American national fined for escaping custody and illegally entering Zimbabwe
An American national, Austin Ray (50), has been fined US$300 after being charged with escaping lawful custody and entering Zimbabwe illegally. Ray appeared before magistrate Ruth Moyo, where he faced charges of contravening the Immigration Act and escaping from custody.
According to state prosecutor Nomsa Kangara, the incident occurred on February 19, 2024, around 12:30 PM when Ray arrived at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare on an Airlink flight. Upon reaching the immigration checkpoint, Ray presented his American passport to an immigration officer with the intention of applying for a holiday visa.
However, it was discovered that Ray did not possess the required written authorization from the minister to enter the country. Consequently, he was denied entry and placed in the Immigration temporary holding cells, awaiting deportation.
Allegedly, Ray managed to escape from lawful custody at the airport and illegally entered Zimbabwe before eventually being apprehended.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to immigration laws and having the necessary documentation when entering a foreign country. Authorities remain vigilant in maintaining border security and ensuring that individuals comply with the established legal procedures for entry and stay.
