• The group was apprehended on 11th July, 2021.
• They failed to produce documentation legalizing their entry into Zambia.
• All were convicted and each sentenced to pay a fine of K 3,000 or in default 9 months simple imprisonment.

Department of Immigration says its Nakonde Officer has secured the conviction of 13 Ethiopian nationals for failing to appear before the nearest Immigration Officer contrary to the Laws of Zambia.

Immigration Public Relations Officer Namati Nshinka told Money FM News that the group was apprehended on 11th July, 2021 when they failed to produce documents legalizing their entry into the country,

Mr. Nshinka said this was during midnight patrols to check Covid1-19 compliance levels jointly conducted by Officers from Immigration and other Security Wings.

“The Department of Immigration in Nakonde has secured the conviction of 13 Ethiopian nationals for the offence of failing to appear before the nearest Immigration Officer contrary to section 12(2) as read with section 56(1) of the Immigration and Deportation Act No.18 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia.”

“They appeared before the Magistrate Court in Nakonde and were all convicted and each sentenced to pay a fine of K 3,000 or in default 9 months simple imprisonment. This brings the number of convictions secured by the Department between 29th July and 4th August, 2021 to 67,” Mr. Nshinka said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Nshinka disclosed that between 29th July and 4th August, 2021, Immigration Officers in Nakonde also apprehended 11 male Ethiopian nationals for unlawful entry into the country.

He said the Ethiopians were apprehended as they were walking along the Malawi Road, which leads to Chitipa in Malawi after a tip-off from concerned and alert members of the public.

“It is suspected that they entered Zambia using illegal bush paths with the intention to enter Malawi and later re-enter Zambia and use the Eastern Corridor to reach South Africa, their apparent destination. They are currently detained at Nakonde Police Station pending prosecution. This brings the number of persons of different nationalities apprehended by the Department between 29th July and 4th August, 2021 to 68,” he stated.

He added that the Department also removed 108 illegal immigrants from the country during the same period who include 24 Congolese, comprising 10 adults and 14 children.

Mr. Nshinka said they were removed by the Mongu Regional Immigration Office on 31st July, 2021 via Kasumbalesa Border Control.

“This was after they were arrested on 6th June, 2021 at a named guest house for not having any travel documents. Investigations revealed that their movement was organized and that they entered Zambia through Kasumbalesa Border Control en route to Namibia.”