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The Department of Immigration has apprehended a 34-year-old Zambian national for aiding and abetting the illegal entry into Zambia of seven Ethiopian nationals, barely a day after the Nakonde Magistrate Court convicted another Zambian for a similar offence.
On Saturday, July, 4, 2026, the Kapiri Mposhi Immigration Office apprehended Simukanzye Fred Mpumpu, 34, of Mbala District for allegedly aiding and abetting the illegal entry into Zambia of seven Ethiopian nationals aged between 19 and 27 years.
Department of Immigration Chief Public Relations Officer Namati Nshinka confirmed this in a statement issued in Lusaka on Tuesday.
He said the apprehension followed a report from Zambia Revenue Authority Officers at the Enforcement Centre along the Kapiri Mposhi–Nakonde Road regarding an unregistered in-transit Nissan NV150 AD motor vehicle destined for Zimbabwe, which was suspected to be transporting prohibited immigrants.
Acting on the information, Immigration officers rushed to the scene and intercepted the vehicle which was being driven by Mpumpu.
Following a quick search, officers found the seven Ethiopian nationals on board, all in possession of Ethiopian passports that did not bear Zambian entry endorsement stamps.
“The Ethiopian nationals were subsequently apprehended for failure to appear before the nearest Immigration Officer upon entry into Zambia, contrary to the provisions of the Immigration and Deportation Act, Chapter 123 of the Laws of Zambia,” Nshinka said.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the individuals were suspected to have entered Zambia unlawfully through Nakonde Border Control on an unknown date while en-route to South Africa.
“The seven Ethiopian nationals and the driver are currently detained at Kapiri Mposhi Police Post pending further investigations and possible prosecution,” he said.
The motor vehicle has since been impounded to facilitate ongoing investigations.
Read More: 165 detained in Lusaka Immigration sweep, more arrests recorded in Ndola
Nshinka warned members of the public against aiding or facilitating illegal immigration, as such actions constitute serious offences under the Immigration and Deportation Act and attract severe penalties.
Meanwhile, on Friday, July, 3, 2026, the Nakonde Magistrate Court convicted Saul Siwale, 26, of Muchika Village in Nakonde District for aiding and abetting four Ethiopian illegal immigrants.
The court sentenced Siwale to pay a fine of K120,000 or, in default, serve nine months simple imprisonment.
“We remain resolute in our commitment to combating illegal immigration and urge the public to report suspected immigration offences to the nearest Immigration Office,” he said.
Siwale was apprehended on 4th March, 2026, within Nakonde Town after investigations linked him to four Ethiopian nationals who had earlier been apprehended by Immigration officers on 25th February, 2026, at Grace Lodge in Katozi Village, Nakonde District.
Investigations established that Siwale had facilitated the unlawful stay of the four Ethiopian nationals by transporting them and paying for their accommodation at the lodge.
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