Immigration, cops ‘rescue’ 37 Ethiopians
By Thomas Ngala
A JOINT team of immigration and state police in Mpika District has apprehended a 54-year-old Tanzanian truck driver, Charles Michael Lumato, and 37 undocumented Ethiopians aged between 14 and 39 years, who were found locked inside a truck struggling to breathe because severe exhaustion and lack of oxygen.
Department of Immigration public relations officer Namati Nshinka said the suspected case of smuggling of migrants happened on Sunday around 12:00 hours at the Mpika Weigh Bridge.
Nshinka said the officers were alerted by passers-by when they heard a loud banging noise coming from the parked Scania truck.
He said the truck, horse registration number T430 DUZ and trailer T 979DVB, was driven by Lumato, who, owing to the loud banging from the container, was prompted to open it.
“Immigration officers from the Mpika Immigration Office and police officers based at the Mpika Weigh Bridge quickly rushed to the scene and swiftly acted to help the distressed Ethiopians. Five of the 37 Ethiopians, who were in particularly poor condition, were rushed to a nearby hospital for immediate medical attention,” Nshinka said.
“After receiving treatment, they were discharged and are now being held alongside the others for further investigation.” he said.
Nshinka urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to help combat smuggling of migrants and other related crimes.
