Immigration nets 64 Foreigners, Convicts Zimbabwean.

The 30 year old Zimbabwean, Kudakwashe Denise Mutsetse, was convicted by the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court on September 18 and fined K60,000 for the two offences, with a default sentence of 12 months’ simple imprisonment.

Mutsetse was apprehended on August 27 in Panganani Township after investigations into his nationality. He had produced a Zambian National Registration Card and Birth Certificate, but verification established that he was a Zimbabwean national.

He had entered Zambia in 2019 using a Zimbabwean passport and later obtained a Temporary Permit using the same passport.

Meanwhile, the Ndola Regional Immigration Office apprehended 25 foreign nationals on September 19 during operations in Lubuto, Kabushi, Mushili, Industrial Area and Urungu.

“Following preliminary screening, nineteen persons were detained, comprising eleven Tanzanians, one Eritrean and seven Somali refugees,” Chief Public Relations Officer Namati Nshinka said.

In Lusaka, immigration officers apprehended 23 foreign nationals during operations conducted on September 18 and 20 in Kalingalinga, Mutendere, Nyumba Yanga and Kanyama.

Two Zimbabwean students, aged 23 and 28, were also apprehended at Atletico Lusaka Sports Complex for allegedly engaging in unauthorised immigration consultancy activities.

Mr Nshinka said the two Cavendish University students were allegedly processing study permits for fellow students, with investigations ongoing.

In Kafue, 16 foreign nationals aged between 16 and 44 were apprehended on September 20 during a routine operation in Kafue Town, Chalala and Lilayi.

“At the time of apprehension, fifteen were not in possession of passports, travel documents or immigration permits, while the Egyptian national was found with an expired Temporary Permit,” Mr Nshinka said.

The 16 are being detained at Kafue Police Station pending screening to establish their immigration status and whether any offences have been committed.

Mr Nshinka has urged foreign nationals to ensure that their immigration status and documentation remain valid, while calling on members of the public not to facilitate violations of immigration laws.