By Amos Sikaonga 
By Amos Sikaonga
Department of Immigration says it has secured 39 immigration-related convictions, while 46 individuals have been convicted for various immigration offenses in a single day.
Immigration Public Relations Officer, Namati Nshinka, said in a statement that among the notable cases, were two foreign nationals who were sentenced by the Kafue and Chirundu Magistrates’ Courts.
Mr. Nshinka revealed that a 30-year-old Burundian national, identified as Rama Bizimana, was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment without the option of a fine for unlawfully re-entering Zambia after previously being removed from the country.
He explained that Bizimana was apprehended on April 23, 2025, at the Kafue Checkpoint.
“Immigration officers discovered that Bizimana had earlier been deported by the Lusaka Regional Immigration Office following a conviction and fine for unlawful stay.”
“In Chirundu, a 40-year-old Zimbabwean national, Arisen Kimu, was sentenced to pay a fine of K14,000 or serve nine months’ simple imprisonment in default,” Mr. Nshinka explained.
He disclosed that Kimu was convicted for failing to report to the nearest immigration officer upon entry into Zambia and for staying in the country unlawfully.
“Kimu was apprehended on April 24, 2025, at Borders Bakery in Chirundu District, after a tip-off from a concerned member of the public. Investigations revealed that Kimu had entered Zambia illegally in 2015 and had remained unlawfully in the country for nearly a decade,” he said.
Mr. Nshinka added that the Department of Immigration also withdrew several immigration permits due to non-compliance with permit conditions in Chongwe District.
He said these withdrawals included a Residence Permit issued to a Turkish national as a dependant, which was revoked after he was found working at Tunjay Investment.
“Employment Permits granted to two Chinese nationals were also withdrawn after they were discovered working for Chao Chao Construction in Lusaka instead of their permitted employer, Colum Coal Mine on the Copperbelt” Mr. Nshinka explained.
“An Investor’s Permit issued to an Indian national designated for Mpongwe was also canceled after he was found employed at Fresh Liquor Shop in Silverest.”
He added that all individuals involved have been instructed to report to the Lusaka Regional Immigration Office for further processing, including possible revocation proceedings.
Mr. Nshinka further revealed that immigration officers also managed to apprehend five Russian nationals for failing to present themselves to immigration authorities upon departure at the Victoria Falls Border Control.
“The group, who had been in Zambia for water rafting, was intercepted by Zimbabwean immigration authorities while attempting to cross the border without proper exit clearance,” he noted.
“They were also found in possession of an undocumented drone, which has since been confiscated by the Zambia Revenue Authority.”
He stated that the Russian nationals have since paid for Temporary Employment Permits and are expected to leave the country within 14 days.
Mr. Nshinka noted that the Victoria Falls incident brought the total number of people apprehended for immigration offences between April 30 and May 1, 2025, to 46.
He said during the same period, the Department also removed 28 illegal immigrants and denied entry to three individuals who failed to meet entry requirements.
Joseph Tembo 
Cecilia Chiluba