14-01-2021 – The Kalomo Immigration Office has secured the conviction of seven (07) Ethiopians for the offence of illegal entry into Zambia, contrary to section 11(2) and 56 (1) of the Immigration and Deportation Act No. 18 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia.
The seven (07) Ethiopians were among twenty-one (21) suspected illegal immigrants intercepted by alert Immigration Officers who had mounted a security checkpoint at Mapatizya junction off the Lusaka-Livingstone Road. They were traveling on a Livingstone bound Mitsubishi Rosa Bus Registration Number ALL 615 when they failed to produce documentation legalizing their entry into Zambia when requested to do so.
Appearing together and jointly charged with four (04) juvenile offenders before the Kalomo Magistrate Court on 13th January 2021, the seven (07) adults were convicted and each sentenced to pay a fine of K 2,000 or in default 12 months simple imprisonment. The four (04) juveniles were absolutely discharged on account of age. The convicts have since paid their court fines and are scheduled to be removed from the country together with the four (04) juveniles.
The other ten (10) occupants of the bus, among them three (03) Kenyan adults, five (05) Kenyans juveniles, and two (02) Somali juveniles earlier appeared before the Kalomo Magistrate on a similar charge. The adults were convicted and meted a similar punishment while the juveniles were also absolutely discharged. The group was removed from the country on 5th January 2021 after the adults paid their fines.
Meanwhile, Joseph Kayani (36) of Lusaka’s Mtendere, who was apprehended together with the twenty-one (21) foreign national has been charged with the offence of knowingly aiding illegal immigrants and will appear before court soon.
Similarly, in other parts of the country, the Department of Immigration between 12th and 13th January, 2021 secured seven (07) convictions.
During this period the Department also removed sixty-five (65) illegal immigrants of different nationalities from the country and apprehended sixteen (16) suspected illegal immigrants for various immigration offences.
We wish to encourage anyone aware 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
