Kasukuwere A Refugee Not A Border Jumper, Lawyer Tells Court
11 June 2018
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Former government minister Saviour Kasukuwere’s lawyer has argued that his client did not contravene immigration rules but left the country as a refugee fearing for his life.

Kasukuwere is facing charges of contravening the country’s immigration laws after he escaped to Mozambique in 2017 following a military coup dubbed, ‘Operation Restore Legacy’ that toppled president Mugabe and targeted the G40 faction within Zanu PF party.

Appearing in court today, 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.