TWENTY-FIVE Zambian nationals have been deported from South Africa for various immigration offences.

The 25 were deported following a round-up operation which was conducted by that country’s Ministry of Home Affairs and were later detained at Lindela Holding facilities in Krugersdorp West, Gauteng province.

According to the information made available to the Zambia High Commission in Pretoria, the deported Zambians were found with offences such as overstaying in that country.

Others were found with no immigration permits that allow them to stay or work in South Africa while others had finished saving their jail terms for criminal offences.

Fourteen people have since been repatriated to Zambia by the South African government whilst 11 were given a grace period for self-repatriation.

South African authorities observed that Zambia was among the countries with the lowest number of her nationals that had offended immigrations laws as compared to other countries.

However, Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Emmanuel Mwamba said the mission issued about 983 travel documents in 2018 to Zambian nationals that had lost their passports or had overstayed.

Mr Mwamba also said the mission issued 14 gratis travel documents to some Zambians that needed help from the high Commission.

He said however the mission was closely monitoring the welfare of its citizens to ensure that they do not come in conflict with the law.

He called on Zambians travelling to South Africa to follow the right procedure when travelling to avoid inconveniences.

This is contained in a statement released to the Daily Nation by first secretary for press at the Zambian Embassy in South Africa Naomi Nyawali.