Asthmatic Zim woman fined K500 for illegal entry into Zambia via canoe

MULENGA MUSONDA Writes@SunzambianAN asthmatic Zimbabwean woman who crossed the Zambezi River in a canoe to access medical attention has been fined and deported to her home country for illegally entering Zambia.The 38-year-old Miriam Machemezi of Bulawayo City was fined K500 and later faces deportation by the Choma Magis-trates Court.In this matter, Machemezi was charged with the offence of “iIllegal entry into Zambia” contrary to the Immigrations and Deportations Act of the Laws of Zambia.Particulars of the offence are that Machemezi on December 1, being a Zimbabwean citizen entered Zambia without valid documents as required by law.When she was called to take plea before Resident Magistrate Ethel Phiri, the accused person said she understood the charge read to her and admitted to illegally entering Zambia through the Zambezi River.According to the facts read by Senior Public Prosecutor Alex Syulikwa, she was apprehended by officers from the De-partment of Immigration when they mounted a check point in Batoka Township along the Great North Road.Despite Machemezi explaining to the court that she came to seek medical treatment and medications for her asthma, Magistrate Phiri fined her K500 to be paid forthwith or to spend three months simple imprisonment.The court also ordered that upon payment of the fine or completion of the sentence, Machemezi should be deported to Zimbabwe.