Ethiopians sob in court as they are charged for illegal entry into Zimbabwe

SIXTY-THREE Ethiopians who illegally entered Zimbabwe through the Nyamapanda Border Post last month broke into tears in court on Thursday after they were convicted and sentenced to four days in prison or a fine of US$40 each.

The 63 appeared before Harare magistrate Tendai Mahwe facing charges of contravening the Immigration Act. They pleaded guilty to the charges.

In passing his ruling, Mahwe found extenuating circumstances which called for lenient punishment for the foreign nationals.

"I have considered that you are all first offenders and therefore you deserve a lighter sentence. I have also considered that you were probably running away from different problems in your country but you used the wrong channel.

As a result the courts have to deal with you according to the laws of our country," he said.

Mahwe also said that the 63 Ethiopians were going to be deported on completion of their sentences