Dodoma — Refugees who would be issued with National Identity Cards are obliged to return them on expiry of their resident permits.

The minister for Home Affairs, Mr Lawrence Masha, told the Parliament here yesterday that refugees were among people who would be provided with the cards.

He said the special cards with specific time limits would be provided to ease identification of foreigners who are in the country as refugees.

He said other foreigners would also be provided with the cards depending on their status. These would also be required to surrender them before departing from Tanzania.

Minister Masha told the lawmakers that refugees and foreigners would be compelled to re-apply for the cards on their return to Tanzania.

Responding to a question by Special Seats MP Mwanne Mchemba (CCM), minister Masha said all Tanzanians aged 18 and above would be eligible to get the cards.

"The national ID cards would also be issued to all foreigners who have been issued with residence permits and those who are living in the country legally, including refugees," he explained.

The MP had expressed fears that the foreigners might abuse the cards. She said there was a possibility that some of them might return to their countries of origin without surrendering them.

She said they might sneak back into the country and use the cards contrary to the laws of the land.

But minister Masha reassured the MPs that all refugees who would be found guilty of any criminal activities would be prosecuted.