I was Detained by Zambian Immigration at border

On 10 April 2026, I travelled to Victoria Falls to attend my cousin’s wedding. On 13 April 2026, while returning to Zimbabwe, we used the Zambia route via Victoria Falls Border Post in order to arrive in Harare earlier.

At the border, my vehicle was cleared and I received a Zimbabwe exit stamp. However, due to an administrative oversight, the Zambian immigration officer did not stamp my cousin’s passport upon entry into Zambia.

On 14 April 2026, when we attempted to exit Zambia via Kariba Border Post, my cousin was arrested by Zambian Immigration authorities for irregular entry. He was subsequently detained in holding cells in Siavonga. I was also detained at the border post as a witness while the matter was being processed.

Zambian Immigration authorities imposed a penalty of US$1,800, payable in Zambian Kwacha, in order to resolve the matter and secure my cousin’s release.

The funds I used to pay this penalty had initially been allocated to me for the purchase of laptops for the company. As a result, the company is now requesting reimbursement of the amount used.