Published: 3 hours ago

A principal immigration officer stationed at Nyamapanda Border Post has appeared in court on allegations of fraudulently granting holiday visas to seven Chinese nationals, including a prohibited immigrant who was already in police custody.

Patience Chamboko appeared before Mutoko magistrate Charity Gatsi last Thursday facing abuse of office charges. She was released on US$100 bail and remanded to September 17 for trial.

The State, represented by Vimbai Rufurwekuda, alleges that on July 31 this year, Chamboko, who was head of shift, processed holiday visas through the online border management system for Lin Lou, Junhao Yu, Libo Jiang, Donghong Cao, Shu Liu, Ruizhu Fang and Xiaojun Hung.

According to the prosecution, the Chinese nationals were not physically present at the border when the visas were issued, and none of Chamboko's colleagues on duty that day — senior immigration officers Raviroyashe Muzvidziwa and Powerman Hlekisana — saw them at the post.

Investigations by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission revealed further irregularities. On August 31, the passport of Xiaojun Hung was cleared at Nyamapanda despite him being detained at Mutare Remand Prison as a prohibited immigrant. Similarly, on July 31, Libo Jiang's passport was cleared while he was in custody at Harare Remand Prison awaiting deportation.

The State alleges that Chamboko processed the visas after receiving the passports from an unregistered immigration agent identified as Musarurwa, who had reportedly been paid by the Chinese nationals to facilitate the fraudulent clearances.

Prosecutors argue that Chamboko's conduct was unlawful and inconsistent with her duties as a public officer.
- Newsday