Four Cameroonian nationals who fraudulently acquired Zimbabwean birth certificates pleaded guilty to providing false information to the Department of Civil Registry and were each fined US$500 by a Harare magistrate, reported <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/newsday/index.php/local-news/article/200037810/amh-journo-summoned-by-police-over-6-year-old-case">NewsDay</a>.
Christiana Boyembe Dumba (39), Emile MuyaMuya (23), Tegha Marvel Ngei (28), and Yvette KumNnam (24) pleaded guilty before Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo to contravening the Births and Deaths Registration Act.
The ruling was delivered after submissions from both the State, represented by Nomsa Kangara, and the Cameroonians’ defence lawyer, Tinashe Mbale.
In mitigation, Mbale argued that the court should consider a fine as an appropriate penalty, given that the quartet had already spent five months in remand prison.
He also argued that two of his clients were recent graduates, while the others were a nurse and a teacher.
In aggravation, prosecutor Kangara argued that the crime posed a serious threat to national security.
She also said the four’s real intentions for acquiring the fraudulent identification documents remained unclear.
Furthermore, Kangara further argued that such offences undermine trust in government institutions and can compromise the accuracy of national data, potentially affecting the effectiveness of government programme.
In August 2024, the four accused conspired to fraudulently obtain Zimbabwean identification documents, including birth certificates.
They sought assistance from Tawanda Waniwa, an employee at the Registrar General’s Department at the Mount Darwin branch.
Waniwa facilitated the issuance of the fraudulent birth certificates.
Christiana Boyembe Dumba claimed her name was Christiana Mhereyenyoka, born in Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe, residing in Arcadia village, Mt Darwin Scheme, with her mother being Mwaiyadi Chipo.
Emile MuyaMuya falsely stated his name was Emile Chingwaru, claiming to be Zimbabwean by birth, born in Makonde, Mount Darwin, and residing in Matare village, under Chief Magonde in Mount Darwin.
Tegha Marvel Ngei claimed her name was Marvel Chimbwanda, born in Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe, Zimbabwe, residing in Village 2, Huyuyu Extension, Mutoko, and named her mother as Grace Chimbwanda.
Yvette KumNnam stated her name was Yvette Maini, born at Nembire Clinic, Mt Darwin, residing at 371 New Pfura Location in Mt Darwin.
Between August 27, 2024, and September 4, 2024, the accused obtained fraudulent birth certificates with false Zimbabwean names and details.
The fraudulent birth certificates and national identity cards were recovered and submitted as evidence in court.
Last year, the accused were found guilty of entering Zimbabwe without permits and using fraudulently obtained passports by a Beitbridge court.
They were warned, discharged, and ordered to be deported by the relevant authority.

Pindula News

Four people from Cameroon got in trouble for lying and getting fake Zimbabwean birth certificates. They each had to pay a $500 fine. The court said they broke the law by giving false information. Their lawyer said they had already spent time in jail and should just get a fine. The prosecutor said their actions were bad for national security and could affect government programs. They got caught trying to use the fake certificates and had to go to court. Before that, they were also found guilty of using fake passports and were ordered to leave the country.

Birth Certificates Latest News

Latest Jobs