Speaking to reporters in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the Ministry’s Deputy Minister, Hamad Masauni said the establishment of the court was crucial in curbing endemic corruption in the country. He said recently the country had witnessed the influx of foreigners without proper documentations and irregular issuance of the papers.
“There are some immigration officers who are tarnishing the image of the department, this cannot be entertained anymore,” he said and expressed optimism that with the special court, corrupt officers will have the choice to either change or face the full wrath of the law.
The deputy minister directed the Immigration Services Department to conduct an intensive investigations to identify officers who engage in unethical behaviour such as corruption.
According to him, the court will help turnaround the department’s image as well as increase efficiency and accountability thus increase the national income.Masauni also directed the Immigration Services Department to ensure that they net all illegal immigrants living in the country .
He also gave them seven days ultimatum to ensure that they submit initial report over the operation.
Moreover, the deputy Minister said the ministry was working to have the best scientific system which replaces the Caring Temporary Assignment (CTA) which was cancelled following the misuse of the working permits by various officials and immigrants.
“We will introduce a new and the best system of issuing short term permits to curb the previous challenges contained in the CTA,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Dar es Salaam Immigration Services Department yesterday started a nationwide crackdown on illegal immigrants who live and work in the country without permits.
Dar es Salaam Regional Immigration Officer (RIO), John Msumule said that they expect to arrest over 350 illegal immigrants in crackdown in Dar es Salaam Region alone.
“There has been an influx of illegal immigrants who live and work in the country without legal documents…We have started with the busiest business centre in Kariakoo,” he noted.
He said the operation intends to arrest all undocumented immigrants including those who are working without permits.
He said the immigration officers will visit various foreigner firms to identify if they were working according to their work permits provided.
“There are some immigrants who are working against their work permits, for instance he/she requested a permit to establish a construction firm, but he ends doing different activities…This is illegal and we will hunt for them,” Msumule insisted.
RIO Msumule assured the public that the operation aims to identify illegal immigrants and will be fair and observe human rights.
He further warned that people with fake documents will be dealt with accordingly; “we will make sure they give the names of the people who provided them with such documents,” he warned.
Msumule called for vigilance by the citizens and collaboration with immigration department by reporting any suspected illegal immigrants.
He however, mentioned shortage of staff and working tools as the major challenges facing the department.
In early August 2013, the former President Jakaya Kikwete gave a two-week ultimatum to all illegal immigrants to voluntarily leave the country.
A good number of them complied with the president's directive. about 8,000 illegal immigrants who were hiding in several villages in Kagera Region had left for their countries of origin after the expiry of the deadline.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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