News / National
2 Zimbabwe immigration officers arrested over visa fraud
3 hrs ago | Views
Two immigration officers have been arrested for allegedly processing visas for seven Chinese nationals at Nyamapanda Border Post, including two who were already in police detention for violating Zimbabwe's immigration laws.
One of the detained nationals was at Harare Remand Prison, awaiting deportation, while the other was in Mutare Remand Prison when their passports were issued visas at Nyamapanda.
Samson Mashura, a Principal Immigration Officer stationed at Nyamapanda, appeared before Harare magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa and was released on US$100 bail. He was not asked to plead. Mashura, along with Patience Chamboko, who was head of shift at the time, is accused of facilitating an unprocedural clearance of the seven Chinese nationals on July 31.
The seven nationals involved are: Lin Lou, Junhao Yu, Libo Jiang, Donghong Cao, Shu Liu, Ruizhu Fang, and Xiaojun Hung. Allegations indicate that Mashura brought the passports to Chamboko, who processed the visas through the Online Border Management System (OBMS) despite the individuals not being physically present at the border.
Investigations revealed that Xiaojun Hung's passport was cleared on August 31, while he was still in custody at Mutare Remand Prison. Similarly, Libo Jiang was in detention at Harare Remand Prison on July 31.
Further evidence indicates Mashura was in constant communication with Chamboko regarding how to report the visas to their superiors. Chamboko accused Mashura of misleading her into issuing the visas without any personal benefit.
The case is ongoing, with Rufaro Chonzi appearing for the State.
One of the detained nationals was at Harare Remand Prison, awaiting deportation, while the other was in Mutare Remand Prison when their passports were issued visas at Nyamapanda.
Samson Mashura, a Principal Immigration Officer stationed at Nyamapanda, appeared before Harare magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa and was released on US$100 bail. He was not asked to plead. Mashura, along with Patience Chamboko, who was head of shift at the time, is accused of facilitating an unprocedural clearance of the seven Chinese nationals on July 31.
The seven nationals involved are: Lin Lou, Junhao Yu, Libo Jiang, Donghong Cao, Shu Liu, Ruizhu Fang, and Xiaojun Hung. Allegations indicate that Mashura brought the passports to Chamboko, who processed the visas through the Online Border Management System (OBMS) despite the individuals not being physically present at the border.
Investigations revealed that Xiaojun Hung's passport was cleared on August 31, while he was still in custody at Mutare Remand Prison. Similarly, Libo Jiang was in detention at Harare Remand Prison on July 31.
Further evidence indicates Mashura was in constant communication with Chamboko regarding how to report the visas to their superiors. Chamboko accused Mashura of misleading her into issuing the visas without any personal benefit.
The case is ongoing, with Rufaro Chonzi appearing for the State.
Source - the herald
