17 Ethiopians nabbed for illegal entry into Zambia

By MUBITA KATETE

THE Immigration Department has apprehended 17 undocumented Ethiopian nationals for illegal entry into Zambia, with a Zambian, Peter Sakala being part of the arrested for aiding and helping their entry.
The operation took place in the early hours of Thursday in Petauke’s Kabele Area.
The suspects were found in a black Toyota Sienta vehicle, which was abandoned by the driver upon seeing the immigration officers.
The Ethiopians were found to be weak and frail, likely due to exhaustion, hunger, and inhumane treatment.
They were temporarily admitted to Kalindawalo General Hospital before being discharged. The 17 Ethiopians and Sakala are being held at Petauke Correctional Facility pending investigations.
In a separate operation, the Lusaka Regional Immigration Office apprehended 52 suspected illegal immigrants in a clean-up operation. The suspects, who were from various countries including Burundi, Congo, Tanzania, Botswana, India, and Rwanda, were found to be engaging in trade without valid immigration permits or had overstayed in the country.
The two operations bring the total number of persons apprehended for immigration offences to 100. The Department of Immigration also assisted in securing 16 convictions, removed 15 illegal immigrants, and refused one person entry for failing to meet entry requirements.