Zambian sentenced two years imprisonment for human trafficking

The Kabwe Regional Immigration Office has secured the conviction of Bydon Mwambi, a 45-year-old Zambian, for aiding and abetting prohibited immigrants.

He was handed over to the Chibombo Immigration Office by the Police on July 16, 2023 after the Police intercepted a containerized Volvo truck and trailer he was driving, carrying 57 undocumented immigrants from the Horn of Africa.

This was according to a statement issued in Lusaka by Department of Immigration Public Relations Officer Namati Nshinka.

Nshinka said the group, comprising 44 Ethiopians and 13 Somali nationals, was intercepted at Chisamba Police Check Point following a tip-off from a concerned member of the public.

“On 26th September 2023, the Kabwe Magistrate, Judge Kunda, convicted Bydon Mwambi for aiding and abetting prohibited immigrants and sentenced him to a fine of K60,000 or, in default, two years imprisonment with hard labour,” he said.

Nshinka said the Truck and Trailer have since been forfeited to the state.

“The Katete Immigration Office, on 20th September 2023, secured the conviction of Ephraim Banda, a 25-year-old Malawian national, for illegal entry and engaging in employment without a Permit and Nedson Tembo, a 35-year-old Zambian, for employing the undocumented Malawian,” he said.

Nshinka said the duo was apprehended by the Katete Immigration Office on September 13, 2023, at Chavuka One Section in Katete District at Nedson Tembo’s House, following a tip-off from members of the public.

He said investigations revealed that Banda entered the country illegally on unknown dates, but between June, 10 2021 and September 13, 2023.

Nshinka said in June 2023, Banda stayed at Nedson Tembo’s House and was employed as a laborer on Tembo’s farm in Gileya Village.

“In the count of unlawful entry in Zambia, Banda was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment with hard labour,” he said.

Nshinka said in the count of engaging in employment without a permit, the Court sentenced him to 18 months imprisonment with hard labour in addition to a mandatory fine of K500.

He said Tembo was sentenced to six months imprisonment with hard labour for employing a foreigner whose status does not authorize that person to be employed.

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