Three Zambians convicted for aiding, abetting illegal immigrants

The Isoka Immigration Office has secured the conviction of three Zambians for aiding and abetting illegal immigrants, authorities have revealed.

Department of Immigration Public Relations Officer, Namati Nshinka, said the offence was contrary to section 46 (1) (a) of the Immigration and Deportation Act No.18 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia.

Nshinka said this in a statement issued in Lusaka on Saturday.

“Elias Phiri (29), a Police Constable based at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport Police Station, Moses Phiri (26) of Lusaka’s Libala, and Nathan Chomba (23) of Chilanga, were nabbed on August 10, 2023 by Immigration Officers at Mwaiseni Checkpoint during a routine inspection,” he said.

Nshinka said this was after three undocumented Burundians were found in a Toyota Axio Registration number BBA 8411 ZM driven by Moses Phiri in the company of Elias Phiri and Nathan Chomba.

He said the trio was jointly charged and appeared before the Isoka Magistrate Court on August 17, 2023, where they were convicted and each sentenced to pay a fine of K60,000 or, in default, nine months simple imprisonment.

“Meanwhile, the three Burundians were convicted and each sentenced to pay a fine of K 3,500 or, in default, nine months simple imprisonment for failing to appear before the nearest Immigration Officer when entering Zambia,” Nshinka said.

He said the Court provisionally forfeited the Toyota Axio registration number BBA 8411 ZM, used to aid the illegal immigrants, to the State.

Nshinka said the forfeiture would be permanent if the vehicle was not claimed within 90 days.

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