By Cecilia Chiluba/Zambia/Lusaka
A Zambian court has fined two Tanzanian nationals K100,000 each or, in default of payment, sentenced them to nine months’ simple imprisonment in a human smuggling case.
The conviction of Kija Ally Hamza, 32, and Rubagumya Philbert Faustine, 39, was secured by the Department of Immigration. They were convicted on 27 March 2026 for aiding and abetting illegal immigrants, contrary to the Immigration and Deportation Act, Chapter 123 of the Laws of Zambia.
According to the Department of Immigration, the convictions stemmed from an operation conducted on 3 March 2026 in Nakonde District, where Immigration officers, working jointly with the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), intercepted two fuel tanker trucks carrying 21 Ethiopian nationals concealed in compartments in an attempt to enter Zambia illegally.
Immigration Chief Public Relations Officer Namati Nshinka explained that the tanker trucks, which had been impounded as exhibits, were subsequently released to their owners following due court process.
“In a continued effort to strengthen migration management and contribute to internal security, the Department conducted a series of operations between 2nd and 6th April 2026, resulting in the apprehension of 105 suspected illegal immigrants, the removal of 47 illegal immigrants, the securing of 23 convictions, and the refusal of entry to 11 individuals who failed to meet prescribed entry requirements,” he said.
He revealed that of those apprehended, the majority were Congolese 36, Burundians 24, Tanzanians 17, Malawians 10, Zimbabweans 9, Chinese 2, Rwandese 2, as well as one each from Botswana, Zambia, Somalia, Lebanon, Uganda and Namibia.
The offences largely related to immigration status violations, including unlawful stay, illegal entry, lack of documentation, overstaying, as well as fraud-related offences such as possession of forged documents, false identity, and breach of permit or refugee conditions.
“Notably, among those apprehended was a Zambian national who was arrested for aiding and abetting the illegal entry of a foreign national into the country,” Mr. Nshinka said.
He further disclosed that in a notable case at Kasumbalesa Border Control, a Congolese national was apprehended for multiple serious offences following intelligence-led operations.
According to Mr. Nshinka, investigations revealed that the suspect concealed his true identity and nationality, unlawfully obtained and possessed more than one Zambian National Registration Card, and used the same to misrepresent himself to public officers.
“He was further found to have provided false information to Immigration Officers and to have been unlawfully staying in the country. The suspect remains in lawful custody pending prosecution and subsequent removal,” he stated.
At Chembe Border Control on 6 April 2026, Immigration officers apprehended a Zambian national, identified as Chola Evans, 46, for aiding and abetting the illegal entry of a Congolese national, Evariste Dekape Chola, 24.
Mr. Nshinka said Evariste Dekape Chola falsely presented himself as a Zambian national upon entry, but further checks led to the discovery of a Congolese identification document, exposing the attempted illegal entry, adding that both individuals have since been detained and charged accordingly.
He stressed that of the 47 individuals removed during the period, the majority were Malawians 26, followed by Congolese 10, Burundians 3, South Africans 2, Zimbabweans 2, Tanzanians 2, and one each from India and the United Kingdom.
“These removals were effected following immigration status violations, including unlawful stay and failure to appear before the nearest Immigration Officer upon entry,” he said.
The 23 convictions secured during the same period involved nationals from the Democratic Republic of Congo 8, Burundi 7, Malawi 4, Tanzania 2, South Africa 1 and Zimbabwe 1, with offences primarily relating to illegal entry, unlawful stay, failure to appear before the nearest Immigration Officer upon entry, and identity-related violations.
Additionally, 11 individuals were refused entry into Zambia, comprising five Zimbabweans, three Congolese, and one each from Malawi, Tanzania and Ethiopia.
Mr. Nshinka noted that the refusals were based on inadmissibility factors such as expired or invalid documentation, unclear travel purpose, exhaustion of permitted stay, and prior immigration violations.
“The Department of Immigration wishes to reiterate its commitment to enforcing the law and maintaining the integrity of Zambia’s borders,” he added.
