12 illegal immigrant Ethiopians accident survivors transferred to Lusaka

Twelve (12) of the Fourteen (14) Ethiopians who survived the fatal accident which occurred on 29th August, 2016 along the Mbala-Nakonde Road killing three (03) foreigners were on Wednesday, 7th September, 2016 transferred to Lusaka. This was done in conjunction with the Human Rights Commission of Zambia and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The other two (02) are still admitted at Mbala General Hospital. Arrangements for their repatriation to Ethiopia are underway. Meanwhile, two (02) out of the three (03) bodies of the deceased were positively identified by the Ethiopian Officials and arrangements to have the remains repatriated to Ethiopians have reached an advanced stage.

This is according to a press statement released to the media by public relations officer Mr Namati Nshinka.

Meanwhile, the remaining 38 Ethiopians survivors of the tragic suspected human trafficking incident which occurred along the Peddicle Road, in which 19 Ethiopians died, were on Thursday, 8th September, 2016 repatriated to Ethiopia. This was done with the financial assistance of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) who earlier on also assisted with the repatriation of the first 38 victims. This means that all the 76 survivors have now been repatriated to Ethiopia.

The Department between Monday, 5th September, 2016 and Thursday, 9th September, 2016 arrested a total of Sixty Three (63) foreign nationals for various immigration offences. These include 7 Malawians in Chipata, 2 Congolese in Chingola, 1 Zimbabwean in Solwezi, 1 Congolese in Kafue, 1 Congolese in Lusaka, 1 Congolese in Kitwe and another Congolese in Chibombo, all arrested for unlawful stay. Twenty (22) Congolese in Kasumbalesa, 2 Congolese in Luanshya, 2 Tanzanian in Mpika and 1 Congolese in Mpulungu, were arrested for unlawful entry. Meanwhile, 10 Tanzanians and 2 Egyptians in Ndola, 3 Batswana and 1 Tanzanian in Kasumbalesa and 1 Chinese national in Lusaka, all arrested for trading without permits while 2 Zimbabweans in Lusaka were arrested for working without permits. Finally in Solwezi, 3 Rwandese Refugees were arrested for being found outside a refugee settlement without authority.

During the same period a total of Fifteen (15) foreign nationals were convicted by the Courts of Law. These include 3 Malawians in Lundazi convicted for unlawful entry. One was sentenced to pay a fine of K 6,000 or in default 1 year simple imprisonment, another to pay a fine of K7, 000 or in default 6 months simple imprisonment. The third person was sentenced to pay a fine of K 4,000 or in default 8 months simple imprisonment. Similarly, in Mokambo, 5 Congolese were convicted and sentenced to pay a fine of K 500 each or in default 4 months simple imprisonment for unlawful entry.

Meanwhile, in Kafue, 1 Congolese was convicted and sentenced to pay a fine of K 5,000 or in default 8 months simple imprisonment for unlawful stay. Similarly, in Senanga, 1 Angolan was convicted and sentenced to pay a fine of K 5,000 or in default 5 months simple imprisonment for a similar offence, while in Lusaka, a Ugandan national was convicted and sentenced to pay a fine of K 3,000 or in default 9 months simple imprisonment for unlawful presence. The Court also ordered that he be deported upon completion of the sentence.

In other development, in Solwezi, 1 Zimbabwean was convicted and sentenced to pay a fine of K 7,000 or in default 1 year simple imprisonment for unlawful stay. The same Court also convicted and sentenced 2 Rwandese nationals to pay a fine of K 2,500 each or in default 6 months simple imprisonment for trading without permits. Further, in Kafue, 1 South African was convicted and sentenced to pay a fine of K 5,000 or in default 8 months simple imprisonment for failing to comply with a notice to leave the country.