WINDHOEK – An Angolan citizen who obtained a diploma in Basic English at the Polytechnic Language Centre appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court yesterday on a charge of contravening Namibia’s immigration laws.
After the charge was read to Serigado Pereira Jose Manase, age 53, his lawyer Tabitha Mbome informed Judge Hileni Kavara that her client would plead not guilty to the charges.
She told Kavara that Manase applied for a study permit while still legally in Namibia on a 90-day visitor’s permit.
Manase entered Namibia in August last year and enrolled at the Polytechnic during September for a six-month course in Basic English for which he received a diploma in February.
She said the Polytechnic applies for study permits on behalf of students and that the students are only responsible for enquiring about the outcome every second week and in this case he never received his permit.
Manase was arrested after he went to apply for a marriage licence and Immigration officials enquired about his passport.
He then brought them a passport without any entries and after they enquired how he entered Namibia he brought his old passport where his entry visa was stamped.
It was then realised he had overstayed in Namibia for 210 days and he was arrested and charged. His Namibian girlfriend, Antoinette Wentworth, forwarded a guarantee of N$2 000 for Manase not to be detained while the matter was being sorted out by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration.
Magistrate Kavara inquired from state prosecutor Verinao Kamahene about bail and he replied that he recommends bail of N$2 000 on condition that Manase reports every Monday and Friday to the Windhoek police station between 08h00 and 10h00.
Kavara did not agree with the bail amount and set bail at N$5 000 with the same conditions. Manase’s girlfriend who was present in court paid the bail.
By Roland Routh