News / National
6 granted bail in Zimbabwe passport scandal
6 hrs ago | Views
Nine of the 16 individuals implicated in a scheme involving the alleged unlawful issuance of Zimbabwean passports and identity documents to four Cameroonian nationals will remain in custody until their trial begins on January 13, 2025.
Six of the accused were granted bail of US$100 each yesterday by Harare regional magistrate, Mr. Taurai Manuwere. Those released include Ruramai Mhlanga (37), Maureen Natasha Munemo (32), Chiedza Hlomani (34), Marian Roman (40), Tanaka Lisaphael Magaya (27), and Lackmore Chinokokora (34). They were represented by their lawyer, Mr. Tafadzwa Muvhami.
Earlier, another suspect, Tapiwanashe Hove (38), was granted bail by the High Court.
The remaining nine suspects, Tafadzwa Chiundiza (40), Leona Patience Fungai (35), Neria Sombi (44), Trymore Chipanga (26), Acid Asidi (42), Ronio Shonhiwa (45), Edith Moto (38), Grace Kapungu (34), and Sean Takunda Makuku, remain on remand in custody.
Employees of Registrar-General's Office Implicated
Among the 16 accused, 12 are employees of the Registrar-General's Office, the department responsible for issuing passports and other vital documents. The alleged fraudulent activities reportedly began in August when an individual, known only as "Jeff" and still at large, approached Chiundiza and Fungai at the RG's premises.
Jeff is accused of seeking assistance in obtaining fraudulent Zimbabwean birth certificates, national identity cards, and passports for four Cameroonian nationals: Christiana Boyembe Dumba, Emile MuyaMuya, Marvel NgeiTegha, and Yvette KumNnam.
Chain of Fraudulent Activities
The State alleges that the suspects colluded at various stages of the document processing chain, with officers failing to verify the information provided in the passport applications against the submitted birth certificates, which reportedly contained discrepancies.
The scheme unraveled on September 21 when Zimbabwean immigration officers at the Beitbridge border post arrested the four Cameroonians attempting to cross into South Africa using the fraudulently acquired passports.
Immigration officers reportedly grew suspicious when individuals with typical Zimbabwean names could not speak or understand any indigenous Zimbabwean languages. This prompted an investigation that exposed the fraudulent documentation and led to the arrests of the 16 suspects.
Authorities are continuing investigations to track down Jeff and other potential accomplices in the scheme.
Six of the accused were granted bail of US$100 each yesterday by Harare regional magistrate, Mr. Taurai Manuwere. Those released include Ruramai Mhlanga (37), Maureen Natasha Munemo (32), Chiedza Hlomani (34), Marian Roman (40), Tanaka Lisaphael Magaya (27), and Lackmore Chinokokora (34). They were represented by their lawyer, Mr. Tafadzwa Muvhami.
Earlier, another suspect, Tapiwanashe Hove (38), was granted bail by the High Court.
The remaining nine suspects, Tafadzwa Chiundiza (40), Leona Patience Fungai (35), Neria Sombi (44), Trymore Chipanga (26), Acid Asidi (42), Ronio Shonhiwa (45), Edith Moto (38), Grace Kapungu (34), and Sean Takunda Makuku, remain on remand in custody.
Employees of Registrar-General's Office Implicated
Among the 16 accused, 12 are employees of the Registrar-General's Office, the department responsible for issuing passports and other vital documents. The alleged fraudulent activities reportedly began in August when an individual, known only as "Jeff" and still at large, approached Chiundiza and Fungai at the RG's premises.
Jeff is accused of seeking assistance in obtaining fraudulent Zimbabwean birth certificates, national identity cards, and passports for four Cameroonian nationals: Christiana Boyembe Dumba, Emile MuyaMuya, Marvel NgeiTegha, and Yvette KumNnam.
Chain of Fraudulent Activities
The State alleges that the suspects colluded at various stages of the document processing chain, with officers failing to verify the information provided in the passport applications against the submitted birth certificates, which reportedly contained discrepancies.
The scheme unraveled on September 21 when Zimbabwean immigration officers at the Beitbridge border post arrested the four Cameroonians attempting to cross into South Africa using the fraudulently acquired passports.
Immigration officers reportedly grew suspicious when individuals with typical Zimbabwean names could not speak or understand any indigenous Zimbabwean languages. This prompted an investigation that exposed the fraudulent documentation and led to the arrests of the 16 suspects.
Authorities are continuing investigations to track down Jeff and other potential accomplices in the scheme.
Source - The Herald
