By Christopher Miti
Police in Nyimba District, Eastern Province, have apprehended two Zambian men for transporting 30 illegal immigrants, believed to be Ethiopians, in an ambulance to an unknown destination.
The immigrants were packed into an Altaf ambulance, registration number BAT 3037, which was being driven by Chipata-based driver BOYD PHIRI, aged 40.
Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer ROBERTSON MWEEMBA says the ambulance was intercepted at the Kacholola security checkpoint along the Great East Road at around 23:00 hours.
Mr. MWEEMBA says the driver, working with his co-driver SIYAMUKENGE CHIKEMA, aged 45, collected the Ethiopian nationals from various locations, including Chanida and Katete, as well as along the Mozambique Road.
He explains that the two told police they had received instructions from KENNEDY PHIRI of Katete District, who claimed there was a patient in need of ambulance services.
However, upon arrival, they were instead handed 30 Ethiopians to transport.
Mr. MWEEMBA said the two drivers and the 30 Ethiopian nationals are currently in police custody, while the ambulance used in the operation has been impounded.
