By CHATULA KAMPO –

 THE Ndola magistrate’s court has convicted and fined a Kenyan man K900 for two counts of illegal entry and illegal stay in Zambia.

 Magistrate Ben Akende convicted and fined Bashire Isaac Abshire, 25, for illegal entry and illegal stay in Zambia upon his admission of guilt to the charges.

 The convict between December 2 and 20, last year, in Ndola in the first count did enter into the country through Nakonde Border Post without authority.

 In the second count on the same date, the accused did stay in the country without authority contrary to the Deportation and Immigration Act of the Laws of Zambia.

 The facts in this matter were that Jackson Lisholo, an immigration officer on December 23, last year, while on duty in Ndola received a report from Hillcrest Police Post officers that they had in custody a prohibited immigrant.

 Mr Lisholo followed up the report and picked Abshire. He took him to his office and after a short interview, the convict failed to produce any documents that allowed him to enter and stay in the country.

 Mr Lisholo then made up his mind and arrested Abshire of the subject offences.

 In mitigation, Abshire pleaded for leniency.

 He told the court that he was sorry for his action and that he did not have any relative in Ndola.

 Magistrate Akende, when passing the sentence, said he had taken into account his mitigation and the fact that Abshire was a first offender who had readily admitted to the charges.

 “I have heard your mitigation and that you are a first offender. However, I sentence you to a fine of K900 non-cumulative in each count, meaning you will only pay K900 for both counts,” he said.