By ALICE NACHILEMBE
The Department of Immigration in Lusaka’s Zanimuone Township have intercepted 114 Ethiopians in a suspected human smuggling case.
Immigrations Department Public Relations Officer Namati Nshinka said the Officers raided a three bedroomed house following a tip-off received from the public.
Mr Nshinka said the Ethiopians, some of whom appeared to have been physically abused, starved and deprived of freedom of movement were found sleeping on the floor of the house whose windows were completely covered by heavy dark curtains.
He said preliminary investigations suggest that the Ethiopians have been held in the house for at least six months.
Mr Nshinka said the vulnerable and helpless state in which the captives were found crowded in a small space has demonstrated how evil and merciless human traffickers and smugglers can be.
He said the Department is doing everything possible to apprehend anyone connected to these criminal activities.
Mr Nshinka said anyone with information on the people behind this criminality to come forward. All the 114 are being held pending conclusion of investigations.
“Immigration Officers in Nyimba, Eastern Province have apprehended 36 men of Ethiopian nationals for failing to appear before an Immigration Officer on entry. The group was nabbed on 6th February, 2021 in the mountains near Kacholola and Luangwa Bridge in Nyimba District following reports of their presence by alert members of the community. They all failed to produce documentation legalizing their entry and stay in Zambia and are currently detained at Nyimba Correctional Facility pending Court appearance,” he said.
He said the total number of Ethiopians detained by the Nyimba Immigration Officer for failing to appear before an Immigration Officer on entry to 69 in a week.
