Old Woman Collude With Foreigner

Lebogang Mosikare | Monday December 7, 2015 17:15

 

Basupi found the septuagenarian guilty of giving false information to a person employed in the public service in order to help a Zimbabwean to obtain Omang. The accused, Maria Ntatiwa, was found guilty of aiding Thapelo Elliot obtain Omang at Sowa Town in 2008. She had claimed to be Elliot’s aunt. Ntatiwa was fined P1,000 payable in seven days in default of which she shall spend a year in jail. Sentencing the accused, Basupi said Ntatiwa was a first offender, a factor which works in her favour. “You have also pleaded guilty to the offence and did not waste the court’s time, which is a sign of remorse.  I shall also take into account your age, but you should be ashamed of what you did. You have also been a good citizen for this country for many years,” said Basupi.

Basupi added that for one to find themselves increasing the population of another country through dubious means is an act that is not good and has disastrous consequences hence the need to nip the act in the bud before it escalates.

He said that the problem of doing so denies rightful citizens of a particular country to enjoy economic gains of their country.

Elliot’s Omang has since been revoked and was deported to Zimbabwe. Cases of obtaining Omang and passports by false pretence seem to be on the rise. Recently, Basupi found Simbarashe Mafumo guilty of obtaining a passport through dubious means. Basupi also sentenced Ntombizodwa Mpofu (60) after finding her guilty of helping four people acquire Omang and fined her P500.

In a related matter, Patrick Chirunga, also appeared in court to face two counts of allegedly obtaining Omang and a passport illegally.

The state believes that Chirunga is a Zimbabwean.