By News Desk 
Department of Immigration has apprehended 21 foreign nationals involved in illegal gold mining activities in Mufumbwe District.
Immigration Chief Public Relations Officer, Namati Nshinka revealed that the apprehended individuals include 17 Tanzanians, two Chinese nationals, and two Indians.
“Department of Immigration has continued its nationwide enforcement efforts against illegal immigration and unlawful activities by foreign nationals.”
“In the latest development, the Solwezi Regional Immigration Office, in conjunction with the Kasempa Immigration Office, on 16th June, 2025, apprehended 21 individuals involved in illegal gold mining activities in Mufumbwe District.”
“All suspects are currently in detention pending further immigration and legal action,” Mr. Nshinka said.
He added that the latest apprehensions are part of an ongoing operation targeting illegal gold mining activities and unlawful foreign presence in the District.
“The Mufumbwe operation brings the total number of individuals apprehended for various immigration-related offences across the country on 16th June, 2025 44,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mr. Nshinka disclosed that
the Isoka Immigration Office deported 22 illegal immigrants from Zambia on 16th June, 2025.
He explained that the deported group comprised five Tanzanians, three Rwandese, and one Burundian, who were convicted for failing to appear before the nearest Immigration Officer on entry, and six Burundians, one Rwandese, and one Tanzanian, who were convicted for unlawful stay.
“All had completed their respective prison sentences before being deported from the country,” Mr. Nshinka said.
In Kalomo district, the Immigration Office on 16th June, 2025, secured convictions of two foreign nationals for unlawful stay in Zambia.
Mr. Nshinka said the convicts, Dick Wellington Bukhale 39, a Zimbabwean national, and Precious Maseane 19, a Namibian national, were sentenced to a fine of K10,000 each or, in default, six 6 months simple imprisonment.
“Mr. Bukhale was apprehended on 9th June, 2025, during a routine compliance check in the Mukwela area of Kalomo. He was intercepted aboard a public bus from Lusaka and was found to have had overstayed.”
“Ms. Maseane was apprehended a day earlier on 8th June, 2025, in the same area, also during a routine check, for overstaying in the country,” he said.
He stated that the convictions in Kalomo bring the total number of immigration-related convictions secured on 16th June, 2025, to 27.
“The Department of Immigration urges all foreign nationals intending to enter or stay in Zambia to do so within the confines of the law and refrain from engaging in activities inconsistent with their immigration status.”
Cecilia Chiluba 
Joseph Tembo