.Nshinka

By CHARITY MOONGA –
The Serenje magistrate court has convicted 33 Ethiopians, a Zimbabwean and a Zambian for participating in Smuggling of persons into the country.
This is contained in a statement issued by Immigration department public relations officer Namati Nshinka.
Mr Nshinka said the 35, who were convicted on Wednesday last week, had since been referred to the Kabwe high court for sentencing.
Aaron Samuel , a Zimbabwean, Tumbela Tobias and Francis Hachong, both Zambians, as well as 37 other Ethiopians between  November 27, 2014 and December 4, 2014 participated in smuggling Ethiopians into Zambia and continued movement up to Serenje without any Immigration permit or lawful authority.
Aaron Samuel, Tumbela Tobias and Francis Hachong were also charged with aiding illegal immigrants to remain in Zambia.
Further, Samuel also faced an additional charge of unlawful presence in Zambia.
Meanwhile, Francis Hachong, the other Zambian was acquitted, two juvenile Ethiopians discharged, 1 Ethiopian escaped while being transferred from prison to court and another is deceased.
Further, the Benz Truck Registration Number ACZ 1191 used to unlawfully facilitate transportation of two Ethiopians was forfeited to the State.
In another development, the Lusaka magistrate court on convicted and fined an Indian K15,000 for giving false information to a Government officer.
In another court, a Nigerian was convicted and fined K 1,000 for failing to appear before an Immigration officer on entry.
In Isoka on the same day, the magistrate court fined a Congolese K2,500 for unlawful entry. The same court also convicted and fined two Tanzanians and three Burundese K 1,000 each for a similar offence.
Meanwhile, Immigration officers in Katete last Wednesday arrested five Ugandan herbalists for unlawful stay.
Mr Nshinka said that of the five arrested, 3 failed to produce documentation at the time of their arrest while two were found doing business without permits or authority.