HARARE – Eight officials, including immigration officers, ground staff, and an intelligence agent, were brought before the Harare Magistrates’ Court on Monday following the discovery of an alleged organized human trafficking operation at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe, the accused individuals are alleged to have orchestrated a scheme between March 15th and 16th, 2025, to smuggle 23 Ethiopian nationals out of Zimbabwe, with their intended destination being Eswatini.
The state alleges that two employees from National Handling Services escorted the Ethiopian nationals through a restricted VIP route and concealed them in the Vakacha Lounge overnight.
Furthermore, the accused are accused of falsifying passenger records to misrepresent the nationalities of the Ethiopians as Russian, Turkish, Indian, and Malawian.
The alleged fraud was uncovered by alert immigration officers when the Ethiopian nationals attempted to board an Eswatini Airline flight without possessing the required transit visas.
The eight individuals facing charges are: Gloria Chikukwa (27) and Ashley Zhaimu (27), both from National Handling Services; Immigration Officers Vincent Shoshore (45), Gondoza Sunday (39), Terrence Mangwende (43), and Innocent Tawanda Hamandishe (54); Elliot Nhapi, an Aviation Security Officer with the Airports Company of Zimbabwe; and Moses Tadiwanashe Mutambai (29), an Intelligence Officer from the President’s Department.
The 23 Ethiopian nationals involved in the scheme were reportedly arrested, convicted, and fined US$100 or sentenced to three months imprisonment.
The eight accused officials appeared in court for their initial remand hearing and are facing charges related to corruption, fraud, and violations of Zimbabwe’s immigration laws.
