213 suspected illegal immigrants detained in Lusaka

The Department of Immigration caught 255 suspected illegal immigrants during a clean-up operation in Lusaka, working together with other security teams.

This operation is part of ongoing efforts to stop illegal migration and improve internal security. It resulted in the capture of people thought to be in the country without proper immigration papers.

After a quick check, 42 people, mostly Zambian citizens, were let go because they had valid documents.

Currently, 213 individuals are still in detention while they undergo further checks and immigration processes. Among those detained are 133 from Burundi, 44 from the Congo, 13 from Rwanda, 12 from Tanzania, seven who claim to be Zambian, two from Somalia, one from India, and one from Nigeria.

At the same time, the Lusaka Magistrate Court sentenced Blessings Tembo (29) from Lusaka’s Garden House to two years in prison with hard labor, without the option of a fine, for helping 50 undocumented Ethiopian nationals.

Blessings Tembo, along with Benson Mfula (32) from Petauke District (who has since passed away), was arrested on April 21, 2024, by Immigration Officers from the Luangwa Office. They were caught about a kilometer from the Luangwa Bridge after a concerned citizen reported seeing a Shoprite-branded UD Croner Truck, belonging to Freshmark, which is Shoprite Holdings’ fruit and vegetable distribution branch, suspected of carrying illegal immigrants.

When the officers stopped the truck, they found 50 undocumented Ethiopian nationals, aged between 14 and 35, along with Benson Mfula hidden inside the container. The truck, which was empty, had been parked at the location when the officers arrived. Tembo, the driver, took a long time to open the container.