Immigration Apprehends Ethiopians In Kazungula As 212 Congolese Refugees Repatriated

By Pauline Ngozoh

The Department of Immigration in Kazungula apprehended ten Ethiopian nationals in an intelligence-led operation conducted in the Highlands area of Kazungula District.

In a press statement issued by department of immigration Chief Public Relations Officer Namati H. Nshinka announced, the operation began late on Saturday, 8th August 2026 with four Immigration Officers and three armed Police Officers, leading to the initial arrest of three Ethiopian males.

During this operation, three Zambian males suspected of facilitating the group’s movement toward the Zambezi River, along with an unknown number of Ethiopians, escaped. Preliminary investigations indicate the group was allegedly being transported to the Zambezi River for onward movement across the border. A follow-up operation in the early hours of Sunday, 9th August 2026 resulted in seven more Ethiopian males being arrested, bringing the total in custody to ten.

Of the ten Ethiopians in custody, seven were found with valid Ethiopian passports, one had an Ethiopian identification card, and two were undocumented. The Department has launched investigations to determine their immigration status, the circumstances surrounding their presence in the area, and to identify those involved in facilitating their movement.

Authorities are also pursuing the suspected facilitators who escaped during the operation. The Department has reiterated its warning to the public against aiding, harbouring, or facilitating persons in contravention of immigration laws.

In a separate development, the Chipungu Immigration Office on Friday, 7th August 2026 facilitated the voluntary repatriation of 212 Congolese refugees from Mantapala Refugee Settlement.

The repatriation was part of the ongoing voluntary repatriation exercise coordinated by the Office of the Commissioner for Refugees. Immigration Officers processed the necessary immigration formalities to ensure the orderly departure of the refugees from Zambia.