GOVERNMENT has expressed great concern over the increased cases of Zambians aiding prohibited immigrants to enter the country illegally through Nakonde border in Northern Province.
Nakonde District Commissioner Edwin Sinyinza told Zambia News and Information Services [ZANIS] in Nakonde today that his office is concerned and worried with the trend.
Mr. Sinyinza said the increased cases of Zambian nationals being caught aiding prohibited immigrants to enter the country illegally were posing a serious security risk to the country.
He warned those aiding prohibited immigrants that they risk heavy punishment once arrested.
The District Commissioner also called on the security officers in the border town to be patriotic and ensure that they do not allow prohibited immigrants to enter the country illegally as they would destabilize the peace and harmony the country was currently enjoying.
Mr. Sinyinza was reacting to the arrest of 13 Somali nationals in the early hours of yesterday who were intercepted at Nsansamwenje Basic school about 56 km from Nakonde border along the Great North Road.
The 13 were enroute to Lusaka aboard a Mitsubishi Carter registration number ACL 3411.
The driver together with the Somalian nationals is currently detained at Nakonde police station and would appear in court soon.
The named driver used Malawi road and connected into the Great North Road in order to avoid a police check point at Wulongo but security officers working on a tip from members of the public waylaid the truck and intercepted it just as it was connecting into the Great North Road from Malawi road around 01:00 hours.
A source from the immigration office said the driver of the truck failed to stop when ordered to do so forcing other officers in the operation to fire warning shots in the air.
The source added that initial investigations have indicated that the Somalian nationals had paid US$200 each to be taken to Lusaka.
The driver was found with US $200 in his pocket which he claimed was the only money paid to him to ferry the Somalian nationals to Lusaka.
Three weeks ago, another Zambian Fuso truck was intercepted with 21 Somalian nationals after it was involved in a road traffic accident along Nakonde / Malawi road in the night.
Others escaped into the nearby bush while others were captured and taken to the police station.
The immigration department has since impounded the two trucks which are currently parked at Nakonde police station.
Three other taxi drivers were arrested in September last year after they were intercepted with Somalian nationals in their car while another taxi driver and a senior immigration officer were also arrested last November with suspected prohibited immigrants in their respective cars.
Ends/JM/MM/ZANIS
because plenty of Zambians are also living as illegal immigrants in the diaspora
Address the issue of poverty you f o o l s ninshi mwasova! SIMPLES!