18-02-2021 – Immigration Officers in Luangwa have apprehended thirty-three (33) male Ethiopian nationals for illegal entry. The group aged between 16 and 29 was nabbed on 16th February, 2021 in Chitope Village, 45 Kilometres from Feira Boma. This was during an operation conducted by Immigration Officers and Officers from other security wings following a tip-off from alert members of the community. The Ethiopians failed to produce documentation legalizing their entry into Zambia and have since been transferred to Lusaka pending Court appearance.
Similarly, the Department of Immigration between 12th and 17th February, 2021 apprehended a total of forty-six (46) persons for various immigration offences countrywide. Those apprehended were fifteen (15) Ethiopians, ten (10) Tanzanians, nine (09) Zimbabweans and six (06) Congolese. Others were three (03) Burundians, one (01) American, one (01) Malawian and one (01) Mozambican.
In another development, the Lusaka Regional Immigration Office has secured the conviction of two (02) Congolese nationals, Banza Kalumba Ngoie (53) and Fabrice Tshimba Doko (31) for being found in possession of a forged immigration stamp and aiding and abetting illegal immigrants, respectively. Particulars of the offence in the case involving Banza Kalumba Ngoie are that the now convict on dates unknown but between 1st and 3rd February, 2021 in Lusaka did forge an entry endorsement stamp for Nakonde Border Control which he endorsed in a Burundian Passport Number OP0221555 belonging to Niyounkuru Mediatrice without lawful authority.
In the case of aiding and abetting illegal immigrants in which male Fabrice Tshimba Doko a Congolese national was jointly charged with female Ndayashimiye Regina (33) a Rwandese national, particulars are that the duo on 1st February, 2021 did aid and abet the stay of an illegal immigrant by the name of Niyounkuru Mediatrice without lawful authority.
Both Banza Kalumba Ngoie and Fabrice Tshimba Doko appeared before the Magistrate Court in Lusaka on 16th February, 2021. The former was sentenced to two (02) years imprisonment with hard labour, without the option of a fine while the later was sentenced to pay a fine of K 15,000 or in default 9 months simple imprisonment. Meanwhile Ndayashimiye Regina denied the charge and her case will be entering trial.
In another court development, the Department of Immigration between 12th and 17th February, 2021 secured thirty-five (35) convictions for various immigration offences with the convicts receiving sentences ranging from fines of K 200 to K 12,000 or in default to serve twenty-four (24) days to nine (09) months simple imprisonment. The convicts included twelve (12) Congolese, nine (09) Tanzanians, four (04) Malawians, four (04) Zimbabweans and two (02) Burundians. Others were two (02) Namibians, one (01) Rwandese and one (01) Senegalese.
During this period the Department also removed seventy-eight (78) illegal immigrants from the country, including eighteen (18) Congolese, fifteen (15) Malawians, eleven (11) Ethiopians, eleven (11) Kenyans and eleven (11) Zimbabweans. Others were five (05) Tanzanians, four (04) Burundians, one (01) Chinese, one (01) Egyptian and one (01) Senegalese.
We wish to encourage members of the public with information of an individual, business, or employer who may be aiding and abetting illegal immigrants to contact the Department of Immigration.
Media Contact: +260 211 255282
