By Rex Mphisa
FOUR Ethiopians fished out of a South African bound haulage truck in an attempt to illegally sneak into that country heaved a sigh of relief when Beitbridge resident magistrate Patience Madondo gave them a wholly suspended four months jail term.
But for the quad Bxyos Binhano, 24, Yishak Doiso, 25, Bezabeh Markos, 24 and Temessen Aliye, 22, their smiles were short lived since their freedom is not yet uhuru because they are to stay in remand prison until deportation to their country.
The four were charged and found guilty of contravening section 29(1)(a) A.R.W section (2a) of the Immigration Act Chapter 4:02 (Being an alien enter, be or remain in Zimbabwe without a permit).
Michael Karinga, for the State, said on September 1, 2025 and at Beitbridge Border Post South Bound Freight Terminal Scan the four being foreigners from Ethiopia unlawfully entered and remained in Zimbabwe without possessing any valid documents or permits to remain in Zimbabwe.
At around 1430 hours on that day the accused persons were aboard haulage truck with Malawian registration number NU8011 carrying tea consignment from Malawi to South Africa.
They were intercepted by ZIMRA Officials at Beitbridge Border Post South Bound Freight Terminal Scan whilst they were hidden in the trunk of the trailer’s chassis.
They were surrendered to Immigration officials for further management and subsequently handed to police.
They all pleaded guilty.