By 
A 32-year-old Zambian man has been sentenced to two years in prison for aiding illegal immigration after he was found transporting Ethiopian nationals in eastern Zambia, the Department of Immigration said.
Jack Banda was convicted by the Katete Magistrate Court on Tuesday and fined K80,000, with the court ordering that he serve two years’ imprisonment if he fails to pay the fine.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Department of Immigration Chief Public Relations Officer, Namati Nshinka, said Banda was convicted of contravening Section 46(1)(a) and Section 46(2) of the Immigration and Deportation Act, Chapter 123 of the Laws of Zambia.
Read more: Tiktoker ‘Brotherman’ in Immigration net over alleged hate speech targeting President Hichilema
Nshinka said Banda was apprehended on Sept. 6 during a joint operation involving the Katete Immigration Office and the Zambia Police Service.
“Officers intercepted him in Katete while he was transporting three Ethiopian nationals on a motorcycle,” he said.
Two other Ethiopian nationals were later apprehended following a search of the surrounding area, Nshinka said.
Investigations established that Banda had been engaged to travel from Petauke to Vubwi District to collect foreign nationals and transport them back to Petauke, he said.
Banda was to be paid K2,000 for the undertaking and admitted during investigations that it was the second time he had engaged in such activity, Nshinka said.
“Investigations further established that the foreign nationals had crossed into Zambia from Malawi before being picked up for onward transportation,” he said.
The Department of Immigration warned members of the public against aiding or facilitating the illegal entry, movement or stay of foreign nationals.
Nshinka said providing transport, accommodation or other assistance to facilitate illegal immigration was an offence punishable by law.
He urged members of the public to desist from activities that facilitated illegal immigration.
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