Over 2,900 illegal immigrants arrested in Tanzania’s NW region in six months

DAR ES SALAAM, Aug. 3 — Tanzanian immigration authorities said Tuesday that at least 2,940 illegal immigrants were arrested in the country’s northwestern region of Kagera between January and June this year.
Thomas Fussy, the Kagera region head of the Tanzania Immigration Services, said the illegal immigrants were arrested during a special crackdown that lasted six months.
Fussy said the arrested illegal immigrants were from different countries, including Rwanda, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Somalia, Burundi, Uganda, and Zambia.
He said 2,735 of the arrested illegal immigrants have been repatriated to their home countries, 183 have been charged in courts for illegal stay and 22 have been given residence permits.
The official said most of the illegal immigrants were engaged in farming activities and livestock keeping.
Fussy warned residents in the region against hosting illegal immigrants saying those implicated in doing so will be prosecuted.  (Xinhua)