By Staff writer
A-34-year-old Zambian mechanic has been sentenced to pay k 60,000 or 2 years imprisonment for aiding two illegal immigrants.
Immigrations Public Relations Officer Namati Nshinka said the Mpika Immigration Office, on 16th June, 2022 secured the conviction of a 34-year-old Zambian Mechanic, Sydney Simukanga, for aiding two Somali illegal immigrants to travel from Nakonde to Lusaka.
Mr Nshinka said the Mpika Magistrate Court sentenced him to pay a fine of K 60,000 or, in default, two years simple imprisonment.
He said Simukanga, together with another Zambian and two Somalis were apprehended on May 24, 2022, at the Mpika Toll Gate aboard a Toyota Duet, which he was driving.
The two Somalis were each sentenced to pay fines of K 1,500 or, in default, nine months simple imprisonment for illegal entry. They have since paid the fines and will soon be removed from the country. Meanwhile, the Court discharged the other Zambian.
Similarly, the Nyimba Immigration Office, on June 8, 2022, secured the conviction of 86 Ethiopian nationals for failing to appear before an Immigration Officer on entry.
Mr Nshinka said as a result, the 59 Adults were each sentenced to pay a fine of K 500 or, in default, nine months simple imprisonment while the Court ordered the repatriation of the 27 juveniles.
He said the Officers apprehended the Ethiopians in Nyimba District following a tip-off from a Zamtel Employee, who reported spotting them during a routine inspection of a Tower.
The Mpika and Nyimba convictions bring the number of convictions secured by the Department of Immigration between 3rd and 16th June, 2022 to 193.
In another development, the Isoka Immigration Office, on 15th June, 2022, detained 17 Ethiopian nationals for failing to appear before an Immigration Officer on entry.
The Ethiopians were handed-over to the Mpika Immigration Office upon being apprehended by Police in the Kapililonga area in the early hours of 15th June 2022, following a report by the District Community Crime Prevention Unit.
