The recent arrest of 85 illegal immigrants involved in an online illegal gambling ring is an indication that “something has gone haywire” with the ministry of home affairs.
This is the view of Lobamba Lomdzala Member of Parliament (MP) Marwick Khumalo, which he expressed during the ministry’s annual performance report debate in Parliament yesterday.
The illegal immigrants in question comprise of Asians and South Americans who were arrested during a police operation at a hotel in Mbabane.
Khumalo submitted that it is disturbing that all of these individuals were found to be without the necessary documentation.
“How did such a thing happen in the ministry of home affairs? That’s a serious indictment on the minister herself. Something has gone haywire in the ministry and it’s not right,” he said.
He noted that a casino had been opened in the hotel in question and many Asians frequent the location, yet they are in the country illegally. He stated that this needed to be checked and a report should be compiled concerning the matter.
The MP felt that the government, for some reason, had set aside the laws of the kingdom.
“I can tell you now that all the 85 will be released and they will return to their activities,” assured Khumalo. “Previously, such people were deported immediately if found to be in the country illegally.”
He stated that since Parliament is also busy reviewing the Immigration Act, one of the amendments legislators will seek is to ensure that the agent responsible for bringing such people into the country pays the full cost of their deportation.
“The deportation bill should be paid by the agent,” he said.
RELATED | Toilets, showers for 85 arrested illegal foreign nationals
Khumalo submitted that it would be very expensive for the government to buy airplane tickets to deport these individuals.
He added that the fact that they are in the country in such large numbers suggests they have resources.
“I am saying lelitiko aselivuke emacandzeni (the ministry must rise from its slumber). Something has gone horribly wrong. In the past, this ministry was not like this,” he concluded.
Additional Context
The arrest of the 85 foreign nationals has sparked debate in Parliament about immigration enforcement and regulatory oversight. Legislators are currently reviewing the Immigration Act, with possible amendments aimed at strengthening accountability for agents who facilitate the entry of foreign nationals into the country.
