Rwandese Fined K15, 000 for Illegal Stay, 20 Malawians Nabbed
Kafue Magistrate Court has fined a Rwandese national K15, 000 or in default 9 months simple imprisonment for illegal stay in the country.
Department of Immigration Public Relations Officer, Namati Nshinka revealed that Lazare Hibiyambere 37, was apprehended by Immigration Officers at the Kafue Check-point during a routine operation.
Mr. Nshinka said after thorough investigations, it was established that Hibiyambere entered the country on 20th September 2017, via Nakonde Border and did not make any effort to formalize his stay after his visiting period ended on 20th December the same year and was convincted on 28th October, 2024.
He further disclosed that on the same day, a Tanzanian national identified as Robert Katole 27, was convincted and fined K10, 000 by the Kafue Magistrate Court or nine months simple imprisonment, for illegally staying in Zambia.
“Robert Katole was arrested during a routine operation conducted by Immigration Officers in Kafue’s Mutendere area. After investigations, it was revealed that he entered the country on 21st March 2021, through Nakonde Border Control with a passport and stayed in the country illegally until the time of his arrest,” Mr. Nshinka stated.
He further disclosed that the Kitwe Magistrate Court convicted and sentenced a 22 year old Tanzanian to a fine of K10, 000 or six months simple imprisonment for engaging in business without a permit, contrary to Section 54 of the Immigration and Deportation Act Number 18 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia.
“Yusuph Venus Mwambizo was apprehended on 25th September 2024, by the Kitwe Immigration Office during a routine operation conducted at Chisokone market. He had entered the country as an ordinary visitor but was found working in a salon without an employment permit.
“The Kafue and Kitwe judgements brought the number of convictions secured by the Department between 25th and 29th October 2024, to 61. During this period, the Department removed 46 illegal immigrants and refused entry to 10 persona for failing to meet entry requirements,” Mr. Nshinka asserted.
Meanwhile, Mr. Nshinka revealed that on 29th October 2024, the Department of Immigration in Chama District of Eastern Province, nabbed 20 Malawians aged between 20 and 50 for unlawful entry into Zambia.
He said the Malawians were among 25 people apprehended during an operation conducted in collaboration with the Zambia Police and Department of National Parks and Wildlife.
“The other five were Zambians, nabbed for unlawful assembly. The operation which targeted Mwendakuzulu village bordering Malawi, was aimed at curbing illegal entry and other crimes in the area.”
“All suspects were found at a house belonging to a named Headman who was also nabbed and is currently detained for assaulting one of the officers during the operation,” he narrated.
Mr. Nshinka further revealed that the arrest of the 20 Malawians sparked a riot by their compatriots who, in an attempt to rescue the apprehended blocked the road coming from Mwendakuzulu village.
“In the fracas, an Immigration officer was hit by a stray stone, sustaining a swollen forehead. He is currently admitted to Chama District Hospital and his condition is stable.”
“The Chama operation brought the number of persons apprehended between for various immigration offenses countrywide between 25th and 29th October to 104,” Mr. Nshinka said.
