Congolese border jumpers nabbed

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A Democratic Republic of Congo national crossed borders to seek the help of a Zimbabwean prophet, but ended in a Victoria Falls court for border jumping.

A Democratic Republic of Congo national crossed borders to seek the help of a Zimbabwean prophet, but ended in a Victoria Falls court for border jumping.

By Ruth Ngwenya

Moses Nyeka (23), his nine months pregnant wife Aline Pande (19) and Pande’s 16-year-old younger sister pleaded guilty to charges of entering the country through an undesignated point when they appeared before magistrate Sharon Rosemani yesterday.

Nyeka told the court his wife was experiencing complications with her pregnancy and she was supposed to give birth through an operation which they could not afford.

“We cannot afford a doctor for an operation in our country, that is why we decided to come to Zimbabwe because we heard of a prophet who could help us,” Nyeka said.

“We do not have passports because in our country they are issued during election year only.”

He pleaded with the magistrate to release his wife of two years and let her go back to Congo to get medical assistance. Pande who also came to Zimbabwe with her one-year-eight-months child told the court she did not know the name of the prophet and they called him Papa.

Nyeka was fined $20 or two weeks imprisonment while Pande was sentenced to $10 or one week behind bars.

However, the magistrate discharged Pande’s sister, cautioning her not to repeat the offence.

Prosecutor Takunda Ndovorwi told the court that on July 21 the trio entered Victoria Falls border through a bushy area from Zambia.

On July 24, the accused persons tried crossing the border to Zambia, but failed to produce travel documents requested by immigration officers at Victoria Falls border, leading to their arrest.