"Coming in the wake of calls by the UN (United Nations), Caricom (Caribbean Community) and the AU (African Union) to assist the people of Haiti to find an amicable resolution to the current political and economic challenges facing the country, these developments do not bode well for democracy," spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said in a statement.
The statement did not confirm or deny reports that Aristide may take asylum in South Africa, as earlier reported by a foreign news agency.
"The South African Government has noted with serious concern developments in Haiti, leading to the resignation of a democratically elected President Jean Bertrand Aristide yesterday February 29, 2004," Mamoepa said.
"The state of chaos and anarchy that Haiti had descended into demanded a politically negotiated solution involving all genuine Haitians committed to finding a long lasting solution to their political and economic challenges.
"The international community must not allow 'rebels', many of whose leaders are notorious criminals responsible for the gross human rights violations to determine the future of Haiti.
"In this regard the international community in conjunction with Caricom must act decisively to arrest the situation from a further decline into lawlessness and disorder, with a view to creating a climate conducive for a dialogue among Haitians to find a lasting resolution to challenges facing their country," he said.
Earlier yesterday Mamoepa told Sapa: "We are not aware that Aristide is on his way to South Africa".
Conflicting reports suggested Aristide was heading to Morocco, Taiwan, Panama or South Africa, it was reported.
Democratic Alliance spokesperson Douglas Gibson said in a statement yesterday: "The DA calls on the South African government to make a statement that the President of Haiti, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, must certainly not come to South Africa. South Africa should not become a safe-haven for dictators.
"It is time that President (Thabo) Mbeki conducted a review of his foreign policy and started acting in the interest of South Africa. Our country's enormous fund of goodwill is being dissipated because of links to and strange friendships with the Saddam Husseins, Aristides and Mugabes of the world".
Mbeki visited Haiti early this year during the celebrations of the uprisings against Napoleon's troops which saw the Caribbean territory become the world's first black republic. He donated R10-million to the celebrations.
He was criticised by the opposition parties at home who questioned how South Africa would benefit from Haiti's celebrations. – Sapa.
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