News / National
I left Zimbabwe to seek refugee in Mozambique, Kasukuwere tells the courts
11 Jun 2018 at 15:20hrs | Views
Former minister in the Government of ex-President Robert Mugabe has told the court that he left Zimbabwe in November last year to seek refuge in Mozambique.
Appearing in court, at Rotten Row in Harare, the former ZANU PF National Commissar, through his lawyer, Jonathan Samkange said the refugee status starts the moment one's life becomes in danger.
"When a person is under threat his life is under threat he can leave the country as a refugee, the refugee status starts from Zimbabwe, it does not start from a foreign country, the Act is very clear on that point
"That's why my client pleaded not guilty because when he left he said right I am going to seek refugee status in Mozambique and when he left he was already a refugee because it's a subconscious decision that he makes," said Samkange.
Kasukuwere initially appeared in court on June 1 and was remanded to June 11 for trial.
He was granted $300 bail by the court.
Kasukuwere is facing a charge of violating the immigration act.
The state accuses the once powerful member of the Robert Mugabe regime of escaping the country through undesignated point in November 2017 when the military launched operation restore legacy.
The former minister of Local Government and National Housing returned to Zimbabwe on Tuesday last week after a six months exile
Appearing in court, at Rotten Row in Harare, the former ZANU PF National Commissar, through his lawyer, Jonathan Samkange said the refugee status starts the moment one's life becomes in danger.
"When a person is under threat his life is under threat he can leave the country as a refugee, the refugee status starts from Zimbabwe, it does not start from a foreign country, the Act is very clear on that point
"That's why my client pleaded not guilty because when he left he said right I am going to seek refugee status in Mozambique and when he left he was already a refugee because it's a subconscious decision that he makes," said Samkange.
Kasukuwere initially appeared in court on June 1 and was remanded to June 11 for trial.
He was granted $300 bail by the court.
Kasukuwere is facing a charge of violating the immigration act.
The state accuses the once powerful member of the Robert Mugabe regime of escaping the country through undesignated point in November 2017 when the military launched operation restore legacy.
The former minister of Local Government and National Housing returned to Zimbabwe on Tuesday last week after a six months exile
Source - Byo24News
