Mbabane – A 25 year old Indian national living at Mona Flats in Mbabane has been ordered to leave the Kingdom after the Magistrates Court found him guilty of breaching the Immigration Act of 1982.
Mustakim Ahmed Patel appeared before Magistrate Mthethwa today following his arrest on 19 November 2025 at the Sdvwashini Industrial Site. Police found him working at Tilwane Investments without any documentation permitting him to work or remain in Eswatini.
Court records show that Patel faced two charges. The first related to contravening Section 14(2)(c) of the Immigration Act by entering and staying in the country without a valid permit. The second charge was for contravening Section 14(2)(f) by taking up employment without a work permit.
During mitigation Patel apologised and requested time to regularise his papers but the court proceeded with sentencing. Magistrate Mthethwa issued a fine of E600 or three months imprisonment for each count. The sentences will run consecutively meaning Patel must pay a total of E1200 or serve six months behind bars.
The Crown applied for his deportation and the court approved the request. Patel has been remanded in custody while the deportation process is finalised.A 25 year old Indian national living at Mona Flats in Mbabane has been convicted on two counts under the Immigration Act of 1982 and ordered to be deported following his appearance at the Magistrates Court earlier today.
Mustakim Ahmed Patel was arrested on 19 November 2025 at the Sdvwashini Industrial Site, where officers found him working at Tilwane Investments without any documentation authorising him to work or remain in the Kingdom. The arrest formed the basis of charges brought against him for unlawful entry, unlawful stay and illegal employment.
According to the charge sheet, the first count accused Patel of contravening Section 14(2)(c) of the Immigration Act by entering and remaining in Eswatini without holding a valid residence permit. The second count, brought under Section 14(2)(f), stated that he had wrongfully obtained employment at Tilwane Investments without a valid work permit permitting him to carry out any form of work in the country.
During mitigation Patel apologised for his actions and pleaded with the court to grant him a few months to fix his immigration papers. His request was not granted. Magistrate Mthethwa sentenced him to pay a fine of E600 or serve three months imprisonment for the first count and another E600 or three months imprisonment for the second count. The court instructed that the sentences run consecutively bringing the total fine to E1200 or a combined six month jail term.
The Crown submitted an application for Patel’s deportation back to India. The court approved the request and further directed that he be remanded in custody until the deportation process is completed.
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