UNITED DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT

MEDIA RELEASE

 

HUNDREDS OF SOUTH AFRICANS IN FOREIGN JAILS

STATEMENT ISSUED BY MS ANNELIZÉ VAN WYK, MP
UDM SPOKESPERSON FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY

The dramatic increase of South Africans imprisoned abroad concerns the UDM for a number of reasons.


Firstly, the UDM is concerned about the international image of South Africa. Government must actively campaign to ensure that South Africa does not join the list of countries whose names have become synonymous with crime.

Secondly, the UDM is perturbed by the Department of Foreign Affairs' inability to confirm the exact number of South Africans held abroad. The protection of their human rights through consular services fail if the Department is not aware of the imprisonment. With our Bill of Rights it must be a paramount duty of the Department to monitor the imprisonment of all South Africans.

Thirdly, the UDM is particularly disturbed by this further illustration of the growing links between South Africa and the international drug trade. The majority of South Africans being held abroad are convicted for drug-related offences; likewise foreigners held in South African jails are often there due to drug-related offences. South Africa has become a conduit for international drug trafficking.

The UDM calls on government to indicate whether current strategies to deal with drug trafficking are successful. What progress has been made in terms of South African cooperation in international anti-drug trafficking programmes? The damage to diplomatic, tourism and investment initiatives could end up being measured in billions of rands.

Enquiries:
Annelizé van Wyk, MP
UDM Spokesperson for Safety and Security
082 - 557 4184

Cape Town
10 April 2001.