Army veteran facing deportation to Zimbabwe has ‘put life on hold’

A BRITISH Army veteran is “living in fear each and every second” because of the threat of deportation to Zimbabwe.

Joram Nechironga has spent more than 20 years living in the UK and served in Iraq during his five years with 9 Supply Regiment, based at Hullavington Barracks, in Wiltshire.

But the Coventry resident is involved in a lengthy legal battle with the Home Office to prevent his removal and hopes to launch a judicial review.

The father-of-two said he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) linked to his experiences on the front line, which at one stage led him to turn to drinking, and he also served time in prison as a result.

But the House of Commons has heard the 42-year-old “turned his life around” working as a painter and decorator after his release, with his Labour MP, Zarah Sultana, urging ministers to stop him being deported. Mr Nechironga fears for his safety if he is returned to Zimbabwe and claims he was “tortured and beaten” for serving in the British Army and was viewed as a “spy” during his last visit in 2006.

The Home Office does not accept this claim due to “inconsistencies” in Mr Nechironga’s account and wants him to leave the country as soon as possible.

His latest submissions for a protection claim and for his deportation order to be revoked have been rejected by the Home Office.

Mr Nechironga said he apologises for his mistakes and wants to be given the chance to continue his life in the UK and receive the treatment he needs for his mental health.

He said: “I’m living in fear [every] second; they have put my life on hold.”

“I went to prison and did my time and after, I did my probation and finished.

A Home Office spokesman said: “Our priority [is] to keep our communities safe, which is why we make no apology for trying to remove foreign criminals.”

‘I’m living in fear [every] second; they have put my life on hold. I went to prison and did my time’