AN island businesswoman forced by the Home Office to leave her “much-loved” home in Scotland has regained her visa.
Lizanne Zietsman, who was born in Zimbabwe but holds a passport for South Africa, had been warned she faced detention and deportation unless she left Arran.
Zietsman had lost her bid to remain with husband John Malpas, despite a petition backing them reaching almost 20,000 signatures.
Three months on from leaving Scotland, however, she has now announced with “great elation” that her out-of-country application for a spouse visa has been approved.
READ MORE: Arran businesswoman to leave Scotland under threat of deportation
On the petition website, she wrote: “Throughout this trying and stressful time we would not have had the courage or strength to continue the battle had it not been for the overwhelming support received by you all.
“I will be returning home shortly to my much-loved home Arran to once again continue the life my husband John and I have built and will yet again be a familiar face in our wee shop The Sandwich Station.
“The heartache experienced by separation from not only one’s home but the love of your life, soulmate, friends and community is one that can never be conveyed in words!
“I hope that we will all continue to stand together and fight for the countless others that have been placed in a similar position.
READ MORE: READ: Arran woman Lizanne Zietsman's emotional letter to supporters
“Let us hope that in so doing we can lay the foundations for a society that is strengthened in bond and unity allowing people from all walks of life the freedom to love who they so wish, live where they are wanted but above all help build on the compassion that we all share.”
Malpas had linked his wife’s deportation to the hostile environment immigration policy of the UK Government.
The pair had initially sought their visa, first granted on the grounds of their savings, under human rights rules designed to keep families together.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel