Three Burundi border jumpers convicted

Benyure, who was the Registrar of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe, testified under oath that he was representing the council in criminal proceedings, knowing this was false.

Thupeyo Muleya

Beitbridge Bureau

THREE Burundians have been convicted of violating the country’s immigration laws at Karoi Magistrate’s Court.

Manasse Nshimirimana (32), Arcade Nihorimbere and Eddy Yaremye Huvugi, both 20, were recently arrested in Chirundu while looking for transport to Harare following a tip-off.

In a statement on Wednesday, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe said the trio had been slapped with a four-month jail term that was wholly suspended for five years.

“They were arrested by police detectives on June 23. The officers were on patrol when they received a tip-off about foreign nationals at a service station in Chirundu who were looking for transport to Harare.

“The offenders failed to produce valid travel documents or permits, leading to their arrest.”

Of late, there has been an increase of people from East and at times West Africa illegally transiting through Zimbabwe heading to South Africa.

The police and immigration officials’ compliance unit are continuosly carrying out raids on known routes between Chirundu and Beitbridge border posts.