HARARE, Apr.11 (NewsDayLive) -The trial of government spy agent Moses Mutambai and his four alleged accomplices on charges of allowing undocumented Ethiopians to enter the country through the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport is set to start on April 16, 2025.
Mutambai's lawyer Brighton Sadowera was advised of the trial date on Thursday when they appeared before magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa.
Mutambai (29), his alleged accomplices Gloria Chikukwa (27) , Ashley Zhaimu 27, Vincent Shoshore , Gondoza Sunday (39)Terrence Mangwende (43), and Innocent Hamandishe (54) were granted US$100 bail each.
The complainant in the matter is regional immigration officer Leslie Chakawuya.
The State alleged that on March 15 this year, five Ethiopians arrived at the airport aboard Ethiopian Airline flight number ET 873 from Addis Ababa en route to Eswatini.
The court heard that Chikukwa and Zhaimu escorted the Ethiopians through the VIP route to the Vakacha Lounge, which is reserved for VIP personnel, to wait for Air Eswatini Airline flight scheduled for the following day.
The accused persons ensured the immigrants evaded the usual transit route and directed them to board Eswatini Airline flight number RN401 to Manzini, Eswatini.
The offence came to light when immigration officials, who were not involved in the deal, received information that some passengers boarded an Eswatini Airline flight without transit visas.
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Investigations revealed that the accused had allegedly tampered with the passenger manifest to conceal the offence.
A physical search was conducted and it was discovered that 23 Ethiopians had no transit visas.
The Ethiopian emigrants were arrested and taken to court, where they were fined US$100 or three months' imprisonment each.
