IRINGA Resident Magistrate Court has sentenced 83 Ethiopian nationals and two Tanzanians to three and five years jail terms for illegal entry and human trafficking.
The two Tanzanians include a driver and his tout who were found transporting the illegal immigrants.
In his judgment, Iringa Resident Magistrate, Andrew Scout sentenced the driver Hansi Mwakyoma (28) and his tout Alex Adam (32), all residents of Mbeya Region to five years in jail or pay fine of 1.5m/- each, after they were arrested and confessed to transporting 83 illegal immigrants from Ethiopia.
The Ethiopian nationals received three years jail sentences or pay 1m/- in fines each.
The Magistrate was satisfied with the evidence from state prosecutor who alleged that the two Tanzanian suspects were to transport the aliens from Kongowe in Dar es Salaam to Malawi through Kasumulu border post in Kyela District, Mbeya Region.
He, however, said that the suspects were arrested on January 16 at Ruaha Mbuyuni village in Kilolo District, Iringa Region along Iringa-Mbeya highway after a routine check by the police.
The lorry that the 83 Ethiopians were being transported in had registration numbers T 478 DFE belonging to Mwambenja Frola of Mbeya Region.
Interpreter Emanuel Yeb Mtaltisili, who is also a presenter with FM Ebony of Iringa, said the immigrants had hoped they would be deported to their home country after pleading guilty to the offence.
According to the prosecution, the driver of the lorry had admitted while in police custody to have agreed to transport the aliens for an unspecified fee.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
Post a Comment