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Duo remanded over alleged Canada Visa scam on Zimbabweans
10 hrs ago |
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Two people have appeared before the Beitbridge Magistrates' Court facing multiple counts of trafficking in persons after allegedly luring Zimbabweans to South Africa with false promises of securing visas and jobs in Canada.
Loice Simango (43) of Chipinge and Isaac Mavhengano (53) of Ngundu appeared before Beitbridge Resident Magistrate Takudzwa Gwazemba on nine counts of trafficking in persons.
The pair, who are alleged to have acted in concert with a Congolese national, Ami Akechi, who remains at large, allegedly defrauded nine victims of more than R180,600.
Simango and Mavhengano were remanded in custody to July 28, 2026.
According to the State, the alleged scheme began in August 2022 when the accused approached the complainants, claiming that a church programme was facilitating visas from South Africa to Canada and offering employment opportunities there.
The victims were allegedly told they had to pay varying amounts of money to be enrolled in the programme.
The court heard that on December 21, the accused instructed the complainants to travel to East London in South Africa, claiming their ship to Canada would depart on December 27.
Between December 2025 and June 2026, the victims were allegedly instructed to move between different towns in South Africa while being assured that their journey to Canada would commence at any time.
Instead, on June 2, the complainants were arrested by South African authorities for being in the country illegally. They were deported to Zimbabwe on July 21, 2026, after which they reported the matter to the Zimbabwe Republic Police at Beitbridge.
The State alleges the victims collectively lost more than R180,600 in the scheme.
The complainants are Sylvia Madzima of Masvingo, Rosa Chatareni of Chitungwiza, Joshua Mutema and Rutendo Madziwana of Budiriro in Harare, Ester Dhliwayo of Maronga Village, Simbarashe Chirongoma of Mutawi Village, Sanda Mhizha and Melinda Mhizha of Chitungwiza, and Sharai Mapiye of Chivi.
The matter was prosecuted by Mr Chigavazira, while investigations are continuing, including efforts to locate the third suspect, Ami Akechi.
Loice Simango (43) of Chipinge and Isaac Mavhengano (53) of Ngundu appeared before Beitbridge Resident Magistrate Takudzwa Gwazemba on nine counts of trafficking in persons.
The pair, who are alleged to have acted in concert with a Congolese national, Ami Akechi, who remains at large, allegedly defrauded nine victims of more than R180,600.
Simango and Mavhengano were remanded in custody to July 28, 2026.
According to the State, the alleged scheme began in August 2022 when the accused approached the complainants, claiming that a church programme was facilitating visas from South Africa to Canada and offering employment opportunities there.
The victims were allegedly told they had to pay varying amounts of money to be enrolled in the programme.
Between December 2025 and June 2026, the victims were allegedly instructed to move between different towns in South Africa while being assured that their journey to Canada would commence at any time.
Instead, on June 2, the complainants were arrested by South African authorities for being in the country illegally. They were deported to Zimbabwe on July 21, 2026, after which they reported the matter to the Zimbabwe Republic Police at Beitbridge.
The State alleges the victims collectively lost more than R180,600 in the scheme.
The complainants are Sylvia Madzima of Masvingo, Rosa Chatareni of Chitungwiza, Joshua Mutema and Rutendo Madziwana of Budiriro in Harare, Ester Dhliwayo of Maronga Village, Simbarashe Chirongoma of Mutawi Village, Sanda Mhizha and Melinda Mhizha of Chitungwiza, and Sharai Mapiye of Chivi.
The matter was prosecuted by Mr Chigavazira, while investigations are continuing, including efforts to locate the third suspect, Ami Akechi.
Source - Mirror
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