adminMashudu Netsianda Senior Court Reporter
A SOUTH African woman and her two minor children face deportation after breaching Zimbabwe’s immigration laws by illegally extending their stay in the country. Letti Agness Ndlovu, 47, who is customarily married to a Zimbabwean man, was convicted on her own plea of guilty to contravening a section of the Immigration Act by Bulawayo magistrate Sibongile Msipa-Marondedze.
Ndlovu was, however, cautioned and discharged and she now faces deportation.
Prosecuting, Charles Danda said on August 4, 2013, Ndlovu visited Zimbabwe with her husband through Beitbridge Border Post and she was granted a temporary 30-day visa to stay in the country.
The court heard that the couple proceeded to their matrimonial home in Sontala village in Matobo district. Ndlovu’s husband later returned to the neighbouring country leaving his wife and their two children behind.
“On February 6 this year, Ndlovu went to Bulawayo Central Police Station where she intended to inquire about travel formalities during which it was discovered that she had overstayed,” said Danda.
Detectives from the Border Control Unit took Ndlovu to the immigration authorities where she was interviewed before a warrant was issued for her arrest.
Last year, another South African woman was also arrested for allegedly fraudulently acquiring a permanent residence permit.
Letie Saudi, 35, of Killarney suburb and married to Menia Nkomo, a Zimbabwean, appeared before Msipa-Marondedze and her case is still pending.
Saudi got married to Nkomo of Bulawayo in 2010 and their wedding was solemnised at Western Commonage Magistrate’s Court.
It is alleged that on November 28, 2011, Letie and Nkomo went to immigration offices in Bulawayo where they allegedly fraudulently obtained a permanent residence permit.
Letie’s passport was stamped with a fake permanent residence permit. She, however, ran out of luck when she was arrested by immigration officials after they inspected her passport and discovered the crime.
Online Reporter