Jailed for trying to assist border jumpers

A 35-year-old Zimbabwean cross-border transport operator was sentenced to an effective 12 months in jail for trying to assisting 10 border jumpers to cross into South Africa illegally through the Beit Bridge border post.

Oscar Dube of Bulawayo was convicted on his own plea of guilty to contravening a section of the Immigration Act by Beit Bridge magistrate Ms Gwineth Drawo. He was sentenced to two years in prison, of which 12 months were conditionally suspended for three years.

The prosecutor, Mr Jabulani Mberesi, said that on 27 August, Dube arrived at the Beit Bridge border post, driving a Gauteng-registered Toyota Quantum, which was towing a trailer. The court was told that after completing immigration and customs procedures, Dube proceeded to the exit gate with 10 undocumented immigrants hiding in the vehicle.

It was testified that soon after his car was cleared by the new Limpopo bridge officials manning the boom gate, Dube was ordered to stop by police who were on routine patrol and he did not stop. They then followed him to the South African side of the border, where they intercepted him. On searching the vehicle, the police discovered that the occupants did not have travel documents.

On being interrogated, the illegal immigrants told police that they had each paid Dube R1 500, on the understanding that he would help them cross the border without passports.  Dube was subsequently arrested, while his passengers were each fined US$20.

News - Date: 06 September 2013

Mashudu Netsianda

Mashudu Netsianda is our correspondent in Beit Bridge, Zimbabwe. He joined us in 2006, writing both local and international stories. He had worked for several Zimbabwean publications, as well as the Times of Swaziland. Mashudu received his training at the School of Mass Communication in Harare.

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