adminwho rounded them up during a border patrol.
The five – Leonard Sigodo (39), Nosta Chiwara (21), Paridzi Chimukuda (32), Headson Chivi and Panganai Tizivei – all of no fixed abode, are denying the charges of loitering and touting in the protected area as well as threatening immigration officials with violence.
They were not formally charged when they appeared before Beitbridge magistrate Mrs Auxillia Chiumburu, who remanded them in custody to November 2 for trial.
Charges against the five arose on September 14 this year, when the five went to the border post without passports.
They started touting and were arrested and taken to the immigration hall for detention and possible handover to police. Their other blind and disabled colleagues allegedly got wind of the arrest.
They armed themselves with iron bars and sticks and stormed the immigration department threatening to beat the immigration officers present.
Fearing for their lives, the immigration authorities released the five from custody.
They later re-arrested the five suspects with the assistance of the police.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter