Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07PRETORIA3189
2007-09-10 08:54:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Pretoria
Cable title:
SAG WAITING FOR FORMAL EXTRADITION REQUEST FROM
how-toVZCZCXRO2477 RR RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHSA #3189 2530854 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 100854Z SEP 07 FM AMEMBASSY PRETORIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1676 INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1287 RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRETORIA 003189
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/S
MASERU FOR MURPHY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2017
TAGS: PREL PHUM PREF PGOV SF
SUBJECT: SAG WAITING FOR FORMAL EXTRADITION REQUEST FROM
LESOTHO
REF: MASERU 0500 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Catherine E. Kay. Reasons
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRETORIA 003189
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/S
MASERU FOR MURPHY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2017
TAGS: PREL PHUM PREF PGOV SF
SUBJECT: SAG WAITING FOR FORMAL EXTRADITION REQUEST FROM
LESOTHO
REF: MASERU 0500 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Catherine E. Kay. Reasons 1.
4(b) and (d).
1. (C) The South African Government (SAG) is still waiting
for a formal extradition request from the Government of
Lesotho (GOL) for six Basotho men who fled to South Africa
seeking political asylum (reftel),according to Department of
Foreign Affairs (DFA) Chief Director for Southern Africa
(DAS-level) Tselane Mokuena. The initial GOL extradition
request -- which led to the arrest and subsequent granting of
bail to three of the men on August 14 -- was informal and not
legally binding. Mokuena told PolOff on 05 September that
the courts cannot extradite the six without a formal GOL
request made through proper diplomatic channels. It is not
clear what the court, which is scheduled to hear the matter
on September 17, will decide if no formal request is received.
2. (C) Mokuena stressed that the six men have not/not been
granted asylum, but have simply applied for asylum. Under
South African law, asylum-seekers have the right to remain in
the country (and work and study legally) until their claims
have been adjudicated.
3. (C) Asked about the political dimensions of the case,
Mokuena and her staff said that ties between the SAG and GOL
are strong. She doubted that this case would affect
bilateral relations.
4. (C) Mokuena and her staff noted that the Department of
Home Affairs (DHA) would decide the asylum claim, and the
National Prosecuting Authority and courts the extradition
request. DFA would not become actively involved since they
have no formal role in the proceedings.
Bost
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/S
MASERU FOR MURPHY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2017
TAGS: PREL PHUM PREF PGOV SF
SUBJECT: SAG WAITING FOR FORMAL EXTRADITION REQUEST FROM
LESOTHO
REF: MASERU 0500 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Catherine E. Kay. Reasons 1.
4(b) and (d).
1. (C) The South African Government (SAG) is still waiting
for a formal extradition request from the Government of
Lesotho (GOL) for six Basotho men who fled to South Africa
seeking political asylum (reftel),according to Department of
Foreign Affairs (DFA) Chief Director for Southern Africa
(DAS-level) Tselane Mokuena. The initial GOL extradition
request -- which led to the arrest and subsequent granting of
bail to three of the men on August 14 -- was informal and not
legally binding. Mokuena told PolOff on 05 September that
the courts cannot extradite the six without a formal GOL
request made through proper diplomatic channels. It is not
clear what the court, which is scheduled to hear the matter
on September 17, will decide if no formal request is received.
2. (C) Mokuena stressed that the six men have not/not been
granted asylum, but have simply applied for asylum. Under
South African law, asylum-seekers have the right to remain in
the country (and work and study legally) until their claims
have been adjudicated.
3. (C) Asked about the political dimensions of the case,
Mokuena and her staff said that ties between the SAG and GOL
are strong. She doubted that this case would affect
bilateral relations.
4. (C) Mokuena and her staff noted that the Department of
Home Affairs (DHA) would decide the asylum claim, and the
National Prosecuting Authority and courts the extradition
request. DFA would not become actively involved since they
have no formal role in the proceedings.
Bost