THE trial of 16 Registrar-General officers accused of fraudulently issuing passports to four Cameroonian nationals will kick off on December 18.
The suspects will appear before Harare regional magistrate Taurai Mamiwere for a two-day trial.
The accused persons are Tafadzwa Chiundiza, Leona Patience Fungai, Neria Sombi, Trymore Chipanga, Acid Asidi, Ruramai Mhlanga, Maureen Natasha Munemo, Chiedza Hlomani, Romio Shonhiwa, Marian Roman, Tanaka Lisaphael Magaya, Edith Moto, Grace Kapungu, Lackmore Chinokokora, Tapiwanashe Hove and Sean Takunda Makuku.
They are being charged with criminal abuse of office as public officers.
It is the State’s case that on September 17, at the Civil Registry Department Passport Office in Harare, the accused persons acting in common purpose processed Zimbabwean passports for Cameroonian nationals Duma Ebako Christiana Boyombe (39), Yvette Kum Noam (24), Marvel Ngeyi Tegha (28) and Emile Muya Muya (23).
The suspects are being represented by Tafadzwa Muvhami.
During their initial appearance in court, Prosecutor Mercy Masamvi presented evidence from investigating officer Christopher Lloyd Tarenyika.
The evidence revealed that the accused printed two sets of passports for the Cameroonians, with three passports still missing.
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The court heard that one of the accused persons Hove, who is employed as a processing officer at the Registrar General Passport Office and Makuku, a quality production officer, conspired with others to obtain the documents.
They charged US$3 200 for the task and manipulated the system to produce passports within two days instead of seven.
The Cameroonians were arrested at the Beitbridge Border Post on September 21 enroute to South Africa after they failed to speak any of the country’s languages.
The 16 officers are in custody awaiting trial.
