UPND’s Larry Mweetwa Deported From Zambia

On Friday UPND member Larry Mweetwa was ordered to leave the country within 48hrs by the Immigration Department, despite being a Zambian citizen. Authorities have so far not given a reason for his forced departure. 

Mr Mweetwa, who usually resides in the UK, was in Zambia for his Christmas holidays this week; visiting his family and helping to register voters in Mbabala Constituency, where he intends to stand for election as a member of parliament.

He confirmed his deportation on Facebook on Friday:

“It’s with a sad heart I share my ordeal. I went to Zambia to spend Christmas and also assist in mobilising voters in Mbabala constituency. When I reached at the boarder I paid visa fees $50 and toll gate fees $50 and the immigration cleared me and stamped my passport and gave me 30 days to stay in the country because I was using a dual nationality passport,” he explained.

"So later I asked my agent to deliver my BMW I was using and rushed to Livingstone general hospital for a medical emergency and also to send money to our constituency to hire trucks to take our people to register as voters. I was later called by the senior immigration Officer, a Mr. Mwansa that they are sorting out a ka small issue regarding my passport. To my surprise I was told my visa has been cancelled due to noncompliance to immigration regulations! when I asked them what was wrong with my passport I was told nothing was wrong.”

The UPND contender has asked how a Zambian citizen, born in Choma Kwa Macha, can be deported from his own country. His lawyers are currently on the case and further details are expected soon.