adminLetwin Mubonesi
A GUINEA national was last week remanded in custody awaiting deportation after he was found guilty of forging travel documents by a Mutare court.
Bar Mamadou appeared before Mrs Sekai Chiundura for contravening Section 36 of the Immigration Act.
It was the state’s case led by Mr Fletcher Karombe that on November 26 at Forbes Border Post, the accused presented a Mozambican passport number DM009666 for clearance at the immigration exit counter belonging to a woman, Joice Jacinto Banda, bearing his photograph for the purpose of departing from Zimbabwe to Mozambique.
“Mr Joseph Maziva, an immigration officer scrutinised the passport and discovered that the passport was forged. The accused failed to explain the anomaly and was immediately arrested” said Mr Karombe.
He asked for leniency saying he was not aware that he was committing an offence.
“The passport holder gave me her passport to use. I was not aware that I was committing an offence,” he said.
Mrs Chiundura advised him to use proper valid documents which carry his name when crossing borders.
He was sentenced to six months imprisonment wholly suspended on condition he does not commit a similar offence in the next five years.
In an unrelated case, Sarah Lucia Katigu (34) of Manica Province in Mozambique appeared before Mrs Chiundura facing illegal entry charges.
Circumstances surrounding the matter are that the accused used an illegal entry point into Zimbabwe. She also overstayed in the country.
She was arrested at Forbes Border Post on November 28 by police officers who were on border patrol.
“I erred Your Worship, please forgive me” said Katigu.
Mrs Chiundura sentenced her to 20 days imprisonment, wholly suspended on condition of good behaviour.
Online Reporter