The Immigration Department has appealed to Zambians to desist from harboring illegal and prohibited immigrants as this is a risk to themselves and to national security.
Immigration Department Public Relations Officer Mulako Mbangweta told ZANIS in an interview that harboring foreigners is a danger because some of the foreigners may have criminal records from their countries of origin.
Ms Mbangweta said it is unfortunate that some Zambians were renting out houses to foreign nationals with no valid permits or any other legal documents permitting their stay in the country.
She said the Department, with the support of other relevant authorities, would soon swing into action to weed out illegal immigrants.
Ms Mbangweta warned that Zambians harboring illegal and prohibited immigrants would not be spared and would face the full wrath of the law.
Meanwhile, the Immigration Department has reiterated its appeal to Foreign Missions in Zambia to assist in the repatriation of their citizens languishing in Zambian prisons.
Ms. Mbangweta however commended the British and American embassies for the help they have been rendering to the department in repatriating their foreign nationals.