57 NABBED IN LUSAKA JOINT CLEAN-UP OPERATION

The Department of Immigration has apprehended 57 persons for various immigration related offences.  They were arrested in a Department of Immigration-led operation carried-out with support from the Zambia Police. The operation was conducted on 23^rd February, 2023 and covered various parts of Lusaka, including the Chinika Industrial Area where a number of drinks suspected to have been illegal manufactured, were found at some named companies.  Fifteen (15) suspected illegal immigrants were apprehended at the named companies. Alarmed by the unsanitary environment in which these products were being manufactured, relevant stakeholders were immediately informed.

On 24^th February, a Joint team of Officers from the Department of Immigration, Zambia Police, Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA), Lusaka City Council’s Health Department, and the Food and Drug Department under the University Teaching Hospital inspected the companies and have since instituted investigations. The Lusaka clean-up operation brings the number of persons apprehended for various immigration offences between 20^th and 23^rd February, 2013 to 143.

Meanwhile, the Isoka Immigration Office on 20^th February, 2023 secured the conviction of the three Somalis and one Kenyan of Somali origin intercepted in the early hours of 17^th February, 2023 at Mwaiseni Checkpoint aboard a Fuel Tank and Trailer by a Joint team of Immigration and Police Officers. Khalid Mahad Mohamed (25), a Somali, Feisal Ali Yusuf (36) a Kenyan of Somali Origin, and Isse Ahmed Gure (30) a Somali, faced counts of failure to appear before the nearest Immigration Officer and using forged documents.  For each count, they were each sentenced to pay a fine of K 7,000 or in default 9 months simple imprisonment. Meanwhile, Abdi Ali Mohamed (31) the Somali who was driving the Fuel Tank and Trailer Truck was sentenced to pay a fine of    K 7,000 or in default 9 months simple imprisonment for failing to extend the validity of his Employment Permit.

In another development, the Chinsali Immigration Office on 20^th February, 2023 secured the conviction of a 22-year-old Rwandese national for failing to appear before the nearest Immigration Officer contrary to section 12 (2) of the Immigration and Deportation Act No.18 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia. Vincent Niyomwugere was apprehended on 8^th February, 2023 at Nambuluma Police Checkpoint aboard a Lusaka-bound Power Tools Public Service Bus. This was after he failed to produce his travel document when requested by an Immigration Officer during a routine immigration status verification exercise. It was later established that he did not appear before an Immigration Officer when he entered Zambia through Nakonde Border Control. He appeared before the Chinsali Magistrate Court where he was sentenced to pay a fine of K 8,000 or in default 9 months simple imprisonment.

Similarly, the Chingola Immigration Office on 20^th February, 2023 secured the conviction of a 27-year-old Congolese national for failing to appear before the nearest Immigration Officer. Louis Kamanda Lumamba was apprehended on 13^th February, 2023 at Kafue Checkpoint within Chingola aboard a Kitwe-bound Higer Public Service Bus.  This was after he failed to produce his travel document when requested by an Immigration Officer during a routine immigration status verification exercise. It was immediately established that he did not appear before an Immigration Officer when he entered Zambia through Kasumbalesa Border Control. He appeared before the Chingola Magistrate Court where he was sentenced to pay a fine of K 5,000 or in default 9 months simple imprisonment. The Isoka, Chinsali and Chingola convictions bring the number of convictions secured by the Department between 20^th and 23^rd February, 2023 to 67. During this same period, the Department also  removed 41 illegal immigrants from the Country.

Namati H. Nshinka (Mr)

PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER