Four Chinese nationals have petitioned the High Court for provisional relief after authorities detained them on mining and immigration charges. Li Hui, Liu Kai, Li Huajian, and Liao Guobing entered Zimbabwe legally on tourist permits before being arrested by police on August 27 for unauthorized alluvial mining operations. Mutoko Magistrates Court granted bail for mining allegations while dismissing employment-related charges on August 29. Immigration officers detained the men again on September 1 using a warrant that claimed they possessed invalid travel documents. The court had already confiscated their passports as bail conditions.
Legal representatives from Madzima and Company Law Chambers filed the urgent application on Friday, challenging the detention warrant's validity. The petitioners argue that immigration officials violated constitutional protections and procedural requirements when issuing the arrest order. They dispute claims that mining activities constitute employment under immigration statutes. The application seeks immediate release and permanent invalidation of the warrant. Government respondents must respond or face an unopposed hearing on an undetermined date.
Legal representatives from Madzima and Company Law Chambers filed the urgent application on Friday, challenging the detention warrant's validity. The petitioners argue that immigration officials violated constitutional protections and procedural requirements when issuing the arrest order. They dispute claims that mining activities constitute employment under immigration statutes. The application seeks immediate release and permanent invalidation of the warrant. Government respondents must respond or face an unopposed hearing on an undetermined date.
