Police at Kacholola Security Checkpoint in Nyimba District, Eastern Province, have intercepted a private hospital ambulance transporting 30 individuals suspected to be illegal immigrants from Ethiopia in a late-night operation conducted on Saturday, January 24, 2026.
Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba told Diamond News that the discovery was made around 23:00 hours after police, acting on a tip-off from vigilant members of the public, moved to investigate the suspicious movement of an ambulance belonging to Altaf Private Hospital in Chipata.
The ambulance, registration number BAT 3037, was being driven by two Zambian nationals: Boyd Phiri (40) of Chipata and his co-driver Siyamukenge Chikema (45) of Zambezi District.
The vehicle was allegedly seen picking up the large group of Ethiopian nationals along the Chanida–Katete Road, near the Mozambique border.
Upon interception and questioning, the two drivers reportedly gave a contradictory account regarding the mission of the ambulance.
They claimed they had been contacted by a man identified as Kennedy Phiri of Katete, who indicated that there was a patient requiring transportation to Katete.
However, upon arrival, they were instead handed over the group of thirty individuals.
The two drivers are currently in police custody together with the thirty Ethiopian nationals, while the ambulance has been impounded as evidence.
Meanwhile, Altaf Memorial Hospital has acknowledged that the ambulance had been assigned to pick up a patient from Katete to Lusaka but has denied any involvement in the alleged illegal activity of smuggling immigrants.
By Samuel Khwawe
