Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Mutare Bureau
TWELVE Mozambican nationals who entered the country via an illegal point and had no identification and travel documentation were recently intercepted in Nyazura and arrested for the offence.
The twelve pleaded guilty to violating section 11(1)(5)(A) of the Immigration Act Chapter 4:02 which makes it criminal to enter Zimbabwe through invasion. They were not represented and Rusape Magistrate Mrs Barbra Mateko sentenced them to two months imprisonment which she wholly suspended for the next five years.
She then ordered their deportation.
Prosecutor Ms Faith Mutukwa told the court that the foreigners were going to work at a tobacco farm in Headlands when they were intercepted.
“On October 26 2025 at around 2pm, the informant made tip off via a phone call to Inspector Govha to the effect that the 12 accused persons boarded an Inter-Africa bus registration number ADZ 9876 at 280km perg along Harare-Mutare road, at Penhalonga Turn-off, Mutare.
“On the same day, at around 2.40pm, Nyazura Police reacted to the tip off and stopped the Inter-Africa bus at by-pass bus stop Nyazura. The 12 accused persons were asked for any documentation but they did not produce any.
“The accused person were then arrested for contravening section 11 of the Immigration Act, ‘Entry By Invasion’ and taken to Nyazura Police Station. The 12 accused persons were interviewed and they stated that they were on their way to work at a tobacco farm at Bingaguru, Inyati Mine in Headlands,” said Ms Mutukwa.
