Lusaka, Zambia - Zambia's Department of Immigration has reported a drastic reduction in the number of illegal immigrants from neighbouring Zimbabwe.

Spokesperson Mulako Mbangweta said the number of Zimbabweans entering Zambia had reduced from 800 to 200 daily, the state-run Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation reported Wednesday.

She attributed the reduction to relief in political sanctions on Zimbabwe by Western countries.

According to Mbangweta, a recent survey by immigration officers shows that most shops in Zimbabwe have enough commodities.

The development has discouraged Zimbabweans from entering Zambia.

Mbangweta however said, however, that the department had continued to face problems with immigrants from Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

She said citizens of the two countries were illegally entering Zambia on their way to South Africa to look for jobs, before the 2010 World Cup.

By Staff reporter and agencies