Fairness Moyana in Hwange
TWELVE Somali nationals, among them, two juveniles, who are accused of illegally entering Zimbabwe have been further remanded to October 19 to allow authorities to secure a Somali interpreter.
The accused persons first appeared before Hwange provincial magistrate Mr Bentone Matope on October 5 facing charges of contravening Section 29(1) as read with Section 29(2)(a) of the Immigration Act [Chapter 4:02].
The provision prohibits foreign nationals from entering, remaining in or departing from Zimbabwe without a valid permit or visitors’ entry certificate.
The adults accused are Mahomud Osman Rooble (31), Ciise Ahmed Omar (42), Mohamed Ismaaciil Abdalla (22), Abdinajiib Ahmed Omar (20), Mohamed Mukhtaar Ahmed (40), Abdulahi Abdi Ali (18), Mohamed Ibrahim Axmed (31), Abdi Qadar Shiiqey (24), Abdifitah Hussein Mohamed (19) and Mohamed Hussein Mohamed (22).
The identity of the two juveniles, aged 14 and 17, is withheld in line with protections afforded to children involved in criminal proceedings.
Prosecuting, Ms Zandile Matsiliso Tlou, told the court that on October 3 at about 10PM, detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Hwange received information that suspected foreign nationals had boarded an Extra City bus travelling from Victoria Falls towards Bulawayo.
The detectives intercepted the bus at the Cinderella railway crossing along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway in Hwange.
The court heard that the detectives boarded the bus and found the 12 accused persons travelling together.
“On questioning the accused, the detectives established that the group were Somali nationals travelling to Bulawayo en route to South Africa,” said Ms Tlou.
The court heard that the accused allegedly did not have travel documents, permits or visitors’ entry certificates authorising them to enter Zimbabwe resulting in their arrest.
