Arrest all border jumpers: Kasukuwere tells court

Former Zanu PF national political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere said that he skipped the country’s border and sought refugee in Mozambique after learning that the junta wanted to execute him during the ‘Operation Restore Legacy’,

Kasukuwere has challenged the State to open criminal dockets against all war veterans who skipped the country through illegal crossing points during the liberation war.

The former Cabinet minister made the remarks yesterday when he appeared before Harare magistrate Josephine Sande facing allegations of skipping the country’s borders following former President Robert Mugabe’s ouster last November.

Samkange said his client’s case was no different to a war situation because he escaped following gunfire attacks at his house.

“The accused left the country seeking refuge in another country after he escaped the attack by the army on his residence using AK-47 riffles. He is exempted from that Immigration Act because he fled disturbances,” Samukange said.

However, State witness and principal immigration officer Godfrey Kondo claimed Kasukuwere was not regarded as a political refugee in South Africa, but enjoyed the status of a diplomat.

Kondo said Kasukuwere should have brought before the court documents or evidence to show he applied for asylum in the neighbouring country.

He also dismissed claims that Kasukuwere’s life was under threat, saying the former Zanu PF political commissar just panicked when he saw large groups of people marching in the city celebrating Mugabe’s departure.  daily news