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Foreign church group detained for illegal entry

Source: By Nomhle Kangootui – The Namibian, 29/09/2015

where they were being kept was under heavy police guard. Photo:
Yochanaan Coetzee.
AT least 80 foreigners were detained at the Hosea Kutako International
Airport yesterday after they entered the country 'illegally'.
The group applied for permission to enter the country but did so
without receiving authority from the Ministry of Home Affairs, police
said yesterday.

According to police spokesperson chief inspector Kauna Shikwambi, the
detained foreigners are all Africans from neighbouring countries.

"They are here allegedly for a church gathering and we understand that
more are on their way. They all entered the country by plane and are
being held for interrogation at the airport by immigration officers as
they are giving the matter the necessary attention," Shikwambi said.

The permanent secretary of home affairs, Patrick Nandago, said the
group did not follow the correct channels to enter the country.
"Immigration have the right to refuse, if a foreign national visits
the country for any other business outside the scope of tourism. They
should apply for a permit or a visa which can be approved or denied.
In this case it was denied," Nandago said. According to a source who
spoke to The Namibian, the foreigners are here to attend a church
gathering.

"I can't remember the name of the church but it could be one of those
whose members go to the mountains to pray. In most cases these foreign
nationals enter the country like this and then remain in the country
illegally. They think just because it's church business they must be
allowed into the country. Now they are refusing to leave and I don't
understand why. Another group is still on their way. This time around
the immigration officers are vigilant," the source said.

When The Namibian arrived at the airport yesterday morning the police
and Special Field Force members guarded the entrance to the VIP area
where the foreign nationals were being held. Some people, who were
reluctant to comment, were also seen leaving the building with empty
food containers.

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