05-05-2021 – The Ndola Regional Immigration Office has secured the conviction of a Zambian for concealing his true identity contrary to section 52(2) as read with section 56(1) of the Immigration and Deportation Act Number 18 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia. Alex Musonda (27) a businessman of Masala, Ndola of National Registration Number 265199/13/1 on unknown dates but between 18th November 2020 and 11th March 2021 in Ndola wilfully and with intent to conceal his identity obtained another national registration card number 529531/61/1 belonging to another person namely Deborah Nayame. Alex Musonda appeared before the Ndola Magistrate Court on 4th May 2021 and was convicted and sentenced to pay a fine of K 3,000 or in default 2 years simple imprisonment.
In a related development, the Luanshya Immigration Office secured the conviction of a Chinese national for the offence of unlawful stay contrary to section 11(3) and 52 (1) as read with section 56(1) of the Immigration and Deportation Act Number 18 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia. Gaoqiang Fang was arrested on 20th April 2021 in the New Town area within Luanshya after it was discovered he had overstayed in the country as a business visitor. This was during a routine operation. He appeared before the Luanshya Magistrate Court on 4th May 2021 and was convicted and sentenced to pay a fine of K 20,000 or in default 6 months simple imprisonment. He has since paid the fine and has been issued with a Temporary Permit to wind up and leave the country.
Similarly, Immigration Officers in Nakonde also secured the conviction of three (03) Bangladeshi nationals for failing to appear before the nearest Immigration officer, contrary to section 12(2) as read with sections 52(1) and 56 (1) of the Immigration and Deportation Act Number 18 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia. Amin Abdu, Niloy Fardin Hossain, and Haque Aminul were apprehended on 23rd April 2021 at a checkpoint mounted around the Chitamba area in Nakonde District. This was after they failed to produce proof that they entered the country legally. They were aboard a Volvo Truck which was being driven by a Zambian. Appearing before the Nakonde Magistrate Court on 4th May 2021, the trio was convicted and each sentenced to pay a fine of K 7,000 or in default 9 months simple imprisonment. The Zambian driver and lorry boy were acquitted having been jointly charged for knowingly aiding and abetting the Bangladeshi nationals by way of facilitating their entry into and remaining in Zambia.
These court outcomes bring the total number of convictions secured by the Department between 30th April 2021 and 4th May 2021 to forty-two (42). The nationalities involved were thirteen (13) Congolese, eleven (11) Burundians, nine (09) Malawian, and three (03) Bangladeshi nationals. Others were two (02) Chinese, two (02) Tanzanians, one (01) Turkish, and one (01) Zambian.
During this period the Department also apprehended sixty-eight persons for various immigration offences, removed one hundred and forty-seven (147) illegal immigrants from the country, and refused fourteen (14) foreign nationals entry into Zambia for failing to meet entry requirements. Those apprehended were thirty-two (32) Zimbabweans, nine (09) Malawians, seven (07) Ethiopians, five (05) Angolans, four (04) Tanzanians, and two (02) Congolese. Others were two (02) Somalis, two (02) Ugandans, one (01) Burundian, one (01) Ghanaian, one (01) South African, one (01) Syrian, and one (01) Zambian.
Those removed were seventy-three (73) Ethiopians, thirty-two (32) Zimbabweans, twenty-one (21) Congolese, seven (07) Tanzanians, and four (04) Burundians. Others were four (04) Nigerians, three (03) Chinese, two (02) Malawians, and one (01) Ugandan. Meanwhile, the fourteen (14) who were refused entry were four (04) Malawians, four (04) Tanzanians, two (02) Rwandese, and one (01) American. Others were one (01) Congolese, one (01) Kenyan, and one (01) Zimbabwean.
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.
