The National Migration Service (SENAMI) has detained nine foreign nationals in Nampula province on suspicion of illegal mining, document forgery and unlawful stay in the country. Those arrested include five Chinese nationals, three Malians and one Portuguese citizen.
This is yet another operation carried out by SENAMI in Nampula as part of efforts to combat migration-related offences, during a week marked by intensified inspection actions. The arrests stemmed from violations ranging from the illegal exploitation of mineral resources to the possession of fraudulent documents.
Of the five Chinese nationals detained, three were apprehended in the district of Murrupula, inside a gold mine, where they were allegedly engaged in illegal mining activities. The information was disclosed by SENAMI’s spokesperson in Nampula, Nércia Nota.
“We currently have nine foreign nationals of various nationalities in our custody for committing migration-related offences. Of these nine, we highlight five Chinese nationals, three of whom were apprehended inside the district of Murrupula while carrying out illegal artisanal mining of mineral resources,” she explained.
In the same operation, two other Chinese nationals were detained in possession of identity cards and foreign residence permits that were allegedly forged. One was apprehended on the outskirts of the city of Nampula and the other during a routine inspection operation. “At this moment, we also have two Chinese nationals, one of whom was apprehended near the city and the other during routine intensified inspection activities, during which, at the screening stage, they presented a foreign residence identification document and an identity card that were supposedly forged,” said Nércia Nota.
According to the spokesperson, the documents presented lacked some of the required security features. After verification, it was concluded that they did not appear in the databases of either the Civil Identification Directorate or SENAMI, leading the cases to be referred to the competent authorities.
Nércia Nota warned that the circulation of forged identity cards should be a concern for the Government, as it suggests the existence of parallel schemes. “It leads us to conclude that there are some individuals who may have a parallel system to that of the State for printing forged documents for nationals and foreigners,” she stated, calling for a thorough investigation to discourage such practices.
Source: O País
