MBABANE – Four Ghanaian nationals were left jailed in Eswatini after allegedly being deceived by an undisclosed travel agent who vanished with their passports.
Ampomah Daniel (35), Owusu Theophilus Osei (42), Richard Timasis Takyi (27), and Edith Nti (36) appeared on Thursday at the Mbabane Magistrates Court facing charges of violating the Immigration Act 17 of 1982.
According to the charge sheet, the individuals were charged with contravening Section 14 (2)(c) as read with Section 8 (8) of the Immigration Act.
The court of Mbabane Magistrate C. Thwala heard that on or about July 8, 2025, the accused persons unlawfully remained in the Kingdom of Eswatini without a valid permit or license, specifically in the Zone 4 area in the Hhohho Region.
Presiding over the matter, the magistrate sentenced each of the four accused to pay a fine of E500 or, in default, serve five months imprisonment.
The prosecution additionally requested that the accused be escorted by the Royal Eswatini Police to the nearest border for repatriation.
During mitigation, their defense attorney, Mr. S. Dlamini informed the court that his clients were victims of a travel agent who promised to facilitate their stay in Eswatini but later disappeared with their travel documents after claiming he was arranging permits.
Daniel and Osei stated that although their initial entry into the country was lawful, they ended up overstaying after being misled.
The court also heard that both men are family men in Ghana, with wives and young children depending on them.
Osei further explained that he had initially travelled to South Africa as a visitor before making his way to Eswatini. He is currently unemployed in the Kingdom but has been employed back home in Ghana.
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