The Immigration Department has apprehended 136 foreign nationals for various immigration offences in a clean-up operation conducted in Lusaka on Saturday, June 16, 2018.
Department Acting Public Relations Officer, Mubanda Chileshe, said the clean-up exercise was conducted in Kamwala trading area, COMESA, Town Centre, Kabwata and Chilenje markets, and Chaisa Compound.
Mrs. Chileshe said among those apprehended were 67 Tanzanians, 21 Somalis, 10 Burundians, six Congolese and four Lebanese.
She said others apprehended were three Indians, three Kenyans, two Zimbabweans, two Nigerians and one Turkish national.
She further said nine Zambians were also apprehended for abetting the illegal immigrants.
Mrs. Chileshe has since warned all foreign nationals to desist from staying in the country illegally and to respect the provisions of the Immigration and Deportation Act number 18 of 2010.
“A timely warning is also extended to all Zambians who are in the habit of aiding illegal immigrants for their own benefits,” she said.
She said the Department will ensure that all lawbreakers, regardless of nationality, are brought to book.
A month ago, the Department told the Lusaka Star that many foreign nationals were attracted to Zambia because of the country’s socio-economic situation and political stability.