By ALICE NACHILEMBE
Two Somali refugees have been fined K25, 000 each for unlawful departure and engaging in employment without permits.
The Mufulira Immigration Office secured the conviction of two Meheba based Somali Refugees for unlawful departure from Zambia and engaging in employment without Permits contrary to the Immigration and Deportation Act.
Immigration Public Relations Officer Namati Nshinka said Farah Abdi Halane 27 and Mustafa Ahmed Mohamud 23 were intercepted on 16th June, 2021 aboard a Tanker Truck Registration Number BCB 5949 after they attempted to cross into the Democratic Republic of Congo without appearing before Immigration for clearance.
Mr Nshinka said it was later established that they had also been working for Tigey Transport Company Limited of Ndola as Truck Divers without permits or authority.
He said the due appeared before the Magistrate Court in Mufulira on 28th June, 2021 and were both convicted and each sentenced to pay a fine of K 25,000 or in default 4 months simple imprisonment.
Mr Nshikan said they have since paid the fines and have been returned to Meheba Refugee Camp.
He said this brings the total number of convictions secured by the Department between 25th and 30th June 2021 to sixty.
In another development, the Department between 25th and 30th June 2021 removed 165 illegal immigrants from the country.
“We wish to encourage members of the public with information of an individual, business, or employer who may be aiding and abetting illegal immigrants to contact the Department of Immigration,” he said.
