By ALICE NACHILEMBE
The Department of Immigration has apprehended 248 persons in a Department of Immigration-led joint clean-up operation.
The operation which was conducted on April 6, 2023 by a combined team of Immigration Officers and Officers from other security wings covered COMESA Market, Mutendere East, Meanwood, Chamba Valley, Chelston, and Obama.
Immigrations Public Relations Officer Namati Nshinka said those apprehended were 61 persons claiming Zambian citizenship, 44 Tanzanians, 43 Burundians, 33 Congolese, 26 Zimbabweans, and 24 Rwandese.
Others were six Malawians, five Chinese, two Lebanese, two Egyptians, one Indian, and one Somali.
Mr Nshinka said two Zambians were also nabbed for possession of marijuana.
“Of the 248 apprehended, 40, including 29 Zambians, were released unconditionally after the preliminary screening conducted at Edwin Imboela Stadium. The 40 were released after producing proof of legal immigration status, while 208 were detained for further formalities and possible prosecution,” he said.
He said the Department thanked the Security Wings which was part of the operation for their continued support, without which the operation could have been difficult to conduct.
Mr Nshinka has appealed to foreign nationals wishing to stay in the country to ensure they do so within the confines of the Law.
He also warned members of the public to desist from aiding, abetting, and harbouring illegal immigrants as that is a serious offence that attracts a maximum sentence of a fine of K 150,000 in default, five years, or both.
