The Department of Immigration has apprehended 222 persons of different nationalities in a clean-up operation conducted on 27th June 2024, in conjunction with other security wings including the Zambia Police Service, the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and the National Anti-Terrorism Centre.
Those apprehended were 50 persons of unverified nationalities, 42 Burundians, 36 Congolese, 30 Tanzanians and 29 persons claiming to be Zambians.
Immigration Public Relations Officer, Namati Nshinka, says others were ten Rwandese, eight Zimbabweans, four Chinese, four Indians, four Zambians, two Somalis, one American, one Sierra Leonean and one Ugandan.
“Of those nabbed, 217 were for various immigration offences while five, among them four Zambians and one American, were for drug related offences and their cases are being handled by the DEC,” said Mr. Nshinka in a statement issued to RCV News in Lusaka today.
He said the areas covered included Lusaka West, COMESA market, Kamwala, Nyumba Yanga, Meanwood Ndeke, Chalala, Mtendere, Kalingalinga and Makeni Villa.
And Mr. Nshinka said on 25th and 26th June, 2024, a joint team of Immigration Officers and Officers from other security wings conducted a similar operation in Mugabe Village and Abuja area near the Mwami One Stop Border Post where Forty-three suspects were apprehended.
He said those included 41 Malawians and two persons who claimed to be Zambians.
Meanwhile, Mr. Nshinka said on 26th and 27th June, 2024, the Serenje Immigration Office secured the conviction of 34 Ethiopians for failing to appear before the nearest Immigration Officer on entry and unlawful stay.
He also said a total of 116 illegal immigrants from the country and refused 16 foreign nationals entry for failing to meet various entry requirements.
By Eva Hatontola
