Zvikomborero Parafini
TWO Egyptians, who have been staying in Zimbabwe without permits for the last nine months, have been fined after pleading guilty to the offence.
Fouad Refat Fouad Mohamed Attalla 35 and Ahmed Mohamed Taha Bakoush 30, appeared before magistrate Ruth Moyo.
They appeared in court with their five suitcases.
Both of them are holders of valid Egyptian passports.
The State, represented by Nomsa Kangara, proved that the two entered Zimbabwe through Victoria Falls Airport on March 1 and were issued with holiday Visas valid for 30 days.
The visas expired on March 31.
After the expiry of their visas, the duo did not regularise their stay or leave the country.
On Monday, detectives from CID Counter Terrorism Unit and Immigration Officials received information to the effect that the two were illegal immigrants.
The police acted on the tip-off and requested the two to produce their passports and permits which allowed them to be in the country.
They were subsequently arrested for overstaying without any valid permit for 246 days.
Magistrate Moyo ordered them to pay a fine of US$100 or risk being imprisoned for three months.