The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
Nineteen Malawian nationals who were intercepted in Harare aboard a bus destined for South Africa were each fined US$50 for violating the country’s immigration laws.
Steven Chipapi and 18 others risk spending 10 days behind bars if they fail to pay the fines.
The group members were convicted on their own plea when they appeared before Harare magistrate, Ms Caroline Matanga, charged with entering Zimbabwe without permits.
Prosecutor Ms Mandirasa Chigumira stated that on April 23, the police received information that some illegal migrants were at Virtue Trade fuel station in Southlea Park, Harare.
The police rushed to the fuel station where they found the 19 aboard a JKN Logistics bus (AGL1978) and requested to see their travelling documents.
Fifteen of them produced Malawian temporary travelling documents while the remaining four were undocumented.
Meanwhile, 23 other Malawian immigrants who were staying in Mbare are expected to appear at the Harare Magistrates Court facing similar charges.
