Convicted Zim pastor awaits deportation

Lebogang Baingapi | Thursday April 9, 2015 15:39

 

After admitting to have entered Botswana through an ungazetted point at Matsiloje on October 25, 2013, the Principal Magistrate Sijabuliso Siziba found Shadreck Lovedale, 36, guilty on Tuesday.

The sentence was suspended for one year on condition that he does not commit any offence that has an element of dishonesty.

Lovedale is a pastor and founder of Gospel Impact Church in Francistown. He was arrested during a church service on Saturday evening.

He told the court that although he did not have any legal justification of having committed the offence, he was forced to overstay in the country to oversee the growth and progress of his infant church.  “I applied for residence and work permits and was at first rejected by the minister of Labour and Home Affairs.

I then re-applied and my days finished whilst awaiting a reply from the minister. I wanted to teach some of my congregants how to run the church in my absence while waiting for the reply from the minister but unfortunately found myself in this situation.

I sincerely apologise for my unlawful actions,” said Lovedale.

Sentencing the accused, Siziba said that he took into consideration that the accused was a first offender.  The magistrate however, said that the accused has committed a serious offence that carries a maximum sentence of four years in jail and a fine of P4000 or both.

“First offenders should be treated with leniency although the court does not condone their unlawful actions.

Also, this court is inundated with cases of foreigners entering Botswana through ungazetted points of entries. Nonetheless, your motive in the commission of the offence shall be taken into account,” said Siziba.

The Station Commander of Kutlwano police station Letsholathebe Mothibi later stated that Lovedale has been handed to the Centre for Illegal Immigrants for deportation.

He said that the pastor might be allowed to come back to Botswana to preach after he has normalised his work and residents permits.