Immigration officials in the Northern Region have arrested 52 Ethiopians on suspicion that they entered the country without following proper procedures.
According to Northern Region Immigration Public Relations Officer, Francis Chitambuli, the arrested Ethiopians are all male and were intercepted around Mkombezi area in Rumphi District during routine checks by immigration officials.
Unknown people are said to have abandoned a 20 tonne van with the immigrants inside at a nearby bush and were discovered by the immigration officers who were on patrol.
Chitambuli said the department has since impounded the vehicle which belongs to Skylight Logistics and is believed to have been used to ferry the arrested suspects.
“All the 52 suspects do not possess any travel documents to legalise their entry or stay in the country and they are currently in custody awaiting legal proceedings” said Chitambuli.
The development comes barely 12 days after a group of 28 Ethiopians were also caught for illegal entry.
#MBCOnlineServices
