Truck driver jailed for aiding six Ethiopian nationals

A 45-year-old Zambian truck driver has been sentenced to 24 months imprisonment with hard labour, suspended for 24 months, for aiding and abetting six Ethiopian nationals to enter or remain in Zambia unlawfully.

Nevol Ngandu of Sonta Compound in Kafue was apprehended at the Kazungula One Stop Border Post after Immigration Officers discovered six Ethiopian nationals concealed in his truck.

In a statement issued by the Department’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Namati Nshinka, investigations established that Ngandu had agreed to transport the six from Lusaka to Kazungula at a fee of K1, 000 per person.

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“Ngandu was convicted and sentenced on August 18, 2026. His truck has also been provisionally forfeited to the State, subject to any claim by a third party,” Nshinka said.

Meanwhile, the Department has apprehended 25 suspected illegal immigrants in Lusaka and secured three other convictions for immigration-related offences in Isoka, Chipata and Chirundu.

Nshinka said the Lusaka Regional Immigration Office conducted a compliance operation on August 19 in Kalingalinga, Chamba Valley, Libala-South and Chilenje, resulting in the apprehension of 25 suspected illegal immigrants.

Following screening, seven suspects were released after producing documents proving their legal immigration status.

The remaining 18, comprising 17 Burundian nationals and one Congolese national, remain in detention pending prosecution.

In Isoka, the Magistrate’s Court convicted 28-year-old Tanzanian national Elia Mwita Wangubo for unlawfully altering his Travel Document of Identity.

He was fined K13,500 or nine months simple imprisonment after investigations established that he had altered the date on an immigration endorsement in an apparent attempt to extend his authorised stay.

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