Zambian Justice Delivers: Two Jailed in Separate Immigration Cases

The Department of Immigration in Zambia has recently secured convictions in two significant cases, highlighting the country's stringent measures against immigration offences and identity fraud. Chief Public Relations Officer, Namati Nshinka, confirmed these developments in a statement issued from Lusaka.

In one case, the Livingstone Magistrate Court, on June 26, 2026, convicted 44-year-old Moses Ndamba Nzengo, a Zambian national, for aiding and abetting a prohibited immigrant. Nzengo was apprehended on February 23, 2026, after officers at the Passport Office in Livingstone became suspicious of a Congolese national attempting to acquire a Zambian National Registration Card using the alias Brighton Kunda. Investigations revealed that Nzengo had knowingly facilitated the Congolese national's journey from Lusaka to Livingstone, providing accommodation and accompanying him to the Passport Office, all with the intent of enabling him to fraudulently obtain Zambian identity documents. For his role, Moses Ndamba Nzengo was sentenced to two years imprisonment with hard labour, effective from February 26, 2026.

Separately, on June 29, 2026, the Nakonde Magistrate Court convicted 58-year-old Mohamed Hassan Mohamed, an American national of Somali origin, on five counts under the Immigration and Deportation Act. Mohamed was apprehended on June 15, 2026, at Nakonde Border Control while attempting to exit Zambia. During routine exit formalities, officers discovered irregularities in his travel documents, leading to further investigation. It was established that Mohamed possessed four forged Immigration endorsement stamps, falsely indicating entries and exits through Nakonde Border Control between September 2021 and January 2022. Furthermore, he was found to have remained in Zambia unlawfully after the expiry of his authorized period without seeking an extension of stay. Mohamed was sentenced to two years imprisonment with hard labour on each of the four counts related to the forged stamps, with the sentences running concurrently. For remaining in Zambia after the expiry of his permit, he received a fine of K3,000 or, in default, four months simple imprisonment.

The Department of Immigration utilized these cases to issue a stern warning to the public. Namati Nshinka cautioned against aiding or abetting prohibited immigrants and participating in schemes designed to fraudulently obtain Zambian identity or immigration documents, emphasizing that such offences attract severe penalties. Foreign nationals were also reminded to adhere strictly to the conditions of their stay and to refrain from possessing or using forged immigration documents or endorsements.