IMMIGRATION REMOVES 59 FOREIGN NATIONALS, APPREHENDS 48 IN SEPARATE OPERATIONS

IMMIGRATION REMOVES 59 FOREIGN NATIONALS, APPREHENDS 48 IN SEPARATE OPERATIONS The Department of Immigration, through the Kabwe Regional and Kapiri Mposhi Immigration Offices, on 5th September 2026 removed fifty-nine (59) foreign nationals from Zambia through Zombe Border Control in a mass removal exercise. Among those removed were twenty-eight (28) Burundian and two Rwandan nationals apprehended on 30th August 2026 at Luanshimba Checkpoint. Although they possessed valid Burundian passports bearing visa endorsements issued at Zombe Border Control, they failed to provide verifiable residential addresses, proof of invitation or evidence of the immigration status of their intended hosts. Consequently, they were deemed inadmissible and their permission to stay in the country was cancelled. The group removed also included twenty-eight (28) Burundian nationals apprehended in separate incidents in Kabwe and subsequently convicted of various immigration offences. They were removed after paying their respective court fines. One Ugandan national, apprehended in a separate incident, was also removed after paying his court fine. Meanwhile, the Solwezi Regional Immigration Office apprehended nineteen (19) foreign nationals during a routine compliance operation conducted in various parts of Solwezi District. The operation, which was conducted on 5th September 2026, targeted Messenger, Kyankwankwa, Kazomba, Zangamenu, Zambia and Kyawama compounds. Those apprehended comprised nine (9) Burundians, eight (8) Congolese, one suspected Congolese Prohibited Immigrant and one Tanzanian claiming Zambian citizenship. The suspected offences included unlawful stay, engaging in business without lawful authority and being outside refugee settlements without valid mobility passes. In a separate operation, the Kafue Immigration Office apprehended thirteen (13) undocumented foreign nationals in Chalala and Lilayi on 6th September 2026. They comprised nine (9) Burundians, three (3) Congolese and one (1) Tanzanian, aged between 17 and 35 years. None of the thirteen (13) was found in possession of a passport, travel document or immigration permit at the time of apprehension. They are detained at Kafue Police Station pending screening to establish their individual immigration status and appropriate offences, including verification with the Office of the Commissioner for Refugees where applicable. In Nyimba, Immigration Officers intercepted ten (10) undocumented Malawian males at Mtilizi Security Checkpoint on 4th September 2026. The individuals, who were travelling aboard various public service buses, are suspected of failing to appear before an Immigration Officer and unlawful entry. Seven (7) were travelling towards Lusaka while three were heading towards Chipata. They are detained at Nyimba Correctional Facility pending prosecution. Further, the Katete Immigration Office, on 6th September 2026, apprehended five(5) Ethiopian nationals and one Zambian national following a pursuit near the Katete Weighbridge. Three of the Ethiopians were found with passports but are suspected of failing to appear before an Immigration Officer, while two were undocumented. The Zambian, identified as Jack Banda, aged 32, of Petauke, is alleged to have been transporting the Ethiopian nationals using motorbikes. The Ethiopians will be prosecuted for failing to appear before the nearest immigration officer on entry while the Zambian will be prosecuted for aiding and abetting. The motorbikes have since been impounded and will be adduced as evidence. Namati H. Nshinka (Mr) CHIEF PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER