Ex-convict held in Itezhi-Tezhi for posing as an Immigration officer in visits to foreign-owned shops

Immigration officers in Itezhi-Tezhi detained a man on Monday 2 November for allegedly passing himself off as an officer from the Office of the President and the Department of Immigration while visiting shops run by foreign nationals. The Department says the suspect is an ex-convict. Immigration Chief Public Relations Officer Namati Nshinka named the suspect as Joshua Banda, also known as Frank Musonda, in a statement issued on Thursday 5 November. He is being held at Itezhi-Tezhi Police Station and was expected to appear before the Magistrates' Court on Friday 6 November. He has not been convicted of this allegation. ## Background Pretending to be a public officer is an offence in Zambia. The Department's account is that the suspect went from shop to shop run by foreign nationals and presented himself as a government officer. ## Why it matters Small shops, whether run by Zambians or foreigners, are easy targets for anyone who claims to speak for a government office. The case shows how a claim to speak for a government office can be used to get into a business premises. ## What happens next The suspect was due before the Magistrates' Court on Friday. The charges he will face have not been stated in the Department's statement. Source: News Diggers, 6 November 2026, 08:50 (Africa/Lusaka). https://diggers.news/local/2026/11/06/ex-convict-detained-for-posing-as-immigration-officer-visiting-foreigners-shops/