Immigration Apprehends 171 Individuals in Seven-Day Operation
In a recent immigration operation, authorities apprehended a total of 171 individuals for various immigration-related offenses across different regions of Zambia.
In a statement issued by Namati H. Nshika, the public relations officer, unveils that the Chipata Regional Immigration Office arrested 18 Malawian nationals for unlawful stay and three Zambians for harboring them. The operation took place on September 15, 2023, at Manzi Atuwa Farming Block, off Lundazi Road, following reports of suspected illegal immigrants.
On the same day, the Lusaka Regional Immigration Office conducted a routine clean-up operation, resulting in the apprehension of 17 Burundians, four Congolese, four Tanzanians, and two Nigerians for various immigration offenses in different parts of Lusaka.
Meanwhile, the Chinsali Regional Immigration Office detained 16 Ethiopian nationals for failing to appear before the nearest Immigration Officer upon entry into Zambia. The group was handed over to the Chinsali Regional Immigration Office on September 11, 2023, following their apprehension in Shiwang’andu after reports from concerned members of the public. All 16 individuals appeared in court on September 18, 2023, with another court date set for Wednesday, September 20, 2023.
In another development, the Lusaka Regional Immigration Office secured the conviction of a 23-year-old Syrian national, Kassem Al Haj Ali Mohammad, for unlawful stay and engaging in employment without a permit. He was apprehended on August 25, 2023, at Tuckay Investment, a block-making company, during a routine compliance operation. Mohammad was sentenced to pay a fine of K 20,000 or, in default, face four months of simple imprisonment for both counts.
During the same period, the Department of Immigration removed 61 illegal immigrants from the country and refused entry to 17 foreign nationals who did not meet the entry requirements for Zambia.
These enforcement efforts were part of a broader campaign to address immigration-related issues and ensure compliance with immigration laws.
