By JAMES KUNDA –
FIFTY-THREE people of various nationalities have been arrested by the Immigration Department for various offences committed this week.
Immigration Department public relations officer, Namati Nshinka said in a statement yesterday that the arrests were made on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the bulk of people apprehended for unlawful entry and stay.
Eighteen prohibited immigrants, among them 16 Ethiopians, one Kenyan and a Ugandan were during the same period removed from Zambia.
Mr Nshinka said that on Wednesday, 19 Ethiopians were arrested at Pensulo checkpoint in Serenje for unlawful entry after they failed to produce valid travel documentation.
The Ethiopians were intercepted while travelling in a Toyota Regius vehicle, registration number AIB 1600, which was being driven by a Zambian who was with a friend.
The Zambian duo was also arrested for aiding the Ethiopians to enter Zambia illegally.
“Six Tanzanians, three South Africans, one Malawian and a Congolese in Nakonde, two Chinese in Chingola and a Congolese in Kitwe were all arrested for unlawful stay.
“Four Malawians in Chipata, three Nigerians and three Ugandans at Chirundu and Victoria Falls border controls, respectively, and a Congolese in Chingola were all arrested for unlawful entry,” Mr Nshinka said.
He said in Luanshya, a Tanzanian was arrested for attempting to fraudulently obtain a green Zambia national registration card (NRC).
He said two Zambians were in the process arrested for aiding a Tanzanian to commit the offence.
Two Tanzanians in Ndola and a Congolese in Kitwe were arrested for attempting to fraudulently obtain NRCs while another Congolese in Kabwe was arrested after being found in possession of a fake NRC.
Mr Nshinka also disclosed that the Lusaka magistrates’ court sentenced a Congolese to a fine of K400 or in default four months simple imprisonment for attempting to fraudulently obtain an NRC.
The same court fined a Congolese national K200 for being found in possession of a Zambian NRC.
A Zambian was fined K500 or in default three months simple imprisonment for giving false information to a Government official by the same court.
“Similarly, the Livingstone magistrates’ court sentenced a Congolese to a fine of K1,500 or in default six months simple imprisonment for unlawful stay.
“In Mumbwa, two Congolese and an Angolan were fined K1,000 each or in default six months simple imprisonment for a similar offence,” Mr Nshinka said.