HARARE – A Burundian refugee facing imminent deportation after being deemed a threat to Zimbabwe’s national security got a reprieve on Wednesday after the High Court stayed his removal and ordered his release.

Faustin Magorwa was set to be kicked out of the country without his family of two wives and six children following a banishment order by public service minister Paul Mavima – who oversees refugee facilities – accusing him of misrepresenting his identity to get a piece of land.

The polygamist from the Hutu tribe obtained refugee status in 2006 and became a farmer at Josiah Tongogara Refugee Camp after fleeing civil unrest and persecution for marrying into the rival Tutsi tribe – something he said was taboo in Burundi.

Justice Priscilla Munangati-Manongwa ruled: “Pending final determination of this matter, the following order is granted, that the expulsion order issued by the respondent be and is hereby stayed pending the finalisation of the application for review filed by the applicant. The applicant’s detention in terms of section 16 of the Refugee Act be and is hereby suspended pending review.”

Magorwa had argued in court that his deportation was being orchestrated by the refugee camp supervisor out of sheer envy, adding the man has been on his case for years.

“There is no merit in the 1st respondent’s expulsion order [Mavima]. It was enacted by the camp administrator, Johannes Mhlanga who has been harassing me since his arrival in 2017. He acted in malice and this is not the first time this has happened, he once reported me to the police,” Magorwa told the court.

After calling Tongogara Refugee Camp home for almost 15 years, Magorwa said he was arrested on May 12, 2021, and ordered off his fields, and told that he was being sent back immediately.

He was detained at Mutare Remand Prison where he received an expulsion notice from Mavima on March 17 stating the reasons for his deportation as disturbing national security and public order.

Narrating how finding love put him in harm’s way, Magorwa said: “The marriage resulted in my family hating me for marrying a Tutsi whilst my wife was hated for marrying a Hutu. We were persecuted and out of fear for our lives and limb, we fled Burundi and came to Zimbabwe to seek refuge. Consequently, on September 26, 2006, I was accorded refugee status after screening.”