However, after arriving on a visitor’s visa in 2004 and being rejected
for a job in the RAF, Mufiri then attempted to claim his right to stay
in Britain by offering officials a fake birth certificate belonging to
a woman who had died in an accident in High Wycombe, Bucks.
The woman – Kathleen Durkin – has been falsely cited as the mother of
more than 70 applicants for British passports, to the immense distress
of her family, the court was told.
Nick Ashby, defending, told Judge Anthony King, sitting at Reading
Crown Court, that from the age of 21 years the defendant had flown
helicopters which carried the Zimbabwean President.
"Given the exposure at such a high level to the government, there are
concerns about his safety and protection at the present time," said the
barrister.
"He has quite a few stories to tell."
Mr Ashby admitted that after Mufiri was rejected for RAF service in
2004, he registered with a London management college and obtained a
student visa which expired in October 2007.
The married father-of-one then attempted to fraudulently claim British
ancestry after paying 3,000 pounds for the false birth certificate but
was arrested when police and immigration officials raided his home in
Gould Close, Newbury, Berks, on January 10.
Prosecuting, Sandra Beck said: "At interview he was asked why he failed
to mention or make reference to a British-born mother when he came to
the UK and why he left it until his student visa ran out.
"He could not answer and checks carried out by the British Embassy in Harare proved the birth certificate was fake."
Sentencing black-coated Mufiri to six months in prison, Judge King
said: "It was perfectly clear that this was a banned activity following
up on your knowledge that if you did not use false documents you would
not be able to remain."
However the judge made no order for deportation after learning that
Britain does not throw out any illegal immigrants or over-stayers from
Zimbabwe because of the country’s political turmoil.
The only way for Mufiri to be deported would be if he volunteered to go, the court was told.
Judge King added: "Whether he will be deported or not will be a matter for the Home Office.
"For my part I see no reason why he should not be."
Mufiri admitted one charge of fraudulently claiming the right to stay
in the UK and one count of possessing articles for use in the fraud.
Daily Telegraph (UK)
Post published in: News