The Department of Immigration has apprehended 26 Ethiopia Nationals for illegal entry into Zambia.
Department of Immigration Public Relations Officer, Namati Nshinka says 8 Ethiopian nationals aged between 14 and 21 where arrested at the Muyombe immigration office in Muchinga Province, after they were found walking in the bushes of Chamawa area in Mafinga District.
Mr. Nshinka said that preliminary investigations suggest that the group entered Zambia illegally from Malawi using bush paths, intending to continue their journey to South Africa, saying that a 24-year-old Malawian man was also apprehended for aiding and abetting the undocumented Ethiopians.
“Meanwhile, the other 18 aged between 24 and 20 were apprehended by the Nyimba immigration office who were intercepted by police at Kacholola Checkpoint in a Lusaka-bound Toyota Sienta vehicle, registration number CAA 740,” said Mr. Nshinka in a statement issued to RCV News in Lusaka today.
He said that 2 Zambian nationals, Jacob Mbewe aged 37 and Damiano Banda aged 46, both of Katete District, were also arrested for allegedly aiding and abetting the illegal immigrants.
And Mr. Nshinka also disclosed that the Lusaka Regional Immigration Office on 9th January also apprehended 17 suspected illegal immigrants at COMESA Market.
He said that the suspects, 15 Tanzanians and two Congolese nationals, were detained, and will appear before the court soon.
Angel Kasabo
