Seven Somalis Intercepted in Zambia

Lusaka, Zambia – Zambian authorities have once again underscored their commitment to combating irregular migration, following the interception of seven Somali nationals found concealed in a vehicle bound for Zimbabwe. The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) confirmed the incident, which occurred during a routine enforcement exercise near Kapiri Mposhi town, a critical transit point in the Central Province. The individuals were discovered hidden beneath bags of rice and other goods in a Toyota Probox, an apparent attempt to evade detection as they sought passage further south. According to Oliver Nzala, the ZRA's Manager of Corporate Communications, the vehicle was intercepted while en route to the Chirundu One-Stop Border Post, a major gateway connecting Zambia and Zimbabwe. The driver, a Zambian national, was immediately detained alongside the seven Somali migrants. Both the driver and the foreign nationals have since been handed over to the Department of Immigration for profiling and processing in accordance with the Immigration and Deportation Act. This swift action reflects the ZRA's dual mandate of safeguarding national revenue and protecting Zambia's borders from illicit activities. Zambia has increasingly become a significant transit country for migrants from the Horn of Africa, including Somalia, who are often attempting to reach perceived economic opportunities in wealthier Southern African nations, particularly South Africa. These irregular migration routes are frequently facilitated by sophisticated smuggling networks that exploit Zambia's central geographical position and often utilize commercial vehicles to bypass official checkpoints. The recent interception serves as a stark reminder of the persistent challenges faced by border control agencies in managing these complex human movements. The government, through its various agencies, has intensified efforts to disrupt these smuggling operations. The Department of Immigration, in collaboration with the ZRA