Deported 90-year-old gets reprieve

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NINETY-SIX-YEAR-OLD Alfred Khumalo, who was deported from Botswana last week, will remain in the country until investigations on his claims he hails from Zimbabwe have been finalised, an immigration official said yesterday.

NINETY-SIX-YEAR-OLD Alfred Khumalo, who was deported from Botswana last week, will remain in the country until investigations on his claims he hails from Zimbabwe have been finalised, an immigration official said yesterday.

Report by Nduduzo Tshuma

Assistant regional immigration officer in charge of western region, Nqobile Ncube, told Southern Eye that Khumalo was still at the hospital, saying the finalisation of the investigations would determine the next step.

“He (Khumalo) is still in Plumtree Hospital, while modalities are being worked out,” he said.

“Government departments, like the social services, are trying to trace whether or not Khumalo is Zimbabwean as he claims. The outcome of the tracing will determine what happens next.”

Sources at Plumtree Hospital confirmed that Khumalo was still admitted at the health institution.

Khumalo was deported last Monday and arrived at Plumtree Hospital on Tuesday. He is still admitted and being treated after suffering a stroke.

The nonagenarian was forcibly removed from Selebi-Phikwe Government Hospital before he was unceremoniously sent back to Zimbabwe after living in Botswana for the past 70 years.

Khumalo reportedly renounced his Zimbabwean citizenship in 2004 and was in the process of formalising his stay in Botswana. It was revealed that in his efforts to acquire Botswana citizenship, Khumalo had the assistance of a chief Kgosi Sebina, who signed an affidavit on his behalf.