89 ETHIOPIANS en route to South Africa for greener pastures have reaffirmed late Dandy Krazy’s lyrics that Insala Kapondo after their empty stomach and the weather forced them out of a fuel tanker they were travelling in, staring into the hands of the immigration Department.
The Immigration Department confirmed apprehending 89 immigrants yesterday at the Kapiri Mposhi turnoff after receiving a heads up from concerned citizens.
According to Department spokesperson Namati Nshinka the immigrants were being transported inside a fuel tanker-truck registration number AJF 7250 (truck) and AJF 7218 (tanker) owned by Karan Transport limited of lusaka.
The tanker truck, which was supposed to be filled with fuel was only filled with immigrants rather than the coveted liquid.
“The immigrants were concealed inside the empty hot tanker as a result they opted to climb the roof of the tanker while others went to buy food at nearby shops,” Nshinka said.
Nshinka has disclosed that when the Immigration officers arrived at the scene, the driver had already fled the scene and he is currently on the run leaving behind his illegal passengers.
“Out of the 89 apprehended Ethiopians, 61 have been found having Identity cards only while 28 have valid passports that do not have the Zambian entry endorsement stamps,” he revealed.
Nshinka added that the apprehended group is believed to have been heading to South Africa but unfortunately their illegal journey was cut short.
“We have captured and detained all suspects at Kapiri Mposhi Police Station awaiting possible prosecution as investigations progress.” revealed Nshinka
Meanwhile, in a separate operation carried out in Senga Hill district on Friday 21 November, the Mbala Immigration office apprehended 16 suspects at a named lodge in the district.
During the same operation, the officers impounded two vehicles at the same lodge used to transport the illegal immigrants, a Mark X and a Toyota Ractis whose registration has not been revealed.
Following the incidents, the immigration department has since issued a stern warning to drivers against aiding illegal immigrants or they will be prosecuted.
Nshinka also advised all transport operators to be more strict over their drivers’ operations otherwise they risk having their vehicles impounded or forefited to the State.
By Dorica Kapwaya
Kalemba November 24, 2025
