Police withdraw charge against Chinese woman

POLICE have withdrawn a charge against a Chinese woman who allegedly damaged private property in Port Moresby.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Regina Kilip asked Magistrate Ore Ore at the Waigani Committal Court for the case to be withdrawn as new evidence showed that the accused had been living in the country illegally.
“The Immigration and Citizenship Authority (ICA) says the accused will be interviewed and deported immediately,” she said.
“Police in charge of the case are withdrawing the charge to avoid stalling the deportation process.”
Police alleged that on Sept 16 at around 8pm, Tang Bangxiang, 38, of Anhui province, China, attacked a man’s (named) house, broke the door and damaged furniture worth K1,200.
It was alleged he learned about the damage to his house and reported the matter to Boroko Police Station on Tuesday.
Upon arresting Tang, police found an expired visitor’s visa in her possession and immediately reported it to ICA.
In court yesterday, ICA officers presented a report through the prosecutor, stating that Tang was given a work permit and applied for a working resident permit using a visitor visa which had expired on Feb 20, 2020.
ICA further stated that Tang’s permit would be cancelled and her application rejected as she had been an illegal resident.
It was noted that ICA would work with police to ensure Tang was fined, deported and restricted from entering the country again.
Police say that there would be a thorough investigation into how Tang entered the country.