A Mobile Court sitting at Mukobeko Maximum Correctional Facility has concluded a significant immigration case arising from the interception of Ethiopian nationals concealed in a fuel tanker truck and trailer in Kapiri Mposhi District. All adult accused persons in the matter pleaded guilty, while the seven children involved were diverted in accordance with child justice procedures.
The proceedings, conducted under the Mobile Courts Pilot Project, unfolded over two days. On December 18, 2025, the court, presided over by Resident Magistrate Hon. Wamundila, heard and determined 82 matters involving the adult accused persons. All 82 pleaded guilty to offences of failure to appear before an Immigration Officer at a port of entry and unlawful presence in Zambia. They were convicted and each fined K3,000. The court granted the convicts up to December 31, 2025 to settle the fines, failing which they will serve a default sentence of three months’ simple imprisonment. The court further ordered that the immigrants be deported upon completion of their sentences.
The prosecution, led by Public Prosecutors Ms. Veronica Chikoye, Mr. Henry Katwishi and Ms. Suwilanji Chisi, made an application requesting the court to view the tanker truck and trailer which were used to ferry the prohibited immigrants, and subsequently sought forfeiture of the vehicle. The court adjourned the matter to today, December 23, 2025 to allow for a considered ruling on the application.
When the matter came up today, the court dismissed the forfeiture application, holding that the respondent company, as owner of the tanker truck and trailer, had no knowledge that its driver was using the vehicle to facilitate criminal activity. In those circumstances, the court ruled, forfeiture could not be justified.
Also concluded today was the diversion process for the seven children in conflict with the law who were apprehended alongside the adult accused persons. Diversion is a child justice measure that allows matters involving children to be resolved outside the formal court process, focusing on rehabilitation and accountability rather than punishment.
Working through the Office of the Witness Liaison Officer from the NPA, and in collaboration with the Department of Immigration and the Department of Social Welfare, the National Prosecution Authority facilitated the diversion in accordance with established procedures. The children were diverted on condition that they do not commit similar offences in future, failing which they will be subjected to formal court proceedings.
The cases stem from an incident on 23 November 2025, when law enforcement officers intercepted a tanker truck and trailer, registration numbers AJF 2218ZM and AJF 7250, in Kapiri Mposhi District. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 89 Ethiopian nationals hidden inside.
Investigations established that some of the individuals were in possession of passports without the required endorsement by Zambian Immigration authorities, while others had no valid documentation authorising their presence in the country.
All were classified as prohibited immigrants under Zambian law. Of the 89 apprehended persons, 82 were adults and seven were identified as children in conflict with the law.
