A LIVE music concert at Walvis Bay was cut short after the main act of the night, South African musician Juan Boucher, was arrested on stage on Saturday night.
Boucher, whose real name is Gerhardus Johannes Boucher, and band member Rudolf Kleingeld were charged for allegedly contravening the Immigration Control Act by working in certain areas of Namibia without the right visas.
The two were issued work visas on 19 August, which are valid from 19 August to 5 September, to work and perform in the Outjo district only.
They performed at the annual Outjo Wildsfees (game festival) on 26 August at Sophienhof Lodge outside the town.
The duo then proceeded to Walvis Bay and performed at the Pirates Wreck Sports Bar and Grill, where immigration officials stopped the performance and arrested them.
They were detained at the Narraville Police Station.
Working in Namibia without a visa carries a fine not exceeding N$12 000, or imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years.
In some cases, such as that of illegal immigrants, both a fine and imprisonment may be imposed.
The two yesterday appeared in the Walvis Bay Magistrate’s Court before magistrate John Sindano, where their legal representative, Everhardus Gous, pleaded guilty on their behalf.
Sindano found them guilty and fined each N$3 000.
Boucher and Kleingeld have no previous convictions.
“The most important factors are that they showed remorse, they are sorry, and they did not waste time. These people from the onset said they were sorry,” Sindano said.
Lizel Scholtz, the organiser of the Outjo Wildsfees, yesterday declined to comment on the matter.
“They were not with us at the time,” she said.
Theuns Duvenhage of the Pirates Wreck Sports Bar and Grill yesterday said he could only comment after engaging his legal team.
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