Zambia intercepts Somali migrants hidden under bags of rice
· The South African
Seven Somali nationals were discovered concealed beneath bags of rice in a vehicle travelling towards Zimbabwe after Zambian authorities intercepted a suspected migrant smuggling operation during a routine inspection.
The Somali nationals are believed to have been travelling to South Africa via Zimbabwe, with the Chirundu One Stop Border Post serving as their intended crossing point into Zimbabwe.
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The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) said the seven men were found hidden in the rear cargo compartment of a Toyota Probox that had been stopped in Kapiri Mposhi.
Seven Somali migrants concealed beneath bags of rice
According to the ZRA, officers became suspicious after stopping the vehicle during a routine enforcement operation.
A search of the vehicle revealed seven Somali nationals hidden beneath bags of rice and other goods in the cargo area.
Images released by the authority showed officers unloading sacks of rice before the migrants emerged from the cramped compartment where they had allegedly been concealed for the journey.
The Zambian driver of the vehicle was immediately detained.
Driver and migrants handed over to immigration officials
The ZRA said both the driver and the seven Somali nationals were handed over to Zambia’s Department of Immigration for profiling and further investigations.
According to the ZRA, the driver and the seven Somali nationals were transferred to the Department of Immigration for profiling and possible legal action in line with the Immigration and Deportation Act.
Authorities have not disclosed where the migrants began their journey or whether Zimbabwe was their final destination.
The Chirundu One Stop Border Post serves as one of Southern Africa’s busiest trade and transport corridors, linking Zambia with Zimbabwe and connecting traffic moving further south through the region.
Zambian authorities reiterate warning on law enforcement
In a separate enforcement operation, the ZRA also impounded a vehicle that had remained in Zambia after its temporary import permit expired.
According to the authority, the vehicle entered Zambia through the Kasumbalesa Border Post in December 2025 but was never re-exported after the permit lapsed, breaching the country’s customs regulations.
The revenue authority used the incidents to remind motorists, importers and transport operators to comply with immigration and customs laws.
It warned that violations could result in enforcement action, including the seizure of vehicles and goods, as authorities continue to tighten compliance along Zambia’s border routes.