Cameroonian fined for illegal entry

A LIVINGSTONE magistrate’s court has fined a Cameroonian pastor based in Malawi K1, 500 for using a false identity to enter Zambia.

Mathew Ngo of plot 6/80 Maula Township, Lilongwe, Malawi was convicted for wilful concealment of person’s identity.

On February 5, this year in Kazungula, Ngo appeared before an immigration officer Nkomoka Mapapayi purporting to be Mathews Ngoma when in fact not.

When Ngo appeared for plea before, resident magistrate Trevor Kasanda, he admitted the charge.

Facts were that Ngo is a Cameroonian, who resides in Malawi, was in transit to Botswana.

While at Kazungula border he presented a travel document issued by Malawian authorities in the names of Mathew Ngoma allowing him to travel to Lusaka and for a short visit of 30 days.

This document was a facilitation of entry and exit to and from Lusaka.

This prompted the officer to ask why he was using the same document to travel to Botswana, when he was supposed to be in Lusaka as the documents allowed him to.

Ngo was apprehended and conveyed to immigration officers where he was interviewed further, arrested and charged.

It was discovered that he was not Malawian but Cameroonian, who was carrying his passport number 0793560 and was asked why he did not use his passport when travelling.

He informed the officers that it was an error of the person, who gave him the document and the explanation was not believed as truth.

In mitigation, Ngo said he is sorry for committing the offense adding that he would never ever commit an offense again.

And in sentencing Ngo, Mr Kasanda said he has considered his mitigation and that he is a first offender.

He however ordered him pay 5000 penalty units which translated to K1,500 or default six months simple imprisonment.