Gladys Mabvira, the Zimbabwean activist, is spending Christmas in the UK after all as her flight to Harare was cancelled on Sunday.

This becomes the second time that UK Immigration has tried but failed to boot out Gladys. Details are sketchy as to why the Kenyan Airways flight was cancelled this time. But the National Anti Deportation Coalition was delighted that the attempt to kick her out failed.

She has been taken to Yarl’s Wood where she has been detained for the past three and a half months.

Few Zimbabweans have been removed from the UK this year as either pilots refused to fly them or last minute appeals succeed. Campaigners are already fighting for Gladys’s cause. 

Gladys has said: “I feel let down by the UKBA. Instead of being a sanctuary for asylum seekers they frustrate and have no compassion for human rights.

My case has been complicated by the human error of UKBA themselves. I have made every possible step to prove the validity of my Further Leave to Remain application on Article 8 grounds but they still won’t accept they made a mistake and spelt my name as MABVIKA instead of MABVIRA. As a result I have 2 reference numbers. All I need is justice and for someone to take the time to resolve this incompetence which has resulted in my removal directions.”

Gladys has been 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.

By Staff reporter and agencies