Luxury Car Allegedly Belonging to MP Seized in Tanzania for Transporting Illegal Immigrants
By Adonis Byemelwa
In a recent development, Tanzanian authorities intercepted a luxury vehicle allegedly owned by a Member of Parliament, apprehending seven illegal immigrants from Ethiopia. The incident befell at a hotel in Himo, along the Moshi-Dar es Salaam highway. The legislator was not present during the seizure. Investigations are ongoing, shedding light on the challenges of irregular migration and the need for strengthened border security.
A surge in the use of luxury vehicles for smuggling illegal immigrants from Ethiopia has been observed in Tanzania, with recent reports indicating the apprehension of seven illegal immigrants in a Toyota Land Cruiser V8 purportedly owned by a Member of Parliament.
The vehicle was intercepted yesterday at 2:00 am at a hotel located at the crossroads of Himo, along the Moshi-Dar es Salaam highway in the Moshi District of Kilimanjaro region. Surprisingly, the MP was not present in the vehicle at the time of the seizure.
Confirming the incident, Kilimanjaro Regional Immigration Commander Fakih Nyakunga acknowledged the occurrence but requested time until Wednesday to gather comprehensive information before making detailed comments.
Efforts to reach Kilimanjaro Regional Police Commander Simon Maigwa were fruitless, with his responses indicating his involvement in the convoy of CCM Secretary-General Dr. Emmanuel Nchimbi.
Sources from the scene disclosed that the illegal Ethiopian immigrants were apprehended outside the hotel, where seven were found inside the vehicle. The hotel is equipped with CCTV cameras, which capture the driver’s activities and aid law enforcement in their swift response.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the vehicle is owned by a Member of Parliament, whose identity is currently withheld. However, the driver fled the scene shortly after the interception, prompting further inquiries into the ownership and purpose of the vehicle’s use in human trafficking.
As Tanzania grapples with a rising influx of Ethiopian immigrants, the government is taking proactive steps to address the issue. Home Affairs Minister Hamad Masauni has announced plans to implement a visa-on-arrival arrangement for Ethiopian nationals, aiming to stem the tide of illegal immigration from the Horn of Africa.
This decision comes amidst ongoing challenges stemming from political instability, ethnic conflicts, and economic disparities in Ethiopia, factors that drive mass migration.
Masauni unveiled the initiative while presenting his ministry’s 2022/2023 financial year budget, emphasizing the paramount importance of ensuring compliance with Tanzanian laws and regulations for all individuals entering the country. The move underscores the government’s commitment to maintaining border security while addressing the complex realities of irregular migration.
The move aims to address longstanding issues of illegal immigration, particularly the transit of Ethiopian migrants to other countries, notably South Africa. Tanzania has been a key transit route for many Ethiopian migrants, often traveling in trucks transporting goods outside the country.
Recent incidents, such as the interception of a luxury vehicle allegedly belonging to a Member of Parliament transporting illegal immigrants, underscore the urgency of bolstering border security measures. Authorities have been tasked with combatting illegal immigration and protecting vulnerable migrants.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has documented the perilous journey undertaken by Ethiopian migrants, with many facing deception, exploitation, and violence. The route through Tanzania has become increasingly dangerous, with migrants enduring severe hardships and risking their lives in search of better opportunities.
President John Magufuli’s previous pardon of over 1,700 Ethiopian immigrants highlights the complexities surrounding immigration policies and bilateral relations between Tanzania and Ethiopia. However, the challenges persist, as evidenced by ongoing incidents of illegal migration and detention of Ethiopian nationals in Tanzania.
Efforts to address these issues require collaboration between governments, international agencies, and local communities to ensure the safety and well-being of migrants while upholding border security and sovereignty.
With tensions escalating and humanitarian concerns mounting, the situation calls for swift action and coordinated efforts to address the root causes of irregular migration while safeguarding the rights and dignity of all individuals involved.
