Swiss tourist who denigrated president awaits deportation

President when he appeared before Kariba magistrate Mr Felix Chauromwe.
He was fined US$200 or alternatively 90 days in prison.
Thomas deposited the US$200 with the Clerk of Court and was immediately handed over to immigration officials for deportation.
According to the State, Thomas was driving from Zambia to Mana Pools National Park for camping in a South African registered vehicle in the company of his wife Fischer Friedegard Marion (54) when they stopped at Kariba Border Post for immigration procedures.
However, as they were being attended to, Thomas had a misunderstanding with a Zimra official accusing him of delaying them.
In the ensuing verbal exchange, he insulted the President accusing him of mistreating foreigners.
During the exchange of words Thomas allegedly said: “Mugabe is ****, him and his people know how to . . . people especially foreigners.”
Officers who were processing his papers reported the matter to the principal immigration officer Mr Moses Mutepfe, who in turn advised the police. Detectives on duty at the border post arrested him.
He was charged with contravening Section 33 (2) (b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act for undermining the authority of or insulting the President.
Authority to prosecute was issued by the Attorney-General.