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Director of Public Prosecutions, Gilbert Phiri, has applied for the forfeiture of household goods and two motor vehicles seized from two Egyptian nationals in Lusaka, citing illegal trading activities and suspected abuse of immigration permits.
In an application for non-conviction-based forfeiture filed before the Economic and Financial Crimes Division of the High Court, Principal Immigration Officer Ian Mutamina outlined how the items were confiscated during compliance operations in the Chalala residential area.
Mutamina stated that on December 27, 2024, he conducted routine inspections targeting individuals suspected of trading without valid permits.
During the exercise, two Egyptians—Abdelhamid Elsayed Abdelhamid Elsanbouk and Emeselhy Ahmed Elimeselhy Ahmed Kamh—were found selling household goods.
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The seized items included a square dinner set, Thermo Maxx 35-piece food warmer set, DSP 12-litre microwave, DSP toaster, multifunctional blenders, a DSP heating blender, 1700W air fryer, Salchi blender (7-in-1), DSP stand mixer (3-in-1), electric washer, DSP electric pressure cooker, carpets, Smart-X air cooler, cookware sets, sandwich makers and microwave ovens.
He said the men produced their passports upon request; however, inspections revealed that neither document contained any endorsement or permit authorising them to conduct trading activities in Zambia.
Mutamina further told the court that the duo was using two Toyota Noah motor vehicles—registration numbers AUB 2288ZM and BAL 5188ZM—as makeshift shops to store and sell household goods. The vehicles and merchandise were subsequently seized.
Investigations later revealed that Elsanbouk held an employment permit under Pro-Spects Zambia Limited as a technical quality specialist, while Kamh was reportedly employed as a senior operations manager at M.A.E Northern Fabrics Company Limited.
However, Mutamina stated that both men failed to identify the physical locations of their purported employers, raising suspicion that the permits had been obtained through false representations.
Further checks with the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) showed that the vehicles were registered under different individuals and had allegedly changed hands through undocumented transactions.
The State submitted that efforts to trace the current owners proved unsuccessful, while the two foreign nationals failed to comply with report orders issued on December 30, 2024, and have remained at large.
On January 23, 2025, the Director General of Immigration revoked both men’s employment permits on grounds that they had been fraudulently obtained.
Mutamina added that no individual had come forward to claim the seized vehicles or goods since their confiscation.
He argued that the properties were “tainted” and linked to violations of the Immigration and Deportation Act and the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act.
The State is seeking a court order to have the vehicles and assorted household items—including kitchen appliances, cookware, carpets and electrical goods—permanently forfeited to the State.
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