The Karonga Senior Resident Magistrate court has convicted and sentenced three Tanzanian nationals to pay K20, 000 fine each for illegally staying in the country.

The three are identified as George Francis Kombo, 25, Abraham Edom, 26, Julius Moses Koma, and are all from Kyela in Tanzania.

The court through state prosecutor, Sub-Inspector Harrison Mtambalika, heard that on May 3, 2021, at Uliwa Trading Center in Karonga district, the three were found staying in the country without permit.

Mtambalika further told the court that cases of illegal stay are becoming rampant in Karonga district despite government efforts to restrict movements in its borders due to Covid-19 pandemic.

“Your worship, it is my prayer to this court to impose a meaningful sentence to the three accused persons to deter other would-be offenders. Mtambalika said.

Passing sentence, Senior Resident Magistrate Mateo Fatsani Chitha concurred with the state and sentenced the three each to pay K20, 000 fine.

He also ordered the three to go back to their home country within 14 days.

Meanwhile, the trio have not paid the fine.