News / National
Zimbabwean teacher who fled Robert Mugabe's evil regime begs to stay in Newcastle
22 May 2016 at 08:28hrs | Views
Immigration bosses have denied Everson Taelo Moyo's bid for asylum in the city but he claims he will be killed if forced back to his homeland.
A Zimbabwean teacher who fled Robert Mugabe's evil regime fearing for his life has begged immigration bosses to let him stay in Newcastle.
Everson Taelo Moyo, 30, was forced to leave his home and family after the ruling Zanu-PF party persecuted him for his political beliefs.
The Chronicle (UK) reported that while working as a teacher in Masvingo province, Everson became involved in political activism and began printing off posters for opposition party Movement for Democratic Change.
Heavies apparently from Mugabe's government then arrived at Everson's school and demanded the 30-year-old hand over his political material.
But he managed to escape and had to leave his beloved homeland in fear of his life.
Forced to cross the border into South Africa, he could not say his final goodbyes to family for fear they would be targeted
He said: "I do not know how I got caught, I tried to keep everything secret. But they turned up at the school one day and ordered me to go and get some of the stuff I had been printing off. It was then that I ran away."
After fleeing his own country in 2008 Everson made the journey to Belfast before coming to Newcastle in January 2013 and sleeping rough.
Since then, Everson has seen asylum denied and three appeals rejected.
He has not been back to his homeland since.
He said: "If I was sent back to Zimbabwe, I would be killed. I miss my family so much and try and speak to them as often as I can.
"But I have fallen in love with the city of Newcastle and its people. It has become a place of sanctuary for me."
As a result of his current asylum status, Everson is unable to get a job and has been sleeping rough or ‘couch surfing' with friends.
And he says that upon returning to Zimbabwe, he will be handed over the authorities where he will likely face persecution, torture and even death.
Everson is also a member of an organisation called Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) for which he works voluntarily as an information and publicity Officer - his links to this organisation would put him at even further risk if he was returned to Zimbabwe.
A Home Office spokesman said: "The United Kingdom has a long and proud history of offering sanctuary to those who genuinely need our protection.
"All claims for asylum are considered on their individual merits, and where people establish a genuine need for protection, or a well founded fear of persecution, refuge will be granted."
A Zimbabwean teacher who fled Robert Mugabe's evil regime fearing for his life has begged immigration bosses to let him stay in Newcastle.
Everson Taelo Moyo, 30, was forced to leave his home and family after the ruling Zanu-PF party persecuted him for his political beliefs.
The Chronicle (UK) reported that while working as a teacher in Masvingo province, Everson became involved in political activism and began printing off posters for opposition party Movement for Democratic Change.
Heavies apparently from Mugabe's government then arrived at Everson's school and demanded the 30-year-old hand over his political material.
But he managed to escape and had to leave his beloved homeland in fear of his life.
Forced to cross the border into South Africa, he could not say his final goodbyes to family for fear they would be targeted
He said: "I do not know how I got caught, I tried to keep everything secret. But they turned up at the school one day and ordered me to go and get some of the stuff I had been printing off. It was then that I ran away."
After fleeing his own country in 2008 Everson made the journey to Belfast before coming to Newcastle in January 2013 and sleeping rough.
He has not been back to his homeland since.
He said: "If I was sent back to Zimbabwe, I would be killed. I miss my family so much and try and speak to them as often as I can.
"But I have fallen in love with the city of Newcastle and its people. It has become a place of sanctuary for me."
As a result of his current asylum status, Everson is unable to get a job and has been sleeping rough or ‘couch surfing' with friends.
And he says that upon returning to Zimbabwe, he will be handed over the authorities where he will likely face persecution, torture and even death.
Everson is also a member of an organisation called Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) for which he works voluntarily as an information and publicity Officer - his links to this organisation would put him at even further risk if he was returned to Zimbabwe.
A Home Office spokesman said: "The United Kingdom has a long and proud history of offering sanctuary to those who genuinely need our protection.
"All claims for asylum are considered on their individual merits, and where people establish a genuine need for protection, or a well founded fear of persecution, refuge will be granted."
Source - Cheronicle(UK)
