adminSukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
THE Department of Immigration has deported a Malawian national who entered the country after forging her travel documents in a bid to spend some time with her lover.
Valeria Mawala, 22, of Lilongwe, appeared before Plumtree magistrate, Livard Philemon, facing charges of staying in the country illegally and forgery.
“I’m sorry Your Worship, I admit to the charges and I know what I was doing was wrong. I wanted to spend more time with my lover in Bulawayo. I was only given three days yet I wanted more time with my lover as it had been a long time since I last saw him,” Mawala said.
Philemon ordered Mawala to pay $50 or spend 20 days in prison in case of default.
Prosecuting, Elisha Mazorodze said Mawala was issued with a transit visitor’s entry certificate which was valid for three days.
She went on to adjust the dates and awarded herself a 30-day stay.
“On January 26, Mawala entered the country through the Beitbridge Border Post. She was issued with a transit visitor’s entry certificate which was expiring on 29 January since she was on her way to Malawi.
“She went on to alter the certificate by adding the digit 1 after 3 to make it look like she had been granted a 31-day stay. Mawala went on to stay in the country till the 11th of February without a valid permit and visitor’s entry certificate,” said Mazorodze.
He said Mawala proceeded to the Plumtree Border Post on February 11 requesting permission to leave the country.
Upon inspecting her passport, the immigration officials noticed that Mawala had forged her papers resulting in her immediate arrest.
Online Reporter