Most of the citizens detained and accused of aiding illegal immigration are Mozambicans. Those detained include public officials, among them police officers. This year alone, 65 people have been detained in Tete.
Mozambique borders three landlocked countries, namely Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi, a fact that has facilitated and increased migration flows. Many citizens use illegal routes to reach Mozambican territoryand sometimes count on the help of Mozambican nationals.
According to data provided by the Provincial Directorate of Migration in Tete, 65 citizens have been detained since January, accused of facilitating the entry of illegal immigrants into the country. Of those detained, 46 are Mozambicans, 18 come from Malawi and one from Somalia.
In an interview with DW, Amélia Direito, spokesperson for the Provincial Directorate of Migration, says the sector is committed to combating both the crime of illegal immigration and that of facilitating the practice - which often involves members of the national police.
"It does not do us credit, as members of the same force, to engage in this illegal practice", says Amélia Direito, who appeals "to these citizens to distance themselves categorically from this practice".
"It is a reprehensible act because we are working to discourage the entry of illegal immigrants", she concludes.
The Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM) in Tete says it is aware that this practice may constitute a threat to the country's security, at a time when, in the north, the terrorist insurgency is being fought.
Involvement of PRM officers
In this half-year alone, three PRM members have been detained, accused of the crime of facilitating illegal immigration. The possibility that there are others is not ruled out, and so the promise is to step up surveillance.
The PRM's director of Public Order and Tranquillity in Tete, Fortunato Maque, says that "a PRM member cannot take part in facilitating illegal immigrants". If they do, he continues, "they will face criminal and disciplinary proceedings, because a PRM member is trained to uphold order and security with great responsibility".
During a visit to Tete province, the Minister of the Interior, Arsénia Massingue, said recently that she had noted with great sadness the involvement of members of her force in these acts.
"We visited our border and we are not happy with the situation, especially when we learn that, among those involved, there are public officials, our colleagues, those who said they swore, on their honour, to serve the State and the Mozambican Homeland. They have already turned their backs and are serving organised crime".
