ZAMBIANS ARRESTED FOR SNEAKING IN 50 ETHIOPIANS

TWO Zambian Nationals have been arrested by the Luangwa Immigration Office in Eastern Province for aiding 50 undocumented Ethiopians aged between 14 and 35 illegal entry and unlawful stay in the country.

The two delinquent locals have been named as Blessing Tembo, 28, of Lusaka’s Garden House and Benson Mfula, 32 of, Petauke district.

Immigrations Public Relations Officer, Namati Nshinka, notes that the duo were nabbed at around 14:00 hours on April 21, 2024, about one kilometre from the Luangwa Bridge.

Nshinka says they were travelling in a Lusaka-bound UD Croner Truck, Registration number CAA 4229, belonging to Freshmark, Shoprite Holding’s fruit and vegetable distribution arm.

He explains that the Officers were acting on a tip-off from a concerned member of the public who reported having spotted a Shoprite-branded truck carrying suspected illegal immigrants, accompanied by a Silver Toyota Corolla, registration number ALE 5181.

Nshinka states that subsequently, the Officers found the truck parked and requested the driver, Tembo to open the container, which he eventually did after initially refusing to comply.

He relays that Officers found 50 Ethiopians and Mfula inside the Container, with all suspects detained at Luangwa Police Station pending prosecution.

Nshinka says the two Zambians with will be charged with the offence of aiding and abetting and the Ethiopians with illegal entry and unlawful stay.

Byta FM