By 
The Department of Immigration has intensified its enforcement activities across Zambia, securing 39 convictions for immigration-related offences in a single day—April 30, 2025.
This was confirmed by the department’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Namati Nshinka, who noted that the convictions were part of ongoing nationwide operations targeting illegal immigration.
Among the notable cases, two foreign nationals were sentenced by the Kafue and Chirundu Magistrate Courts for breaching immigration laws.
In Kafue, 30-year-old Burundian national Rama Bizimana was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment without the option of a fine for unlawfully re-entering Zambia after a previous deportation.
He was arrested on April 23 at the Kafue Checkpoint, where Immigration Officers discovered that he had earlier been deported by the Lusaka Regional Immigration Office after a conviction for unlawful stay.
In Chirundu, 40-year-old Zimbabwean national Arisen Kimu was fined K14,000 or, in default, sentenced to nine months’ simple imprisonment.
He was charged with failure to appear before an Immigration Officer upon entry into Zambia and unlawful stay.
Read more: 17 arrested for immigration violations in Ndola, 19 others moved to Mayukwayukwa Refugee settlement
Kimu was apprehended on April 24 at Borders Bakery following a tip-off. Investigations revealed he had entered Zambia illegally in 2015 and stayed in the country unlawfully for nearly 10 years.
On the same day, the Department of Immigration in Chongwe District revoked several immigration permits due to non-compliance with permit conditions.
At Victoria Falls Border Control, five Russian nationals were apprehended for failing to appear before an Immigration Officer upon departure.
They had entered the country for water rafting activities and were intercepted by Zimbabwean authorities while attempting to cross the border without proper clearance.
“They were also found in possession of an undocumented drone, which has since been confiscated by the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA),” Nshinka said.
He added that the Russians have since regularised their status by paying for Temporary Employment Permits and are expected to leave Zambia within 14 days.
The Victoria Falls incident brought the total number of individuals apprehended for immigration-related offences between April 30 and May 1, 2025, to 46.
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