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The Cape Chamber of Commerce & Industry is gravely concerned at the withdrawal of South Africa from the ICC. “Our country should be a role model for accountability of crimes against innocent people,” said Ms Janine Myburgh, President of the Chamber. Kenya was the first country to withdraw after its leaders were charged, and although these charges were subsequently dropped, it is alarming that we might be contributing to a trend for African countries to withdraw.

We accept the fact that the majority of cases appearing before the court are African, however these are referred to the ICC by the countries themselves. Ms Myburgh said that the question to ask is: “Are our leaders focused on protecting themselves at the expense of providing a safe and secure environment for all its citizens?” It’s about holding people to account - an aspect of a healthy society that we should never lose as a country. We already set a bad example over the Bashir incident which was described as “disgraceful conduct” by the Supreme Court of Appeal.

Issued by Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry