Times Of Swaziland: PROBE INTO RELEASE OF PAKISTANI, BANGLADESHI NATIONALS

PROBE INTO RELEASE OF PAKISTANI, BANGLADESHI NATIONALS
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Thokozani Mamba on 13/11/2023 08:50:00


SITEKI – The Ministry of Home Affairs is investigating the circumstances
leading to the release from prison of Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals, with
a memo purportedly issued by a senior officer in the ministry.
A full investigation has been initiated by the ministry after being asked to
shed light as to what transpired, resulting in the release of the two foreign
nationals. A source within the ministry has revealed that a senior officer sent
him to His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS) in Big Bend with a memo from
the ministry, instructing officials at the prison to release the two foreign
nationals. The employee confided that the duo was fetched and transported in a
government rented motor vehicle. The employee showed this reporter the memo
which was annexed to the charge sheet of the two foreign nationals, who had been
charged for contravening the Immigration Act No. 17 of 1982.
Airport.
They were allegedly found in possession of forged documentation at the King
Mswati III International Airport. “I have been warned not to show anybody the
memo as it is going to cause a lot of trouble for my superiors. I believe the
corruption taking place within the ministry has to come to an end,” said the
employee. Ministry of Home Affairs Communications Officer Mlandvo Dlamini said
in cases involving forged documents, the ministry treated such acts as serious
criminal offences and reported them direct to the police for further
investigation. Dlamini said in collaboration with the law enforcement agencies,
investigations had been instituted in tackling the problem.  “We are committed
to working together with the police to ensure a thorough investigation takes
place and if necessary, those responsible are brought to justice,” he said.