For Khumbula, new life in Derby is 'like being freed from prison'

REFUGEE Khumbula Dube feels like he has been freed from a prison sentence after being given the go-ahead to start a new life in Derby.

Brave Mr Dube spoke out against the murderous regime of dictator Robert Mugabe in his home country – and was then forced to flee.

He sought sanctuary in Derby – but the Home Office threatened to send him back to face possible torture or death.

Now, after a seven-year battle, he has been told he can stay – and friends here are delighted.

Mr Dube, 41, said: "It all still feels like I'm dreaming – like it's not real or something.

"It's like I've been freed from prison."

Tracy Skipper, manager of the Normanton cafe where he volunteers, said: "He is an absolutely fantastic person and a fantastic worker."

Mr Dube's aim now is to get a work permit so he can properly support himself – and try to bring over from Zimbabwe his mother and son, Proud, 14, whom he had to leave behind when he escaped Zimbabwe.

Mr Dube fled his home country after witnessing the stabbing of his brother, who was attacked for speaking out against Mugabe.

He applied to the Home Office to remain in Britain on the grounds that he would be tortured if sent home because of his outspoken views against Mugabe.

That application was refused but, following a lengthy appeal, he has been granted permission to stay in Derby.

A relieved Mr Dube said: "The past few years have been really difficult for me and I'm grateful for the help and support I've had from people in Derby.

"When my application for asylum was refused first time around, I felt like throwing myself out of my flat window when I found out – anything other than face going back to Zimbabwe.

"It has been a difficult few years but I'm trying to look forward now. I have been doing voluntary work in Derby but now I will be able to work full-time. That's something I'm really excited about."

Mr Dube, of Chalkley Close, Alvaston, fled Zimbabwe in 2002.

He longs to be with his son once more. Mr Dube said: "I would like to bring him over to live with me, but I'd have to meet with him first. I'm like a stranger to him at the moment.

"I hope we can meet somewhere safe in the near future, maybe South Africa or Botswana. I want to explain to him why I had to leave. Hopefully he will understand."

After witnessing the stabbing of his brother and murder of his school teachers at the hands of Mugabe's regime, Mr Dube knew he had to leave Zimbabwe.

He walked 100 miles for more than two weeks at night, when it was safe, across Botswana and into South Africa, where he worked for three months stuffing duvets to earn enough money to pay for a fake passport.

As a member of the Movement for Democratic Change, a political party that stands against Mr Mugabe's regime, Mr Dube has often spoken out against him.

He even appeared on Sky News when he first arrived in England, criticising the political state of his home country.

However, following his application to remain in the UK, a letter to Mr Dube from the Home Office stated that "there was no evidence the authorities in Zimbabwe monitor the media and take action against those who criticise the government".

Mr Dube spent two months sleeping at friends' homes in London before being moved to Derby in July 2003 by immigration officials.

He has spent his time in Derby giving children lectures about his home country and visiting schools across the county, including Long Eaton School and Michael House Steiner School, in Shipley.

He said: "What I have tried to do is talk to the children about how lucky they are. If I can explain to them exactly how tough it is for kids in Zimbabwe, they may appreciate more what they have."

The Zimbabwe national has spent more than two years volunteering, twice a week, at the Aroma coffee shop, in Normanton Road. It is run by the New Life Christian Centre.

Ms Skipper said: "We've been on a lot of Mr Dube's journey with him. We've been through the ups and the downs together.

"I can't commend him highly enough – he's been such a blessing to everybody and has really reached out to them."

Mr Dube said he had hoped to move back to Zimbabwe, but only if Mugabe was not in power.

At the moment, the Movement for Democratic Change is involved in a power-sharing deal with Mugabe's Zanu-PF party and both are responsible for the running of the country.

Mr Dube said: "I spoke to my sister in Bulawayo a couple of days ago. Nothing has changed and I don't think anything will change while Mugabe is in power.

"People in my country are still going missing after speaking out against Mugabe and I have heard stories of people being tortured as well."

A spokesman for the Home Office said: "We consider every individual case with enormous care, and where appropriate we grant leave to remain in the UK."