Yvonne Karusseit who has lived in the country from almost six years’s has lost her bid to stay in the UK after Home Office last week gave her 2 weeks to leave voluntarily or face forced deportation from the UK to Zimbabwe.
Yvonne Karusseit tells the harrowing story behind her fears for her own and husband Clive’s safety after her own brother was murdered.
Yvonne Karusseit and her husband, Clive, left their home in the country as they grew increasingly worried about their safety under the leadership of President Robert Mugabe.
They a had a good reason to be very scared – for Yvonne’s brother was murdered by Mugabe’s regime.
Terry Ford was a white farmer who had tended his land for years, having being born in the country. But Robert Mugabe’s sister visited the farm and decided she wanted it.
When he refused to hand over his home and livelihood, he was beaten and hacked before being shot in the head.
The death of Terry made headlines across the world.
Not least because of a photograph taken which shows him lifeless with his loyal dog, Squeak, curled up against his body. He had to be coaxed away from his master hours later.
The Karusseits believe they could face a similar fate.
They have told how they were educated in Zimbabwe. Their schooling was British and upbringing was very British. Their relatives fought for Britain in the Boer War and Second World War.
But the reason their visa application for indefinite leave to stay in the UK has been declined is because they haven’t given sufficient proof that they are proficient in English and do not have sufficient knowledge of life in Britain.
In a petition to UK Home Secretary Theresa May, Yvonne explained: “My husband and I were informed that our applications for Indefinite Leave to remain in the UK had been declined as we had erroneously omitted taking an English test and submitting same.
“We cannot appeal this decision. We are pleading with everyone to please sign this petition to assist us in getting our new visas. My elderly mother has dementia and other debilitating medical problems.
“With her dementia, she relies on me to do most things for her. There will be no family to take care of her if we are deported.
“The fact that we grew up in Rhodesia and were brought up in the British way under British rule for many years means nothing.
“Our only hope is to appeal to The Honourable Theresa May to assist us in this matter. We have supported ourselves since arriving in the UK.”
DEPORTATION LETTER
24 APR 2016 — On Thursday, around lunch time, I had to sign for a letter from the Home Office. I was hoping it was good news. Sadly, it was a letter telling me that I had two weeks to leave the UK voluntarily, or I could be forcibly removed. I contacted our Attorney immediately, and she in turn contacted the Border Force Agency and Home Office to advise them we already had legal representation. Our MP was also going to contact the relevant departments. Clive has not received a notification that he has to leave as well. To say I was in a state of shock would be an understatement. This I know, the UK is now our home, we have absolutely nothing left in Africa and we will not return there. We would be destitute. We have bought a home here in Melbourne, Derby, which we have had renovated and adapted to suit the needs of Mum and Dad (Dad sadly passed away just over 2 years ago). I have a duty to take care of my Mum who has Alzheimer’s and other debilitating ailments. She relies on me to help her dress and undress at times, help her with her shoes other times, I clean and tidy her annex as she is unable to, I take care of her personal needs etc. She has lived with us for nearly 16 years and she needs the routine and stability she has now with us. I will NOT abandon her. Our place is here in the UK, a country we love and have made our home. My place is with my Mum, to love and take care of her for as long as she is alive. We will not be bullied into leaving our home. Please, please continue to hold us in your thoughts and prayers, please continue to share our story, we need at least 10 000 signatures on this petition. God bless you all for your amazing support. Yvonne (I have put a picture on of our Duke and me this last Christmas after decorating the tree )
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