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solemnised at the Harare Magistrates’ Court by former magistrate Mr John Koto.
Ofoajoku Kelechi, who was reportedly married to a South African, wedded Catherine Tsitsi Kadzenga and Meshia Chikaka on March 2, 2005.
Police suspect that Ofoajoku entered into the two marriages of convenience in a bid to continue staying in the country.
He is now being charged for allegedly violating the country’s marriage laws.
Assistant Regional Immigration Officer Mr Evans Siziba yesterday said Ofoajoku was issued with a resident permit on January 19, 2007, which was valid for a year on the basis that he was married to Kadzenga.
“Kelechi was arrested on April 13 this year on sus-picion of being an illegal immigrant, but was released when one Meshia Chikaka contested the detention on the grounds of being married to him,” said Mr Sizi- ba.
Chikaka is reported to have produced a marriage certificate to prove her marriage to Kelechi.
The Immigration Department verified and disco-vered that Ofoajoku was also married to Kadzenga (Marriage Certificate number 552/05 under the Marriages Act Chapter 5:11) on March 2 2005.
“Kelechi wedded for the second time with a different woman (Chikaka) on the same day (March 2 2005) and marriage certificate number 587/05 was issued,” Mr Siziba said.
Investigations revealed that Ofoajoku was married to another woman, a South African, according to a residence permit reference number SPR/11/12022/08 issued in terms of the South African Act section 10 of Act Number 13 2002.
The South African Embassy has since confirmed this to the Immigration Department.
Mr Siziba said Ofoajoku violated the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (bigamy) and the Immigration Act (marriage of convenience).
He was yesterday still in custody and will appear in court soon.
Online Reporter