Suspected Tanzanian spies denied bail
Eight Tanzanian nationals suspected of spying on Kayerekera Uranium Mine appeared before the Resident Magistrate’s Court in Karonga on Tuesday.
The suspects pleaded not guilty to a charge of criminal trespass.
Police arrested the eight last month around Kayuni Village near the suspended mine in the north-western hills of the shoreline district.
They did not have travel documents.
Senior resident magistrate Tecious Masoyamphambe denied them bail as they do not have sureties in the country.
They also have no lawyer to represent them.
The suspects include Walasa Mwasangu, 30, Binto Materinus, 32, Ashura Yasiri, 63, Christian Msoli, 38, Layinali Kumba, 47, Maliyu Mkobe, Gilbert Mahumdi, 32, and Martin Jodomusole, 25.
According to Karonga Police spokesperson Enock Livason, they will be remanded at Mzuzu Prison until the trial resumes on January 26.
In a related development, Songwe Immigration spokesperson Yusuf Shaibu said Dodoma dispatched two senior immigration officers from Kasumulu Border Post to visit Songwe Border Post on the Malawian side to inquire about the Tanzanian detainees. n
