Status of the South African Men arrested and sentenced to imprisoned for the “Illegal Transmission of Equipment”, and whether the Department of Foreign Affairs has requested the release of the Men

QUOTE

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO: 986

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 18 OF 13 JUNE 2008

Mr A J Leon (DA) to ask the Minister of Foreign Affairs:

a) In the case of South African being arrested during the “illegal transmission of equipment”  and sentenced to imprisonment, whether the Department of Foreign Affairs has requested the Men to be released;

No.  The Department of Foreign Affairs does not intervene in the judicial process where South African citizens are arrested abroad.

b) Whether the Department of Foreign Affairs has requested that the men be expatriated back to South Africa in order to face charges in their own country; if not, why not; 

No.

As far as the Department of Foreign Affairs is aware, the men are not sought in South Africa for any known crimes.  Requests for extradition are made by the National Prosecuting Authority through the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.  No extradition request has been made in terms of the 3 persons.

c) Whether the Department of Foreign Affairs will approach the Zimbabwean Government regarding this issue in future;

No.

UNQOUTE