Envoy ordered to leave Zimbabwe

The Herald, 14 May, 1981

IN a dramatic crackdown on foreign currency smugglers, the Government yesterday declared the First Secretary of the Zairean Embassy in Salisbury, Mr Sokombi Kikungatoni Mulumba, a prohibited immigrant and ordered him to leave Zimbabwe within 48 hours, diplomatic sources said.

The Zaire diplomat’s expulsion is the first of any foreign mission emissary since Zimbabwe’s independence last year.

This came after Mr Mulumba’s appearance in camera in court last week in connection with the smuggling of diamonds, emeralds, and jewellery involving several hundred thousand dollars.

Sources said yesterday that Mr Mulumba, who is understood to have claimed diplomatic immunity in court, made a confession to the police about his activities.

He was due to have appeared again in court this week, but the Government decided to give him marching orders to leave the country immediately, the sources said. His unceremonious departure from Zimbabwe closely follows a warning from Senator Enos Nkala, Minister of Finance, that the Government would clamp down on “top” foreign currency smugglers and hold any such suspects for up to 30 days without trial, according to the presidential directive to the police.

The sources said Mr Mulumba’s alleged illicit dealings included receiving large sums of money from Zimbabwean businessmen of Indian origin. He is alleged to have collected several hundred thousand dollars, which he deposited in an external bank асcount, through a local bank.

He is also said to have authorised his overseas bank to transfer part of the money into accounts of these businessmen, although he made a profit running into several thousand dollars.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

Every country has the right to control its borders and determine who is allowed to enter or stay within its territory. By declaring a diplomat, a prohibited immigrant, Zimbabwe was asserting its authority to make decisions regarding who can reside in the country.

Zaire, is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Another lesson that can be drawn from this incident is the impact it can have on diplomatic relations between countries. Such actions could have strained relations between Zimbabwe and the DRC, leading to potential diplomatic tensions.