Clarification on Statements by Deputy Minister Pahad on the Rashid Khalid Deportation Matter

Pretoria- The reports that Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad suggested that the deportation of Rashid Khalid to Pakistan had caused the South African Government an embarrassment internationally are erroneous and taken out of context.

Deputy Minister Pahad had said at the briefing "that the Khalid case comes at the same time as the release of the European Union's report on rendition and that the matter has been referred to the international court.

From this perspective, Deputy Minister Pahad is of the view that there will obviously be negative media reporting on the matter. However, Deputy Minister Pahad had expressed his confidence that the government through Home Affairs had handled the matter correctly.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

13 June 2006