Two illegal immigrants have today pleaded guilty to one count each of concealing their true identity contrary to the laws of Zambia.
Before Lusaka Magistrate Nsunge Chanda was Joshua Chin’gambu 33, a Congolese national of Lilanda compound who pleaded guilty to the charge.
Chin’gambu, who is a businessman, was on February 20,2013 found in possession of a Zambian National Registration Card (NRC) and was purporting to be Zambian when in fact not.
And when Magistrate Nsunge asked the accused why he was in possession of the NRC, Chin’gambu replied that he came to Zambia from Congo in 2005 and never wanted to go back because of the conflicts in that country.
He explained that he intended to get a Zambian NRC and went to the National Registration and Citizenship offices in Lusaka.
He said when he got there, he found someone outside the offices who said that he could help him get an NRC.
Chin’gambu told the court that he is married to a Zambian woman with whom he has two children.
The matter has been adjourned to March 6, 2013.
In the same court, a Gambian National pleaded guilty to the offence of concealing his true identity contrary to the laws of Zambia.
Before the court was Trawari Lamiri 28, who is alleged to have on February 11, 2013 concealed his true identity while on transit to South Africa for further studies.
The case was adjourned to March 6, 2013 for facts.
And in another courtroom, a 33 year old Malawian national has pleaded guilty to wilful illegal entry and unlawful stay in Zambia.
Allan Gonde, of house number B63 Buckley in Lusaka, this morning appeared before Lusaka Chief Resident Magistrate Joshua Banda for plea.
In the first count Gonde is charged with an offence of failing to appear before the nearest immigration officers upon entry into Zambia contrary to section 12 (2) and section 52 (1) as read with section 56 (1) of the immigration and deportation Act number 18 of 2010 of the laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence are that Gonde, a Malawian national on February 21 this year, while in Lusaka did wilfully fail to appear before the nearest immigration officer upon entry into Zambia from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In the second count, Gonde is charged with an offence of unlawful stay in Zambia contrary to section 11 (3) and section 52 (1) as read together with section 56 (1) of the immigration and deportation Act number 18 of 2010.
It is alleged that Gonde, on dates unknown but between January 24 and February 21, 2013 did wilfully and unlawfully remain in the country without permission from the immigration authorities.
Reading the two charges to Gonde, the Chief Resident Magistrate reminded the accused that it was wrong for anyone to enter into another country without authority.
In response, Gonde pleaded guilty to the two offences but said he had some things he wanted to say before the court could met out any punishment on him.
“Your honour, allow me to state the reason why I entered Zambia without my passport,” he begged.
However, magistrate Banda adjourned the matter to March 6 this year for facts and sentencing.
Magistrate Banda told Gonde that for now, he would be remanded in police custody until March 6 when he will be allowed to exculpate himself before sentencing.