The Department of Immigration in Mansa has secured the conviction of one female identified as 47-year-old Bridget Nayame for aiding and abetting illegal immigrants.
And Department has also arrested 19 persons between October 25-28 for various immigration offences countrywide.
In a statement issued to News Diggers! in Lusaka, Tuesday, Department of Immigration Public Relations Officer Namati Nshinka disclosed that Nayame was arrested earlier this month in Chipili District for engaging two illegal Tanzanian immigrants to harvest timber on her behalf.
He stated that the move should serve as a timely warning to Zambian citizens who are in the habit of aiding, abetting and harbouring illegal immigrants.
“The Department of Immigration in Mansa on 26th October, 2018 secured the conviction of Bridget Nayame 37, a Zambian female resident of Mansa, for the offence of aiding and abetting illegal immigrants. This is contrary to section 46 (1) (a) of the Immigration and Deportation Act number 18 of 2010 of the laws of Zambia. Bridget Nayame was arrested on 17th October, 2018, in Chipili District for engaging Azan Abdallah, 48, and Paulo Nyanga, 45, both Tanzanian illegal immigrants, to harvest timber on her behalf. She was sentenced to pay a fine of K60,000 or in default 2 years simple imprisonment. Meanwhile, the two Tanzanians were convicted and each sentenced to pay a fine of K10,000 or in default 16 months simple imprisonment for the offences of unlawful entry, unlawful stay and engaging in employment without a permit,” Nshinka stated.
“In other court proceedings, one Congolese in Lukwesa was convicted and sentenced to pay a fine of K700 or in default 4 months simple imprisonment for unlawful entry. This should serve as a timely warning to Zambian citizens and residents who are in the habit of aiding, abetting and harbouring illegal immigrants. Anyone wishing to engage a foreign national in any occupation or business must first ascertain their immigration status to avoid being sanctioned by the Department of Immigration.”
And Department also arrested 19 persons between October 25-28 for various immigrations offences countrywide
“The Department of Immigration between 25th and 28th October, 2018, arrested 19 persons for various offences, countrywide. These were two Malawians in Katete and one Congolese in Katima Mulilo, all for the offence of unlawful stay. Others were one Malawian in Lundazi and one Congolese in Ndola. Those arrested for unlawful entry were two Tanzanians in Serenje, one Malawian in Chipata and one Zimbabwean in Isoka. Others were one Zimbabwean and one Burundese, both in Isoka,” read the statement.
Meanwhile, the Department denied six persons entry into the country for failing to meet entry requirements.
“Meanwhile, two Burundese in Solwezi and another Burundese in Mpika were arrested for concealing their true identity, while one Canadian in Chadiza and one Tanzanian in Ndola were arrested for being in possession of forged immigration endorsement stamps. Others arrested were one Chinese in Lusaka for working using an expired employment permit, one Pakistani in Solwezi for working without an employment permit and one Indian arrested at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport for failing to vary conditions of an employment permit. During this period, the Department also removed five illegal immigrants from the country and deported one other,” read the statement.
“Those removed were two Tanzanians and one Ugandan in Nakonde, one Malawian in Lusaka and one Congolese in Lukwesa. Meanwhile, one Zimbabwean in Mumbwa was deported from Zambia after serving a prison sentence for unlawful stay. The Department of Immigration between 25th and 28th October, 2018, also refused entry to six persons for failing to meet entry requirements for Zambia. These were three Chinese, one Indian, one Kenyan and one Ugandan.”
