The Times of Zambia (Ndola) Zambia: 25 Somalis Nabbed for Entering State Illegally

THE department of immigration in Chipata has arrested 25 Somalis for entering the country illegally.

The prohibited immigrants, who were travelling from Malawi to Zimbabwe on their way to South Africa, were intercepted at Mpezeni Park grounds in Chipata on Tuesday night, as they wanted to hire a van.

Immigration department spokesperson, Mulako Mbangweta yesterday confirmed the arrest of the Somalis who were currently detained at Namuseche Remand Prison in Chipata. Ms Mbangweta said the Somalis, who were believed to have used a footpath to enter Zambia from Malawi were found with no valid travel documents.

"We arrested 25 Somali nationals who include 24 men and a 16-year-old girl. They were travelling from Malawi to Zimbabwe enroute to South Africa. We arrested them on Tuesday night at Mpezeni Park after a tip from the driver of a Canter they wanted to hire," she said.

Last month, the department arrested 77 Somalis and two Zambians who were believed to have masterminded the scam. The Somalis were arrested in Petauke when they entered Zambia illegally enroute to South Africa.

Ms Mbangweta said the 77 Somalis had since been prosecuted and were currently serving sentences in various prisons in Zambia. She said almost every week, the immigration department arrested Somalis for entering Zambia illegally.

In May, the department arrested 16 Malawians in Chipata who were in transit to South Africa for entering Zambia illegally. The Malawians were later deported back to Malawi.

"Human trafficking has been a lucrative job, we appeal to Zambians to report all suspicious foreign nationals they see in the country. We also urge Zambians not to harbour foreigners or assist them run away from immigration officers," she said.

Meanwhile, four Malawians have been arrested as they were trying to obtain green national registration cards (NRCs) in Mugubudu area in Chipata. Ms Mbangweta said the four were arrested after they wanted to take advantage of the on going mobile issuance of NRCs in Chipata. She appealed to the public to be vigilant and report all foreigners trying to take advantage of the mobile issuance of NRCs to obtain the cards.

Ms Mbangweta said that the four Malawians would appear in court soon.