The Department of Immigration has removed 134 illegal immigrants from Zambia and apprehended 170 suspected illegal immigrants in a series of operations conducted across the country between May 22 and May 27, 2026.
According to a statement issued by Chief Public Relations Officer on Thursday, Namati Nshinka, the operations form part of intensified efforts to enforce Zambia’s immigration laws and curb illegal migration.
“Among those removed from the country were 28 Ethiopian nationals and one Somali national who were deported on May 23 through Kenneth Kaunda International Airport after paying court-imposed fines for offences related to illegal entry and unlawful stay in Zambia,” he said.
The Department also removed 14 male Peruvian nationals formerly employed by SKT Global Mining and Services Limited.
Nshinka said the foreign nationals were instructed to leave the country within 48 hours after the termination of their employment contracts, which automatically invalidated their employment permits.
Meanwhile, the Department apprehended 170 suspected illegal immigrants during operations conducted in different parts of the country.
In Lusaka, the Regional Immigration Office apprehended 33 suspected illegal immigrants during an operation carried out on May 25.
Read more: Immigration officers nab 25 undocumented Ethiopians in Lusaka raid
Those detained included 19 Burundians, nine Congolese nationals, three Tanzanians and two Rwandans.
In a related development, the Chipungu Immigration Office facilitated the voluntary repatriation of 191 Congolese refugees from Mantapala Refugee Settlement back to the Democratic Republic of Congo under the ongoing phased voluntary repatriation programme.
Immigration authorities disclosed that another 100 refugees were expected to return to Congo during the next phase of the exercise.
The Department also revealed that 31 foreign nationals were denied entry into Zambia at various ports during the same period.
“Most of those denied entry were Burundian nationals intercepted at Zombe Border Control in Northern Province after immigration officers detected inconsistencies in details concerning their alleged hosts in Zambia,” Nshinka said.
Additionally, the Department secured 40 immigration-related convictions countrywide during the review period.
Nshinka said the Department remained committed to ensuring that all persons entering and residing in Zambia comply with the country’s immigration laws.
He further appealed to members of the public to continue cooperating with authorities by reporting suspected cases of illegal immigration and related offences.
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