Malawi family lose asylum battle

The Kachepa family say a prayer with friends and supporters

A family are to be deported to Malawi after they lost their battle to be allowed to stay in the country.

Vera Kachepa and her four children have lived in Weymouth in Dorset since they left Malawi in Africa in 2001.

The family said they feared for their safety if they returned there because of Mrs Kachepa's husband's relationship with a niece of a former president.

Their appeal for asylum was refused last year and the Home Office said they would be deported on Tuesday.

Why are they doing this to me Vera Kachepa

Mrs Kachepa said: "What time do I say bye to the people who've loved me so much?

"People who have cared for me and people who have been my friends?

"That's why I am so upset. Why are they doing this to me?"

After their appeal was turned down the Home Office allowed them to remain in the UK until the end of the children's school year.

A distraught Vera Kachepa

The Kachepas must now leave the country on Tuesday night.

The news that they would not receive an 11-hour reprieve left friends and neighbours shocked.

Alex Kachepa, 17, described the mood as "depressing".

The family came to the UK to join Mrs Kachepa's husband, who was working as pharmacist in Weymouth.

But he left in July 2001, saying he was homesick and wanted to visit Malawi.

He never returned to the UK but his family remained and built a new life.

Happier times for the Kachepa family

Natasha, 20, was studying a media course at Weymouth College, while Alex was in his first year of a BTEC computer course there.

The younger children, Anthony, 16, and Upile, 11, attended local schools.

Weymouth residents and local MP Jim Knight have campaigned in support of the Kachepa family.

Mr Knight said: "I am obviously very disappointed. I think the rules have failed this family and I think that's a tragedy.

"I believe they are in danger in being returned but we were not able to demonstrate that to the satisfaction of the authorities."

In a letter to the Guardian newspaper on Monday, Ibrahim Milazi, the Malawi High Commissioner, said Mrs Kachepa and her family had nothing to fear, stating: "In Malawi today no-one is above the law".