The Department of Immigration has convicted two Tanzanian nationals involved in the aiding and abetting of 20 undocumented Ethiopian immigrants.
Department of Immigration Public Relations Officer, Namati Nshinka, says Sanga Joseph Izack aged 39, a driver, and Seif Elias Mashombo aged 41, a turn-boy, were convicted and sentenced by the Chibombo Magistrate Court on 14th January, 2025, after being apprehended on 29th December, 2024, in the Kanona area of Serenje District
Mr. Nshinka said that immigration officers discovered the 20 undocumented Ethiopian nationals, aged between 15 and 24, hidden in a Tanzanian-registered scania double-trailer truck loaded with detergent powder.
“The vehicle, belonging to Kangaro Shoe cream Brands Limited of Arusha, Tanzania, was en route to the Democratic Republic of Congo,” said Mr. Nshinka in a statement issued to RCV News in Lusaka today.
He said that the duo was found guilty of aiding and abetting the immigrants saying that they were sentenced to pay a fine of K 80,000 each, or serve nine months simple imprisonment.
Mr. Nshinka said that the court forfeited K 9,050 found in the possession of the driver, which was determined to be part of the payment for transporting the undocumented individuals and provisionally forfeited the truck used to commit the crime.
Meanwhile, Mr. Nshinka said that in a separate case, Owen Bisenga, a 40-year-old Zambian national, was convicted on 14th January, 2025, by the Chibombo Magistrate Court for aiding and abetting a prohibited immigrant.
He said that Bisenga, who was apprehended on 31st December, 2024, at the Chibombo immigration office, had attempted to make a follow-up regarding a Congolese national previously arrested for aiding and abetting illegal immigrants.
Mr. Nshinka said that Bisenga was sentenced to two years imprisonment with hard labour without the option of a fine.
Angel Kasabo