By ALICE NACHILEMBE
The Department of Immigration has refuted alarming reports being peddled by some people, that the Department intends to withdraw permits issued to Chinese nationals.
Immigration Department Public Relations Officer Namati Nshinka said the Department does not have such plans hence to set the record straight on the alleged plans to revoke Employment Permits issued to Chinese nationals.
Mr Nshinka said they are aware that some crooks have since capitalized on these irresponsible utterances by extorting money from unsuspecting foreign nationals promising them exemption from having their permits revoked.
“Section 34 of the Immigration and Deportation Act No. 18 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia outlines grounds for revoking any permit. There is therefore no provision under the Act for the arbitrary revocation or cancellation of any permit,” he said.
He has reassured holders of various immigration permits that the Department has no plans to revoke any permit as long as the holders continue complying with the terms and conditions of their permits.
Mr Nshinka has reminded members of the public to desist from making alarming statements which are devoid of facts.
He said careless statements have the potential not only to create fear and panic among foreign nationals duly granted permission to stay in the country but also to sour bilateral relations with other countries.
“We appeal to members of the public to report any incident of extortion to the nearest Police Station or Immigration Office. The Department will respond to the queries for which it has been cited in the Auditor General’s Report on the alleged 17,004 permits through the stipulated procedure and will only issue a comprehensive statement after exhausting these procedure,” he said.
