Zimbabwe pastor fined for being illegal immigrant in Botswana

A Zimbabwean pastor has been fined US$50 or four months in jail by the Francistown magistrates' court for entering Botswana through an illegal point, Gabz FM radio station reported here on Wednesday.

Shadreck Lovedele, who is the founding pastor of Gospel Impact Church in Francistown north east of the capital Gaborone, has been living in Botswana unlawfully since 2013 and was arrested over the weekend during a church sermon.

He pleaded guilty to the charge and appealed to the court to give him a lighter sentence.

The pastor had claimed that upon his arrest, he was waiting for a response from the immigration department for his work and residence permit application.