News / Local
Fugitive rabbi deported
09 Apr 2014 at 11:59hrs | Views
BULAWAYO Magistrate, Sibongile Msipha Wednesday ordered the wanted Israel rabbi, Eliezer Berland out of Zimbabwe with immediate effect, for flouting immigration laws.
The rabbi who is wanted over sex scandals in Israel had overstayed in Zimbabwe by two weeks.
He appeared in court on Tuesday where he was charged with contravening a section of the country's Immigration Act.
He pleaded guilty to the charge of over staying in the country after the expiry of his visitor's visa certificate.
The 77-year-old rabbi who is a father of six was picked up by police on Monday in Bulawayo for over staying in the country without the visitors' certification.
According to the state being represented by Caroline Matanga, Berland's stay in Zimbabwe was 13 days overdue, as his visa expired on 24 March 2014.
The Israeli sect leader has made two entries into Zimbabwe, the first being in November last year.
Berland's defence lawyer Sindiso Mazibisa of Cheda and Partners sought to have his client pay a fine and jet out of the country as soon as possible, instead of a custodial sentence.
Berland, head of the Shuvu Banim Hassidic sect, is a wanted man in Israel as he is accused of committing indecent acts against several young female followers. He fled to the US, Italy, and Switzerland before authorities could question him.
He eventually settled for some time in Marrakech, Morocco, before moving once again to Zimbabwe where the law enforcers have held him amid reports that his traveler's visa has expired.
It is reported that the Bulawayo Jewish community has been providing Berland and his followers, estimated to be over 100, a safe haven at various resort lodges in the city.
Berland fled Israel last year after he was accused of sexually abusing female followers, some of whom were allegedly minors at the time the abuse allegedly took place, and is still wanted for questioning by Israeli police and ever since he has been forced to stay in countries, like Morocco and Zimbabwe, which do not have extradition treaties with Israel, reported an Israeli publication Arutz Sheva 7.
The publication also said earlier this week, one of Berland's followers and a close associate has been transporting Kosher-for-Passover food to Zimbabwe in advance of the hundreds of Shavu Banim hassidim expected to travel to meet the Rabbi over the holiday.
"To this end, a wealthy Jew from Johannesburg has donated 600 pounds matzah (unleavened bread) and 60 cases of wine for the expected visitors," Arutz Sheva 7 reported
The rabbi who is wanted over sex scandals in Israel had overstayed in Zimbabwe by two weeks.
He appeared in court on Tuesday where he was charged with contravening a section of the country's Immigration Act.
He pleaded guilty to the charge of over staying in the country after the expiry of his visitor's visa certificate.
The 77-year-old rabbi who is a father of six was picked up by police on Monday in Bulawayo for over staying in the country without the visitors' certification.
According to the state being represented by Caroline Matanga, Berland's stay in Zimbabwe was 13 days overdue, as his visa expired on 24 March 2014.
The Israeli sect leader has made two entries into Zimbabwe, the first being in November last year.
Berland, head of the Shuvu Banim Hassidic sect, is a wanted man in Israel as he is accused of committing indecent acts against several young female followers. He fled to the US, Italy, and Switzerland before authorities could question him.
He eventually settled for some time in Marrakech, Morocco, before moving once again to Zimbabwe where the law enforcers have held him amid reports that his traveler's visa has expired.
It is reported that the Bulawayo Jewish community has been providing Berland and his followers, estimated to be over 100, a safe haven at various resort lodges in the city.
Berland fled Israel last year after he was accused of sexually abusing female followers, some of whom were allegedly minors at the time the abuse allegedly took place, and is still wanted for questioning by Israeli police and ever since he has been forced to stay in countries, like Morocco and Zimbabwe, which do not have extradition treaties with Israel, reported an Israeli publication Arutz Sheva 7.
The publication also said earlier this week, one of Berland's followers and a close associate has been transporting Kosher-for-Passover food to Zimbabwe in advance of the hundreds of Shavu Banim hassidim expected to travel to meet the Rabbi over the holiday.
"To this end, a wealthy Jew from Johannesburg has donated 600 pounds matzah (unleavened bread) and 60 cases of wine for the expected visitors," Arutz Sheva 7 reported
Source - Radio Dialogue
