ABOUT 40 reported illegal immigrants have disappeared into thin air leaving a trail of dust as a testament that they were at specific location, leaving behind their two round legged companions behind as Zambia Department of Immigration rounded up 357 in a clean up operation.
No one saw it coming that 40 bicycles that were regularly seen by customers in the compounds ferrying larger than life of groceries across distances by foreign retailers would wound up like a pile of scrap in a truck.
Yesterday, a joint operation by the Zambia Department of Immigration, Zambia Police Service, Drug Enforcement Commission, and National Anti-Terrorism Centre has netted 357 individuals in a clean-up operation conducted yesterday across Lusaka.
Following screenings at Edwin Imboela Stadium, authorities detained 283 suspected illegal immigrants from various nationalities for further investigation and potential prosecution.
The nationalities identified among those detained include Burundian (207), Congolese (53), Rwandan (10), Tanzanian (six), Malawian (four), Eritrean (two), Indian (two), Zimbabwean (two), Egyptian (one), Lebanese (one), and Pakistani (one).
Authorities released 68 individuals, primarily Zambian citizens, after initial screenings.
Six Zambians were requested to follow up with Immigration for additional formalities, while two Zambians apprehended for suspected drug offenses were handed over to the Drug Enforcement Commission.
“The Department wishes to thank members of the public for their cooperation during this operation which contributed to it being successful and incident free.”
“The Department also wishes to thank all law enforcement agencies which took part in the operation for their continued collaboration and immense support in assisting the Department rid the country of illegal immigrants,” said Namati Nshinka, public relations officer for the Zambia Department of Immigration.
The operation also resulted in the confiscation of 40 bicycles abandoned by individuals who fled upon encountering law enforcement officers.
These are currently being held for safekeeping.
By Moses Makwaya
Kalemba September 5, 2024
