130 nabbed in Mumbwa immigration crackdown

A joint operation by the Department of Immigration and other security agencies in Mumbwa District has resulted in the apprehension of 130 suspects of various nationalities in a crackdown targeting illegal immigration activities in mining areas. The operation, conducted on Tuesday, was aimed at curbing illegal immigration and enhancing compliance with the Immigration and Deportation Act, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by Department of Immigration Chief Public Relations Officer Namati Nshinka. Among those apprehended were 48 Somali nationals, 32 Kenyans, 20 individuals claiming Zambian nationality, nine Indians, four Yemenis, three Tanzanians and three Zimbabweans.

The operation also netted two Ethiopians, two Chinese nationals, two Swedish nationals, two Syrians, one Canadian, one Malawian and one Norwegian national. Nshinka said immigration officers screened all the suspects to determine their immigration status.”The 20 individuals who claimed Zambian nationality were released unconditionally after successfully proving their citizenship,” he said. He added that 61 foreign nationals found to be holders of various immigration permits were directed to report to Immigration Headquarters for further verification and completion of immigration formalities.

However, 49 suspected illegal immigrants of different nationalities were detained and remain in custody at Mumbwa Correctional Facility pending further investigations and possible prosecution. In a separate development, the Department secured the conviction of 34 Ethiopian nationals in Kabwe for various immigration-related offences. According to Nshinka, 24 of the Ethiopians were each fined K3,000 or sentenced to four months simple imprisonment for unlawful presence in Zambia.

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Another six were fined K2,500 each or sentenced to four months simple imprisonment for the same offence.The remaining four Ethiopian nationals were each fined K3,000 or, in default, sentenced to four months simple imprisonment for failing to report to the nearest Immigration Officer upon entering the country. Meanwhile, the Lusaka Magistrate Court convicted a Burundian national and sentenced him to 12 months simple imprisonment without the option of a fine for obtaining a National Registration Card through false pretences. In Mpika, a Tanzanian national was also sentenced to 12 months simple imprisonment without the option of a fine after being found guilty of concealing his true nationality and unlawfully staying in Zambia.

Nshinka reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws and maintaining the integrity of the country’s immigration system. He urged members of the public to continue reporting suspected immigration offences to the nearest Immigration Office or through the Department’s established reporting channels.

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