TWO women have appeared in court in immigration charges.

Zimbabwean Margaret Chingono, 59, and Malawian Agatha Akwalupata Msaka, 28, both of Rayleigh Road, Leigh, appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court on Friday accused of fraud and living in the country illegally.

Chingono faced five counts, namely allowing the breach of immigration law between December 2003 and September 2013 by giving false information in order to conceal the presence of Nyasha Lorraine Msaka, 25, also of Rayleigh Road, and Agatha Akwalupata Msaka in the UK, despite the time limit on their permission to live in the country having expired.

She is also accused of living in the country illegally herself through using false names, of committing fraud by claiming she was entitled to live and work in the UK without restriction with the intention to make gains through employment and possession of a false National Insurance card for use in fraud.

Agatha Msaka appeared alongside Chingono in the dock charged with three counts, namely staying in the country beyond the time limit on her limited leave on August 1, 2013, possessing a false Malawian passport with the intent to establish false information between November 29, 2011 and August 2, 2013 and committing fraud by false representation on November 30, 2011, in order to get a job with the National Heath Service.

Nyasha Msaka was listed to face similar charges but this was found to be a clerical error by the court.

She was not charged. Chingono and Agatha Msaka were committed to Basildon Crown Court for plea and case management on the week beginning March 3.