Zimbabwean Traditional Healer Convicted, 17 Foreign Nationals Nabbed

by Saviour Simulindi

The Department of Immigration has intensified its enforcement operations against illegal immigration, securing the conviction of a Zimbabwean national and apprehending seventeen other foreign nationals in two separate operations. The operations were conducted by the Mkushi and Mumbwa Immigration Offices on Tuesday, 6th October, 2026.

In the first case, the Mkushi Immigration Office secured the conviction of 47-year-old Zimbabwean national, Alois Moyo, on two counts of illegal entry and unlawful stay in Zambia and conducting business without a valid immigration permit. Moyo was apprehended on 1st October, 2026, in Luano District after he presented himself to Senior Chief Mboroma as a traditional healer. Following his arrest, he produced a Zimbabwean passport and a Green National Registration Card (NRC) belonging to another person, raising further suspicion about his identity and activities in the country.

When he appeared before Magistrate Lukonde on 6th October, 2026, Moyo was found guilty on both counts. The court fined him K50,000 on each count, bringing the total fine to K100,000. In default of payment, he is to serve nine months simple imprisonment on each count, with the sentences running concurrently. He is currently detained at Mkushi Correctional Facility pending payment of the fines and his eventual removal from Zambia.

In a separate development on the same day, the Mumbwa Immigration Office conducted an enforcement operation in Mumbwa Town which led to the apprehension of seventeen foreign nationals suspected of committing various immigration-related offences. Those apprehended comprise sixteen Burundian nationals and one Congolese national. All seventeen are currently detained pending further investigations and possible prosecution.

The Department of Immigration has commended Senior Chief Mboroma for his vigilance and support, which contributed to the successful apprehension and prosecution of Moyo. The Department has reiterated its commitment to enforcing Zambia's immigration laws and has urged members of the public to continue reporting suspected immigration violations to the nearest Immigration Office or other law enforcement authorities.