31 Aug 2012

Immigration yet to decide fate of dying overstayer

11:23 pm on 31 August 2012

The granddaughter of a dying South African woman says New Zealand's immigration authorities are causing unnecessary stress for their family.

Elizabeth Liebenberg was diagnosed with a lung disease last year while her residency application was being processed.

In December, she received a letter from Immigration New Zealand saying she failed to meet the acceptable standard of health and her application was declined.

Mrs Liebenberg filed an appeal against the decision, however Immigration New Zealand has yet to process the appeal.

Her most recent visa expired on Thursday.

Mrs Liebenberg's granddaughter, Melissa Liebenberg, says her grandmother has only months to live and is physically incapable of leaving the country.