By AlICE NACHILEMBE
The Department of Immigration has apprehended 154 suspected illegal immigrants.
Immigration Public Relations office Namati Nshinka said this was during the Department of Immigration-led clean-up operation aimed at ridding the City of Lusaka of illegal immigrants.
Mr Nshinka said officers from Zambia Police were on hand to provide re-enforcement during the operation which began in the early hours of Friday, September 24, 2021.
He said the areas covered included the Great-North Road, Great East Road, Chongwe, Kafue Road, and Mumbwa Road.
Other areas were Lusaka’s Central Business District, Kamwala, Chalala, Nyumba Yanga, Kabulonga, Bauleni, and Ibex Hill.
Mr Nshinka said most of those nabbed during the operation did not have any documentation legalizing their stay in Zambia, while some were in abrogation of the terms and conditions of their immigration permits.
He said after the initial screening exercise 26 refugees were released unconditionally, 28 persons were mandated to report to Immigration Headquarters for further investigations and formalities, while 100 were detained pending prosecution.
“We also wish to commend members of the public for their cooperation during the operation and urge them to continue being our eyes and ears where illegalities are concerned. This is particularly important because we cannot be at each and every place and thus we rely on them to report suspected illegal immigrants,” he said.
