Lusaka | January 28, 2026 – The Lusaka Magistrate’s Court has convicted and fined businessman Harry Findlay a total of ZMW 240,000 for two separate immigration-related offences flatly rejecting his legal team’s fervent plea for acquittal in a high-profile immigration fraud case. Findlay faces four (4) and six (6) months simple imprisonment respectively should he fail to pay the fine.
The first charge was for Holding more than one passport, contrary to Section 22(1) as read together with Section 22(2) of the Passport Act of Zambia, specifically acquiring passport ZP021382 on March 14, 2014, after claiming to have lost passport ZP013259.
The second, more severe charge, possessing a passport with a forged Mwami Border Control immigration endorsement dated October 3, 2022. This offence contravenes Section 52(4)(e) as read together with Section 56(1) of the Immigration and Deportation Act No. 18 of 2010.
Throughout the trial, Findlay’s defence, led by Milner & Paul Legal Practitioners and D. Findlay & Associates, maintained a strong position of innocence. In final submissions, they argued the State “failed to prove the offences beyond all reasonable doubt” and “did not produce any evidence” for the second count, beseeching the court for a full acquittal.
Findlay himself, during his defence, claimed the disputed stamp was merely “blurred but genuine” and justified holding multiple passports due to a reported loss and a need to preserve a valid visa.
The prosecution team urged the court to find the accused guilty based on evidence adduced which proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.
Magistrate Sylvia Munyinya-Okoh found that the State had successfully proven both counts beyond a reasonable doubt, contrary to the defence’s claim of a failed prosecution. The court imposed a fine of ZMW 240,000 for the combined counts. These sentences will run concurrently, meaning the total effective time he will serve in default of the fine is six months simple imprisonment.
The conviction highlights the government’s continued focus on enforcing national security and immigration laws. Authorities have recently heightened vigilance against document fraud and identity violations, which are seen as critical to border integrity.
For updates on this and other judicial stories, follow our website and social media channels.