HARARE - Three Immigration officials and a security officer have been charged with facilitating the illegal entry of three Pakistan nationals into Zimbabwe.
The quartet, Mary Mutizwa, 35, Brian Chikwanda, 35, Aaron Toringepi, 29, and Peter Chirume, 40, appeared before Harare magistrate Tendai Mahwe facing charges of contravening sections of the Presidential Powers (Temporarily Measures) (Trafficking in Person Regulations) Act.
They were remanded to April 16 for commencement of trial.
Chikwanda, Toringepi and Chirume are employed at the department of Immigration, Harare International Airport while Mutizwa is employed at Field Security Headquaters, Craneborne Barracks in Harare.
Prosecutor Sharon Mashavira alleged that on February 11 this year around 5pm, two Pakistan men Shahbaz Muhammad and Abbas Syed Squalin arrived at Harare International Airport aboard an Emirates flight.
It is the State’s case that the Immigration officers were aware that the Pakistan men fall under “Category C” in terms of the Immigration visa requirements which stipulates that they were to apply for visas prior to visiting Zimbabwe but admitted them in.
Muhammad and Squalin were later arrested at Beitbridge Border Post while trying to cross into South Africa, the court heard.
Mashavira further alleged that Chikwanda, Toringepi, Chirume and Mutizwa also assisted another Pakistan national Muhammad Aslam to illegally enter the country, two days after the first incident.
Aslam was also arrested at Beitbridge Border Post while trying to cross into South Africa.