal immigrant and was deported along with three other people, according to acting District Commissioner Amani Mwenegoha.
The opposition politician was earlier accused of inciting CHADEMA supporters to violence during local government elections in the district's Lugunga ‘A' area.
Mr Mwegoha said Mr Athanas was arrested with five other people after violence broke out during the December 14 elections.
"After his arrest, a background check was done and it was established that he had lived in this area for over a decade as an illegal immigrant. He was then deported to Rwanda," he said.
He added that a voter register was stolen during the violence blamed on CHADEMA supporters, prompting the postponement of the elections in the affected area.
"The chaos appeared to have been planned in advance and was well coordinated. We later learnt of the involvement of foreigners who had lived in this area for many years," Mr Mwenegoha said, adding that Mr Athanas' three associates were also Rwandan.
He said Mr Athanas was arrested during a recent crackdown on illegal immigrants and admitted being a Rwandan national and pleaded guilty before the Bukombe District Court of living in the country illegally.
"He was fined and ordered to obtain the necessary papers allowing him to live and work in Tanzania. He didn't do so and instead vied for the post of CHADEMA district chairman."
Others deported to Rwanda were Mr Issa Athuman, Mr Machibya Sumbuka and Mr Salum Ntinginya. Mr Machibya was a candidate in the local government elections.
Mr Mwenegoha warned the four against returning to Tanzania, saying they risked spending the rest of their lives behind bars.
Source:The Citizen