By 
The Zambia Department of Immigration has urged transport and logistics companies to closely monitor the activities of their drivers and vehicles, warning that failure to do so may expose them to legal consequences if their vehicles were used to facilitate illegal immigrants.
Department Chief Public Relations Officer, Namati Nshinka, cautioned that transporting undocumented migrants was a serious criminal offence that carried severe penalties.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Wednesday, following the apprehension of 21 undocumented Ethiopia nationals in Nakonde on March 3, 2026, Nshinka warned truck drivers against aiding and abetting illegal immigrants.
Two Tanzania truck drivers — Philbert Faustine Rubagumya (49) and Ally Hamza Kija (34) — were also detained for allegedly facilitating the illegal entry of the migrants.
The 21 Ethiopians were discovered concealed inside empty fuel compartments of two Tanzanian-registered tanker trucks, registration numbers T150 BLX/T603 BMK and T694 BUH/T692 BUA, which the suspects were driving.
“The trucks were intercepted at Ilendela Village in Nakonde District, approximately 25 kilometres from Nakonde Town, following a tip-off from members of the public,” Nshinka said.
Read More: 165 detained in Lusaka Immigration sweep, more arrests recorded in Ndola
Preliminary investigations reveal that the tanker trucks belong to a Tanzanian company, World Oil Limited, and were transporting fuel destined for the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Ethiopians were reportedly en route to South Africa.
All 21 Ethiopian nationals and the two Tanzanian drivers are currently detained at Nakonde Police Station pending further investigations and prosecution. The two tanker trucks have since been impounded.
In a related development, officers from Nakonde Border Control on Sunday, March 1, 2026, apprehended fifteen undocumented Ethiopian nationals aged between 12 and 22 for illegal entry and unlawful stay in the country.
Two Zambians — Weston Siwale (54) and Kelvin Solomba (57) — both security guards at New Nakonde Secondary School, were also arrested for harbouring the migrants.
Nshinka said the 15 Ethiopians were found hidden inside an unfinished ablution block at the school after concerned residents reported suspicious activities at the premises.
All the suspects are currently in Immigration custody pending further investigations and possible prosecution.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments