Harare, (New Ziana) –At least 17 Malawian nationals are set to be deported from Zimbabwe after being convicted for illegally entering the country without valid travel documents in violation of the Immigration Act.

According to the National Prosecution Authority, the group was intercepted on March 30 this year under tragic circumstances when the Achisi bus they were travelling in was involved in a fatal accident at the 165-kilometre peg along the Harare-Chirundu Road.

Traffic police officers from Karoi, Mashonaland West province who attended the crash scene, discovered that none of the 17 passengers had proper immigration clearance.

Following their arrest, the individuals were brought before the Karoi magistrates court, where they were each fined US$110 or, in default of payment, sentenced to 30 days in prison.

The court also ordered their deportation from Zimbabwe upon the conclusion of their sentences or payment of the fines.

Authorities have not yet released further details regarding the circumstances of the fatal accident or whether any Zimbabwean nationals were involved.

However, the incident has raised renewed concerns over border control and the safety of long-distance transportation along one of Zimbabwe’s busiest highways.

New Ziana