Durban guesthouse owner fined for helping tourists in SA illegally
A Durban guesthouse owner who assisted two British nationals, who crossed the border into South Africa illegally during the hard lockdown last year has been sentenced.
It's understood that 47-year-old Nazar Salman and his employee, Ahmed Elrabiey accommodated James Hackett and Erkan Bali at their Glenwood establishment.
Hackett and Bali forced their way through the Golela border post from eSwatini into South Africa - after being denied entry.
They were later arrested at the guesthouse, sent into quarantine and charged with contravening the Immigration and Disaster Management acts.
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Hackett and Bali pleaded guilty and were fined R50 000.
The NPA's Natasha Kara says Salman and his employee also admitted guilt this week.
Kara says Salman was found to have been operating a business without a licence.
"He was sentenced to a fine of R3 000 or three months imprisonment, of which R2 000 was suspended.
"He pleaded guilty to running a business in a residential area and was sentenced to a fine of R15 000, or 24 months imprisonment, of which R10 000 was suspended.
"Salman also pleaded guilty to running a non-essential business during lockdown. For this, he was fined R15 000 or six months imprisonment, of which R10 000 was suspended."
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