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More woes for BBC music presenter as judge orders removal of police guard
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR)
May 30, 2012

Zimbabwean Immigration Department authorities on Wednesday 30 May 2012 pressed fresh charges against British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) classical music presenter Petroc Trelawny of contravening the country's immigration laws in a week of high drama.

The Zimbabwean authorities charged Trelawny with contravening Section 36 (1) (h) of the Immigration Act as read with Section 42 (2) (b) of the Immigration Regulations for allegedly violating the conditions under which his visitor's entry certificate had been issued.

The pressing of fresh charges against Trelawny comes two days after the Attorney General (AG)'s Office, declined on Monday 28 May 2012 to authorise his prosecution.

Trelawny was arrested last week in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second largest city and charged with contravening the country's immigration laws for allegedly working in the country without a work permit. However, the AG's Office turned down the prosecution after the music presenter's lawyers Munyaradzi Nzarayapenga of Dube-Banda, Nzarayapenga and Partners Legal Practitioners, who is a member lawyer of ZLHR and Nosimilo Chanayiwa of ZLHR convinced them that he had not violated any of the country's laws.

But on Wednesday, things took a new turn after he was advised of the new charges and he is now expected to appear in court on Thursday 31 May 2012.

On Wednesday morning High Court Judge Justice Nicholas Ndou ordered police to refrain from keeping guard on him.

Justice Ndou upheld an application filed by Trelawny's lawyers ordering the release of the music presenter from custody and the immediate removal of police guarding him at United Bulawayo Hospital.

The Judge also ordered Immigration Department officials to facilitate Trelawny's lawful stay in Zimbabwe after the expiration of his visa, which was valid up to Monday 28 May 2012.

Immigration Department authorities on Wednesday issued Trelawny with a temporary permit allowing him to stay in Zimbabwe until Thursday 31 May 2012 when they hope to have taken him to court. Trelawny forked out $1 000 for the issuance of the temporary permit.

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