‘I was sick, so could not return to Zimbabwe’

MULENGA MUSONDA writes A ZIMBABWEAN national has told the Choma Magistrates Court that he overstayed in Zambia because he fell ill and was scheduled to go for review at the Hospital. Farai Mutimoyo, 50, of Vic Falls town in Zimbabwe is charged with unlawful stay in Zambia contrary to the Immigration and Deportations Act of the […]

‘I was sick, so could not return to Zimbabwe’
MULENGA MUSONDA writes A ZIMBABWEAN national has told the Choma Magistrates Court that he overstayed in Zambia because he fell ill and was scheduled to go for review at the Hospital. Farai Mutimoyo, 50, of Vic Falls town in Zimbabwe is charged with unlawful stay in Zambia contrary to the Immigration and Deportations Act of the Laws of Zambia. Allegations are that Mutimoyo on 9th July 2020 in Choma, being a Zimbabwean national entered and remained in Zambia without a temporary permit , or valid border pass without authority . When he appeared for plea before Resident Magistrate Ethel Phiri, the accused person pleaded guilty. Court: Have you understood the charge read to you? Mutimoyo: Yes Court: How do you plead? Mutimoyo: I plead guilty. Court: You admit that you stayed in Zambia unlawfully? Mutimoyo: Yes, I was sick and the Doctor said I should go back to see him. Court: Were you allowed to be in the country without a permit? Mutimoyo: No Court: Did you have any lawful justification? Mutimoyo: No Court: I record a plea of guilty. After recording a plea of guilty, matter could not proceed into facts, this was after public prosecutor Dexter Kwalela applied for an adjournment to 14 July 2020 so he could have the statement typed. The matter will come up today for facts. Mutimoyo was remanded in custody. The Sun