from ARNOLD MULENGA in Lusaka, Zambia
Zambia Bureau
LUSAKA, (CAJ News) – ZAMBIA has arrested, deported and refused entry to scores of foreign nationals during a crackdown on illegal immigration.
Among those affected by the clampdown are Burundian, Chinese, Congolese, Malawian, Rwandese, as well as nationals from Botswana, India, Somalia, South Africa, Lebanon, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda and the United Kingdom.
The offences largely relate to immigration status violations, including unlawful stay, illegal entry, being undocumented, overstaying and fraud-related offences such as possession of forged documents, false identity and breach of permit or refugee conditions.
Among the 105 individuals apprehended in recent days was a Zambian national who was arrested for aiding and abetting the illegal entry of a foreign national into the country.
The Department of Immigration has secured the conviction of two Tanzanian nationals, Kija Ally Hamza (32) and Rubagumya Philbert Faustine (39), who have been convicted for aiding and abetting illegal immigrants, contrary to the Immigration and Deportation Act.
They have been fined K100 000 each or, in default of payment, nine months’ simple imprisonment.
The convictions emanated from an operation where Immigration Officers, working jointly with the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), intercepted two fuel tanker trucks carrying 21 Ethiopian nationals concealed in compartments in an attempt to enter Zambia illegally.
In a case at Kasumbalesa Border Control, a Congolese national was apprehended for multiple serious offences following intelligence-led operations.
Some 47 individuals have been deported in recent days.
Additionally, 11 individuals have been refused entry into Zambia, comprising five Zimbabweans, three Congolese and one each from Malawi, Tanzania and Ethiopia.
Namati Nshinka, Immigration spokesman, said the refusals were based on inadmissibility factors such as expired or invalid documentation, unclear travel purpose, exhaustion of permitted stay and prior immigration violations.
“The Department of Immigration wishes to reiterate its commitment to enforcing the law and maintaining the integrity of Zambia’s borders,” he said.
“Members of the public are urged to desist from harbouring or assisting illegal immigrants, as this constitutes a criminal offence, and to report any suspected cases to the nearest Immigration Office.”
The Southern African nation is tightening security ahead of polls in August.
– CAJ News