AN asylumseeker facing deportation to Zimbabwe has received a reprieve until next month, following a legal intervention.
Edneth Gotora was due to be flown back to Harare after being seized by immigration officials from her home in Stockton.
However, the Refugee Legal Centre has persuaded the courts to suspend deportations to the country following reports that officials there have abducted and tortured people returning from the UK.
Mrs Gotora fled to the UK after her husband was beaten to death by members of Robert Mugabe's ruling ZANU-PF party. Her daughter died of her injuries and Mrs Gotora was raped while in detention.
Home Secretary Charles Clarke said the deportation of Zimbabwean failed asylum seekers would be suspended until a court ruling, on August 4. Mrs Gotora was released on bail from a detention centre and returned to Teesside last week.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article