Police detain 10 Ethiopian immigrants in Tanzania

By Ashton Balaigwa

MOROGORO, TANZANIA (Guardian) — The Police Force in Morogoro Region of Tanzania, in collaboration with Immigration officers, have apprehended 10 foreigners believed to be Ethiopians. They said they were on transit to South Africa.

Speaking to journalists at his office yesterday, the Acting Regional Police Commander, Samuel Mpasa, said the aliens were arrested on Tuesday evening after police was tipped off by one of the passengers in the bus they were travelling in. The bus, belonging to Hood company with registration number T903 ARM was Mbeya bound from Arusha.

He said they arrested them immediately after the bus arrived at Msamvu Bus Station in Morogoro municipality.

The RPC mentioned the arrested as Beyene Wasoro (35), Demeke Abebe (29), Gizachew Bekele (22), Tekele Shinde (30) and Girma Otole (35).

Others were Tesfaye Anulo (32), Tafera Eyiso (32), Yaikob Kelbiso (31), Zewude Tumso (29) and Teka Haile (36).

He said after police officers entered the bus, three of them hid under their seats.

The RPC said that during interrogations they said that their aim was to go to South Africa and that they would have just spent a few days in Mbeya.

Mpasa called on the community, especially passengers to inform the police presence of illegal aliens whenever they suspect them.