UK duo's illegal cross-border caper still a mystery, donate R15K each to SA fund
Durban – It is not known why two British citizens decided to ignore authorities and drive illegally into South Africa via the Eswatini border post last month, but they did admit their actions were wrongful.
They were due for a bail hearing the day before, but the matter was rolled over after their legal representatives engaged the State on a plea settlement. They also received a R10 000 fine or three months' imprisonment for contravening the Immigration Act. The sentence was suspended for five years, provided they did not commit a similar crime in that time.
Together, they attempted to re- enter via the same Golela border crossing on April 11, but were turned away.However, on that occasion, once on the South African side of the border, instead of stopping to present the relevant documents to border patrol officials, they dashed through the checkpoint. On Friday, Singh expounded on the serious nature of offences committed by Hackett and Bali and highlighted that they were coming from a “high-risk” country at a time when South Africa was in a State of Disaster due to Covid-19.
In mitigation, advocate Niren Rai reinforced that his clients were remorseful, did not waste the court’s time and, “as a form of good faith” they each paid R15 000 into the Solidarity Fund.
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