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Chief Supt Chiona said the border jumpers who had managed to evade both Zambian and Zimbabwean immigration authorities were only caught by alert officers at a roadblock along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls road yesterday.

“We are holding 16 Bangladeshi nationals on allegations of illegal entry into the country. They managed to evade both Zimbabwe’s and Zambia’s immigration procedures and were only arrested at a police roadblock on their way to Bulawayo aboard a commuter omnibus,” he said.

Chief Supt Chiona said it was suspected the foreigners were en-route to South Africa.

He said they would appear in court today and would be charged under the Immigration laws of the country.

“They are going to be charged under the Zimbabwe immigration laws and if convicted they will be deported,” said Chief Supt Chiona.

He said the commuter omnibus driver was being held on suspicion of facilitating the illegal entry of the Bangladesh nationals.

“He is therefore in police custody assisting with investigations,” he said.