By CHINOYI CHIPULU
The Department of Immigration has detained 42 Ethiopians and a 36-year-old Malawian Truck driver for aiding and abetting illegal immigrants and illegal entry.
The 42 Ethopians were hidden in a Malawian Registered Front Liner truck and the trailer was completely covered with a heavy tent.
The immigrants who were intercepted on February 23 near Mutenguleni by Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) officers are aged between 15 and 27.
Immigration Public Relations Officer Namati Nshika said officers from ZRA who had been trailing the truck from Mwami Border intercepted the truck and it was handed to the department of I’m migration.
Mr Nshika said the suspects are currently detained at Namuseche Correctional Facility pending other Immigration formalities.
” Immigration departement has detained a Malawian truck driver by the name Dagia Razarckie Mussa and 42 Men all Ethiopians for aiding and abetting illegal immigrants and illegal entry, respectively. The forty-two were found hidden in a Malawian Registered Front Liner Truck Registration Numbers ZA 3272 and Trailer Registration Number CK 1916.
“The Trailer was completely covered with a heavy tent to completely conceal the illegal immigrants. The truck and trailer have been impounded,” he said.
Meanwhile the Department of Immigration between February 17 and 23, apprehended a total of 89 people for various immigration offences countrywide.
During this period the Department also removed 59 illegal immigrants from the country, secured 38 convictions and refused ten foreign nationals entry into Zambia.
