LUSAKA, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- South Africa has deported 25 Zambians for various immigration offenses, a Zambian government official said on Wednesday.

Emmanuel Mwamba, Zambia's High commissioner to South Africa, said the 25 Zambians were deported following a roundup operation in Gauteng Province in South Africa conducted by the country's home affairs ministry.

The Zambian envoy said in a release that some of the deported were found overstayed or stay without immigration permits in South Africa, while others had finished serving their jail terms for criminal offenses.

"Fourteen people have since been repatriated to Zambia by the South African government whilst 11 were given a grace period for self-repatriation," he said.

He added that the Zambian embassy was closely monitoring the welfare of its citizens in South Africa to ensure that they do not violate local laws.