By Joseph Tembo 
Solwezi Regional Immigration Office, in conjunction with the Kasempa Office, has apprehended 19 more individuals involved in illegal gold mining activities in Mufumbwe District.
This is in addition to the 23 foreign nationals apprehended on 16th June, 2025, in the ongoing operation aimed at curbing illegal gold mining in the district.
Immigration Chief Public Relations Officer, Namati Nshinka revealed that those apprehended yesterday included 17 Tanzanians and two Zimbabweans.
“All the suspects are currently detained in Solwezi pending further immigration and legal action,” Mr. Nshinka said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Nshinka disclosed that the Lusaka Regional Immigration apprehended 42 individuals for various immigration offences, during an operation conducted on 17th June, 2025, in Kabwata, Chilenje, Mutendere, Chamba-Valley, Bauleni, and Chalala areas.
He said those apprehended included 20 Burundians, nine Congolese, four Rwandese, three Tanzanians, and one Mozambican national.
Mr. Nshinka explained that the individuals were nabbed for offences including unlawful stay and trading without immigration permits.
“A female Zambian was apprehended for obstructing Immigration Officers in the execution of their duties.”
“All the suspects have been detained at Kamulanga Police Station pending further investigations and possible prosecution,” he said.
He also revealed that during the same operation, two Eritrean nationals holding employment permits were found working in a retail shop, contrary to their permit conditions.
Mr. Nshinka said a Myanmar national, a study permit holder, and a Lebanese national on a residence permit were found working illegally.
“The Department has confiscated all the permits in question, and the holders have been summoned to Immigration Offices for further formalities. The Lusaka and Solwezi operations bring the number of apprehensions recorded on 17th June, 2025 across the country to 73.”
“Additionally, on the same day, the Department refused entry to eight foreign nationals who failed to meet the country’s entry requirements. These included five Bangladeshi nationals who were turned away at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport due to inconsistencies regarding their host in Zambia, as well as three Tanzanian nationals who were refused entry at Nakonde Border Control,” Mr. Nshinka stated.
On the same day, the Department also removed 23 illegal immigrants of various nationalities from the country and secured 35 convictions for immigration-related offences.
Cecilia Chiluba