Metro

Zambia immigration department claims successes in combating illegal immigration

0

The Zambian Department of Immigration has claimed to have recorded significant success in combating illegal immigration, with 132 apprehensions and 53 convictions between January 9 and January 12, 2025.

On January 11, the Muyombe Immigration Office in Muchinga Province detained eight Ethiopian nationals, aged 14 to 21, for illegal entry into Zambia.

The group was discovered walking in the bushes of Chamawa area in Mafinga District.

Namati Nshinka, the Department’s Public Relations Officer, stated in a statement issued on Tuesday that the group allegedly entered Zambia from Malawi using bush paths, intending to proceed to South Africa.

A 24-year-old Malawian man was also arrested for aiding and abetting the group.

“The group was transferred to Isoka Correctional Facility on January 13, where they will appear before court in due course,” Nshinka said.

On the same day, the Nyimba Immigration Office apprehended 18 undocumented Ethiopians, aged 14 to 20, at Kacholola Checkpoint in a Lusaka-bound Toyota Sienta vehicle (registration number CAA 740).

Two Zambian nationals, Jacob Mbewe (37) and Damiano Banda (46), were also arrested for allegedly aiding the group.

The suspects are currently detained at Nyimba Correctional Facility, pending prosecution.

In a separate operation on January 9, the Lusaka Regional Immigration Office apprehended 17 suspected illegal immigrants at COMESA Market. The suspects included 15 Tanzanians and two Congolese nationals.

Nshinka confirmed that the Muyombe, Nyimba, and COMESA Market incidents were part of nationwide efforts that led to the apprehension of 132 individuals for various immigration offenses during the four-day period.

The Katima Mulilo Immigration Office also secured the conviction of a 41-year-old Norwegian national, Martin Opilas Amundsen, for failing to report to the nearest immigration officer upon entry into Zambia.

Read More: Immigration department apprehends 83 suspected illegal immigrants in nationwide operations

Amundsen, who had previously overstayed in Zambia in 2024, was fined K17,000 or sentenced to nine months in prison by the Sesheke Magistrate Court.

The Department further removed 56 illegal immigrants from the country and denied entry to five individuals who failed to meet entry requirements.

“The Department of Immigration reminds the public that illegal immigration is a serious offense. All those involved, including those aiding and abetting such activities, will face the full extent of the law,” Nshinka warned.

He encouraged citizens to report suspicious activities to the nearest immigration office to support ongoing efforts to uphold the country’s immigration laws.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.

Lusaka tops 2024 road accident statistics with 19,180 cases, says police

Previous article

Police re-arrest three escapees aided by officer on New Year’s eve

Next article

You may also like

Comments

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in Metro