The Lusaka Regional Immigration office yesterday apprehended 45 suspected illegal immigrants in a cleanup operation.
Those nabbed during the operation which covered Chaisa, SOS, Matero, Chilenje, Bauleni and Ibex Hill were 41 Burundians, 2 Egyptians and 2 Rwandese nationals.
Department of Immigration Public Relations officer Namati Nshinka says the suspects all failed to produce documentary proof of legal immigration status and are currently detained pending further screening.
“The operation is part of ongoing enforcement measures aimed at ridding the city of illegal immigrants,” said Mr. Nshinka in a statement issued to RCV News in Lusaka today.
He said that a similar operation was conducted on 11th June, 2024 in Ndola’s Chipulukusu, Mitengo, Pamodzi and Kansenshi, during which 15 Congolese nationals were apprehended.
Mr. Nshinka said that the Lusaka and Ndola operations brought the number of persons apprehended for various immigration offences between 10th and 17th June, 2024 to 297.
He also said that between 10th and 17th June, 2024, 157 illegal immigrants of different nationalities were removed from the country, including 22 Ethiopians removed on 16th June, 2024 via Kenneth Kaunda International Airport after paying court fines for various immigration offences.
By Angel Kasabo
