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Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau 

One of the two men who were at the weekend arrested by the Department of Immigration’s regional compliance unit for using four fake date stamps to clear travelers between South Africa and Zimbabwe was yesterday fined $40 000 by a Beitbridge magistrates court.

Two stamps were replicas of those used in South Africa, while two others were an imitation of Zimbabwe’s immigration department.

Lovemore Mpofu (33) of Dulivhadzimu suburb was convicted on his own plea of guilty of contravening a section of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9.23 when he appeared before resident magistrate Mr Takudzwa Gwazemba.

The man who was represented by Mr Jabulani Mzinyathi of Garikayi and Partners is part of a syndicate using fake stamps to clear goods and people across the border.

Prior to his arrest, Mpofu and his associate, who is yet to appear in court have been running a fake immigration office close to the Beitbridge border since the beginning of the year, attending to call-in clients only.

They were busted on Sunday mid-morning during a sting operation by immigration officials.

In default of paying the fine, Mpofu risks imprisonment for 30 days.

The four fake immigration stamps were forfeited to the State as part of the sentence while four months were conditionally suspended for five years.

Prosecutor Mr Pithy Magumula told the court that on August 14, the Department of Immigration’s regional compliance unit received information about Mpofu’s ‘immigration office’ in Beitbridge.

They then launched a sting operation at his place of residence at around 11am.

The team lured him as potential call-in clients who had overstayed and needed his services.

Upon arrival at his house, the team identified themselves in the company of some police officers and arrested the man after recovering four fake immigration stamps and a stamps pad.

The State said two stamps were replicas of those used in South Africa, while two others were an imitation of Zimbabwe’s Department of Immigration.

Of late, there has been a surge in syndicates operating fake immigration offices at the border between Zimbabwe and South Africa.

More than 15 people have been arrested by immigration authorities at the Beitbridge Border Post on similar charges in the last 12 months.

Under the current immigration regulations, South Africans are allowed 30 days to stay in Zimbabwe at every entry.

However, those using fake documents or reluctant to renew their stay engage the services of the fake immigration officers.

In South Africa, Zimbabweans are allowed an entry not exceeding 90 days annually.

As a result, many are resorting to bogus officials to extend their stay.

They are charged any fee ranging from R100 depending on each traveler’s circumstances.