Pregnant refugee faces losing partner

Apr 5 2009 by John Owens, Sunday Sun

A PREGNANT mum-of-three who fled her homeland in fear of her life is facing a further ordeal after her new love was snatched away from her family without warning.

Torture victim Pombo Musunda escaped war-ravaged Congo four years ago to build a home for herself and her children.

She believed her hopes for a safe future were realised when she met fellow refugee Bulambo Mwati and the couple began a new life.

Last year, they had a baby, Kuzindila Mwati, and are now expecting their second child.

As an asylum seeker, Bulambo was required to make a monthly visit to an immigration centre in South Shields.

But two weeks ago, he failed to return and was taken to a detention centre. Bulambo, of Benwell, Newcastle, now fears she could lose him forever.

Also, as a fellow asylum seeker, she fears she too may be forced out of the country.

Speaking through an interpreter, the 32-year-old said: “He’s always been there for me, helping me look after the children. He is such a good person and has treated me so well. I am safe and feel at home here. I missed him and the children were always asking after him.”

The day after his disappearance, Pombo asked an African friend, Nicol Kiamuangana, to contact immigration officials. Nicol, 34, discovered Bulambo was being held by the authorities and that he was due to be deported from Heathrow Airport the following Monday at 7pm.