Consular Assistance and a Petition from South African Prisoners in Mauritius to the South African High Commission in March 2008, for President Mbeki during his State Visit

QUOTE

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO:            454

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 9 OF 14 MARCH 2008

MR. A. J LEON (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS:

Whether the South African High Commission in Mauritius received a petition in March 2008, signed by South African prisoners in Mauritius, to be presented to President Mbeki during his state visit in the same month; if so, what was the purport of this petition; whether the High Commission presented the petition to President Mbeki; if not, why not;  whether the South African prisoners in Mauritius are receiving any consular assistance; if not, why not; if so, what is the (a) nature and (b) extent of this assistance?

Reply

 (i)        No.
(ii)         No. No petition was received from South African Detainees / Prisoners.
(iii)        Yes

(a) Consular Assistance is rendered in terms of Article 36 of the VCCR, 1963 and Departmental Prescripts.

(b) An extract of services/support that a detainee/prisoner can expect/can not expect from a Consular Officer as published on the Departmental Web-site is appended hereto.
The Department will, in the case of terminal illness make representation to the respective government to pardon a South African Citizen unconditionally.
No implications for South Africa.

UNQUOTE.