By Amos Sikaonga 
By Amos Sikaonga
Department of Immigration has apprehended 248 suspected illegal immigrants of various nationalities for immigration-related offenses during a series of nationwide operations conducted over the Easter weekend.
Immigration Public Relations Officer Namati Nshinka, revealed that 47 individuals were arrested during clean-up operations conducted on 20th and 21st April 2025 by the Kafue Immigration Office in Makeni, Chilanga, and Kafue Town.
Mr. Nshinka said among those detained were 29 Burundians, 11 Zimbabweans, and seven Congolese nationals, adding that all of them are currently in custody pending further screening.
“On Saturday, 19th April 2025, the Department of Immigration in Lusaka apprehended a 27-year-old Congolese national, Yves Mageza, for attempting to fraudulently obtain a Zambian National Registration Card during the ongoing mobile registration exercise at Vera Chiluba School,” Mr. Nshinka explained.
He stated that Mageza was initially intercepted by officers from the Department of National Registration, Passport and Citizenship, before being handed over to Immigration officials.
Mr. Nshinka further disclosed that on 20th April 2025, Immigration officers at Katima Mulilo Border Control received eight Zambian nationals who were deported from Namibia for various offenses.
“Among them were two females, aged 31 and 28, who were removed for illegal entry. Two males, aged 30 and 22, both from Shangombo, were deported after completing prison sentences in Namibia for possession of cannabis.”
“Four other males, aged between 23 and 33, were deported for engaging in illegal fishing activities,” he added.
He said between 17th and 21st April 2025, the Department of Immigration secured 47 convictions, deported 35 illegal immigrants, and denied entry to nine individuals who failed to meet immigration requirements.
Mr. Nshinka reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to enforcing the Immigration and Deportation Act and safeguarding national security.
“We continue to urge the public to report any suspected illegal immigrants or suspicious activities to the nearest Immigration Office,” he sai