MINISTER CRITICISES CORRUPT IMMIGRATION STAFF

Mozambican Interior Minister Jaime Monteiro has accused some staff of the immigration services in the northern province of Cabo Delgado of facilitating the entry of illegal immigrants, reports Monday’s issue of the Maputo daily “Noticias”. Speaking at a meeting with immigration managers in the province, Monteiro said he has in his possession letters from citizens and other forms of denunciation, alerting him to the involvement of immigration officials in illegal schemes.He condemned the recent involvement of an immigration official and a member of the Frontier Guard in allowing 19 immigrants to enter the country illegally in exchange for money, and promised to take harsh measures against such behavior.“All those who embark on illicit activities and lack of discipline at the expense of the State will be severely punished”, he warned. “My assessment of how the immigration service works in Cabo Delgado is negative, and I am demanding that measures be taken to reverse the current scenario”.The province has recently seen an increase in illegal immigration, particularly of Ethiopian citizens. The provincial director of immigration, Alfredo Cardoso, said he believed this inflow of migrants was related to the recent closure of refugee camps in neighbouring Tanzania.