31-05-2024 – The Department of Immigration on the Copperbelt on 30th May, 2024 apprehended One Hundred and Eleven (111) suspected illegal immigrants in a clean-up operation. The operation was executed simultaneously in Ndola, Kitwe, Chililabombwe, Chingola, Mufulira, Mokambo Border and Luanshya from 05:30 to 16:30 hours. A total of 90 suspects of different nationalities including Burundians, Congolese, Kenyans, Portuguese, Somalis and Tanzanians, were detained pending further screening and possible prosecution.
Meanwhile, 18 persons, eight of whom had Immigration Permits were requested to report to respective Immigration Offices for further immigration formalities. Among those who had Immigration Permits was a 46-year-old Tanzanian Truck Driver, Jama Mohamed Haji Abdullah who was intercepted at the ZNS military checkpoint along the Mufulira Road. Abdullah was driving a Petrol laden Mozambican Registered Mitsubishi tanker truck, when his Employment Permit only allowed him to work as an Automotive Mechanic Specialist. Two Congolese nationals were served with notices to leave the country immediately, while one Congolese who had overstayed by five days paid for a Temporary Permit to wind-up and leave the Country. The Copperbelt operation brought the number of persons apprehended by the Department of Immigration for various immigration offences countrywide between 27th and 30th May, 2024 to 222.
Further, on 30th May, 2024, the Petauke Magistrate Court convicted and sentenced a 19-year-old Malawian to 12 months simple imprisonment without the option of a fine for illegal entry. Jonathan Phiri was arrested on 19th May, 2024 at a Checkpoint within Petauke district from a Chipata-bound public service bus, after he failed to produce proof of legal immigration status.
Furthermore, the Zambezi Immigration Office on 28th May, 2024 secured the conviction of a 35-year-old Tanzanian national, Abdi Ayubu Bakari for unlawful stay in Zambia. He was sentenced to a fine of K 15,000 or six months simple imprisonment. He was arrested on 8th May 2024 after investigations revealed that he had been staying in the country without a permit or any authority to do so. Meanwhile, his Zambian wife will be appearing today for judgment for harbouring and doing business with a foreigner. The Petauke and Zambezi court outcomes brought the number of convictions secured by the Department of Immigration between 27th and 30th May, 2024 to 85.
In addition, the Department between 27th to 30th May, 2024 removed 60 illegal immigrants of different nationalities from the country and refused 19 foreign nationals entry for failing to meet entry requirements.