Two Zambian immigration officers from Kariba border post in Siavonga have been arrested by Zimbabwean security authorities at Chirundu border post after they allegedly tried to smuggle fish from that country into Zambia.
The duo is alleged to have tried to escape from that country while transporting several tonnes of fish bought from Zimbabwe.
The two named officers, a Mr. Banda and a Mr. Lunga from Kariba immigration office, were nabbed by Zimbabwe security officers who were manning Chirundu border post in the early hours of Friday.
The officers were allegedly found of possession of 3.6 tonnes of fresh fish, which they dubiously bought from that country and attempted to cross with it into Zambia.
The Zimbabwean government recently imposed a fish ban on the movement of fish from that country to its neighboring countries.
Immigration sources from both Kariba and Chirundu border posts confirmed the arrest of the two named officers to ZANIS in Siavonga today
They said the officers are currently remanded in custody in Zimbabwe’s Karoyi town and are expected to appear in court tomorrow.
The sources disclosed that the two immigration officers were arrested along with three other Zimbabwean security officers, whom they alleged connived with to assist them transport the fish from that country into Zambia.
They further said apart from arresting the two Zambian immigration and three Zimbabwean officers, the security authorities in that country also impounded the truck that was carrying the fish.
When he was contacted for a comment, Kariba border immigration Officer In Charge, Isaac Zimba, could neither confirm nor deny the arrest of his officers saying all he knew was that his officers were absent from the station.
ZANIS/LL/KSH/ENDS