adminMakandida Chamboko Beitbridge Correspondent
AN Indian national based in South Africa has been fined R2,000 after he was found filming the Beitbridge Prison premises where he had visited two Palestinian friends. Abdul Ghameed Abbas, 23, of Polokwane, was convicted on his own plea of guilty to contravening a section of the Immigration and Protected Areas Acts respectively when he appeared before Beitbridge Resident Magistrate Gloria Takundwa on Wednesday.
Prosecuting, Jabulani Mberesi told how on Monday, March 24, Abbas entered the country from South Africa through Beitbridge Border Post.
While at the border post he indicated to immigration authorities that he was visiting a friend at house number 2989 in Dulibadzimu suburb.
Upon being cleared to enter the country, Abbas went to Beitbridge Remand Prison where two of his friends were being held pending their trial for unlawful entry into the country.
The court further heard that when he arrived at the prison premises he started filming operations around the area using his smartphone.
He ran out of luck when he was spotted by alert prison warders who confronted him and seized his cellphone.
The prison officers went through the Nokia A72 cellphone and discovered eight video footages of the prison premises.
The matter was then reported to police leading to the accused’s arrest.
In the event that Abbas fails to pay the R2,000 fine he risks imprisonment of up to 28 days.
Online Reporter