from ARNOLD MULENGA in Lusaka, Zambia
Zambia Bureau
LUSAKA, (CAJ News) -TWO locals have been convicted, dozens of foreign nationals arraigned and deported as Zambia cracks down on illegal immigration.
The Nyimba Magistrate Court has convicted two Zambian nationals in connection with a case involving 30 Ethiopian nationals who were intercepted in Nyimba District in the Eastern region, while being transported in an ambulance.
The court sentenced Samukenge Chikema (45) and Boyd Phiri (43) to two years imprisonment each, with no option of a fine.
They are guilty of aiding and abetting the illegal entry and stay of prohibited immigrants.
The two were apprehended on January 25 at Kacholola checkpoint in a Lusaka-bound ambulance belonging to Altaf Memorial Hospital.
The third accused person, Linah Mulipa Banda (28), pleaded not guilty and her matter has been adjourned to March 26 for trial.
Namati Nshinka, Immigration spokesperson, said the conviction and imprisonment of the offenders in the Nyimba case demonstrated illegal immigration was not tolerated.
“The Department remains unwavering in its commitment to identify, apprehend and prosecute all individuals involved in these offences.”
Meanwhile, 28 of the 30 Ethiopian nationals have appeared before court on charges of unlawful entry.
Their case has been adjourned to March 2.
In a related development, recently, the Serenje Immigration Office secured convictions of 51 foreign nationals for immigration-related offences.
The convicted individuals comprised 42 Ethiopians, six Bangladeshis, two Pakistani nationals convicted for failure to appear before an Immigration Officer, and one Tanzanian national convicted for unlawful presence.
The 51 were apprehended in separate incidents between December 18 and January 14.
The Serenje Magistrate Court imposed fines ranging from K1 000 (US53,48) to K2 000 or between two and three months imprisonment.
Further, between February 13 and 17, Immigration deported 52 people from the country through Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.
These comprised 30 Ethiopians, 11 Pakistanis and ten Somalis. One Egyptian national was deported.
On February 14, officers at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport refused exit to two Zambian females aged 29 and 30 who were travelling to Oman and Lebanon to take up employment as domestic workers.
The duo did not possess the requisite clearance from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, in line with established labour migration protection procedures.
– CAJ News