Family 'fears death' if deported

Ian Paisley said he is supporting the Kazadi family

An African family living in south Belfast have said they face death if they are forced to return to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Paul Kazadi M'Wepu and his wife Arleth, accused of organising a political coup, have been living in Belfast since 2005.

That December they had a daughter, Benita, born in Belfast. Mrs Kazadi is now three months pregnant.

"Every night I have nightmares because they can come any time and pick me up," he said.

"I really live in constant fear all the time."

Local politicians have been opposing Home Office plans to deport the family.

First Minister Ian Paisley said the family was distressed and appealed for a change of heart.

"Mr and Mrs Kazadi are in real fear of being sent back to the Democratic Republic of Congo and I would appeal to the Immigration Services to reconsider this case, apply some common sense and grant permission for the family to stay here as soon as possible," he said.

Mr Kazadi was granted a work permit and worked on the ferry service between Belfast and Stranraer.

People in Northern Ireland, perhaps more than people in the rest of the UK, understand what happens when a country is at war with itself Naomi Long

The family are active members of an Elim Pentecostal Church.

"I have great happiness for Belfast. I've made a lot of friends here and this is really my home place," Mr Kazadi said.

Alliance assembly member Naomi Long is supporting their case.

"People in Northern Ireland, perhaps more than people in the rest of the UK, understand what happens when a country is at war with itself," she said.

"And I would hope that would relate us better to people who find themselves in a situation where they have had to completely uproot themselves from their home country, from their culture, from their family to come here to seek some kind of protection."

Two other families living in Northern Ireland are also facing deportation.

On Wednesday, Amnesty International protested outside Stormont against the deportation of the Adefowoju and Falode families from Nigeria.

They are currently being held in Yarls Wood Detention Centre near London.