8-08-2022 – The Isoka Immigration Office, on 4th August 2022, secured the conviction of twelve (12) Ethiopian nationals for failing to appear before an Immigration Officer, contrary to sections 12(2) and 56(1) of the Immigration and Deportation Act No. 18 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia.
The Officers intercepted the East Africans aged between 24 and 30 years on 25th July 2022 following a tip-off from a member of the public who reported seeing them near Isoka Training Trade School at Mwaiseni aboard a black Mitsubishi Pajero Registration number BAG 2914 ZM. Following up on the report, the Immigration Officers rushed to the nearest Police Checkpoint in anticipation of intercepting the vehicle. However, the Driver of the Pajero used a different route to avoid detection by the Officers. The Officers immediately changed course in pursuit of the vehicle and sighted the over-speeding Pajero as it joined the Great–North Road heading towards Chinsali. They eventually captured the Twelve (12) Ethiopians at around 02:00 at Kafwimbi area in Isoka District after their vehicle suddenly halted after developing a mechanical fault. The Driver of the vehicle, whose identity remains unknown, fled the scene and remains at large.
The Isoka Magistrate Court sentenced the twelve (12) Ethiopians to pay a fine of K 10,000 each or, in default, nine months simple imprisonment. Further, the Court ruled that the Mitsubishi Pajero Registration Number BAG 2914 be forfeited to the State if the owner failed to make a compelling claim within 90 days.
Meanwhile, the Department of Immigration, between 4th and 7th August 2022, apprehended fifty-one (51) persons for various immigration offences, removed thirty-one (31) illegal immigrants from the country, and refused entry to fifteen (15) foreign nationals for failing to meet various entry requirements.
We wish to warn Transporters against transporting migrants of questionable immigration status. Further, we want to encourage members of the public to continue reporting suspected cases of illegal migration to the nearest Immigration Office.
