RSS 2.0 FeedJanuary 2010 Vol 1, National News
Morley church worker wins the right to escape war vets violence
A FARMER'S daughter from Zimbabwe who came to work in Morley two years ago has been granted asylum. An immigration judge decided Erica Coetzee, 22, should be allowed to stay because her life would be in danger if she was deported to Zimbabwe.
A FARMER'S daughter from Zimbabwe who came to work in Morley two years ago has been granted asylum.
An immigration judge decided Erica Coetzee, 22, should be allowed to stay because her life would be in danger if she was deported to Zimbabwe.
Erica came to Morley in September 2007 at the invitation of Morley Community Church.
She worked as a youth and pastoral support worker, visiting the elderly and infirm and working with children and young people at the church, which is based at Fountain Primary School.
When her visa expired in August 2008, the church council invited her to consider extending her stay as they were impressed with her work and alarmed at the mounting election violence in Zimbabwe.
To their surprise her application to extend her voluntary worker's visa was turned down and her case had to go to appeal.
Just before Christmas she heard that the immigration tribunal in Newcastle had decided she could stay.
Erica said: "I am so grateful for the prayers and support of Morley Community Church.
"Working in their projects and placements has taught me so much and they have helped me through very difficult times.
"In addition, Morley people have been so kind and helpful. I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart."
Coun Andy Dalton, a church elder, also welcomed the news, saying: "Erica has almost become an extended part of our family.
"It would have been suicidal for her to be sent back to Zimbabwe.
"We are so pleased at the wise and humanitarian decision of both judges."
He went on to say the congregation of Morley Community Church had backed her all the way while her case worked its way through the extensive legal procedures.
Erica's family are living at a Zimbabwe school after being evicted from their farm by Mugabe's war veterans.
Since her arrival in Morley the intimidation and violence has escalated – her mother was arrested for taking photographs of empty supermarket shelves and was imprisoned for days without food.
The school compound was attacked and many staff beaten up and their property destroyed.
A neighbour and relative was abducted by a gang of ZANU-PF youths and barbed wire was wrapped around his neck.
Another relative was imprisoned without charge or trial, her former place of work on a tea estate was invaded by government gangs and African former colleagues have disappeared without trace.
Erica is now trying to make a life for herself in the UK, thanks to the help she has received from Morley Community Church and a number of other local organisations including the Harehills and Chapeltown Law Centre in Leeds who took up her case and represented her at the tribunal hearings.
The Lord Mayor of Leeds Coun Judith Elliot, Coun Andy Dalton and Morley Elderly Action's Neil Lennox all provided written testimonial evidence.
Erica came to Morley in September 2007 at the invitation of Morley Community Church.
She worked as a youth and pastoral support worker, visiting the elderly and infirm and working with children and young people at the church, which is based at Fountain Primary School.
When her visa expired in August 2008, the church council invited her to consider extending her stay as they were impressed with her work and alarmed at the mounting election violence in Zimbabwe.
To their surprise her application to extend her voluntary worker's visa was turned down and her case had to go to appeal.
Just before Christmas she heard that the immigration tribunal in Newcastle had decided she could stay.
Erica said: "I am so grateful for the prayers and support of Morley Community Church.
"Working in their projects and placements has taught me so much and they have helped me through very difficult times.
"In addition, Morley people have been so kind and helpful. I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart."
Coun Andy Dalton, a church elder, also welcomed the news, saying: "Erica has almost become an extended part of our family.
"It would have been suicidal for her to be sent back to Zimbabwe.
"We are so pleased at the wise and humanitarian decision of both judges."
He went on to say the congregation of Morley Community Church had backed her all the way while her case worked its way through the extensive legal procedures.
Erica's family are living at a Zimbabwe school after being evicted from their farm by Mugabe's war veterans.
Since her arrival in Morley the intimidation and violence has escalated – her mother was arrested for taking photographs of empty supermarket shelves and was imprisoned for days without food.
The school compound was attacked and many staff beaten up and their property destroyed.
A neighbour and relative was abducted by a gang of ZANU-PF youths and barbed wire was wrapped around his neck.
Another relative was imprisoned without charge or trial, her former place of work on a tea estate was invaded by government gangs and African former colleagues have disappeared without trace.
Erica is now trying to make a life for herself in the UK, thanks to the help she has received from Morley Community Church and a number of other local organisations including the Harehills and Chapeltown Law Centre in Leeds who took up her case and represented her at the tribunal hearings.
The Lord Mayor of Leeds Coun Judith Elliot, Coun Andy Dalton and Morley Elderly Action's Neil Lennox all provided written testimonial evidence.
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