Zimbabwean woman fined K5,000 for illegally staying in Zambia

A ZIMBABWEAN woman, 38, who allegedly brought her husband into Zambia in search of a cure for his mental illness from a witchdoctor, has been fined K5, 000, or in default three months simple imprisonment for illegally staying in the country.

But her husband who was indicated on similar charges by the same court, said he came to Zambia to get a ‘business solution' from a traditional healer.

In the first case, Makonde Naomi Kamayi of 7 Kianga Court Avenue, Harare, was appearing before Choma magistrate's court, charged with one count of remaining in Zambia after expiration of her permit.

Zambian Daily Mail reported that Particulars of the offence are that between November 26 last year and May 13, this year, in Choma, Kamayi being a Zimbabwean national, remained in Zambia, without lawful authority, after the expiration of her one day ordinary visit pass. When the matter came up for plea before chief resident magistrate Willie Sinyangwe, Kamayi pleaded guilty.

Facts are that on the material day, immigration officers in Choma were on their routine night patrol when they found Kamayi at Yesako restaurant.

The officers asked Kamayi to produce her travel documents to establish her stay in Zambia.

She produced a border pass which was issued on November 26 last year and was expiring the same day.

Facts state that from the time Kamayi entered the country, she had never bothered to report to the immigration office to extend her stay. She was apprehended on May 13 this year.

After her apprehension, Kamayi informed Immigration officers that she allegedly brought her husband for mental treatment to a traditional healer of Moyo village in Choma's Batoka area.

And meanwhile, her husband, Ncube Mkululi, 42, was fined K10, 000 or four months simple imprisonment in default, for staying in Zambia after expiration of the 15 days that he was given last year.

Appearing in a separate case Mkululi, also of 7 Kianga Court Avenue in Harare, was charged with one count of remaining in Zambia after expiration of a permit.

Particulars are that between December 2, last year and May 13, this year in Choma, Mkululi being a Zimbabwean national remained in Zambia without lawful authority.

When the matter came up for plea before magistrate Sinyangwe, Mkululi pleaded guilty.

Facts are that on the material day, Mkulili was apprehended at Yesako restaurant in Choma by Immigration officers. This is the same place where his wife was arrested from.

The officers asked Mkululi to produce travel documents to establish his stay in Zambia.

The court heard that Mkululi legally entered Zambia through the Victoria Falls border control on December 2, 2015 , but never extended his stay when his permit expired. He was apprehended on May 13 this year.

After his apprehension, Mkululi told Immigration officers that he came to Zambia in search of "business solutions" from a Mr Kelvin Muleya, a traditional healer of Moyo village in Choma's Batoka area.

Mr Sinyangwe warned that the law will not spare illegal immigrants