Harbouring illegal immigrants is illegal, warns Nchelenge DC

Nchelenge District Commissioner, Joseph Chisakula, has called on traditional leaders  stop harbouring illegal immigrants.

Mr Chisakula said since the outbreak of conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), his office has received numerous reports that some head persons are harbouring Congolese refugees who are not registered.

Mr Chisakula told a meeting of headmen from Kambwali Village that it is a crime to harbour foreigners who are not registered regardless of their status.

He said any refugee who will choose not to register with government will be treated as an illegal immigrant and risks being deported.

The DC warned that keeping unregistered foreigners may compromise Zambia’s Security.

Nchelenge District has since late 2012 been receiving refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo who have been fleeing fighting between the Mai Mai and government forces.