The Department of Immigration has stepped up its enforcement efforts against illegal immigration, apprehending a total of 73 suspected illegal immigrants in coordinated operations conducted on Monday, 19th May 2025, across Lusaka and Kafue.
The Lusaka Regional Immigration Office led a targeted clean-up exercise in key residential areas, including Kamwala South, Linda, Kabanana, Six Miles, Chipata Compound, and Barlastone Park, resulting in the detention of 54 individuals suspected of violating immigration laws.
Immigration Chief Public Relations Officer Namati Nshinka says among those apprehended were 36 Burundians, 11 Congolese, two Rwandese, and others of Chinese, Somali, Tanzanian, and alleged Zambian nationality.
Simultaneously, the Kafue Immigration Office carried out routine operations in Kafue Town and Lilayi, leading to the detention of 19 suspected illegal immigrants 16 Burundians, two Congolese, and one Tanzanian.
Mr Nshinka says most of those detained remain in custody pending further screening and legal processing.
These operations brought the total number of apprehensions on that day to 93.
Additionally, the Chinsali Regional Immigration Office secured a conviction against a Somali national, Nur Ahmed Osman, for immigration violations, contributing to the 15 convictions recorded by the Department on the same day.
The Department also reported the removal of 20 illegal immigrants from the country and the refusal of entry to three individuals who did not meet immigration requirements.
By Victoria Kayeye Yambani
