Gladys Mabvira was on her way to the airport when news came through that she had been allowed to fight the deportation. This becomes the fourth time that the Home Office has tried and failed to kick out the Zimbabwean.

The National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns has been fighting hard to stop the deportation asking people to exert pressure on Kenyan Airways not to take Gladys back to Zimbabwe.

When NCADC spoke to Gladys she had almost resigned to leaving saying she had placed everything in the hands of God.

But Thursday evening NCADC reported that Gladys’s ticket had been cancelled. But her battle is far from over.

“We are delighted to say that we’ve just had a message from Gladys that her ticket was cancelled, because of a legal injunction.  This was a very late in the day legal action, and Gladys was on her way to the airport,” said the campaign

Gladys has been detained in Yarl’s Wood for nearly four months. The Home Office resumed the deportation of Zimbabweans last year. But so far many have fought hard with the help of campaigners and were still here.

Gladys is an active member of opposition group ZAPU UK. Her open and public participation with this group, particularly her online blogging, would put her at risk if she was returned to Zimbabwe. As elections are likely to take place in the new year in Zimbabwe, political tensions will rise and repression of opponents to the Mugabe regime will increase. A recent International Crisis Group report highlighted that violence and repression continue in Zimbabwe, despite the existence of the unity government.

UKBA have refused Gladys’ application for further leave to remain in the UK, despite her having lived here for nine years. She has been an active and positive presence in her local community, for example through her leading role at Destiny House Church.

By Special correspondent