Zimbabwe refugee: 'I could not take the torture if I am forced back'

He grieved alone when his wife was murdered by the regime, and has endured four years apart from his three children.

In exile the 34-year-old accountant, who is recovering from lung cancer, has become a leading campaigner for democracy and the overthrow of Mr Mugabe.

But as the political situation in Zimbabwe has spiralled toward chaos, the British government has withdrawn his benefits and left him with the threat of deportation hanging over his head.

Yesterday ministers were forced to promise an emergency statement on the crisis in Zimbabwe, where life expectancy has fallen from 60 to less than 40. But the Government was accused of failing to match its words with compassion for thousands of Mr Goneso's compatriots who hoped Britain would give them shelter.

There is little doubt Mr Goneso would be a marked man if he was forced to return home. But the Home Office has already thrown out one asylum application, appears to have lost track of a second and has cut off all his financial support.

Today, Mr Goneso relies on handouts to survive and lives in constant fear of being evicted from his flat.

He said last night: "I don't know how I would cope if I lost my case - killing myself would be an option. I don't think I could stand the humiliation and torture if I was made to go back.

"It's humiliating and degrading to go to charity. It doesn't seem fair - Britain doesn't appear to be practising what it preaches. They speak of offering good hospitality and supporting democracy. But the system has been cruel to me."

Sir Menzies Campbell, the Liberal Democrat leader, said: "The particular circumstances of Tendayi Goneso make a compelling case for allowing him to stay. Simply condemning the Mugabe government is not enough. We should do what we can to protect Zimbabweans from harm."

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