The Minister for Justice has been asked to intervene in plans for the deportation of two students at Athlone Institute of Technology - after claims that their lives will be at risk if they are sent back to Africa.
Azwidohwi 'David' Nesengani is a second year student studying BA Applied Social Studies in Social Care in AIT and 'Fortunate' Nesengani is an Access Student who has come through AIT College on the sanctuary scheme which grants scholarships to refugees.
The two have lost an application for refugee status in this country but today students at the IT are leading a campaign for the pair to be given enough time to conclude their studies here - on compassionate grounds.
The two have been told their deportation could go ahead on 19 March.
'Fortunate' has also completed further studies of a Level 5 in Pre Nursing, Level 6 in First Aid Response and Community Development at Moate Business School. She is an active member of the church teaching Sunday school and contributing to the community of Lissywollen Direct Provision in Athlone where she met the Minister for Justice at Christmas when he visited the centre.
Before coming to Ireland, Fortunate had to flee Zimbabwe as a child to avoid recruitment to the Zimbabwe Liberation army. When she married David she says she faced xenophobia from the community experiencing beatings and her house being burned by a mob.
David says he has also experienced xenophobic attacks from the community with his house being burned.
'Fortunate' suffered a broken leg due to these attacks and could not get treatment for this injury until she came to Ireland.
'David' previously worked as a community liaison officer in South Africa and he fears he will lose his life if returned there.
