Immigration office nabs 38 suspected illegal immigrants in Lusaka, Kilwa operations

The Lusaka Regional Immigration Office has reportedly conducted a successful operation, apprehending 13 suspected illegal immigrants in Libala, Chalala, and Chilenje.

The operation targeted the removal of individuals lacking proper documentation from the province, resulting in the capture of 11 individuals from Burundi, one from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and one from Tanzania.

Namati Nshinka, the Immigration Public Relations Officer, confirmed that all detainees were found without proper documentation and are currently awaiting screening.

In a separate operation in Kilwa, a joint team of Immigration and Police Officers detained two male Congolese nationals, identified as Ngoi Luwi, 25, and Philemon Ilunga, 19, both residents of Lukonzolwa village in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The suspects were apprehended in Chipulwe Village of Nchelenge District for failing to provide legal documentation for their stay in Zambia.

They are currently detained pending further formalities.

The combined efforts of the Lusaka and Kilwa operations brought the total number of persons apprehended for various immigration offenses on Thursday to 38.

In a related development, Ndola Magistrate Court convicted a 32-year-old female Congolese Refugee, Kalenga Masau, for being found outside of a refugee settlement without a valid pass.

Masau, based at Maheba Refugee Settlement, was arrested on April 30, 2024, at a Zambia National Service (ZNS) checkpoint along the Sakania road by the Ndola Regional Immigration Office.

She failed to produce a valid gate pass authorizing her presence outside the settlement and was sentenced to pay a fine of K 10,000 or face six months of simple imprisonment.

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