WE are perturbed by persistent reports of Zambians, especially in border towns, harbouring illegal immigrants in their homes.

This is not only a violation of the laws of Zambia, but also a drain on hard-earned financial and material resources.

Reports that police in Livingstone have arrested a Zambian for harbouring Zimbabwean nationals at his home is one of many in recent months.

Initially, it was guesthouse owners who offered illegal immigrants accommodation at a fee and the Government raised concern and warned the culprits.

But instead of Zambians taking heed of Government's warnings, the problem has simply moved from guesthouses and motels to townships where it is now roaring business to deal in illegal immigrants.

Livingstone police arrested the Zambian after 32 Zimbabweans were found holed up at his house where they had been paying to live in inhumane conditions.

According to Southern Province police commanding officer Lemmy Kajoba, the hideout was unearthed while pursuing two foreigners who allegedly murdered a Zambian last week and stole two cell phones.

While pursuing the suspects, police discovered a horde of Zimbabweans at a house where they were paying up to K2,000 for sleeping on a verandah and K5,000 in a crammed room.

This is inhuman and what is particularly worrying is that some of these illegal immigrants are now deeply involved in crime. Livingstone used to be a peaceful town but now the levels of crime have brought that to an end.

All these reports have brought to the fore the apparent weakness in the existing laws governing immigration and there may be need to tighten the screws.

We feel Zambians have themselves to blame for the rising crime and must now learn to work with the Zambia Police Service to make this country safe.

Zambians sympathise with neighbouring countries currently facing economic hardships.

But it will not help anyone to ignore laid-down immigration procedures and for Zambians to harbour illegal immigrants.

The problems of Zambians harbouring foreigners is not only rife in Livingstone, but also other areas, especially Lusaka going by the rising crime.

The Zambia Police Service must use its experience from Livingstone to bring to book Zambians who have turned their homes into dens for foreigners.