SA illegal nabbed after eight-year Zimbabwe stay

A SOUTH African national has been arrested for staying illegally in the country for eight years. Sipho Mkhumbulo Mncube, 36, used an illegal point of entry at the Beitbridge Border Post to enter Zimbabwe in 2007 and was arrested on Saturday.

Mncube appeared before a Plumtree magistrate following his arrest in Dingumuzi Beerhall in the border town and pleaded guilty. Magistrate Gideon Ruvetsa fined him $150 for both charges, but will spend 50 days in prison in case of default. Mncube, who will be deported to South Africa, told the court that he had travelled to the country to visit a sick relative but went on to extend his stay as he wanted to pursue business ventures in the country.

Prosecuting, Clemence Shawarira said Mncube of Johannesburg arrived in the country on July 15, 2007. "On a date unknown but during the period extending from January 15, 2007 to October 17, 2015 Mncube entered into the country from South Africa through an ungazetted port of entry at the Beitbridge Border Post," said Shawarira.

"He remained in the country without a permit or visitor's entry permit. On October 17, detectives who were on surveillance received information that Mncube was at Dingumuzi Beerhall."

He said Mncube was arrested and a South African passport was recovered.