News / National
2 Zimbabweans in South African court for smuggling 33 children
6 hrs ago |
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Two Zimbabwean men have appeared briefly before the Musina Magistrate's Court in South Africa facing charges of aiding illegal immigrants and contravening immigration laws after they were allegedly caught transporting undocumented children.
The accused, Decent Chokuwamba (32) and Risenga Makhenza (23), were arrested last week at the Beitbridge Border Post after authorities allegedly found them attempting to transport 33 children from South Africa to Zimbabwe in a Toyota Quantum.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson for the Limpopo division, Ms Mashudu Malabi, confirmed that the two men have been remanded in custody until January 22.
"It is alleged that on 13 January 2026, at the Beitbridge Port of Entry, the accused were apprehended by Border Management Authority (BMA) officials while allegedly loading 33 undocumented minor children into a Toyota Quantum, with the intention of departing the Republic of South Africa to Zimbabwe," Malabi said.
She said the children were aged between four and 15 years.
"The accused were subsequently arrested, and the matter has been postponed to 22 January 2026 for the profiling of the accused, and they remain in custody," she added.
Authorities noted that the smuggling of children across borders into Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa is a common occurrence during major public and school holidays, as families seek informal means of transporting minors without proper documentation.
Investigations into the matter are ongoing.
The accused, Decent Chokuwamba (32) and Risenga Makhenza (23), were arrested last week at the Beitbridge Border Post after authorities allegedly found them attempting to transport 33 children from South Africa to Zimbabwe in a Toyota Quantum.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson for the Limpopo division, Ms Mashudu Malabi, confirmed that the two men have been remanded in custody until January 22.
"It is alleged that on 13 January 2026, at the Beitbridge Port of Entry, the accused were apprehended by Border Management Authority (BMA) officials while allegedly loading 33 undocumented minor children into a Toyota Quantum, with the intention of departing the Republic of South Africa to Zimbabwe," Malabi said.
"The accused were subsequently arrested, and the matter has been postponed to 22 January 2026 for the profiling of the accused, and they remain in custody," she added.
Authorities noted that the smuggling of children across borders into Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa is a common occurrence during major public and school holidays, as families seek informal means of transporting minors without proper documentation.
Investigations into the matter are ongoing.
Source - The Chronicle
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