Truck driver convicted for human smuggling

THE Department of Immigration in Kapiri Mposhi has secured the conviction of Meshack Gidion Mwakipesile, 33, a Tanzanian truck driver of Ilala, for human smuggling into Zambia.

This is contrary to section 9(1) of the Anti-Human raf c ing ct no. of of the laws of Zambia.

ublic relations of cer Namati Nshinka yesterday said while in charge of a containerized Tanzanian registered truck, registration number and trailer registration number which he was driving from Tanzanian to Lusaka, the accused was intercepted on ugust at umbi hec oint following a tip-off.

Mr. Nshinka said six Somali illegal immigrants, including two minors, were found in a compartment where the chassis of the trailer was deliberately modi ed to hide them.

Mwakipesile was on ctober found guilty of the offence and committed to the igh ourt for sentencing.

He remains detained at u obe o orrectional Facility awaiting sentencing.

Earlier, the four Somali adults were convicted for consenting to be smuggled and were committed to the igh ourt for sentencing.

In a similar development, the department in Kaputa secured the conviction of three ongolese for the offences of failure to appear before an mmigration of cer upon entering Zambia and unlawful presence in the country.

One was convicted for an additional charge of attempting to obtain a ational egistration ard by false pretences.

habu angwa a businessman and Oscar ape a peasant farmer both faced counts of failure to appear before an Immigration of cer and unlawful presence and were sentenced to nine months simple imprisonment and two years’ imprisonment with hard labour, respectively.

“The department also wishes to remind all holders of residence permit booklets that they are required to apply for replacement of the booklet type permit with the digital permit, at the standard statutory fee for replacement. The deadline for replacements is th pril r. shin a said.