‘Foreigners should stop abusing Zambian laws’
FOREIGNERS should not abuse the favourable business environment but ensure they have proper documentation, Copperbelt Cross Border Traders and Integrated Business Association (CCBTIBA) has said. CCBTIBA Publicity and Information chairperson, Poster Jumbe, urged foreigners conducting business in Zambia to desist from engaging in illegal activities. Mr Jumbe’s comments came in the wake of arrests by security officers who smoked out illegal immigrants from various parts of the country in an operation code named ‘operation Chalo.’ Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), Zambia Police Service and immigration department clamped down on illegal immigrants and other suspects in Lusaka, Livingstone, Copperbelt and other areas. Scores of illegal immigrants were rounded up at Chisokone market in Ktwe. Mr Jumbe said the association upport of the operation carried out because it would restore order. He said this would also ensure that foreigners who were coming to conduct business in Zambia have genuine documentation. "Being an association which advocates for a cross border permit, we would like to see that foreigners trading in our markets and other places do not abuse the favourable and friendly Zambian environment, but follow the laws of the country,'' Mr Jumbe said. He said his association was ready to work in close collaboration with the immigration, DEC and other law enforcement agencies to clamp down on illegal immigrants. "In future, we would like to work in collaboration with the immigration department, the DEC and other law enforcement agencies to ensure that these foreigners follow the law. "As an association which has got membership beyond Zambia, we would like to educate Zambians and foreigners that each country has laws which must be followed,'' he said. Mr Jumbe said his association believed that cross border trade was a silent empowerment programme which could change the country's economy as long all the traders follow the laws of each country. He advised Zambians to take advantage of the wide market in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola and Namibia to export agricultural products and to adhere to the laws of the neighbouring countries.