Gaborone - The Angolan National Police (PNA) command in the north of the country has detained 749 people from the Democratic Republic of Congo and charged them with crimes that include illegal immigration and illegal diamond mining.
PNA Acting Director for the Information and Analysis Office Alberto Dala told State-owned news agency Angola Press Agency that the illegal diamond miners were rounded up by the Border Guard Police (BGP) in the municipality of Lucapa.
The town lies in the Lunda Norte region, which shares a 500km-long border with the DRC. Dala said from November 21, the regional police command had launched various operations to curb illegal immigration and illegal diamond mining.
At least 82 children, also accused of various crimes, are among the detainees who are still being held in jails in the city of Dundo. Those found guilty of committing crimes will be jailed while those who would be cleared of criminal activity face deportation back to the DRC.
Last month, at least 750 DR Congolese citizens were arrested in the Lunda Norte municipalities of Chitato, Cambulo and Lovua. They were also charged with illegal immigration, illegal diamond mining among other crimes.
African News Agency