Harare – A major passport scam involving eight employees of the Registrar General’s department and four Cameroonian nationals has been exposed, leading to a series of arrests. The scandal highlights a significant breach of security within the passport issuing system.
The investigation began after four Cameroonian citizens were apprehended at the Beitbridge border post attempting to enter South Africa using newly issued Zimbabwean passports. The passports, bearing Shona names – Emile Chingwaru, Christiana Mhereyenyoka, Yvette Maini, and Marvel Chimbwanda – were suspicious, as none of the individuals could speak the language. These individuals were identified as Marvel Ngeyi, Emile Mayamuya, Christiana Bayombe and Tveete Kum.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrests and outlined the sequence of events. He stated that the four Cameroonians were initially issued birth certificates in Mount Darwin on September 4th by Tawanda Waniwa (45), who has also been arrested.
Waniwa issued birth certificates under the false names mentioned above. Armed with these fraudulent birth certificates, the Cameroonians proceeded to Market Square in Harare. There, they falsely claimed to have lost their national identity documents and obtained replacement documents endorsed “lost waiting pass copy”.
On September 17th, the four individuals applied for and received Zimbabwean e-passports from the passport office in Harare, paying the standard fee of $170 each. Remarkably, despite the usual seven-day processing time, their passports were ready just two days later, on September 19th. This expedited processing is a key element of the investigation.
The Cameroonians have admitted to paying US$1,500 each for the complete process, suggesting a significant level of bribery and corruption within the system. They intended to use these fraudulently obtained passports to travel to South Africa, and from there, to the United Kingdom.
Following the arrests at Beitbridge, investigations revealed a network of complicity within the Registrar General’s office. Eight employees have been charged with criminal abuse of office for their roles in facilitating the fraudulent passport applications.
These individuals are: Romeo Shonhiwa (44), Marrian Roman (40), Lackmore Chinokokora (34), Grace Kapungu (35), Chiedza Hlomani (34), Maureen Natasha Munemo (32), Tanaka Magaya (28), and Edith Moto (38). Their specific roles in the scam are yet to be fully detailed.
Furthermore, police have also questioned two general hands, Neria Sombi and Trymore Chipanga, employed by Andivest and working at the passport office.
CCTV footage shows them assisting the Cameroonians throughout the passport application process. The footage also allegedly shows Tanaka Magaya receiving money from a woman suspected to be involved in the racket.
The investigation is ongoing, and police are currently verifying how the Cameroonians entered Zimbabwe and whether they possess any valid Cameroonian travel documents. The scale of the operation and the number of individuals involved suggests a well-organised criminal enterprise.
