Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
Following speculation surrounding the arrest of Mr Robert McBride in Maputo last week, the Department of Foreign Affairs wishes to emphasise the following:
- Immediately following the arrest of Mr McBride, Minister Nzo instituted a Departmental enquiry and instructed the Deputy Director-General, Mr Abdul S Minty, to proceed to Maputo. This included a meeting with the Mozambican Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Francis Vitoria Velho Rodrigues.
- A day later the public was informed by way of a Departmental statement that; Minister Nzo was shocked by the news of Mr McBride's arrest; Mr McBride was not on official government business at the time of his arrest; that he had followed procedures in applying for vacation leave from 9-11 March 1998; and that his use of a diplomatic passport, while on leave, did not breach Departmental regulations.
Due to the gravity of the allegations against Mr McBride and consistent with Public Service procedures and the Labour Relations Act, a communication was conveyed to Mr McBride informing him of the intention to suspend him from duty in the Department of Foreign Affairs. Mr McBride has since responded saying he understood why this procedure needed to be followed, given the serious nature of the allegations against him, and he regretted the embarrassment caused to the South African Government.
It should be emphasised that, apart from the Departmental investigation, which is continuing, a separate criminal investigation is being conducted by the Mozambican authorities, whose sovereignty should be respected.
As was stated by Minister Mufamadi, who was accompanied by South Africa's Ambassador to the OAU, Mr Welile Nhlapo, during their visit to Maputo yesterday, the South African Government recognises that the due process of law in Mozambique must take its course. naturally, the South African Government will provide assistance in the investigation, if so required, within the framework of the bilateral agreements between the two countries to combat cross-border crime.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRETORIA 17 MARCH 1998