THE Department of Immigration has arrested 52 suspected prohibited immigrants in a “clean-up” operation in various parts of Lusaka.
Department of Immigration public relations officer Namati Nshinka said in a statement yesterday that the 52 suspects were arrested during an operation conducted last Friday.
Mr Nshinka said among those arrested are 38 Tanzanians, four Burundians, three Congolese, three Indians, two Rwandans, one Somali and one other foreigners whose nationality is yet to be determined.
“The majority of the Tanzanians were arrested for engaging in hair plaiting business without permits,” Mr Nshinka said.
He said the screening process is in progress and that those found without valid documentation will be prosecuted.
“Those with valid documents shall be set at liberty,” Mr Nshinka said.
In a related development, the Department of Immigration in Nakonde last Friday arrested 12 Burundians for alleged unlawful entry.
Mr Nshinka said the 12 were arrested on board a minibus and they failed to produce valid documentation when immigration officers intercepted the vehicle.
“Two Zambians believed to be crew members of the minibus were also detained for the role they played in facilitating their illegal entry into Zambia,” Mr Nshinka said.
Meanwhile, the Department of Immigration has arrested 16 foreigners in Lusaka, Solwezi and Chipata for various immigration offences.
ZambiaDailyMail